Introduction
It has been said since ancient times that eight million gods reside in Japan. Oita is the place where a belief that fused these Shinto gods with Buddhism, which came from the continent, was born. =>refer to the post.
As the prefecture admits, it is truly a hot spring prefecture. Oita is located close to Aso in Kumamoto, so we have included all the places we couldn’t go to on our previous trip to Kumamoto. Oita is truly a treasure trove of tourism.
Detail
1st day (Fusion of Buddhism and Shintoism)
The Kunisaki Peninsula is a training ground for Shugensha(Mountain Faith)
You will arrive at Tashibu-no-sho area in less than an hour while being soothed by the strangely shaped rocks created by erosion and the rural scenery that spreads out in the valley. This area is home to the national treasure Fukiji Temple, Magi-Odo Temple, and former manors. Instead of humans, you will be greeted by many well-dressed scarecrows.
The grandmaster of all Hachiman Shrines, 2 bows and 4 claps are too much
It takes half of an hour to drive to Usa Shrine from Tashibu-no-sho, but since the shrine itself is vast, you should be prepared to walk quite a distance from the parking lot to the main shrine. If you don’t check the map beforehand, you will get lost inside the shrine. Usa Shrine is the head shrine of the god of warriors, and is ranked above Kamakura Hachimangu Shrine and Iwashimizu Hachimangu Shrine, which protects the Demon Gate in the southwest of Kyoto.
Yabakei is cool or “Yabai” in Japanese
Less than 1 hour drive from Usa Shrine, suddenly Yabakei appears. Rakanji Temple is a temple that clings to the mountainside. Climb by chairlift. Yabakei becomes even more beautiful when the setting sun hits it. However, since the mountain is deep, it gets dark quickly, so be careful to reach your inn in time. If you are staying at Kurokawa Onsen, it will take an hour and a half from here without a detour of other view points.
Today’s INN
I stayed at my favorite ”Sanga” in Kurokawa Onsen. It’s also close to Aso Revenge the next day.
2nd day (Nature day)
Revenge Aso under the blue sky
There are many observation points from which to view the Nirvana statue in Aso. At the end of the Yamanami Highway (prefectural road No.11) is the Shiroyama Observation Deck on the sheer cliffs of somma. Once you get down to the bottom of the caldera, you have to climb up Mt. Aso, but it doesn’t take much time than you might expect. It takes just over an hour from Kurokawa Onsen to the crater.
Figures inside Nabegataki waterfall
It’s a little over an hour’s drive from Aso mountain, passing by the somma mountains where fields have been burnt and grasslands spread out, as well as storage areas for cut lumber. On the way, stop at an herb garden and enjoy a colorful lunch.
Giant Suspension Bridge and unrelated snake spectacle
It takes less than an hour to reach the suspension bridge at the northern foot of Mt. Kuju. National Route 387 has a lot of traffic, but at Hosenji Onsen, turn right and continue on the local road.Sujiyu Onsen, where we will be staying today, is right next to the suspension bridge. Let’s enjoy the scenery shining in the sunset.
Today’s INN
Today’s choice is “Kiyasu-ya” in Suji-yu Onsen, which, like Kurokawa Onsen, pours the source natural hot spring water directly into the bathtub without diluting it. It is said to have an effect on muscle tone (Suji). I wanted to dream about money luck tonight, but all I could dream about was a snake.
3rd day (Stone day)
Laputa (Ghibli) is not the only castle in the sky
After a pleasant 1-hour drive while admiring the Kuju mountain range and contacting eyes with a charming dog, we arrived at the town of Taketa. After passing through the narrow streets of the castle town and passing through a small tunnel, Oka Castle comes into view.
Buddha statues from Usuki cannot be taken out
On the way, we passed all the spectacular waterfalls that were created by eroding the columnar joints that formed in the pyroclastic flow of Mt. Aso, which erupted 90,000 years ago, and headed straight for Usuki Stone Buddha. Required time: 1 hour. I’ll save the waterfalls for my next trip. From here it takes 45 minutes to reach Beppu where you will be staying.
Today’s INN
The details will be described in the activities on the fourth day, but you will enjoy cooking your own meals at Beppu Onsen using the steam emitted from underground. Since hot springs were originally a place for people to stay for long periods of time for medical treatment, it was natural for people to cook their own meals.
4th day (Heaven and Hell)
Beppu where both people and food are steamed
Beppu is a town that seems to rest on top of magma activity. There is steam everywhere, and there are hot springs everywhere. It is a town full of things to see. It takes less than an hour from here to Oita Airport without traffic jams.
Please contact us through ‘Contact us‘ form if you have any questions.