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The Oita prefecture is located in the east of Kyushu and the capital Oita city will play home to two quarterfinals at the Rugby World Cup. The region is highly geothermal with hot springs popping up everywhere, including Beppu City, which hosts eight million visitors per year. Throughout Japan, the area is famous for onsen baths.
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Beppu Station (Oita)
Beppu Station is the main railway station for the city of Beppu in the Oita prefecture. Connected by the JR Kyushu railways, many fans of New Zealand, Australia, Wales and Canada will likely pass through the station as their teams are in the Oita region.
Showadenko dome (Oita Stadium)
Oita will play host to two quarter-finals as well as three group stage matches involving New Zealand, Australia, Wales and Fiji in the 40,000 capacity stadium. Fans will ride a shuttle bus to the ground to watch matches, which is located in parklands just outside of Oita city.
Kitsuki Castle
Kitsuki Castle is perhaps one of the smallest in Japan. Restored in the 20th century, the castle has incredible views over the town of Kitsuki and out to the coast. Visitors can try on Samurai armour if they wish, whilst the castle has many Samurai displays inside. The castle is located about an hour’s drive from Oita city.
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Kannawa (Geothermal Town)
The town of Kannawa in Oita is a geothermal hot spot. You will see steam rising from the streets everywhere! Find a foot bath restaurant for a relaxing and unique experience where you can eat while soaking your feet in a hot spa. The food is also cooked in a geothermal spring for a delicious meal.
Beppu Jigoku-Meguri (Geothermal hot springs)
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The ‘Hell tour’ of Beppu refers to the famous hot springs that are untouchable, hence the name ‘Jigoku’ which translates to Hell. There are seven ‘Jigoku’ to see around Beppu, thermal mud and hot springs have been gushing from the ground for over 1,000 years.
The hot springs can provide stunning views of billowing steam and spewing mud.
Oniishi Bouzu Jigoku (Shaven head hell)
Chinoike Jigoku (The red blood pond)
Takachiho Gorge – Miyazaki
Takachiho Gorge is a narrow chasm cut through the rock by the Gokase River. Along the gorge you will find a stunning 17-metre high waterfall cascading down to the river. This view can be enjoyed from the bridge or you can get a little closer by hiring a rowboat to get up close and personnel.
Takachiho Gorge is located in the northern part of Miyazaki Prefecture adjacent to Kumamoto Prefecture and Oita Prefecture,It is accessible by car or bus and is a few hours from Oita by car.
Kaguraya – Miyazaki
The Kaguraya restaurant in Takachiho offers unique Japanese cuisine for a traditional lunch or dinner. Take a seat on the tatami mat and enjoy a set meal!
Amanoiwato Shrine – Miyazaki
Amanoiwato is a Shinto shrine located in the Takachiho area of Kyushu, Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan.
The shrine sits above the gorge where thousands of small stone pillars line the path from the river to the shrine which sits inside a cave.
The shrine is about 15 to 20 minutes from Takachiho Bus Center by car, bus or taxi.
It is dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu and sits above the gorge containing Ama-no-Iwato, the cave where, according to Japanese legend, the goddess hid after battle with her brother, plunging the world into darkness until lured out by the spirit of merriment.
Other recommended sites
Kebesu Fire Festival (Oita pref.) 2019/10/14
The deity named Kebesu, wearing a strange mask, tries to burst into the holy bonfire, while locals called Toba dressed in white defend it. After the battle between Kebesu and Toba goes on for a while, Kebesu finally enters into the bonfire. Then the mad Toba run over to the shrine to throw in a wooden fire stick for blessing people. People start screaming and running away from the fire, but the sparks are said to provide good health for one year.
For more information click here.
To book click here.
Miyazaki-Jingu Taisai (Jinmu-Sama) / Miyazaki Shrine Grand Festival
2019/10/26 – 2019/10/27
Miyazaki-jingu Taisai is the largest local festival in Miyazaki city and is held to pray for a plentiful harvest and to honor Japan’s first emperor, Jimmu. Worshippers in traditional dress, shishimai (lion dances), wadaiko (Japanese drums), and musical groups line the streets over the 2 days of the festival.
For more information click here.
Sapporo Beer Factory Tour
A tour of the beer factory is also popular. Click here for details.
Note: Reservations are required.
Comments on RugbyPass
A wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
24 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
17 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to comments