Beppu is one steamy city. Seriously. Poke a hole almost anywhere in the ground in this seaside city and you'll release a massive amount of hot air. Oita is considered the onsen capital of Japan and Beppu is arguably the place with the highest proliferation of hot springs per square kilometer. But the most famous... Continue Reading →
Great Gardens: Lake Kagurame Iris Garden
It's rainy season this month in Japan, which means that part of me wants to stay in my house curled up on my couch with a book, while the other part of me wants to take advantage of the lack of humidity and go out exploring. Luckily, this past weekend was a bit of a... Continue Reading →
Family Fun: Takasakiyama Monkey Park (Oita)
You wouldn't think the workaday city of Oita on the shores of Beppu Bay - a stone's throw from neighboring Beppu City - would be the ideal home for Japanese macaques. But with numerous mountains just a mile (or less) inland, the red-faced simians so often considered one of the symbol's of Japan have been... Continue Reading →
Crash Course: Onsen
Since moving to Kyushu over a year ago, I've made onsen-hopping my new (although only occasional) pursuit. In a country with an abundance of volcanic activity, it seems there's always a hot spring around every corner. So what do you need to know to enjoy one of Japan's best natural features? Read on and see.... Continue Reading →