As we bid farewell to the enchanting city of Kumamoto, we eagerly welcomed the next chapter of our journey: Beppu. Day 4 marked the beginning of part 2 of our 14-day adventure, promising relaxation, exploration, and culinary delights in abundance.
Beppu, renowned as a haven for hot springs, beckoned us with its promise of rejuvenation and discovery. Even amongst the locals, Beppu holds a special place, its onsen (hot spring) culture drawing visitors from far and wide. With four blissful days ahead of us, we were eager to immerse ourselves in its soothing waters and uncover the secrets of this charming town.
En route to Beppu, we found ourselves in the quaint town of Uchinomaki, where an early lunch awaited us. I want to recommend this small eatery known for serving the finest Gyudon in the region. If you find yourself self-driving towards Mount Aso, this is a culinary gem not to be missed. It’s quite a lot of waiting time due to the crowd, mostly locals.
Lunch: Gyudon at Imakin Shokudo
I guarantee you will not regret visiting this place.
We decided to explore the town on foot and found a fascinating retro shop. It was as if time had stopped here 30 years ago.
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Now, back to the restaurant, and it was our turn to go in.
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After a satisfying lunch, the rest of the day is to visit the various sights around Mount Aso. There are quite a few incredible viewpoints. They are not too far apart, so plan your route well, and you should have sufficient time to visit all of them.
Mount Aso Ropeway, Kusasenri, Daikanbo
We were also lucky that the weather was good. Mount Aso is an active volcano, and the ropeway up is closed during bad weather conditions.
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Daikanbo was our last stop. The sun was setting, so coming up during the golden hour was a good choice. It was beautiful.
We stopped at the first of three hotels in Beppu, Amanek Yulare Beppu. This is a popular hotel that is featured a lot on YouTube. It’s rather convenient as it is within walking distance to the train station and shops.
No dinner was planned for the night. As we arrived relatively late, most shops were also closed.
Dinner: Yakiniku at Ichiriki
We popped by a Yakiniku shop next to our hotel (I realise I did not take any photos).
We did not order too much because we were unsure if the food would be good. It was pretty good. There are quite a lot of local patrons as well.
Supper: Curry Udon, Tempura at じんで
True enough, it was still early, and we walked around the small town a bit. We took our chance with a one-man shop.
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Feeling full, we adjourned for the night. I went to the onsen and rested, ready for the next adventure.
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Read more:
My 14 Days Travel Itinerary In Kyushu Japan 2023 – Day 3
My 14 Days Travel Itinerary In Kyushu Japan 2023 – Day 5
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PS: if you want a copy of my entire itinerary, leave a comment below with your email, and we will send it to your inbox!
Hi Kevin,
Googled and read your interseting blog. Planning a 14 days family road trip to Kyushu in end of May . Can you kindly share your itinerary. Thank you very much.