Beppu

Day: Beppu!
We started the day with an all-day bus pass, and a trip to Beppu Station. We decided to take a different train the next morning- a scenic train!- so we had to go reserve tickets for that.
Turns out the bus system in Beppu is crazy. There are more buses on the weekends than during the week. What does that tell you? This town is a major holiday resort. Haha. So we had like an hour until the bus we needed to take. So what did we do? We went and did a STAMP RALLY! Well, only a part of one, at least.
Now for those who don't know what a stamp rally is, let me enlighten you! To promote use of trains, every-so-often they throw a stamp rally. At certain stations, there's a stamp (Like... a rubber stamp with an ink pad type of stamp). You find it, stamp your stamp book, and get prizes. Well there was a stamp rally going on, which is cool enough, but it gets better. It was a POKEMON Themed stamp rally. Yes. It was AMAZING! Haha. We only had time to get two stamps, and I didn't get enough to collect any prizes, but it was still fun to participate none-the-less.
So to start out our day in onsen-town, we went to a onsen up in a mountain. It was lovely, high-class, more expensive, and worth every yen! There had a variety of baths, but the main attraction was a several-tiered ope-air bath from which you can see the ocean. It was beautiful, extremely relaxing, and a great way to start the day. After we felt our organs begin to float (apparently the sign that you have onsen'd long enough-- and much longer could prove detrimental to your health!), we went to the next thing on our to-do list: Visit hell.
Or, 8 hells, to be more precise.
Beppu is an onsen town, meaning it has a TON of onsen, or natural hot springs. 8 of these hot springs became particularly famous for their super hot surface temperatures, colored waters, etc. They were named “Jigoku,” the Japanese word for “hell.” Beppu's 8 hells have become a great tourist attraction. We got a pass for all 8 for 1800 yen (thanks to coupons that came WITH the all-day buss pass. Seriously, that thing was worth it's weight in gold!) and walked to most of them. They were all really fun to look at, take pictures of, etc. One had crocodiles. Another featured a small zoo (which was really stinky and quite sad. An elephant in a tiny cage... etc). One of my favorites featured a LOVELY foot-onsen (where you just soak your feet-- HEAVEN after walking around a lot over the past few days) AND exciting soft-ice cream. It was called Akaonisofuto, if I remember correctly, which is like... red ogre ice cream. It was topped with HOT RED PEPPER. I debated a lot whether I should try it or not; I figured it was one of those Japanese things that are nasty but people still eat anyway. But I caved in, bought a cone, and it was AMAZING!! The mixed in other flavours with the hot red pepper, including cinnamon, so it was SO GOOD. I want to re-create this masterpiece someday. Seriously delicious.
One of the most picturesque hell is chinoike jigoku, which translates roughly as blood-pond hell. Or something. The water a bright red due to the minerals in the water. Super cool. We took pictures, but it was an overcast day so it didn't look as brilliantly red as it does in the post cards we bought.
After walking through 8 hells, we were pretty exhausted and STARVING. And we were craving karaage (Pretty much like Japanese chicken nuggets. Only SO MUCH BETTER). We went on a mad Karaage hunt. We walked around. We asked people. Those people asked people. But still, no luck. Finally, we decided to make use of our all-day bus pass and just ride around until we found someplace that looked tasty.
And so we did! We found a karaage-specializing restaurant / bento place. And it was called WAHAHA. Could it get better? Yes, in fact, is could. And it does.
We go inside and order. The owner as his wife (? maybe?? haha) were super nice people, surprised that we spoke Japanese, the usual. She brings us out FREE mugicha (Barley tea) and Karokke (crouquttes? I dunno it's a french word or something) SO TASTY. I've started to actually really like mugicha, too. Though I prefer it cold, and pretty usui (watery? Lol not strong.)
We walked up the street and finished up the evening with a TASTY PARFAIT. Not much beats parfaits in Japan. Except for crepes in Harajuku. Those crepes are wicked awesome, yo. (I had one with a piece of cheesecake in it! A whole piece of cheesecake!!)
We ended the night with another ONSEN YAY >:D You can never have too much onsen in a day, my friends. This one was a local recommendation. And it was call “Hyoutan.” Which means gourd. And will make anyone from my Japanese 322 laugh. We read a story about a boy who was obsessed with gourds. It was a little creepy. Haha
Well, hyoutan onsen had a LOVELY outside bath. It was so Japanese-y!! and it had great lighting and a water-fixture thing. And it was heavenly-warm. And heavenly. Yes. I love onsen. We need some in America. Haha.
Then we went home. I promptly fell asleep. And sweated. A lot. It will be nice to sleep in a cold room again. Haha.