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Sightseeing/Traditional Handicrafts Beppu's Hot Springs

Beppu: a hot spring paradise
There are 11 different geological categories of hot springs found on Earth. 10 of which can be found in and around Beppu. There are approximately 4,600 separate hot springs in Oita prefecture. Beppu outclasses any other hot spring resort in the world for the number, scale and variety of its hot springs. Hot spring devotees refer to it as a hot spring paradise. The health benefits of hot springs are well-known. In some European countries, such as Italy and Germany, their efficacy is considered medical fact, and treatment at certain hot spring resorts is covered by health insurance. A positive physical response may take anywhere from a few days to several months.

Sample the unique qualities of each kind of hot spring
Everyone should try the hot spring experience at least once in their lives. The unique charm of the hot spring ritual can only be understood through a personal experience. Mr. Saito explains that a soak in a hot spring should take in the smell, taste, color, texture and temperature of the water, and even the unique character of each hot spring’s location. “This is the only way to feel the richness of the hot spring experience” says Mr. Saito.


	Executive Committee Member Missionary of Beppu’s Eight Springs Mr. Masaki Saito (Beppu city)

	Mr. Saito is a hot spring devotee who has sampled over 600 different hot springs. He actively promotes the benefits of hot springs through various means.


	The “Chinoike-jigoku” or Blood Pond Hell footbaths Give your feet a soothing soak in these superheated waters, which spring up directly from the “Chinoike” hell ponds.

	Myoban Hot Spring Unique “Yunohana” jarosite crystals are collected from the Myoban hot springs which are housed in quaint thatched huts. (“Yunohana” crystals, which translates as “hot spring flowers”, are formed from aluminum and iron sulfate)

	Explore the local alleyways The Takegawara area is dotted with traditional Meiji and Taisho era (1868-1926) buildings. The mysterious charms of this locale will make you feel as if you’ve gone back in time.

The waters at “Kannawa-en” change color before your eyes from clear to translucent blue to milky white. This is the only hot spring on earth that manifests these changing colors.

The water has a bitter salty taste. The weak alkalinity of the water leaves your skin silky smooth.

The sodium content of the hot spring water has a moisturizing effect and is particularly suitable for people who suffer from dry skin.

After just one soak, even those from countries with no hot spring culture become hot spring devotees.

Jang Eung Soon
(Korea)
Jang Eung Soon is a freshman at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University. He had never before enjoyed the hot spring experience. After a soak in a hot spring he said his headache disappeared and he felt fantastic.

Sightseeing/Traditional Handicrafts Bamboo Crafts

Utilizing traditional Japanese smoked bamboo.
“Susudake” (smoked bamboo) was a standard housing material in traditional Japanese homes. Used as a ceiling material, it was cured by smoke rising from the traditional fireplace over many long years.After 70 to 100 years of exposure to this natural dye it would acquire its characteristic deep brown coloration.
Mr. Watanabe of Beppu is a bamboo craftsman who makes handbags from this smoked bamboo. To bring out the unique features of the bamboo he scrutinizes each piece before commencing work.

A meeting with Tiffany & Co.
About 20 years ago, the world of fashion was drawing much of its inspiration from the Orient. Tiffany decided to create Japanese-style items and bamboo was its material of choice. At that time Mr. Watanabe was gaining an international reputation, and Tiffany invited him to make some bags for them. He started making women’s bamboo fashion items, which were all based on the “fun-to-use” theme. A good quality bamboo product can be distinguished by how smooth it is to the touch.
However, as Mr. Watanabe started making bamboo items that were used the world over, he noticed that some items would start to split in regions of low humidity. He realized the need to craft each item to last in almost any condition. The old bamboo skills which had been passed down through generations were put to new and innovative uses.


	Bamboo Craftsman Mr. Chikusei Watanabe (Beppu city)

	At the age of 18, Mr. Watanabe was apprenticed to his father who was also a bamboo craftsman. He has now been making handcrafted bamboo items for almost 50 years. He continues to practice his craft to this day, with his works being exhibited at both the “Exhibition of Japanese Traditional Art Crafts” and the “Exhibition of Western Art Crafts”


	Oita Bamboo Crafts Training Center The Bamboo Crafts Training Center is an institute set up to support the bamboo industry and enterprises within it. The center develops and displays innovative works in bamboo, including a bamboo wheelchair that took 3 years to complete. A plan is underway to send expert bamboo craftsmen to other areas in Southeast Asia.

	Beppu Traditional Bamboo Crafts Center The exquisite work of Japan’s first national living treasure in the field of bamboo craftsmanship, Mr. Shono Shounsai, and the work of local bamboo craftsmen, is displayed at this Craft Center. Visitors to the center can try their hand at making bamboo bells, coasters and flower baskets.

The only bamboo item that Mr. M.B.M Azeer had seen in his home country of Sri Lanka, was a bamboo lampshade. Not very familiar with bamboo, he found it difficult at first but enjoyed working with bamboo and produced a quality finish.

First he made a base from thin bamboo sticks

Then he wove a rattan frame around the base – this was the hard part!

Failure is not an option! Success at last – not a bad job!

Mr. M.B.M Azeer
(Sri Lanka)
Mr. Azeer is a junior at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University who likes to paint. Next time he hopes to bring a friend along.