Moopon

1. Once visitors exit immigration and customs at Kansai Airport, visitors will be on the 1st floor. Follow the signs for “Railways”, taking one of the 4 escalators or 3 elevators to arrive at the 2nd floor.

2. Once on the 2nd floor, follow the signs to one of several walkways and walk across the road to Kansai-airport Station. Visitors need to exit the air terminal building to arrive at the JR Station (two separate buildings connected by a walkway). Two train companies use Kansai-airport Station: JR (blue/green) and Nankai (orange). Only JR can take visitor to the platform Haruka departing from. DO NOT use Nankai.

3. Before entering tickets gate, find JR Ticket Office where visitors can purchase ticket or reserved ticket for JR train.(there is a huge sign in English above their head).JR ticket office staff may or may not speak English, but they can read place names and train types written in the Roman alphabet. 

4. With one’s tickets, go through JR ticket gate and take an escalator to get to Platform 4.

Located within the hot springs prefecture of Oita in Kyushu is the world famous hot springs resort town of Beppu.

Visitors can experience eight different springs here:
Beppu, Kannawa, Myoban, Kankaiji, Hamawaki, Kamegawa, Horita and Shibaseki.

It has eight major geothermal hot spots, sometimes referred to as the "eight hells of Beppu.
They are presented to visitors in a rather touristy fashion, which might not appeal to everyone.
Six of them are located in the Kannawa district and two in the more remote Shibaseki district.

Yama Jigoku
The "mountain hell" features small ponds of steaming hot water and a small zoo with large animals.
The name of Yama Jigoku (mountain hell) was named after the view with emission of water vapor around the mountain. 

Hours: 8:00 to 17:00
Closed: Opened All Year Round
Admission: 400 yen

 

Located within the hot springs prefecture of Oita in Kyushu is the world famous hot springs resort town of Beppu.
It also has eight major geothermal hot spots, sometimes referred to as the "eight hells of Beppu.
They are presented to visitors in a rather touristy fashion.

Takasakiyama Monkey Park
Mount Takasaki (Takasakiyama) is a forested mountain just outside of Beppu.
The mountain is a home to more than 1500 wild Japanese monkeys.
These monkeys are fed regularly by park staffs in order to keep them on the mountain and prevent conflicts with farmers and residents in the vicinity.

Hours: 8:30 to 17:00 (last entry at 16:30)
Closed: Opened All Year Round
Admission: 510 yen

Access Information:
From Oita station
Oita transportation bus "Oitaekimae" → "Takasakiyama nature Dobutsuenmae"
* "Jiang line about" bus ride "Kannawa line", "Kunisaki Line"
It takes about a 10 minute bus ride.
The "Monkey Marine Ticket" for 2260 yen consists of a round trip from Beppu
to the monkey park and admission to the monkey park and nearby Umitamago Aquarium.

 

The Kuju mountain range (Kujūsan) is part of the Aso-Kuju National Park and includes the highest peak in Kyushu.
The mountains are covered by a network of hiking trails that ｏｆｆｅｒ magnificent views of the volcanic terrain.
Between late October and mid November, Kuju becomes one of the best places to enjoy fall colors.

The Kuju mountains are located along the Yamanami Highway that extends from Beppu to Aso as PART of the fascinating Trans Kyushu Route.
The two main the beginning of a trails for the Kuju mountains are located at the Makinoto Pass and the Chojabaru Visitor Center,
which are both along the popular road.

Of the park's two main trailheads, the Makinoto Pass is located at a higher elevation and is closer to the main mountain peaks,
while the Chojabaru Visitor Center has informative displays about the area and more facilities.
Depending on the trailhead and route taken, a round trip to Kuju's main peaks typically takes between four and six hours.

Because of the area's volcanic activity, there are quite a few onsen (natural hot springs) in the Kuju area.
Around the base of the mountains there are a few ryokan and hotels with hot spring baths that can be used by overnight guests and in some cases day trippers.
The especially attractive hot spring town of Kurokawa Onsen is also located nearby.

Chojabaru Visitor Center
Hours: 9:00 to 16:00 (until 17:00 from May to October)
Closed: December 29 to January 3
Admission: Free

Located within the hot springs prefecture of Oita in Kyushu is the world famous hot springs resort town of Beppu.
It also has eight major geothermal hot spots, sometimes referred to as the "eight hells of Beppu.
They are presented to visitors in a rather touristy fashion.

Umitamago
Umitamago, is also known as "Oita Marine Palace", is an attractive aquarium just outside of Beppu.
The main water tank  includes over 90 types, and 1500 fishes so if you stand on the glass floor you can feel like you are inside the ocean.
Animals living in Umitamago include seals, otters, dolphins, penguins and various fish.

A visit to Umitamago Aquarium is best combined with a visit to the nearby Takasakiyama Monkey Park.

Access Information:

From Oita station
Oita transportation bus "Oitaekimae" → "Takasakiyama nature Dobutsuenmae"
* "Jiang line about" bus ride "Kannawa line", "Kunisaki Line"
It takes about a 10 minute bus ride.The "Monkey Marine Ticket" for 2260 yen
consists of a round trip from Beppu to the Umitamago Aquarium and admission
to the aquarium and nearby Takasakiyama Monkey Park.


 

Usa Shrine (宇佐神宮) is located at the base of the Kunisaki Peninsula in Oita Prefecture.
Built in the 8th Century, it is dedicated to Hachiman, the god of archery and war.

The Hachiman-zukuri style of architecture is reflected in Usa Shrine.
The shrine’s main hall (a designated national treasure) and another hall are connected by same roof, making the two halls into a single building.
In addition, the two halls are surrounded by a covered corridor so it is difficult for “outsiders” to have a clear view into the halls.

Usa Shrine’s grounds contain an upper shrine complex, a lower shrine complex, a treasure hall, a couple of ponds and several auxiliary shrine buildings.
Typically visitors enter the grounds through either its north or west entrance.  Outside the north entrance are many small stores selling local souvenirs and other products.

The north entrance leads visitors to the Omotesando, the main shrine approach, where they will pass under the big vermilion torii gate to enter the shrine’s grounds.  
Visitors will see the treasure hall on the right.
 The treasure hall contains different cultural artifacts exhibits.
 Of particular significance is the ceremonial percussion instrument with a peacock emblem which is a designated national treasure.

Treasure Hall
Hours: 9:00 to 16:00
Closed: Tuesdays (or the following day if Tuesday is a national holiday) 
Admission: 300 yen

From the west entrance, visitors will see a beautiful bride with a thatched roof known as Kurehashi.
Unfortunately, the gates to the bridge is closed and only opened once every ten years during a festival.
From the west shrine approach, visitors can walk to the Omotesando, the main shrine approach, while viewing the large pond with lotus plants.
 In addition to the lotus plants, visitors will notice a structure in the center of the lake.  
The structure is a Noh stage.

The upper shrine complex at the top of the hill consists of three main halls which are dedicated to Hachiman (Emperor Ojin),
to his mother (Empress Jingu) and to his wife (Hime Okami).
The lower shrine complex at the base of the hill also has three main halls dedicated to the same three deities.
However, it is believed the halls in the upper shrine complex are more important than the lower shrine complex.

Access Information:
Via Bus:  From Usa Station board the bus to Usa Shrine.
The journey should take about 7 minutes and the cost is 240 yen one way. There are buses every hour.
Via Taxi:  From Usa Station to Usa Shrine, a taxi would cost about 1600 yen one way.

USA Shrine
Hours: 5:30 to 21:00 (from 6:00 from October to March) 
Closed: Opened All Year Round
Admission: Free


 

Usuki's samurai district is located at its city center,
and parts of it keep the flavor of an old castle town with their stone paved alleys lined by premodern looking houses.

The main attraction is the Nioza Historical Road, a 200 meter photogenic narrow alleyway which runs along temples and residences built in Edo Period style architecture,
making a feeling of the past. Parallel to it runs the "Haccho Oji" Shopping Street, a merchant street with a neighborhood atmosphere,
lined by shops selling local specialties, groceries and etc. Walking westwards for about five minutes brings you to Ryugenji, with nice three-storied pagoda.

The Ruins of Usuki Castle
It is located on the eastern side of the district. Currently a neighborhood park is located on the former castle grounds.
Unfortunately, most of the castle buildings including the main keep have been destroyed over the years,
and today the only prominent structures remaining are a turret and a gate standing along the park's entrance. 

Nioza Historical Road and Castle Ruins 
Hours: Always open
Closed: Opened All Year Round
Admission: Free

Today visitors can visit the Inaba Residence, local feudal lord during the Edo Period where the family used to live whenever they returned to visit
their home town after they had moved to Tokyo in the Meiji Period.
The beautiful wooden residence is set in a tranquil ambience, with simple and elegant interior design, several tatami mat rooms,
wide corridors and a nice garden.
Another samurai residence open to public is the Marumo Residence, placed at the southern end of the town center.

Inaba Residence
Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 (Last entry at 16:30)
Closed: Opened All Year Round
Admission: 320 yen (residence only) 
1090 yen (also includes stone Buddhas and two other museums)

Marumo Residence
Hours: 9:00 to 17:00
Closed: Mondays (following day if Monday is a national holiday), New Year holidays
Admission: Free

The Usuki Stone Buddhas (Usuki Sekibutsu) are statues of various Buddhas sculpted into a cliff about five kilometers southwest of Usuki's central city.
Buddha statues are usually made of wood or metal in Japan.
Usuki's statues are a rarity and the only stone Buddhas in Japan to be designated as national treasures.

Stone Buddhas
The Stone Buddhas are divided into four groups, which are just a short walk away from each other.
It takes about 30 minutes to complete an easy paved trail that passes by all of them.
These beautiful statues are estimated to have been created around the late Heian Period (794-1185).
They are carved from highly workable, soft, volcanic rock from nearby Mount Aso. 

Hours: 6:00 to 19:00 (until 18:00 from October to March)
Closed: Opened All Year Round
Admission: 530 yen (Stone Buddhas only) 
1090 yen (also includes Inaba Residence and two museums in the city center)

Mangatsuji Temple
A five minute walk across the field from the stone Buddhas is Mangatsuji Temple, which is a simple temple in the calm neighborhood.
A pair of stone sculpted Nio guardians or Kongōrikishi stand in front of the temple.
There are also a few other stone sculptures on the temple's grounds, which includes one of the Buddhist priest that according to legend created the stone Buddhas.

Yamako Usuki Art Museum
It is a small, two-storied museum , exhibiting relics belonging to the local feudal lord of the Edo Period (1603-1867).
The museum also displays a variety of artifacts from the Kamakura to Muromachi Periods such as earthenware, Chinese porcelain and stone objects,
all recovered in local excavations in recent decades. 

Hours: 8:30 to 17:00
Closed: Opened All Year Round
Admission: 400 yen (museum only) 
710 yen (museum and stone Buddhas)
Level of English: Minimal

Access Information:

Via Bus
From Usaki Station to Usaki Sekibutsu bus stop
It takes 20minute with a cost of 310 yen.
The buses operate only once every one to two hours, 
 
Via Taxi
A cost is around 2000yen from Usaki Station.

The Oita Prefectural Museum of History (Ōita Kenritsu Rekishi Hakubutsukan) is an excellent museum to learn Oita's history,
culture and key attractions.
It is located in Usa City at the base of the Kunisaki Peninsula, just a few kilometers away from the Usa Shrine.

At the center of the museum stands a must-see life-size reconstruction of Fukiji Temple's main hall.
In stark contrast to the actual hall whose interior and object of worship have faded in color over the centuries,
the reconstruction show the splendor of how the hall's interior looked like when it was first constructed more than 800 years ago.
The museum also showcases replicas of the Usuki Stone Buddhas and the Kumano Magaibutsu Stone Buddhas.

Facility Information:
Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 (last entry at 16:30)
Closed: Mondays (or following day if Monday is a national holiday), December 28 to January 4
Admission: 310 yen
Level of English: Moderate (good English pamphlet)

The Kunisaki Peninsula's terrain consists of the 721 meter tall Mount Futago at the center and a series of valleys radiating from it.
The region's calm countryside is dotted with dozens of temples and some shrines and was traditionally divided into six areas.
The region was therefore collectively known as Rokugo Manzan (Six Towns Full Mountain).

Kumano Magaibutsu Stone Buddha (熊野磨崖仏)
Two large stone carve into the walls of a cliff:
an eight meter tall Fudomyoo and a nearly seven meter tall Dainichi Buddha.
They are the largest Buddhist stone carvings in Japan, but are not as elaborate sculpted as the Usuki Stone Buddhas, as they were carved into harder rock than the ones at Usuki.
It is unknown when exactly these huge stone carvings were made, but it is estimated that they were created in the late Heian Period.
In order to see the carvings, visitors have to walk through the forest for around 30 minutes first along a gravel path and then along a steep flight of stairs.

Hours: 8:30 to 17:00
Closed: No closing days
Admission: 200 yen

Access Information:
Because of public transport, it is very inconvenient to get to the temples The most convenient method to get around is a rental car.
Rental car outlets can be found at Oita Airport and in Usa and Beppu.

The city of Kitsuki (杵築), in Oita Prefecture is located on the southern side of the Kunisaki Peninsula.
The city is nicknamed a "sandwich castle town" because of the samurai districts on both the north and south hills with the commercial district in the center.

Kitsuki Castle is located in the eastern end, near the coast facing out into the Seto Inland Sea.
Originally built in 1394, the castle suffered damages from earthquakes and a severe storm in 1596 and 1597.
The castle was not reconstructed until 1970.
Currently a three-tiered main keep, it is said to be the smallest castle in Japan.
A small museum displaying local artifacts is located within the castle keep.

Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 (last entry 16:30) 
Closed: December 29th to 31st 
Admission: 300 yen