Life between trips

  Address :  7538-6 Kamamuta, Takaharu, Nishimorokata District, Miyazaki 889-4414, Japan A photo-stop on a picturesque with the Totoro.  My mum made a face when she heard we came here for a photo.  Yup those roll eyes 😜 moments makes the most impression.

Address :  804-1 Fukata, Usuki, Oita 875-0064, Japan The Usuki stone buddhas have been designated as a national treasure. More than 60 figures were carved in rock face created by hardened volcanic ash and molten rock that erupted from Mt. Aso (Kumamoto Prefecture) approximately 90,000 years ago .   It is believed they are created in Heian (794 -1185) and Kamakura (1185-1333) periods.  We arrived here quite late and its an hour before closing time.  This area has some easy walk that does not require any stair climbing. Just some gentle slopes.  The area is divided into 11 zones with 1 to 4 being the main cluster (i think! 😅).  Hoki 1st and 2nd cluster (Jizo and the ten kings, 3 kongokai dainichi, shaka nyorai and amida nyorai statues, 3 amida nyorai and shaka nyorai) Sa no san sekibutsu (a large center statue with 2 attendants) Furuzono sekibutsu (finest stone buddha statue in japan and famous worldwide - elegant face with prominent eyebrows, almond shap...

Address :  Japan, 〒874-0005 Oita, Beppu, Amama, 字松塚2-2 First glamping experience at Grand Verde Hotel and it is fabulous! We arrived at the main check in place at 5 pm and the check in is fuss free. They promptly arranged our preferring timing for our meals (i.ebreakfast and dinner).  After which we are ushered to choose our sleepwear and are guided by another car to our tent.  The space is huge! and an external bbq area. The bath also have outdoor views of the space. We wasted no time to check out the outdoor onsen before our dinner at 6.30 pm. The sun is already setting. The views at the onsen is mountain facing. Nice! Outdoor onsen - checked! Bonfire - checked! Bbq wagyu dinner and yummy breakfast - checked! Animal farm - checked! Star gazing - checked! Glamping again? Sure No problem. Count me in! *Do note that further in the roads could be muddy and navigating could get difficult on wet days. But we encounter no issues on our trip to our tent. 

Yufuin Food street Yufuincho Kawakami, Yufu, Oita , Japan  After departing Beppu we head to the tourist trap Yufuin where we will meander the streets in seek of food.  First pit stop is Milch. Known for their puddings (original and sweet potato) and hot cheese cake. The cheese cake is warm and soft. Hubs is so pleased with this and the pudding that he keep saying its so delicious.  Next up is fried karaage (chicken pieces) at kichigo/ Nakathu fried chicken . This is well marinated and very crispy.  We also spied the orange juice squeezed within the orange and we had to try one each. Its so sweet.  Then we went on to  Tenma no Kinsyou Croquette . There is so many flavours to choose from. Crab meat/ vegetable and beef are just some of the flavours to choose. Soft on the inside and crispy on the outside.  On our return, we wanted to purchase B-speak swiss roll cake but was told it is fully sold out for the day. As we are still in the vicinity, we preorde...

12-13 Ekimaecho, Beppu, Oita 874-0935, Japan   This is a bakery place with 3 small tables on the side.  They also serve coffee which can be ordered after you selected the meals. Most importantly this is near to our hotel and located within the beppu main station. It also opens real early at 7 am. 

Umi-Jigoku (海地獄 Sea Hell) 559-1 Kannawa, Beppu, Oita 874-0000, Japan I had great plans for Beppu. There are jigoku aplenty here. And i had shortlist at least 5 of them to visit.  But i experience what you call 水土不服 and ended up throwing up endlessly throughout the day. I ended up only visiting Umi-jigoku and went back to the hotel to rest up for the day.  Famous with hot spring with bright blue color due to the large amount of iron sulfate.  The cafe beside the hot spring serves onsen cooked hard boiled eggs.  You can also do a foot soak here as well.   At the main entrance there is shop selling mini mantou which is worth a try. Its small and cute and tasty. .   Yukemuri observatory 湯けむり展望台 Japan, 〒874-0042 Oita, Beppu, 鉄輪東８組 Nestled in a residential area, its a view of the Beppu with all the little chimney smoke of the city.  Did a quick pit stop here. The observatory was en-route to Yufuin so its not much of a detour to come here. It was qu...

5-17 Chuomachi, Beppu, Oita 874-0936, Japan  The best part of this hotel is its close proximity to Beppu station. Merely a 3 mins walk but with the luggages its still pose a bit of challenge. I remembered us pulling our luggages from beppu station to hotel at 10.30 pm. So glad we made it to the Beppu and the hotel.   The lobby is big and grand. Most importantly, it houses a bath which has both outdoor and indoor with sauna. Great place is soak out the tiredness from the day's activities. It has restaurants in-house. And where the bath is there is electric massage chairs and comic library. Also a floor selling interesting japanese snacks. Great for kids and adults alike.  I booked a 3 room but i think i got a family room with 4 beds. So its very spacious.  Aburaya Kumahachi Tei We had a meal for a night at their japanese restaurant within the hotel.  The food is quite decent and i think my family enjoyed the meal while i had chawamushi with rice 😢.