What a good decision to turn around yesterday and return to Beppu despite being half way to Oita. Our experience here has been memorable on so many levels. From the people we met, the ride up here on narrow curving roads giving us an insight into how locals live, going to the Onsen, staying at the traditional inn, and best of all, being immersed in this culture. We awoke to a treat outside our door…our host had left a basket of eggs and yams cooked in the hot steam. Yummy.
This neighbourhood where we are staying, features a series of framed pictures done by a local artist detailing life in Beppu. Most homes and businesses have this artwork on an exterior wall.
Our room at the guesthouse. We had our own toilet to use. However, private showers are not provided as the expectation is that you will use one of the many public baths in the neighborhood. The owner kindly offered us the use of her own private hot spring bath after breakfast. It was bliss!
Like neighbourhoods we can remember growing up, everything happens on the street…socializing, resting, catching up with news from your neighbours, playing with your friends and just watching the world go by. The sense of community here is very strong with families living in the same house for generations.
This young man dropped by for a visit and he ended up test riding Barry’s trike. Good entertainment for the neighbours.
Our host was a hoot…very hospitable, full of stories and very kind. We had fun here. In reading about her home, we learned that this place has been receiving guests for decades. Unlike now, where much of her business comes from tourists, when she was a child she remembers Japanese people coming and staying for weeks as for a therapeutic retreat.
We are all heading off today and we share the destination of the area of Mt. Aso, a very active volcano in the centre of Kyushu. We will be getting there by different routes but perhaps we will see them again. We wish them well
We tried drinking hot spring water. It is important that a person drinks no more than 60 ml a day….we didn’t come close and we don’t plan on drinking it again…..somewhat pungent for our uninitiated taste buds. Apparently it is good for constipation..
All too soon, it was time for us to leave this enchanting place. We took the scenic route through neighbourhoods heading down the hill. We didn’t get away from Beppu as early as we planned, since there was much to see. We’ll probably stay in Oita tonight and then start our ride across Kyushu via Mt.Aso.
As we neared Oita we were very impressed by the pretty waterfront area. This island is a favourite photo area for,newlyweds and we saw a 2 couples posing for their wedding pictures.
