Dear beloved readers,
A happy new year! Thank you very much for
reading my bolg for the past year even though my updates had been fairly infrequent.
But, it has also been great writing things. Hope I can enjoy keep writing the
world I see this year too. Thinking those things, I have been eating Persimmons
and mandarins at home.
Believed or not over 4000 access has been
made since the establishment of the blog. Persistence pays off. I will keep
going, providing maybe-useful information for you.
Get
back to the journey
Leaving Hiroshima in the morning, I caught
a train towards west. To get to the half point, Yamaguchi prefecture, the train
stopped some 47 stops. I like going slow as always.
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| Of course, passed USA to get to Oita |
Oita
Specialties
Oita has it all for me, well, as being a
not so hard-core chilling cyclist.
Superb
onsen (hot springs)
As well as Beppu, one of the most popular hot
spring districts in the country, Oita has got a great range of hot springs, known
as onsen in Japanese, there are number of hot springs and they are all pumped
up from underground. Besides, different hot springs has different textures such
as smooth ones as silk or refreshing ones as lemon, lime and bitters, and
therefore, depends what you after, you could choose what you want every day. But
one thing in common in this area is the fact that the hot water in the springs is
generally GOT DAMN HOT (especially the one called Takegawara Onsen), referred from Joe, my friend in Oita.
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| Beppu, one of the most well know onsen districts in Japan. Beppu is neighbour town of Oita 2 stops by train. |
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The interior of Takegawara Onsen, Beppu
|
In Japan, hot springs are generally divided
into 2 parts; one is for males and one for females as you need to be completely
necked to be in one of them. (Oh well, probably to avoid something from
happening…..) However, there are ones called ’Konyoku-buro’, which is a hot
spring with only one part. Yes, it is, literary, a nudist hot spring. Unfortunately,
I did not have chance to go to one of them but in this particular occasion. Apparently,
here in Oita is one of the areas you could find one for real authentic
experience in country Japan. The admission prices for hot springs are generally
very friendly to your wallet from free (!) to 390 yen (4 AUD) (of course there
are very expensive ones too.) I found a video which gives you a visual explanation of hot springs in Oita (and Beppu).
I would describe hot springs in oita to be not only refreshing and relaxing, but also rejuvenating! It's a must do experience in Japan.
Still not convinced? Check it out with your own body.
Leg
monsters
Thanks to the hot springs around the girls
here are (apparently) famous for its well maintained beautiful long legs. These
legs are making Oita’s biggest industry of leg bars.(half jork and half true). Note*
The word, leg monster, is first coined by Joe.
Great
Pubs
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| You would find this kind of stuff too |
To my surprise, there are great pubs around
Oita especially in Miyakomachi area. Those pubs are making the area fairly entertaining
and multicultural. This is partly due to the establishment of an international
university nearby. One my most recommended pub in this area is
P.E.I. The pub has a great range of cocktails, spirits
and beer (and they do a great turkey on Christmas eves) and most importantly,
very friendly bartenders and people enjoying their time. If you come for the second
time, you definitely see one of your friends there. Consequently speaking,
where drinking places there are wicked bottle shops are. There are heaps of
great bottle shops too. Further explanation not needed.
Cyclist
Paradise, Oita
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| Joe on his bike |
And most importantly (well, believe or not
and at least for me), Oita and surroundings are one of the most fantastic
destinations in the country for cyclists from very beginners to full on
advanced riders give you a great beautiful and scenic rides. Mountains, rivers,
coasts, quiet roads. Nice challenging and quiet hills beautiful sceneries. As Joe runs a cycle tour company, Japan Bike and Hike, he knows the area very well. He kindly took on the wheel me around the area of Oita. Its just beautiful and
challenging area to ride around. I’ve attached some of photos below but I would
say I saw 100+ times more beautiful places that the photos below.
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| Mountains, mountains! |
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| Bamboos, Bamboos! |
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| A lot of hilly rides |
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| At the top of a mountain! |
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| Easy, cruisy coastal ride |
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| An island |
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| A temple |
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| A pretty damn looking good view |
Time has passed very very quickly. It’s already time
to go back to my hometown again.
Today's Route
View Larger Map
2 comments:
Just to make clear, Noun; Leg Monster; This is a human of the female persuasion, who with the help of tall boots, even taller skirt and various natural attributes, can easily part a man from his hard-earned pay. They are generally nocturnal, appearing at night and gone before dawn. Often in the company of other Leg Monsters, and trailed by a legion of admiring road cyclists.
After all, a biker knows the value of...a good set of legs!
Hi Joe,
Thanks a lot for the in depth clarification. I am glad that this blog start developing educative discussions.
I would like to add some more information regarding leg monsters as it might be useful for future visitors to Oita.
For successful approach to leg monsters for the first stage, it is preferable to state something regarding their boots. This statement will flourish the following conversations. For instance, this is a typical of an effective opening statements, "I like your boots, they really fit you well". Leg monsters will thank your statement and start talking about their boots in details.
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