Tanaka-san learns English: Travel in Japan: Beppu, Hot Spring

Travel in Japan: Beppu, Hot Spring

I'd like to tell you about off the beaten path tourist spots in Japan.

This time, I'll introduce Beppu.

Beppu is located in Kyusyu area, the Southern part in Japan.

It takes 4 hours from Osaka, 2 hours by Shinkansen and transfer at Kokura, then 1 hour by JR express.

The town is famous for hot spring, said to be one of the greatest hot spring area in Japan. You may see raising steam from here and there as you arrive Beppu. The steam is from hot spring heat, and there are more than 2000 hot springs in the town. It's well known not only for the quantity but also variety, and there are different benefits of hot springs.

Hot spring is also the place to visit, which you can see unusual view such as red hot spring, blue hot spring, etc. The hot springs are called Jigoku (hell in English) because of its scenery which has strange color of hot water (not artificial), rocks, rising steam.

As I said, there are hot springs everywhere, so the steam is used for cooking as well. Some hotels have a steam cooking spot with steam jetting out without a pause. The cooking spot is usually outside, so you can enjoy steam-BBQ! You can steam whatever you want! Actually, steam cooked vegetable, sea shell, and local raised chicken, anything is at least two times delicious than usual when you cook them by the steam. If you put Yuzu-kosho, sour and hot local special spice which mixed citron and blue pepper, on steam cooked food, I have no words to explain how delicious it is.

Also the town is close to the sea, so fish, including sushi is excellent. In my experience, beef, pork, and chicken are outstanding, furthermore not expensive.

Why not. No reason not to go.