| Beppu 別府市 |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| — City — | |||
| One of hot spring-wells site in Beppu Spa | |||
|
|||
| Location of Beppu in Ōita | |||
|
Beppu
|
|||
| Coordinates: | |||
| Country | Japan | ||
| Region | Kyūshū | ||
| Prefecture | Ōita | ||
| Government | |||
| • Mayor | Hiroshi Hamada | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 125.13 km2 (48.3 sq mi) | ||
| Population (January 2011) | |||
| • Total | 125,664 | ||
| • Density | 977/km2 (2,530.4/sq mi) | ||
| Time zone | Japan Standard Time (UTC+9) | ||
| City symbols | |||
| - Tree | Sweet Osmanthus and Camphor Laurel | ||
| - Flower | Ōmurasaki (Rhododendron x pulchrum) | ||
| Phone number | 0977-21-1111 | ||
| Address | 1-15 Kaminoguchi-chō, Beppu-shi, Ōita-ken 874-8511 |
||
| Website | www.city.beppu.oita.jp | ||
Beppu (別府市 Beppu-shi) is a city located in Ōita Prefecture on the island of Kyushu, Japan, at the west end of Beppu Bay. As of January 1, 2011, the city has an official population of 125,664 and a total area of 125.13 km², with a population density of 977 persons per km².[1]
Contents |
The city was founded on April 1, 1924, and is famous for its onsen (hot springs).
Beppu contains nine major geothermal hot spots, which are sometimes referred to as the "nine hells of Beppu". Beppu is also divided into eight major hot spring areas, listed below and known as Beppu Hatto.
Beppu is a tourist town sandwiched between the sea and the mountains.
Recently, Beppu has been undergoing an urban renewal. In 2000, the city subsidized the creation of the Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, an international university which focuses on International Relations and Business. The university has an enrollment of 5,633 students originating from 98 countries and regions,[2] making it one of the most culturally diverse universities in Japan.
Besides the various onsen, at the edge of the city at the border with Ōita, Beppu also has an aquarium called Umi Tamago (lit. "Sea Egg" but in English "Oita Marine Palace")[3] featuring dolphins at the base of Takasaki yama (Mt. Takasaki), which is known for its large population of wild monkeys (Japanese macaques).
The city is part of the course of the annual Beppu-Ōita Marathon, which traces a path between Beppu and its neighbouring city of Ōita. The competition has been held every year since 1952 and is classed as an IAAF Silver Label road race.[4]
Since the 1980s, Beppu has had a sex museum, Beppu Hihokan, which commemorates the resort town's sex industry with waxwork exhibits. The Hihokan was founded by an aficionado of sex-related artifacts, many of which are on display.
Beppu also has a magical park. It is located only 10 minutes from Beppu Station by foot.[5]
Shidaka lake is located 600 meters above sea level.[6]
For visitors who are looking for a peaceful nature tour or non-extreme hiking trail, Otobaru Waterfall is one of the local natural attractions. The waterfall is hidden from the tourist crowd located in the peaceful mountain area of Beppu city, 20 minutes walk from Wonder Rakutenchi, a traditional amusement park.[7]
The city of Beppu has sister city relationships with the following locations.[8]
|
||||||||||||||||