One of the hi-light of my trip...
When I started planing my trip, Mount Aso (Asosan) was very high on my list to visit. There are several things that attracted me. The most important one is it's the Largest Active Volcano in Japan that you can see the crater.
Firstly, stop by at the information centre at Beppu station for "How to get to Aso", they'll give you a piece of A4 paper telling you every possible way to got to Aso from Beppu.
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You can reach Mt Aso from Beppu by Train or Buses. However there are only 4 trains scheduled to go to Aso each day, so, please check the train time table and plan your time wisely. :) Coz I didn't and missed the train, so, the next best thing is to catch the Oita - Kumamoto Bus. There is also bus going to Aso from Beppu but it'll take 3 hours! There are many trains going to Oita from Beppu and it'll take around 15 minutes. The Bus will depart at "Tokiwa Department Store" that A4 paper will have the map and every details how to get there. :) The fare for one way to Aso is 2050 Yen.
I jumped on the 13:00 bus scheduled to reach Aso at 15:00. Along the way the views were breath taking!!! Very green and countryside, I did enjoy them very much. However, half way through, the mist started to cover the area. I thought "Shit, I'm not going to see the mountain". But as we moved closer to Aso things started to get brighter again. Phewwwwww
At Aso station just next door there's an office that sells the ticket for bus to go up to Aso Moutain. Or you can DIY at ticket vending machine. It will take around 30-40 minutes for one way.
As you can see the view along the way is beautiful, the windows on the bus can be openned quite easily for taking pictures.
The Bus will stop at Aso station and I had to catch another bus to go up the mountain. Again, check that A4 paper. :) The bus will make 2 stops, 1 at Kusasenri, Grass Land and Volcano Museum (They're one place) the driver will give you 10 minutes for a toilet break here and the last stop at Asosan-Nishi where you can catch a Cable Car to go up the crater.
I bought a return ticket for the Cable Car with a warning that I might not see anything as the mist came down very badly. But well, since I was there already why not. :)
The rope way will only take 5 minutes to go up to the Crater (it's called as Mt Nakadake). I heard the lady said the last cable car is at 15.50 I nodded and went on. When I came out of the station.... the warning is true... it's very misty and several areas were closed due to the high level of Volcanic gas (Sulfur Dioxide or SO2 )
However, once in awhile, the sky did open!!! I was so happy and fired my camera non-stop. It was really out of the world view and I loved every minute I spent there watching the scenery.
I walked around the area a bit and came back to the station at 15:45 to found out that... the cable car was finished................. the last one was 15:15 not 15:50 Argggggghhhhhh All of sudden my face went pale. As if I did not make it on time down to Asosan-Nishi I would also missed the Last Bus down to Aso station!!!
Luckily there was a Japanese tourist that I helped him taking pictures before still there. So I asked him for whether he can help me and he did. Phewwwwwww I was on his motobike down to Asosan-Nishi safely and on time for the bus. I learned later that I was very lucky as Japanese Do Not take hitch-hiker. I came back to Aso Station and got the train back to Beppu safely. What a day!!! But very well worth it.
Though if I had more time I could have explored the area a bit more, the Grassland looks very nice and peaceful and there's also the Komezuka which is a gentle beautiful hill. I guess I have to come back. ;)
PS: People with Asthmatics, Bronchial Disorders or Heart Trouble ARE NOT ALLOWED to go up to Mount Nakadake.
To Hell and Back.
Today it's going to be very exciting day for me, lots of places to visit and lots of things to do. Of course my day started with a very lovely Japanese Breakfast from the Ryokan (1,000 Yen with options of Western style or Japanese Style). It's very simple and yummy, what a way to start my day. :)
I left Ryokan for Beppu station to catch the bus to go to The 8 Hells of Beppu (Jigoku). The Bus system in Japan is quite unique... Passenger getting up from the Back Door and leaving through the Front Door.
When you get on to the bus, there'll be a ticket from the machine for you to pick up. It'll basicall show you what Area you get on the bus. Then there'll be a board at the Front left side to the driver showing the number of the area and the Fee you have to pay. For example, I get up from area 1 and if I see the board now (from the picture above) you can see that under Number 1, there's number 290 showing. It means that it's the amount you have to pay if I getting off the bus now, simple. :) However, when you pay for the bus fare, you have to have the exact amount. So, there will be the changing machine next to the driver that you can DIY. Most of people will do it before their stops to minimise wasting time of the others.
So, I jumped on the bus as the Tourist centre told me (it's in the station), however, the bus drivers don't speak English at all, and I've tried many of them. But good thing I've got the "8 hells of Beppu" brochure with me, so I point at the brochure and he knew where I wanted to be and told me to get off accordingly. There're announcements along the way telling you what is the next stop. Oh and one thing I've found funny is.... they turn the engine off at the red light. Not only Beppu but EVERY Where in Japan. I'm not sure how much fuel they save by doing that, coz the red light time is not that long.
I got off the bus, and the Jigoku was right there. I had to pay the fee to get in. You can buy a booklet which let you go in all 8 of them for 2,000 Yen or you can only pay per location (350 Yen each). The Hells are basically the (very very) hot spring sites (they are not Onsen!) that got very unique colours and different from each other scattered to the East side of Beppu City. The temperature of the water on each site are varies, from 90-100 degree celsius. The first 6 are quite close together but the other 2 need another bus or you can spend around 25 minutes walk.
I started from Hell number 3 (Yama-Jigoku) This site got tons of smoke coming out but the smell is not strong at all and there're not only the hot springs, it's got a bit of Zoo in it as well with African elephant, Flamingos, Hippo and monkeys. As I walked from site to site, each site got its own thing. Some of them offer the hot spring for the guests to put their legs in, some selling boiled egg from the hot spring some even got Crocodiles.
After finished the first 6 then catched a bus to see the final 2 which are Chinoike-Jigoku and Tatsumaki-Jigoku. For the Tatsumaki-Jigoku, it's the geysers which means a hot spring spouting out boiling water and stream in intervals. It'll redo every 20 minutes and I didn't have time to stay and watch (sob sob) as I was a bit behind with my schedule.
Overall, the experience with 8 hells of Beppu had been amazing and it's highly recommend for anyone to go. :)
Leaving Fukuoka was harder than I thought, I really had great feeling for this city. But just to think about relaxing time in the Capital City of Onsen, Beppu made me continue my journey with excitement.
I again catched the JR Train to go to Beppu, it'll take around 2 hours. This train looks nice and the seats are very comfy and even I could sleep in these seats.
About 30 minutes thru the journey, the train changed direction.... Almost all the passenger stood up and swing their seats to the other direction as the train. It's quite weird but when you're in Rome do what Roman did. :) The view along the way was very very Green, very natural and countryside.
I arrived in Beppu in the evening time. And in the station, you'll find information centre for tourist. You can ask for maps and more information on the places you want to go. However, the staffs are not very chatty, they will just only tell you what you ask in very short sentences. So, try to plan your trip in more details and ask them very specific things.
First thing I saw when I came out of the station is the Hotspring! It's free for you to put your legs in to relax. I've booked the Ryokan (traditional Japanese Hotel) called Nogamihonkan Ryokan for 2 nights. From their website, I printed out the direction and map, but one thing to make it clearer, take the South Exit from the station.
This Ryokan is very cheap! Only 5,000 Yen a night with huge room (Can fit 4) and internal bathroom with shower and bathtub. This price is not including any meals, breakfast is selling at 1,000 Yen and Dinner for 3,000 Yen.
During the check in, the staff will ask you book the private onsen time straight away. There are 4 styles of Private Onsen that you'll be able to use twice a day with 50 minutes for each session. During your session, you can lock the room and make them completely yours. :) After checking in, I put all my belonging in the room and changed to Yukata to be ready for my first ever Japanese Onsen. I've picked the semi-open air type as it feels more open.
For Japanese Onsen, it's a must that you take a shower first and there will always be the facility for that around. The first thing I noticed when I put my first leg in the water.... it's very very hot! Onsen will have the water temperature around 40 degree celsius. Luckily there's a cold water tap that you can turn on to cool it down a bit. But after awhile I got used to the temperature. It's very quiet and relaxing. sighhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
After the bath then it's time for dinner. It's a set menu and it costed 3,000 Yen which I found totally worth it and very yummy.
Now with a full stomach, I wasted no time and walked around straight away. The place I picked was Asahi Tower to take pictures of the city at night. It's a bit further down south from the hotel around 10 minutes walk.
The entry fee is 500 Yen (If I remember it correctly) which is not much. There are dinning table around, I guessed it (is/was) a restaurant. The tower open til late (10:00 pm) and that time I was the onlyone. I took a few pictures around and finished it quite quickly.
Then it's time to head back to the Ryokan for a goodnight sleep, will continue with Beppu 2 tomorrow.
After a good night sleep in a very clean and comfy hotel, it's time to start my day with breakfast. If you've been following my blog, you should figured out by now that this was my Eating Trip. LOL
I picked the Traditional Japanese Breakfast (There's also normal breakfast for you to choose at the same price 1,000 YEN). After arriving at the restaurant which located downstairs, my Breaky was served very promptly. There are so many little stuffs to eat. They're all tasted good, make me very happy start of the day. However, just as I stepped out of the hotel, the rain started falling down. (damn!) But fear not, they're selling umbrella for 500 Yen at the hotel.
Then as planed, I went to Kushida Shrine which is only 5 minutes walk from the hotel. It's quite small compare to others shrines and temples that I will visit later in my trip. But this is the first Shrine I've seen and got me excited a bit. I guess I made the right choice to start from the south, if I started from Kyoto or Tokyo, I wont be able to appreciate this place that much. :)
Right after the gate, there's a kind of fountain water feature thing that you'll see on the right hand side. It's for cleansing. I've seen people wash their hands or even drink it, using the tools that they provide of course. You'll see this stuff in every shrines and temples you go in Japan.
In side there's a big rope in the model tide up with some kind of bell (a big one) and the Donation box in front of it. I could never get the process right... you're suppose to do these combination of actions... Put in the money, Clap twice, Make your wish, Shaking the rope to the make the bell ring and then Bow. Correct me if I'm wrong. :)
After praying, I noticed there's a stall for souvenirs. The shop sells many charms, good health, good relationship, safe journey etc and they are not cheap. :P
Almost opposite the shrine, there's a Hakata Machiya Folk Museum. It shows the old Japanese way of life there the Entree Fee is very cheap I think it's 200 Yen and it's worth going if you have time to kill even though all description is in Japanese.
Almost lunch time now, it's time to make my way back to the hotel and get all my belongings and prepare to depart for Beppu. I again, asked the hotel staff where should I have Sushi. He asked what is my limit.... and I said "none" (yes yes I'm a food whore LOL). Then he directed me to the Nikko Hotel Fukuoka which located on the main road in Fukuoka Taihaku-Don Ave. You can see from the map I posted at Fukuoka 1. The restaurant itself called Sushi Kawasho on level 2 of the hotel. When I first stepped into the lobby of the hotel, it looked so grand! And I started thinking "Shit, we'll this place make me bankrupt?" Turned out they have lunch special with 9 sushi types, Miso soup and Desert for 2,600 yen. I quickly agreed and sat down.
I was promptly given Green tea which I felt that it's a lot greener than any green tea I've had. The sushi was served in front of you with out any plates. with the first 3 showed up, I thought "they're look nothing special..." But the looks can be deceiving!!! With the first bite OH MY GOD it's the whole different things from I've been eating. The fish texture was wonderful, firm but not rubbery, the rice has been cooked just right with the combination of vinegar and other stuffs. My eyes were wide opened in shock. I could see the chef watched me closely and smile proudly. Each one of the sushi had it's own taste and personality and I love them all!!
After the first 3, Miso soup came. It's very different Misu soup I usually have and taste much better. It's thicker in taste and got more aromatic feel to it.
Then the sushi continue to be served with each pieces continue to amaze me. For example the simple Omelet Sushi, the taste of it was a lot more complicate than the one I had before. The Prawn Sushi also got me wild with very nice sweet sophisticating Prawn.
Then it came to an end (sob sob), the desert. I was expecting something green tea but surprise! it's Black Sesame Brule. Taste creamy and sweet yummmmm. I think this is the best sushi experience in my life!! I know I used this phrase a lot but it's True!! Not exaggerated even one bit.
Fukuoka is just a place for food!!! I loved every minute here. And hope to come back to visit (the restaurants) again. Now it's time to head to Beppu, the Onsen Capital City of Japan.
.... Then now it's time to have the Best Ramen!!
It's called Ichi-Ran it's a Ramen Chain that got many branches however they sell only one kind of Ramen! The restaurant is so damn small. It looks like the Election Place rather than a restaurant. In my little space there's a tap for you to help yourself with water which I found very convenient. The tissue papaer box were on the wall.
If you are the regular eater you can have an automatic card that operate thru this machines. Or you can pick up a Form then Fill in how your want your ramen done. When you finish fill up the form then you can press the bell for a staff to come to take your order and payment.
With in 5 minutes my Ramen turned up in a rectangle shape black ceramic bowl which looks very exotic. I could no longer wait and started sipping the stock to taste right away. And man oh man!!! This is the best Ramen I had in my life!!! It's very strong pork base stock with their secret recipe sauce. The noodle and the Pork (Chachu) was tender as I ordered. Even I've tried a few famous places in Tokyo but nothing compare to this!!! I was so surprised that the Ramen Chain can be this good. I almost cried with Joy. Then I realised, it very very sucks coz I wont be able to have it again in Sydney sob sob sob. Now I have to cry with sorrow.
After finished the Ramen, just a few metres away from Ichi-ran I found a Takoyaki (Octopus balls) shop. The smell from this shop was sooo inviting. I guess I had to eat it as desert. I've ordered the original ones, there's also a prawn ones as well. I've got the mustard+Mayo sauce to accommodate my Thai tongue. And again, it's divined, the skin outside were crispy, big pices of Octopus inside. I was a very very very happy man. :)
I guess it's time to walk around now to burn all those food I've consumed. I walked along Naka River to take some pictures. And somehow, got into the small tiny lane that filled with "Those Entertainment for men places". I have to put on the backward gear so fast as those bouncers are very persistent on getting me in to take a "Bath". sighhhhhh
After that I found a lot of Food Stalls!! Arrrggghhh I have no space for more food now. There were many many kinds of traditional Japanese food there. And I heard Fukuoka is very famous for the food stalls. I just had to just take pictures and moved a long sob sob sob.
Then I walked back to my hotel for resting, another big day tomorrow.
Will continue with the rest of Fukuoka tomorrow. :)
