Jun 7, 2012

Kifune Castle

At the edge of Kannawa hot spring area, you will see a Japanese style castle. Although it is not a real castle, but it gives tourists a spectacular view of Beppu and it's surrounding area.

In the castle, various kinds of objects of Japan's medieval through modern ages
are exhibited. Among those, a series of prints of "Tokaido Gojusan Tsugi" made by Katsushika Hokusai,a folding screen by Kano Tanyu, a painting and writing by Yamaoka Tesshu are notable.

Other face of Kifune Castle is religious part. Its guardian deity or the principal image is a living white snake. It is said that if you worship the sacred snake, you will get happiness, good health and peace in mind.

Open Daily from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Addmission: 300 yen(150 yen for kids)

Ask details at FTIO Kannawa Office (TEL:0977-66-3855)
(K/K)

Jun 5, 2012

How to ride buses in Beppu


Taking a local bus is the easiest way to move from place to place in Beppu.There are two kinds of bus. The blue ones are run by Kamenoi Bus Company and the red by Oita Kotsu Company.

Kamenoi Bus bus stop


The way to use local buses in Beppu is shown below. It might slightly differ from on cities in Japan.

1. Get on a bus from the middle door of the bus.


When you ride buses in Beppu, be sure to have coins prepared to pay for your fare. 1,000yen bills can be changed using the machine to the driver’s left.


2. Take a ticket from the small box at the entrance.



The number on the ticket indicates which bus stop you got on the bus.

3.Have a seat if there are any unoccupied seats. Be careful not to use priority seats, which are reserved for seniors and disabled people.

4. When you are approaching the bus stop where you want to get off, push the button on the wall between windows to notify the driver of your intention.



5. Check the bus fare on the electronic display board above the front windows.


6.Insert the money into the fare box which is the next to the driver when you get off the bus.



If you have a plan to move here and there in Beppu or to take a day trip from Beppu to Yufuin, we recommend you to buy a One-day-pass ticket. Kamenoi Bus Company offers the Mini-free-ticket which you can use in Beppu and the Wide-free-ticket which you can also use to go to Yufuin.

Mini-free-ticket
adult : 900yen/day   student: 700yen/day   child: 450yen/day
Wide-free-ticket
adult: 1,600yen/day    child: 800yen/day


It makes bus ride easier and saves you money. You can buy these tickets at FTIO in JR Beppu station and most Kamenoi Bus Centers in Beppu.
If you use a daily bus pass, you can skip No2, 5, 6 steps. Simply show your pass to the driver when you get off the bus.(AW)