Émile visited Oita Prefecture. In Beppu, a famous hot spring town, he saw the city’s famous colorful hot springs, known as “hells,” and had the chance to cook his own food using the power of hot spring steam. Then he moved on to the village of Yufuin, where he had various unique experiences, including looking out over the village from Jyumonjibaru Observatory, taking a ride in a rickshaw and visiting a 3D “trick art” museum.
Émile, taking in the steam from a hot spring
The picturesque Umi Jigoku (Sea Hell)
I like the Umi Jigoku (Sea Hell) hot spring. It’s colorful—the contrast between the greenery and the hot spring is very picturesque!—Émile Ntamack
Located between the sea and the mountains, Beppu is one of Japan’s most famous onsen (hot spring) towns. While there are plenty of onsens for bathing, the city also has seven major geothermal hot springs—which the locals refer to as “the seven hells of Beppu.” As the name implies, these “hell” hot springs are only for viewing! Émile was impressed by the variety of hot springs in the region.
Take a plane to Ōita airport; take a bus to Beppu Station (About 3 hours).
Take a bus to Umi jigoku mae (About 30 minutes).
It’s easy to tell how hot it is from all the steam
Émile steam-cooks his lunch
The food tasted delicious and so fresh. I’ve never eaten steamed pizza before; it was so good!—Émile Ntamack
Émile had lunch at a local steam cooking restaurant called Chinetsu Kanko Lab Enma, where he cooked vegetables, seafood, and pizza in the hot spring steam oven.
Take a bus to Kannawa Bus stop. Take a walk (About 30 minutes).
Take a walk (About 10 minutes).
Émile gets up close and personal with an owl
Émile hides from a ninja at the trick museum
I wasn’t expecting to see and experience so many different things in such a small village!—Émile Ntamack
Next up was a trip to the village of Yufuin. Visitors can find the village to be full of surprises.
“The view from the Jyumonjibaru Observatory was breathtaking,” Émile said. “Riding the man-driven rickshaw was a unique experience. The drivers were funny, kind, and entertaining. One of them even sang the French national anthem—that was brilliant!” Émile later got to spend time with a variety of owls at the Owl’s Forest in Yufuin Floral Village, saw Showa era antiques, and visited a 3D “trick art” museum.
Take a bus to Yufuin bus center (About 1 hour).
Take a bus from Kannawa Bus stop to Beppu Station; take a bus to Yufuin bus center (About 1h 30mins).
Oita City is the capital of Oita Prefecture, which is located on the island of Kyushu. The prefecture is known for its variety of onsen (hot springs), and it has Japan’s highest annual yield of hot spring water. The number of the source of the hot spring is number one in Japan, too.Two of the prefecture’s most famous onsen destinations are Beppu and Yufuin; both cities are less than one hour from Oita.
Access from Tokyo by plane 1.5 hours ~
Recognized for its daring architecture, this stadium features the largest retractable roof in Japan.
- Bus bound for Park Placefrom Oita Station to Oita Sports Koen Higashi stop(30 minutes). 5-minute walk from the bus stop.
Oita City is the capital of Oita Prefecture, which is located on the island of Kyushu. The prefecture is known for its variety of onsen (hot springs), and it has Japan’s highest annual yield of hot spring water. The number of the source of the hot spring is number one in Japan, too.Two of the prefecture’s most famous onsen destinations are Beppu and Yufuin; both cities are less than one hour from Oita.
Access from Tokyo by plane 1.5 hours ~
Recognized for its daring architecture, this stadium features the largest retractable roof in Japan.
- Bus bound for Park Placefrom Oita Station to Oita Sports Koen Higashi stop(30 minutes). 5-minute walk from the bus stop.
