別府八湯 湯けむり、あかりのまつり

Beppu

Light is the theme of this early spring festival, as the hot spring city of Beppu is illuminated with all the colors of the spectrum.

Hatto, The City’s Eight Hot Springs
tBeppu boasts the highest spa water emission volume in Japan, so the people of the city put that water to use in many ways – not just for bathing, of course, but also in their daily lives. The city is known throughout the nation for its hot springs, and there are eight within the city limits, including the Beppu Onsen. That’s the reason for the Japanese term, Beppu Hatto.
tEach spa has distinctive characteristics, such as the bamboo roof tiles on the Beppu Onsen’s wood frame buildings, the bathing huts at Myoban Onsen with their “flowers of sulfur”, and the sand baths of the Kamekawa Onsen. Even if you’re not particularly hot about hot springs, there’s a lot to enjoy in the city.
tTake a stroll through town, and you’ll see steam rising from the roadside watercourses. The odor of sulfur is everywhere. The area has always had a profusion of public baths, an indication that most Beppu-ites consider the hot springs an indispensable part of their daily lives. In fact, some families have the water piped into their homes, making it available just by turning on the tap.

Beppu’s Spectacular Night Illuminations
tNaturally, Beppu uses its hot springs as the theme for many events in the city throughout the year. One of these is the Beppu Hatto Yukemuri Akari no Matsuri, or the Spa Steam Festival of Lights. Every evening from 7 to 9 during the month-long festival, the steam rising from the Kannawa Spa is lit up, creating an otherworldly effect. This event provides the perfect chance to see the city up close, either through a walking tour conducted by a local guide, or a tour of two specific spas, where you can learn how the waters can beautify the skin or take off excess weight.
tThe festival ends on April 3, when the biggest event of the month-long bash is scheduled. The entire mountainside of Mt. Ogi, towering over the city, is set aflame, and visitors can revel in a scene unlike no other – watching an entire mountain on fire as spa steam rises from the city.

Festival Inquiries
Beppu Ryokan and Hotel Association
0977-22-0401

– – – – –
Sightseeing Information

Hihokan – Sex Museum
Must be 18 to enter

The literal meaning of Hihokan is The House of Secret Treasures, but it’s just a euphemism for Sex Museum. There are many facilities of this type in hot springs towns, and Beppu is no exception. The Hihokan in Beppu is located in the Kannawa Hot Spring, across from Wani Jigoku.

Pink is the dominant color of the interior, and the museum features a wide range of exhibits detailing the different aspects of male-female intimacy, including sculptures, wax figures, videos, and photos. There are also fully nude female mannequins, an area featuring original adult videos, and racy ukiyo-e artwork. If you’re easily stimulated, you might want to pass this place up!

338-3 Kannawa Shibuyu, Beppu
0977-66-8790
1,000 yen, persons under 18 not admitted
9:00 ~ 10:00
Open every day
http://www.chowchow.gr.jp/inova/beppu/beppu.html
Yes, there are rental bicycles!
From 500 yen for two hours!
9:00 ~ 17:00
Eki Rent-a-car System Co. at Beppu Stn.
0977-24-4428

Access
By car
About 1 hr. and 40 min. / 3,300 yen
Dazaifu Interchange – Kyushu Expressway / Oita Expressway (About 1 hr. and 40 min. / 3,300 yen) – Beppu Interchange

By train
About 1 hr. and 50 min. / 5,500 yen
JR Hakata Station – Nippo Main Line (About 1 hr. and 50 min. / 5,500 yen) – JR Beppu Station

By bus
About 2 hr. and 15 min. / 3,100 yen
Tenjin Bus Center – Nishitetsu Bus (About 2 hr. and 15 min. / 3,100 yen) – Beppu (Kitahama)
Inquiries

Inquiries
Beppu Tourism and Municipal Development Office
0977-21-1128
Beppu Tourism Association
0977-24-2828
[i] www.city.beppu.oita.jp
Foreign Tourist Information Office
0977-23-1119

Gifts
Onsen Eggs
300 yen (pack of 5)
The egg whites have a pudding-like consistency, while the yolk is still soft-boiled. The onsen eggs of Umijigoku are an essential part of a Beppu trip. The eggs are placed into a basket and lowered into the cobalt blue waters to boil. But be warned! Try one and they may become habit-forming!

Umijigoku
Kannawa O-aza, Beppu
0977-66-0121
8:00 ~ 17:00
Open every day
400
www.umijigoku.co.jp

Kannawa Shochu
785 yen~

This barley shochu was conceived and is sold by the Kannawa Shochu Lovers Association of Kannawa Hot Springs. Made with only barley and rice malt, it has a unique fragrance derived from its ingredients. It makes the perfect gift because it’s sold only in Kannawa. The bottle comes in a distinctive package and has a striking label.

Hayashida Shoten
Kannawa O-aza Beppu
0977-66-0344
9:00 a.m. to 21:00
Last Sun. of the month
www.coara.or.jp/~aichukai

Insider Info

If you have read any guide books or articles about Beppu, you probably already know that Beppu is the onsen (hot spring) capital of Japan. But what most fail to mention is that this little town of 125,000 people has the highest foreigner-to-Japanese population ratio in the whole of Japan. Here are a few places where you might bump into a fellow foreigner, and where you can kick back and share stories or swap travel tips.

Pastel
If you’re looking for a friendly face to share a drink with, Pastel Bar is a sure bet. Cosy and modern, it is a pasta restaurant during the day and a bar at night. All night-staff are bilingual, many of them international students at the Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU) here in Beppu. If you sit at the bar, ask for John, an American and long-time resident. Pasta costs 630~780 yen, and get one of their popular, fruity “beauty” drinks (430 yen) with avocado or aloe that supposedly make your skin healthier. At the weekends, they stay open until the last customer leaves.

Open: Restaurant: 11:00 ~ 22:00 (L.O. 21:30), bar: 22:00 ~ 04:00 (Fri., Sat. ~ end)
Address: 1-10-9 Kitahama, Beppu
Tel. 0977-26-6200
Big Eye Sports Bar
Whether you’re a sports fan or not, the Big Eye bar is the place to be on a Saturday night. Frequented by foreign tourists as well as foreigners living in Beppu, the Big Eye has a wide choice of cocktails and imported beers from all over the world. All drinks are 500 yen except soft-drinks (300~400 yen) and imported brews (500 yen~700 yen). On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays you can enjoy two hours of nomihodai (all-you-can-drink) for 2,000 yen starting whenever you come in.

Open: 18:00 ~ 02:00
Closed: Thu.
Address: 1-10-12 Kitahama, Beppu
Tel. 0977-21-3336

Places to Stay
Beppu Guest House
Beppu Guest House only opened in early 2006 but has already become very popular among foreign and Japanese tourists. With 1,500 yen per night in a dorm room, no wonder. Single, double and triple rooms are also available. The Beppu Guest House is only a two-minute walk from Beppu Station and bus terminals, and walking distance to numerous onsen (hot spring baths), shops, restaurants and bars. Beppu Guest House offers great value, simple accommodation.

Address: 1-12 Ekimae-machi, Beppu-shi
Tel: 0977-76-7811
English homepage and online reservations:
http://beppu-g-h.com/en/index.html
Ekimae-machi Koto Onsen
Located close to the Beppu Guest House, Ekimae Koto Onsen is a good bet if you want to stay somewhere with in-house onsen. The first floor has two kinds of hot spring baths: one for 100 yen and the other for 300 yen. The more expensive one has different temperature baths, with soap and towel included. For accommodation, there is a shared tatami-style room for 1,500 yen, or private rooms for 2,500 yen, both with futons. You can use the baths whether you are staying the night or not.

Address: 13-14 Ekimae-machi, Beppu
Tel: 0977-21-0541

Written by:
Anita Vlcek

Though originally from the Czech Republic, Anita has lived in India and Vietnam before coming to Japan in 2001. Currently a graduate student at the Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University and a freelance web designer, Anita has been living in Beppu City for the past five years.

Contact: anita_vlcek@yahoo.com

 

 

 

 

別府八湯 湯けむり、あかりのまつり

九州ガイド
3月1日（木）～4月3日（火）
別府市

「あかり」をテーマに、湯どころ別府が七色の光に彩られる早春の祭り

湯けむり別府の夜空が染まる１カ月
そんな湯どころ別府で開催される『別府八湯 湯けむり、あかりのまつり』。1カ月におよぶ祭り期間中、毎日19時～21時、鉄輪温泉の湯けむりがライトアップされ、街はほっこりと幻想的な雰囲気に包まれる。この機会に、地元ガイドとライトアップされた温泉街を歩く『ウォーキングツアー』や美肌やダイエット、癒しといったテーマに合わせて2種類の温泉が楽しめる『2湯めぐり』などを利用して、別府の街を体験してみては。最終日の4月3日は、まつりのラストを飾る一大イベントとして扇山の火まつりが予定されている。

まつりに関する問い合わせ
別府市旅館ホテル組合連合会　事務局
0977-22-0401
観光情報

秘宝館
18歳以下のお子さまはお断り
蝋人形や映像、画像などであれこれと男女の営みが紹介される少しエッチな『秘宝館』。女優の全裸マネキンやオリジナルの成人映画上映コーナー、際どい構図の浮世絵などなど…。刺激の強い大人限定の博物館だ。
別府市鉄輪渋湯338-3
0977-66-8790
1,000円（18歳以下は入場不可）
9:00～22:00
無休
現地特派員レポート
別府と聞いて「あー、あの温泉の町ね」で片付けてしまうのはもったいない。別府は人口に対して、外国人が日本一多いという記録を持つ町なのだ。そんなオルタナティブな別府を歩いてみて。別府在住のアニータがレポート。

パステル
お昼はパスタレストラン、夜はバーとして使える店。バータイムにはAPUの学生がスタッフとして働いているから、英語もOKだ。おすすめはアボガドとアロエのカクテル（￥430）、これでお肌もプリプリになるかも。週末は最後のお客さんが帰るまで開いているから、ご安心を。
別府市北浜1-10-9
レストラン: 11:00 ～ 22:00 (L.O. 21:30), バー: 22:00 ～ 04:00 (Fri., Sat. ～ end)
0977-26-6200
ビッグアイ スポーツバー
外国人観光客や在住者にも人気のスポーツバー。カクテルやインポートビールの種類が豊富でかつ、全てのドリンクが￥500という分かり易さがいい。金曜日、土曜日、日曜日は2時間で飲み放題￥2,000だ。
18:00 ～ 02:00
木曜日休み
別府市北浜1-10-12
0977-21-3336
宿泊するならコチラ

別府ゲストハウス
別府駅から徒歩で2分の場所にあって、数多く点在する温泉施設へのアクセスもいいため、外国人、日本人問わず人気の施設。ドーミトリールームなら￥1,500から。他にもシングル、ダブル、トリプルルームもある。
別府市駅前町1-12
0977-76-7811
http://beppu-g-h.com/en/index.html
駅前町高等温泉
別府ゲストハウスの近くにあるのが、この温泉。1階は￥100と￥300という2種類の温泉があり、￥300の方にはせっけん、タオルが付く。宿泊も畳部屋なら￥1,500からあるのでとても便利だ。
別府市駅前町13-14
0977-21-0541
おみやげ

温泉タマゴ
＼300（1パック5個入り）
白味はぷりんぷりん、黄味は半熟。別府に来たならはずせないのが海地獄の「温泉タマゴ」だ。真っ青なコバルトブルーの地獄の中に沈められたカゴの中で卵がグツグツ…。とろとろの半熟加減がクセになる地獄の味をめしあがれ！

海地獄
別府市大字鉄輪559-1
0977-66-0121
8:00～17:00
無休
400円
www.umijigoku.co.jp
鉄輪焼酎
＼785～
鉄輪温泉で結成された『鉄輪愛酎会』が企画販売している麦焼酎。「素材は麦と麹だけ！」という素材の味を生かした香ばしい風味が特長的。鉄輪でしか販売されていないのでおみやげにぴったりだ。

林田商店
別府市鉄輪井田3組
0977-66-0344
9:00～21:00
毎月最終日曜定休
www.coara.or.jp/～aichukai
レンタサイクルあります！
2時間以内500円
駅レンタカー九州別府駅営業所
0977-24-4428
アクセス

自動車
約1時間40分／3,300円
太宰府I.C.ー（九州自動車道／大分自動車道／約1時間40分／3,300円）ー別府I.C.

電車
およそ1時間50分／5,550円
JR博多駅ー（日豊本線／約1時間50分／5,550円）ーJR別府駅

バス
約2時間15分／3,100円
天神バスセンターー（西鉄バス／約2時間15分／3,100円）ー別府（北浜）
（問い合わせ先）

問い合わせ
別府市観光まちづくり室
0977-21-1128
別府市観光協会t
0977-24-2828

 

 

 

 

Beppu

Light is the theme of this early spring festival, as the hot spring city of Beppu is illuminated with all the colors of the spectrum.

Hatto, The City’s Eight Hot Springs
tBeppu boasts the highest spa water emission volume in Japan, so the people of the city put that water to use in many ways – not just for bathing, of course, but also in their daily lives. The city is known throughout the nation for its hot springs, and there are eight within the city limits, including the Beppu Onsen. That’s the reason for the Japanese term, Beppu Hatto.
tEach spa has distinctive characteristics, such as the bamboo roof tiles on the Beppu Onsen’s wood frame buildings, the bathing huts at Myoban Onsen with their “flowers of sulfur”, and the sand baths of the Kamekawa Onsen. Even if you’re not particularly hot about hot springs, there’s a lot to enjoy in the city.
tTake a stroll through town, and you’ll see steam rising from the roadside watercourses. The odor of sulfur is everywhere. The area has always had a profusion of public baths, an indication that most Beppu-ites consider the hot springs an indispensable part of their daily lives. In fact, some families have the water piped into their homes, making it available just by turning on the tap.

Beppu’s Spectacular Night Illuminations
tNaturally, Beppu uses its hot springs as the theme for many events in the city throughout the year. One of these is the Beppu Hatto Yukemuri Akari no Matsuri, or the Spa Steam Festival of Lights. Every evening from 7 to 9 during the month-long festival, the steam rising from the Kannawa Spa is lit up, creating an otherworldly effect. This event provides the perfect chance to see the city up close, either through a walking tour conducted by a local guide, or a tour of two specific spas, where you can learn how the waters can beautify the skin or take off excess weight.
tThe festival ends on April 3, when the biggest event of the month-long bash is scheduled. The entire mountainside of Mt. Ogi, towering over the city, is set aflame, and visitors can revel in a scene unlike no other – watching an entire mountain on fire as spa steam rises from the city.

Festival Inquiries
Beppu Ryokan and Hotel Association
0977-22-0401

– – – – –
Sightseeing Information

Hihokan – Sex Museum
Must be 18 to enter

The literal meaning of Hihokan is The House of Secret Treasures, but it’s just a euphemism for Sex Museum. There are many facilities of this type in hot springs towns, and Beppu is no exception. The Hihokan in Beppu is located in the Kannawa Hot Spring, across from Wani Jigoku.

Pink is the dominant color of the interior, and the museum features a wide range of exhibits detailing the different aspects of male-female intimacy, including sculptures, wax figures, videos, and photos. There are also fully nude female mannequins, an area featuring original adult videos, and racy ukiyo-e artwork. If you’re easily stimulated, you might want to pass this place up!

338-3 Kannawa Shibuyu, Beppu
0977-66-8790
1,000 yen, persons under 18 not admitted
9:00 ~ 10:00
Open every day
http://www.chowchow.gr.jp/inova/beppu/beppu.html
Yes, there are rental bicycles!
From 500 yen for two hours!
9:00 ~ 17:00
Eki Rent-a-car System Co. at Beppu Stn.
0977-24-4428

Access
By car
About 1 hr. and 40 min. / 3,300 yen
Dazaifu Interchange – Kyushu Expressway / Oita Expressway (About 1 hr. and 40 min. / 3,300 yen) – Beppu Interchange

By train
About 1 hr. and 50 min. / 5,500 yen
JR Hakata Station – Nippo Main Line (About 1 hr. and 50 min. / 5,500 yen) – JR Beppu Station

By bus
About 2 hr. and 15 min. / 3,100 yen
Tenjin Bus Center – Nishitetsu Bus (About 2 hr. and 15 min. / 3,100 yen) – Beppu (Kitahama)
Inquiries

Inquiries
Beppu Tourism and Municipal Development Office
0977-21-1128
Beppu Tourism Association
0977-24-2828
[i] www.city.beppu.oita.jp
Foreign Tourist Information Office
0977-23-1119

Gifts
Onsen Eggs
300 yen (pack of 5)
The egg whites have a pudding-like consistency, while the yolk is still soft-boiled. The onsen eggs of Umijigoku are an essential part of a Beppu trip. The eggs are placed into a basket and lowered into the cobalt blue waters to boil. But be warned! Try one and they may become habit-forming!

Umijigoku
Kannawa O-aza, Beppu
0977-66-0121
8:00 ~ 17:00
Open every day
400
www.umijigoku.co.jp

Kannawa Shochu
785 yen~

This barley shochu was conceived and is sold by the Kannawa Shochu Lovers Association of Kannawa Hot Springs. Made with only barley and rice malt, it has a unique fragrance derived from its ingredients. It makes the perfect gift because it’s sold only in Kannawa. The bottle comes in a distinctive package and has a striking label.

Hayashida Shoten
Kannawa O-aza Beppu
0977-66-0344
9:00 a.m. to 21:00
Last Sun. of the month
www.coara.or.jp/~aichukai

Insider Info

If you have read any guide books or articles about Beppu, you probably already know that Beppu is the onsen (hot spring) capital of Japan. But what most fail to mention is that this little town of 125,000 people has the highest foreigner-to-Japanese population ratio in the whole of Japan. Here are a few places where you might bump into a fellow foreigner, and where you can kick back and share stories or swap travel tips.

Pastel
If you’re looking for a friendly face to share a drink with, Pastel Bar is a sure bet. Cosy and modern, it is a pasta restaurant during the day and a bar at night. All night-staff are bilingual, many of them international students at the Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU) here in Beppu. If you sit at the bar, ask for John, an American and long-time resident. Pasta costs 630~780 yen, and get one of their popular, fruity “beauty” drinks (430 yen) with avocado or aloe that supposedly make your skin healthier. At the weekends, they stay open until the last customer leaves.

Open: Restaurant: 11:00 ~ 22:00 (L.O. 21:30), bar: 22:00 ~ 04:00 (Fri., Sat. ~ end)
Address: 1-10-9 Kitahama, Beppu
Tel. 0977-26-6200
Big Eye Sports Bar
Whether you’re a sports fan or not, the Big Eye bar is the place to be on a Saturday night. Frequented by foreign tourists as well as foreigners living in Beppu, the Big Eye has a wide choice of cocktails and imported beers from all over the world. All drinks are 500 yen except soft-drinks (300~400 yen) and imported brews (500 yen~700 yen). On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays you can enjoy two hours of nomihodai (all-you-can-drink) for 2,000 yen starting whenever you come in.

Open: 18:00 ~ 02:00
Closed: Thu.
Address: 1-10-12 Kitahama, Beppu
Tel. 0977-21-3336

Places to Stay
Beppu Guest House
Beppu Guest House only opened in early 2006 but has already become very popular among foreign and Japanese tourists. With 1,500 yen per night in a dorm room, no wonder. Single, double and triple rooms are also available. The Beppu Guest House is only a two-minute walk from Beppu Station and bus terminals, and walking distance to numerous onsen (hot spring baths), shops, restaurants and bars. Beppu Guest House offers great value, simple accommodation.

Address: 1-12 Ekimae-machi, Beppu-shi
Tel: 0977-76-7811
English homepage and online reservations:
http://beppu-g-h.com/en/index.html
Ekimae-machi Koto Onsen
Located close to the Beppu Guest House, Ekimae Koto Onsen is a good bet if you want to stay somewhere with in-house onsen. The first floor has two kinds of hot spring baths: one for 100 yen and the other for 300 yen. The more expensive one has different temperature baths, with soap and towel included. For accommodation, there is a shared tatami-style room for 1,500 yen, or private rooms for 2,500 yen, both with futons. You can use the baths whether you are staying the night or not.

Address: 13-14 Ekimae-machi, Beppu
Tel: 0977-21-0541

Written by:
Anita Vlcek

Though originally from the Czech Republic, Anita has lived in India and Vietnam before coming to Japan in 2001. Currently a graduate student at the Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University and a freelance web designer, Anita has been living in Beppu City for the past five years.

Contact: anita_vlcek@yahoo.com

 

 

 

 

Beppu

Light is the theme of this early spring festival, as the hot spring city of Beppu is illuminated with all the colors of the spectrum.

Hatto, The City’s Eight Hot Springs
tBeppu boasts the highest spa water emission volume in Japan, so the people of the city put that water to use in many ways – not just for bathing, of course, but also in their daily lives. The city is known throughout the nation for its hot springs, and there are eight within the city limits, including the Beppu Onsen. That’s the reason for the Japanese term, Beppu Hatto.
tEach spa has distinctive characteristics, such as the bamboo roof tiles on the Beppu Onsen’s wood frame buildings, the bathing huts at Myoban Onsen with their “flowers of sulfur”, and the sand baths of the Kamekawa Onsen. Even if you’re not particularly hot about hot springs, there’s a lot to enjoy in the city.
tTake a stroll through town, and you’ll see steam rising from the roadside watercourses. The odor of sulfur is everywhere. The area has always had a profusion of public baths, an indication that most Beppu-ites consider the hot springs an indispensable part of their daily lives. In fact, some families have the water piped into their homes, making it available just by turning on the tap.

Beppu’s Spectacular Night Illuminations
tNaturally, Beppu uses its hot springs as the theme for many events in the city throughout the year. One of these is the Beppu Hatto Yukemuri Akari no Matsuri, or the Spa Steam Festival of Lights. Every evening from 7 to 9 during the month-long festival, the steam rising from the Kannawa Spa is lit up, creating an otherworldly effect. This event provides the perfect chance to see the city up close, either through a walking tour conducted by a local guide, or a tour of two specific spas, where you can learn how the waters can beautify the skin or take off excess weight.
tThe festival ends on April 3, when the biggest event of the month-long bash is scheduled. The entire mountainside of Mt. Ogi, towering over the city, is set aflame, and visitors can revel in a scene unlike no other – watching an entire mountain on fire as spa steam rises from the city.

Festival Inquiries
Beppu Ryokan and Hotel Association
0977-22-0401

– – – – –
Sightseeing Information

Hihokan – Sex Museum
Must be 18 to enter

The literal meaning of Hihokan is The House of Secret Treasures, but it’s just a euphemism for Sex Museum. There are many facilities of this type in hot springs towns, and Beppu is no exception. The Hihokan in Beppu is located in the Kannawa Hot Spring, across from Wani Jigoku.

Pink is the dominant color of the interior, and the museum features a wide range of exhibits detailing the different aspects of male-female intimacy, including sculptures, wax figures, videos, and photos. There are also fully nude female mannequins, an area featuring original adult videos, and racy ukiyo-e artwork. If you’re easily stimulated, you might want to pass this place up!

338-3 Kannawa Shibuyu, Beppu
0977-66-8790
1,000 yen, persons under 18 not admitted
9:00 ~ 10:00
Open every day
http://www.chowchow.gr.jp/inova/beppu/beppu.html
Yes, there are rental bicycles!
From 500 yen for two hours!
9:00 ~ 17:00
Eki Rent-a-car System Co. at Beppu Stn.
0977-24-4428

Access
By car
About 1 hr. and 40 min. / 3,300 yen
Dazaifu Interchange – Kyushu Expressway / Oita Expressway (About 1 hr. and 40 min. / 3,300 yen) – Beppu Interchange

By train
About 1 hr. and 50 min. / 5,500 yen
JR Hakata Station – Nippo Main Line (About 1 hr. and 50 min. / 5,500 yen) – JR Beppu Station

By bus
About 2 hr. and 15 min. / 3,100 yen
Tenjin Bus Center – Nishitetsu Bus (About 2 hr. and 15 min. / 3,100 yen) – Beppu (Kitahama)
Inquiries

Inquiries
Beppu Tourism and Municipal Development Office
0977-21-1128
Beppu Tourism Association
0977-24-2828
[i] www.city.beppu.oita.jp
Foreign Tourist Information Office
0977-23-1119

Gifts
Onsen Eggs
300 yen (pack of 5)
The egg whites have a pudding-like consistency, while the yolk is still soft-boiled. The onsen eggs of Umijigoku are an essential part of a Beppu trip. The eggs are placed into a basket and lowered into the cobalt blue waters to boil. But be warned! Try one and they may become habit-forming!

Umijigoku
Kannawa O-aza, Beppu
0977-66-0121
8:00 ~ 17:00
Open every day
400
www.umijigoku.co.jp

Kannawa Shochu
785 yen~

This barley shochu was conceived and is sold by the Kannawa Shochu Lovers Association of Kannawa Hot Springs. Made with only barley and rice malt, it has a unique fragrance derived from its ingredients. It makes the perfect gift because it’s sold only in Kannawa. The bottle comes in a distinctive package and has a striking label.

Hayashida Shoten
Kannawa O-aza Beppu
0977-66-0344
9:00 a.m. to 21:00
Last Sun. of the month
www.coara.or.jp/~aichukai

Insider Info

If you have read any guide books or articles about Beppu, you probably already know that Beppu is the onsen (hot spring) capital of Japan. But what most fail to mention is that this little town of 125,000 people has the highest foreigner-to-Japanese population ratio in the whole of Japan. Here are a few places where you might bump into a fellow foreigner, and where you can kick back and share stories or swap travel tips.

Pastel
If you’re looking for a friendly face to share a drink with, Pastel Bar is a sure bet. Cosy and modern, it is a pasta restaurant during the day and a bar at night. All night-staff are bilingual, many of them international students at the Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU) here in Beppu. If you sit at the bar, ask for John, an American and long-time resident. Pasta costs 630~780 yen, and get one of their popular, fruity “beauty” drinks (430 yen) with avocado or aloe that supposedly make your skin healthier. At the weekends, they stay open until the last customer leaves.

Open: Restaurant: 11:00 ~ 22:00 (L.O. 21:30), bar: 22:00 ~ 04:00 (Fri., Sat. ~ end)
Address: 1-10-9 Kitahama, Beppu
Tel. 0977-26-6200
Big Eye Sports Bar
Whether you’re a sports fan or not, the Big Eye bar is the place to be on a Saturday night. Frequented by foreign tourists as well as foreigners living in Beppu, the Big Eye has a wide choice of cocktails and imported beers from all over the world. All drinks are 500 yen except soft-drinks (300~400 yen) and imported brews (500 yen~700 yen). On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays you can enjoy two hours of nomihodai (all-you-can-drink) for 2,000 yen starting whenever you come in.

Open: 18:00 ~ 02:00
Closed: Thu.
Address: 1-10-12 Kitahama, Beppu
Tel. 0977-21-3336

Places to Stay
Beppu Guest House
Beppu Guest House only opened in early 2006 but has already become very popular among foreign and Japanese tourists. With 1,500 yen per night in a dorm room, no wonder. Single, double and triple rooms are also available. The Beppu Guest House is only a two-minute walk from Beppu Station and bus terminals, and walking distance to numerous onsen (hot spring baths), shops, restaurants and bars. Beppu Guest House offers great value, simple accommodation.

Address: 1-12 Ekimae-machi, Beppu-shi
Tel: 0977-76-7811
English homepage and online reservations:
http://beppu-g-h.com/en/index.html
Ekimae-machi Koto Onsen
Located close to the Beppu Guest House, Ekimae Koto Onsen is a good bet if you want to stay somewhere with in-house onsen. The first floor has two kinds of hot spring baths: one for 100 yen and the other for 300 yen. The more expensive one has different temperature baths, with soap and towel included. For accommodation, there is a shared tatami-style room for 1,500 yen, or private rooms for 2,500 yen, both with futons. You can use the baths whether you are staying the night or not.

Address: 13-14 Ekimae-machi, Beppu
Tel: 0977-21-0541

Written by:
Anita Vlcek

Though originally from the Czech Republic, Anita has lived in India and Vietnam before coming to Japan in 2001. Currently a graduate student at the Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University and a freelance web designer, Anita has been living in Beppu City for the past five years.

Contact: anita_vlcek@yahoo.com