Trekking & Cycling
★☆★Trekking★☆★ ★☆★Cycling★☆★ ★☆★Hiking★☆★
★☆★Trekking★☆★
Tadewara Wetlands (Kokonoe-machi)
Located in the Aso Kuju National Park and at the north side of Kuju Mountains, the Tadewara Wetlands are shaped from a piece of alluvial fan on a height of 1000 meters. As the largest wetlands formed in the mountain areas, the Tadewara wetlands are taken pride by the Japanese people for its size. Nevertheless, in 2005, the wetlands are written in the Ramsar Convention with the official name of the Kuju Bogatsuru Tadewara Wetlands. Visitors can take a walk freely along ‘wetland course’ or ‘forest course’, two boardwalks built for natural research originally. The boardwalks are designed with barrier-free equipments.
It takes approximately one hour to reach the end of the boardwalk when walking slowly. The river sound makes people feel comfortable and smooth so that people can taste the natural scenery splendidly. Trekking around the wetland with nature guides and highland therapy are also popular programs taken by tourists.
By the way, there are all kinds of precious rare highland plant growing in the wetlands.
Address: Tano 225-33, Kokonoe-machi, Kusu-gun, Oita pref.
Access Info: 40 minutes from Expressway kokonoe IC by automobile
Reference: Chojabaru Visitor's Center Tel: 0973-79-2154
Experiencing highland therapy
The highland therapy is a trial of new healing method going on at the Tadewara Wetlands. Going through a three-kilometer-long road made up of wetlands and forests, people’s hearts and bodies get relaxed under the leafy shade.
Tourists need to walk while listening to the guide’s introduction of the wetlands. Going across the wetland and through the forest, the huge wide plain is where the therapy formally starts. Then putting the mat in the shade, tourists need to lie down and warm up their body according to the guide’s instructions. By closing the eyes and adjusting the breath, people would feel peace and refreshment from the surrounding nature.
Reference: Kuju Handa Highlands Tel: 0973-79-2381
Around the Tadewara Wetlands are
the places of Oita’s pride full of natural resources Miyamakirishima makes Kuju colorful in the early summer
Oike Pond (Yufu City)
Oike Pond is located on top of Mt. Kurodake. It is a group of spring of which water is originated from the root of Asono river and filtered inside the mountain.
The pond is certified by the Ministry of Environment as one of “Japanese 100 Best Springs” and “’Toyo-no-Kuni’ 15 Best Springs”. With water popping out averagely 14 tons per minute and 20,000 tons per day, people gather at the pond on holidays for its rich fresh spring resource. The water is so clear that people can see the bottom of the pond. What’s more, the water tastes incredibly smooth and mild for its calcium minerals. The organization for protecting the nature of Kurotake was founded for the purpose of preservation of the root of local residents’ living water and irrigation water from long the past.
Tourists can enjoy hiking in the beautiful forest along the natural rumble road around the pond. On the way to the pond, people can find precious trees of 450 years age and 300 years which will definitely make them admire the broad nature.
Address: Asono, Shonai-machi, Yufu city, Oita pref.
Access Info: 40 minutes from JR Tenjinyama Station by car
50 minutes from Expressway Yufuin IC through National Highway 210
Oike Springs inside Kurodake primeval forest
Inomure Mountain (Bungotakada City)
Inomure Mountain is a 458-meter high small mountain located at the place where Matama Hot Spring of west Kunisaki Peninsula can be seen down directly. As the promenade to the top is well constructed, Inomure Mountain is also a popular trekking spot. Tourists can imagine how the ancient locals believed in stones when visiting the stone circle at the east side of the crest. Attracted by the mystery of the giant stones, organizations and scholars who research on stone civilization visit Inomure Mountain frequently from the whole country.
Since the stones were formed due to volcano eruption, tourists can experience the incredible phenomenon that the compass gets out of work at the particular spot. It takes approximately 1 hour to get to the crest. There are broad spaces along the course for people to view the heaven-like sceneries of Kunisaki’s mountains and sea.
Access Info: 30 minutes from JR Usa Station by car
40 minutes from Expressway Innai IC by car
The stone circle at the east side of the crest
★☆★Cycling★☆★
Kunisaki Peninsula Cycling Road (Kunisaki City)
It is a 35.4-kilometer-long cycling road along the east coast of Kunisaki Peninsula. The road starts from Sumiyoshihama Resort Park in Kitsuki City and ends at Narahara Beach in Kunisaki City. It is a pleasant thing the feel the salt breeze while cycling.
On the way of the cycling course, people can not only enjoy the white sand beach and green pine trees, but also visit those temples and historic sites where Buddhism was spread in Japan in the past. Being flat is where the characteristic of the roads lies. It is because that the course was built on the trace of the old Kunisaki Railway.
Moreover, there is a mini cycling course constructed for riding together with little kids at Kurotsuzaki beach in front of Kunisaki Cycling Terminal.
Kunisaki Cycling Terminal Beach
Maple Yaba Cycling Road (Nakatsu City)
The cycling road was built on the trace of Yabakei Railway, which was abolished in 1975. It starts from JR Nakatsu Station and ends in Yamakuni-machi with a length of 36 kilometers crossing the distinguished maple spot in Oita ------ Yabakei. It is strongly recommended to ride on the 22-kilometer-long special road from Yabakei Bridge to Yamakuni-machi. People can appreciate totally different scenery in the four seasons and also, the clear Yamakuni River. Taking a long trip to famous places such as Ao-no-Domon Tunnel and Rakanji Temple is also strongly recommended.
Because of using railway trace, there are less sharp slopes on the road so that even novice riders and take relaxing cycling courses. Just have an imagination how the railway was built when passing the old tunnels, iron bridges and stations, and a sense of fulfillment would come to mind that makes people feel comfortable.
Ao-no-Domon Tunnel Cycling Course
【 Rent-a-cycle Reference 】
Yabakei Cycling Terminal
TEL: 0979-54-2655
Fee (3 hours per time): Adult: 360 Yen; Secondary School Students: 310 Yen; Primary School Students: 260 Yen
Open Hours: 8:30 a.m.~ 19:00 p.m.
Core Yamakuni (Yamakuni-machi)
TEL: 0979-62-2140
Fee (3 hours per time): Adult: 360 Yen; Secondary School Students: 310 Yen; Primary School Students: 260 Yen
Open Hours: 10:00 a.m.~ 18:00 p.m.
★☆★Hiking★☆★
Mt. Yufu (Yufu City)
Mt. Yufu, the symbol of Yufuin Hot Spring, is a fascinating spot for hiking. The hiking route consists of three courses started from the front, west and east and eventually leads to the two crests that are called Nishi-mine (west crest) and Higashi-mine (east crest). It is better for beginners to take the front course because the road is comparatively flat. Walking through slowly up-going grassland and a natural forest area, it takes 45 minutes to get to the rest space. Then climb up along a zigzag way after a short break, it takes another 60 minutes to reach the split point for the two crests.
There is only a 15-minute way to both of the crests. Please take a little bit more attention when climbing up to the Nishi-mine for the road is more difficult.
The morning fog that can only be seen in fall and winter is amazingly fantastic. Tourists also have opportunities to catch a sight on wild deer if they are lucky enough.
Access Info: Take a Kamenoi bus from JR Yufuin Station and get off at Yufu Tosanguchi Stop (around 15 minutes)
20 minutes way to the front climbing point from Expressway Yufuin IC by car
Mt. Yufu
Mt. Tsurumi (Beppu City)
On the top of Mt. Tsurumi, tourists can observe the whole city of Beppu. People can enjoy totally different natural worlds inside the mountain in the four seasons with cherry blossoms in spring, miyamakirishima in early summer, maple leaves in fall and freezing fog in winter. Mt. Tsurumi is popular for its easy climbing even by wearing sports shoes.
Tourists need to gather at SPA Beach, which is facing Beppu Bay and it takes around two hours to reach the ropeway station. Another 50-minute climbing will lead people to Ontake-gongensya Shrine. This is a rest point where people can heal their bodies with the hand-washing spring provided. Then keep climbing for 90 minutes more and people can get to the top. It is the only climbing course in Japan that from the sea level (SPA Beach) to the height of 1375 meters (Crest of Mt. Tsurumi), the route passes no main highways so that tourists can climb with no safety concern.
To enjoy the climbing by an easier way, it is recommended to start from the ropeway station. Then people need two and a half hour to reach the top. Both ways are ok for tourists to choose when going down ------ by ropeway or by feet. Since ropeway is available when going down, Mt. Tsurumi can be a beginning course for climbers.
Access Info: (By SPA Beach) 10 minutes from JR Beppu Station on foot
Kintetsu Beppu Ropeway
Open Time: 9:00 a.m.~ 17:00 p.m. ※change according to seasons
Holiday: None
Fee: Adult 1400 Yen Roundtrip; Kid 700 Yen Roundtrip
TEL 0977-22-2278
