Beppu hot spring to Yufuin(I-1)⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘25.29th,Mar
This route I-1 is in Area-I “Kyushu". See Area-I map/ See Japan map
Sight & Entertainment ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Food & Drinks ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Easiness ⭐⭐ *In later half
Road conditions ⭐⭐
Safety ⭐⭐
Finally I planned to go to Kyushu island after achieving my 1st dream to complete one round of Japan main island. I planned 2days cycling from Oita airport to Mt.Aso via Beppu and Yufuin hot spring area, which was very popular route for most of tourists who visited Kyushu island.
Since I changed my bike to expensive one, I was very careful about carrying my new bike in the airplane from Haneda(Tokyo) airport to Oita. So I purchased a special carrying bag, OS500 in advance. It’s much more reliable than the nomal thin bag but it can’t be with me during my cycling so I had to send the bag to the hotel at my goal of this trip at Oita airport. It’ll take one day from the airport to the hotel, so you have to cycle 2 days at least.
After sending my bag, I staretd cycling from the airpot(pic.1). The time was around AM10:30. Soon the Beppu bay appeared on left hand side(pic.2).
Without any stress, I reached Hiji town and the time was around AM11:40, I searched a good local cuisine restaurant. And luckly I could get a seat at nice restaurant, Norakuroya who served famous flatfish called as “Shiroshita-garei". This area is very famous for this flatfish and Mackerel called as “Seki-saba(mackerel)" thanks to narrow channel terrain. I wanted to eat one of them there.
The lunch set menu which included raw flatfish and tempura was very satisfying at reasonable \4,600-. I felt a good omen in this trip at that time..
From Hiji town to my first destination, many famous “Jigoku" spots in Beppu hot spring area was only 8km. First I visited Tatsumaki-Jigoku and I purchased bunch of tickets for 7 “Jigoku". The geyser sprushed after 15min of my arrival(pic.4-1). The interval is around 30-45min.
Next one was “Chinoike Jigoku" which was just one minute walk from Tatsumaki Jigoku.
From those 2 Jigoku to other 5 Jigoku, I had to pass a small hill by cycling. Just before reaching 5 jigoku, I could see the Beppu city view from the hill(pic.4-3). There are many hotels with hot springs.
I enjoyed other 4 jigoku in this area and each had interesting feature. But I felt most nice one was “Umi(Sea) Jigoku"(4-8,4-9,4-10).
When I entered the gate of Umi jigoku, a big pond (not hot spring) and cherry blossomes welcomed me(pic.4-8). And beyond the shop building, there was a large blue hot spring(pic.4-9).
In addition to the blue spring, there were some other springs with other colors as well as foot bath corner(pic.4-10). I spent much time there.
Now the time was PM2:45, I had to move toward Yufuin city which was also famous for hot spring and my hotel is located in. I knew there should be some hill climbing but which was much tougher than I expected.
A steep hill climbing staretd soon after I left Jigoku spots and reached 500M height soon(pic.5-1,5-2). After a while I could see Mt.Yufu ahead then I took a wrong way but I didn’t notice that, so I went down the hill for 8km without any doubt… Then a beautiful cherry blossoms stopped me to take photo and check my route. I was shocked !
I had to go back 8km with 400M continuous climbing. Since I was already tired by 800M cumulative climbing so far, I was too much floored. With taking rest many times I barely came back to the starting point of wrong way.
I expected flat road but still there were many climbings(pic.8). Even though entering Yufuin town(pic.9), soon after a small down hill, again there was a clibming. I felt pain at the back of my knee maybe because I was not yet accustomed to the new bike’s gear weight.
And it got colder suddenly as the sunset time is closer. Sometimes I saw monkey family in bushes since there were few cars running nor people walking on my way.
It was PM6:15 when I reached my hotel Shuhokan. I saw many nice villa type hot spring hotel in Yufuin city but I didn’t have any room to enjoy such atmosphere. Soon after reaching my hotel, I went to hot spring large bath in the hotel to warm myself. The water was transparent with slight minral smell.
I dipped myself for over 20min, which was unusual for me but still I felt cold. Since this hotel included a dinner, I took a set menu(Oita ramen and Gyoza) and ordered Oita’s Japanese sake with extra fee. Kyushu area is famous for Shochu, Japanese traditional distilled alcohol but this Yatsushika’s unrefined sake seemed also famous. It was very sweet but delicious.
I went to bed at 10:00PM to brace myself to next day’s hard hill climbing(route I-2)
<Transportation info>
Tokyo to Oita airport: AM7:55 ANA791 – AM9:40 arrival
<Connected route>