I started off my Kyushu journey in Japan’s renowned onsen hotspot, Beppu. Onsens are pools filled with hot
spring water. Beppu is the very city where this viral video picturing an Onsen theme park came from, which is soon to become a reality! The plans for the theme park are going swimmingly, with the opening ceremony
scheduled for April.
One of Beppu’s most famous attractions are the 8 Hells – a collection of extremely hot pools (100 degrees kind of hot! Not for bathing!) that are designated nationally as spots of scenic beauty. Each of them have their own unique names, colours and myths. For example, the Oniishi Bozu pool, literally meaning Buddhist monk, is named as such because the bubbles look like bald heads!
Adjacent to Oniishi Bozu is the beautiful bright blue Umi Jigoku. Don’t for get to stop by the stall with tiny manjuu, they are very cute and very delicious! A little bit further away but worth the trip is the Chinoike Jigoku, the ‘blood pond hell’, named after its red colour.
Don’t worry – there are plenty of onsen you can go in too! Aqua Garden is one of the
most famous spots, where you can enter a traditional style onsen or a large outdoor
family onsen. Not only can you relax with an amazing view of Beppu, but you can also enjoy exciting light shows at night from the warmth and comfort of the onsen.
You can view the onsens, go in the onsens… you can also cook on them! Jigoku Mushi, steam cloud cooking, involves boiling vegetables and seafood on the very hot steam.
If you’re more of a night owl, Beppu has plenty to offer on that front too. Izakayas are bars in
Japan which serve beer and small snacks, and Beppu has a wide range. I went to one where you could get anything fried on a stick – which included a variety of meat and fish, lotus root and even apple! Another recommendation of mine is Anime bar Ani Tama. Head to toe of the place is covered in anime posters and figures. It’s the perfect night out for any anime fan! There are themed cocktails, anime song karaoke and even cosplays you can wear for the evening! The Ani Tama atmosphere is so popular they have even had famous singers visit, such as the likes of Momoi Haruko. Did you know that the creator of Attack on Titan is from Oita?
Beppu’s landscape is quite spectacular, as it’s sandwiched right between the sea and the mountains. The yukemuri (steam clouds) rise up from the drains everywhere, giving it a very magical atmosphere. Most of you might know each city or prefecture in Japan has its own mascot. Beppu is no different – boasting the
adorable Beppyon, who wears onsen gear and has ears shaped like the steam clouds. If you
like Beppyon as much as I do, you can buy lots of merchandise at Beppu’s omiyage (souvenir) shops, and you can follow Beppyon’s Twitter updates here.
The surrounding area also has a lot to offer for a day out. Umi Tamago, literally meaning ‘egg of the sea’, is an aquarium situated by the sea and has a range of creatures to see. Some of the fish even have their own kawaii-style tanks! The dolphin show mustn’t be missed, where they do all sorts of tricks like catchin
g balls, jumping in unison, even head banging… and all to popular tracks like
BABYMETAL.
Just a short train and bus ride away is every kawaii enthusiasts dream – Sanrio Harmonyland.
You can take a train from Beppu to Kitsuki, a small castle town, and then take a bus.Puroland in Tokyo is an indoor experience, while Harmonyland is all outdoors. The highlight of the visit had to be the parade, where Hello Kitty, Little Twin Stars, My Melody and Cinnamoroll all danced on colourful floats in the centre of the park. The shops also had awide range of goods available, including all the recently released characters. There are also a range of outdoor rides like a Ferris wheel and Hello Kitty’s Angel Carousel.
Oita city, only around 15 minutes away by train, has many tempting treats for a pop-culture enthusiast. Sanrio, in partnership with Oita Bank, have opened up a My Melody cafe. You can eat themed omurice, pancakes, parfaits… and even sit opposite My Melody herself! Oita city also has its own Animate store (
which, in case you were wondering, I found to have ample Yuri! On Ice merchandise!) The next article in this two part series will be Kawaii Kumamoto, where I take a bus through the mountains, meet Kumamon, and participate in traditional New Year’s Hatsumode! Thanks for reading!
■Related article：Mogumogu Scarlet #1: Going to eat super soft pancakes in Japan
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In Saiki City, located in the southernmost part of Oita Prefecture, visitors will find a unique project. For a limited time, guests can enjoy a sushi-netarium, where sushi–not stars–will be featured in the sky. Saiki City, where the event takes place, is a treasure trove of seafood thanks to the Bungo Channel and boasts the largest catch in Oita Prefecture. It’s also known as Oita's premier sushi destination, with more than 350 varieties of ocean delicacies to enjoy each year. Saiki Sushi, made from fresh local fish, is known for its firm texture and for having just the right amount of fat. To promote this tasty dish throughout Japan, the interactive sushi-netarium promotion was created!
A Planetarium Experience Featuring Soothing Music and a Sky Filled with Sushi The sushi-netarium is said to have a relaxing effect comparable to that of Beppu Onsen, the most famous tourist attraction in Oita. Those taking part will be able to see not only a sky filled with sushi, but a sushi meteor shower and the Gari Borealis. As you watch, it might become impossible not to crave sushi! Visitors will be able to take part in this special viewing at certain locations in Beppu City and at Oita Airport from September 22 until November 30. In a public announcement, the city invited guests to eat plenty of tasty local food and soak in the Beppu Onsen before enjoying the sushi-netarium to wrap up a wonderful day. The Beautiful ‘Sushi Projector’ Check out these impressive projectors made exclusively for the sushi-netarium! These original sushi projectors in the shape of Saiki sushi are the only five such projectors in the world and come in the shapes of tuna, yellowtail, octopus, egg, and shrimp. Come enjoy this strange sushi-centric activity in the south of Japan! Participating facilities are listed on the website below. Information
Saiki City presents Sushi-netarium
Running: September 22 – November 30, 2022
Venue: Accommodations in Beppu City, Footbath Space at Oita Airport
Target Space: Accommodations listed below, Oita Airport Footbath Space
Details: https://www.visit-saiki.jp/topics/detail/eb9def81-fb90-40ae-9b5a-10c8d6c94b32
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Attack on Titan was created by Hajime Isayama, a manga artist born and raised in Hita, Oita Prefecture. Fans of the manga and anime series can experience the world of the famous series in his hometown, and by downloading a specific smartphone app and traveling to a specific location, they can now experience a new 3D-AR experience featuring Captain Levi. The installation will be installed at the camp resort Paradiso Oita in Oita Prefecture. The AR application uses colored model data of the Captain Levi statue erected in the plaza in front of Hita Station on March 6, 2021. The realistic image of Captain Levi can be viewed from 360 degrees, and visitors can even take commemorative photos with the popular character! The installation will be located at the Paradiso Oita Front Ridge, which costs nothing to enter. The grand opening will take place on July 22, 2022. With its convenient location just off the Amagase-Takatsuka interchange on the Oita Expressway, many believe that the installation will help to revive tourism in the area.
Information
Attack on Titan – Captain Levi 3D-AR
Release Date: July 14, 2022
Address: Paradiso Oita Front Ridge (9619-1 Tobata, Kusu, Kusu-ku, Oita)
Access: 3 minutes from Amagase-Takatsuka IC on the Oita Expressway
Attack on Titan in HITA Official Site: https://shingeki-hita.com
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From July 15 until November 6, 2022, the ‘teamLab: A Forest Where Gods Live’ exhibition at Mifuneyama Rakuen, an ancient forest at the Takeo Hot Springs in Saga Prefecture. The massive event is held each summer and fall and was named CNN World’s ‘Best Outdoor Art Exhibition to Visit’ in 2021 and one of the Top 10 Art Installations in the world by DesignboomMagazine in 2017. Works on Display Universe of Water Particles on a Sacred Rock, 2017
Drawing on the Water Surface Created by the Dance of Koi and Boats - Mifuneyama Rakuen Pond, 2015 Ever Blossoming Life Rock, 2017 Life is Continuous Light - Azalea Valley, 2017 Rock Wall Spatial Calligraphy, Continuous Life - Five Hundred Arhats, 2017 Split Rock and Enso, 2017 Resonating Forest - Cherry Blossoms and Maple, 2017 Megaliths in the Bath House Ruins, 2019 Graffiti Nature - Living in the Ruins of a Bathhouse, Red List, 2017- Resonating Forest in the Ravine, 2019 Abstract and Concrete - Forest Entrance, 2018 Flowers Bloom in an Infinite Universe inside a Teacup, 2016 Forest and Spiral of Resonating Lamps in the Forest - One Stroke, Summer Forest, 2018 Mifuneyama is said to have risen from the Ariake Sea 3 million years ago. The 500,000 square meter Mifuneyama Rakuen Park was created in 1845, at the end of the Edo period. The park is home to megaliths, caves, and forests that have been slowly shaped over thousands of years. teamLab believes that the shapes and textures of these objects are important, serving as traces of ancient people and natural changes over time. The concept of the project is that non-material digital technology can turn nature into art without harming it. The creative team will be holding a number of other high-profile exhibitions this year, including installations in Paris, Tallinn, Shanghai, and Geneva. Their sauna collaboration with TikTok for teamLab Reconnect in Roppongi made huge waves in 2021--guests would take alternating hot and cold baths to experience intense physical sensations while surrounded by digital art. Information
teamLab: A Forest Where Gods Live
Running: July 15 – November 6, 2022
Location: Mifuneyama Rakuen (4100 Takeo, Takeocho Oaza Takeo, Takeo City, Saga)
Official Site: https://www.teamlab.art/jp/e/mifuneyamarakuen/ -
Starbucks will open the first Starbucks Tea & Cafe location in Kyushu at AMU Plaza Hakata on April 27, 2022. This spin-off shop specializes in colorful, aromatic tea-based beverages, and has locations in Tokyo, Toyama, and Osaka. Starbucks Coffee AMU Plaza Hakata, the first Starbucks Tea & Cafe to open in the Kyushu area, is a new store on the second floor of Amu Plaza Hakata directly connected to JR Hakata Station.
Yuzu & Citrus Lavender Sage Tea / Japanese Chai Tea Latte / Strawberry & Passion Tea Frappucino®
Starbucks Tea & Cafe will offer a lineup of 13 types of tea-based beverages, including tea lattes and tea frappuccinos made with seasonal ingredients. The Japanese Chai Tea Latte is new this season and includes hojicha with spices like yuzu peel, ginger, Japanese pepper, and cinnamon. Come enjoy this cozy space and enjoy a warm cup of tea at this unique Starbucks where tea is the main attraction!Information
Starbucks Coffee AMU Plaza Hakata 2F
Address: JR Hakata City 2F (1-1 Hakataekichuogai, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka)
Hours: 8:00-22:00Opening April 27, 2022
Official Site: https://www.starbucks.co.jp/
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Offered by BANDAI SPIRITS, Ichiban Kuji is a popular brand of lottery in Japan, in which players are guaranteed to win a piece of merchandise. This no-lose game is often seen in collaboration with popular anime and game series, and a number of dedicated BANDAI SPIRITS Ichiban Kuji stores are starting to pop up around Japan. Now, the fourth of these shops is opening in Fukuoka on September 9, making it the first in Kyushu.
Upcoming Products
Ichiban Kuji - Disney’s Twisted Wonderland, Vol. 4 Release Date: September 10, 2021Ichiban Kuji - Monogatari Series Release Date: September 18, 2021 Ichiban Kuji - Kirby Series KIRBY’S BURGER Release Date: September 24, 2021 Ichiban Kuji - Mobile Suit Gundam Gunpla 2021 Release Date: September 25, 2021 Prior to opening brick-and-mortar stores, Ichiban Kuji took place at convenience stores, bookstores, and game centers across Japan. In December 2020, the first dedicated shop opened in Umeda, Osaka, with the following two opening in Ikebukuro in Tokyo and Yokohama in Kanagawa in March 2021. Popularity is only increasing, as fans continue to enjoy the unique collection of products. The new Fukuoka location is the largest of any Ichiban Kuji shops to date, and also features the Ichiban Coffret, a lineup of high-quality pop culture-inspired cosmetics for purchase. Information
Ichiban Kuji Official Shop – Hakata Bus Terminal
Address: Hakata Bus Terminal 7F (2-1 Hakataekichuogai, Hakata Ward, Fukuoka, Fukuoka Prefecture)
Open Date: September 9, 2021
Hours: 10:00-23:00
*Hours subject to change in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Official Site: https://bandainamco-am.co.jp/chara_shop/ichibankuji-official-shop/
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From Hello Kitty to Pompompurin, Cinnamoroll, My Melody, and more - Sanrio's internationally adored cast of characters can be universally agreed to be representatives of Japan culture of 'kawaii.' In celebration of Sanrio's 60th anniversary, the company have announced an exhibition centred on the beginning of kawaii culture. The event will take place at TOKYO CITY VIEW from September 17, 2021 to January 10, 2022. 60th Anniversary Sanrio Exhibition: The Beginning of Kawaii is currently taking place at Matsuzakaya Art Gallery in Nagoya until June 12 and will move to Ōita Prefectural Art Museum where it will run from July 10 to September 5 before heading to TOKYO CITY VIEW.
© 2021 SANRIO CO., LTD. APPROVAL NO. SP610376
This exhibition will not only look back over Sanrio's 60-year history, but will also dive into how Japan's culture of 'kawaii' came about. Fans of Sanrio and Japan's kawaii can expect product and design showcases, in-depth explanations, and more. Over 800 products, documents, and materials related to Sanrio will be presented, many of which will shine a spotlight on some of their most famous characters out of their roster of 400, such as Hello Kitty and My Melody, and other characters that might not be known to those outside Japan such as best friends Patty & Jimmy.What to look out for at Sanrio's 60th anniversary exhibition
Unforgettable Tower by Sebastian Masuda
Sebastian Masuda, a pioneer of kawaii culture, will showcase his symbolic art pieces at the event at TOKYO CITY VIEW's observation deck, combining his iconic work against a breathtaking background.The Beginning of Kawaii
Learn about the history of Sanrio's culture of kawaii, beginning as a service to 'move people's hearts' through gifts and products. Visitors will get a chance to see the secrets of Sanrio's iconic style which draw a line under fancy products from other companies. There will also be a chance to see Japanese illustrators Takashi Yanase, Ado Mizumori, and Rune Naito's work with Sanrio.The Birth of the Characters
What makes something kawaii or not kawaii? Why do characters not necessarily need to have a story to become so popular? These questions are more will be answered as the exhibition looks at the birth of Sanrio's characters.Sanrio's Characters
How did their hit characters come to be? During the 1980's, Japan was a warzone for characters. Sanrio changed how characters became popular, moving from characters that were popular with everyone to creating characters that people wanted for themselves - their own personal characters. Discover how Sanrio's long list of characters came about, including ones that have stood the test of time and ones that have declined in popularity.Ichigo Shimbun
Ichigo Shimbun is a magazine published by Sanrio all about Sanrio and their characters - a familiar read to all fans in Japan. The magazine will be featured at the exhibition.Hello Kitty: The Character Who Turned Into a Global Icon
Hello Kitty is known the world over, with even Lady Gaga having worn a dress of Hello Kitty plush toys in the past. This dress will be exhibited at the event, amongst many other things related to Sanrio's global idol.A Battle Between Artists
Artists from various artistic background will participate in the exhibition by creating a range of different Sanrio works. Participating artists and their specialities include Ryūsuke Fukahori (objects), Hajime Nakatomi (bamboo art), Takaya Mori (sculptor), Mio Hashimoto (sculptor), and Risa Fukui (paper cut-outs).Information
60th Anniversary Sanrio Exhibition: The Beginning of Kawaii
Running: September 17, 2021 – January 10, 2022
Where: TOKYO CITY VIEW (Roppongi Hills Mori Tower Floor 52F)
Address: 6-10-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Toky0
Price: TBA
60th Anniversary Sanrio Exhibition: The Beginning of Kawaii Official Website: https://sanriocharactermuseum.com/