Beppu, Ōita

Beppu
別府市
City

Top upper left: Downtown Kitahama hot spring area, Top middle: View of Beppu from Jyumonji Hill, Top lower left: Tsurumi Volcano, Top right: Beppu Tower, Bottom left: Main street near Beppu Station, Bottom right: Sunrise in Beppu Bay

Flag
Symbol

Location of Beppu in Ōita Prefecture
Beppu

Location in Japan

Coordinates: 33°16′46.3″N 131°30′0.1″E / 33.279528°N 131.500028°E / 33.279528; 131.500028Coordinates: 33°16′46.3″N 131°30′0.1″E / 33.279528°N 131.500028°E / 33.279528; 131.500028
Country Japan
Region Kyushu
Prefecture Ōita Prefecture
Government
 • Mayor Hiroshi Hamada
Area
 • Total 125.13 km2 (48.31 sq mi)
Population (March 31, 2017)
 • Total 122,643
 • Density 980/km2 (2,500/sq mi)
Symbols
 • Tree Sweet Osmanthus and Camphor Laurel
 • Flower Ōmurasaki (Rhododendron x pulchrum)
Time zone Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
City hall 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 in Ōita Prefecture on the island of Kyushu, Japan, at the west end of Beppu Bay. As of March 31, 2017, the city had a population of 122,643[1] and a population density of 980/km2 (2,500/sq mi). The total area is 125.13 km2 (48.31 sq mi). Beppu is famous for its hot springs.

Hot springs

Beppu is situated between the sea and the mountains. The city was founded on April 1, 1924, and is famous for its onsen (hot springs). It has eight major geothermal hot spots, sometimes referred to as the "eight hells of Beppu".[2] Six of these are located in the Kannawa district, and two in the more remote Shibaseki district. Beppu is also divided into eight major hot spring areas known as Beppu Hattō (別府八湯).

Beppu Hattō hot spring areas

In addition, Oniyama Jigoku, known as "monster mountain hell" for the large numbers of crocodiles bred and kept on the grounds surrounding this hot spring, is nearby.[3]

Visitor attractions

Beppu 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]

Shidaka Lake is located 600 metres (1,969 feet) above sea level.[5] Otobaru Waterfall is a local natural attraction, located in the mountain area of Beppu city, 20 minutes' walk from Wonder Rakutenchi, a traditional amusement park.[6] Takasakiyama Monkey Park is located 10 minutes from the centre of Beppu by bus. The park is home to more than 1500 Japanese macaques. [7] Kijima Kogen is a resort which includes an 18-hole golf course and hotel alongside an amusement park. It is located on a plateau en route to Yufuin.[8]

Beppu has not only usual hot springs but some sand and foot baths as well. One famous spot is "Beppu Kaihin Sunayu, Ashiyu", (”Beppu marine beach sand bath and foot bath"). It is 15 minutes by bus from Beppu station, on Route 10.[9]

Beppu Park (別府公園) is located in the center of the city, a 15-minute walk from Beppu Station.[10] Beppu Fireworks Festival, held in late July, is one of the biggest fireworks displays in Oita. Five thousand fireworks are set off from boats floating on Beppu Bay.[11] Beppu Contemporary Art Festival "Mixed Bathing World" is an art festival held every three years in Beppu.[12]

Education

Sports

Beppu is home to the Oita Heat Devils basketball team. The team's season was cancelled in 2011 due to the earthquake that struck Japan on March 11.[14]

International relations

The city of Beppu has sister city relationships with the following locations.[15]

Buildings

References

  1. ↑ "Statistics: Population". Beppu City Government website (in Japanese). Accessed 21 April 2017.
  2. ↑ Hells (Jigoku), Japan-guide.com Retrieved 20 May 2013.
  3. ↑ Beppu Travel: Hells (Jigoku)
  4. ↑ Beppu-Oita Mainichi Marathon. ARRS (2009-12-24). Retrieved on 2010-02-08.
  5. ↑ "Lake Shidaka / Lake Shidaka Campsite｜Nature / View｜Beppu City Tourist Information Website". City.beppu.oita.jp. Archived from the original on 2014-01-08. Retrieved 2012-01-30.
  6. ↑ "乙原の滝 −大分県旅行.com−". Oitatravel.com. Retrieved 2012-01-30.
  7. ↑ "Beppu Travel: Takasakiyama Monkey Park". Japan-guide.com. 2009-03-14. Retrieved 2012-01-30.
  8. ↑ "Centleisure Kijima Kogen". Kijimakogen.jp. Retrieved 2012-01-30.
  9. ↑ "別府海浜砂湯・足湯（べっぷかいひんすなゆ・あしゆ）|大分県別府エリアの温泉情報｜九州温泉宿予約｜温泉ぱらだいす 九州". Onpara.jp. Retrieved 2012-01-30.
  10. ↑ "Beppu Park｜Nature / View｜Beppu City Tourist Information Website". City.beppu.oita.jp. Archived from the original on 2014-10-06. Retrieved 2012-01-30.
  11. ↑ "Beppu Early Evening Summer Festival｜Fireworks｜Beppu City Tourist Information Website". City.beppu.oita.jp. Archived from the original on 2014-10-06. Retrieved 2012-01-30.
  12. ↑ 混浴温泉世界
  13. ↑ "Beppu-U History". Retrieved 2012-02-01.
  14. ↑ "News | The Official Site of the Oita HeatDevils". Heatdevils.com. Retrieved 2012-01-30.
  15. ↑ ""Sister City Introduction" Beppu City Official Web". Retrieved 2010-07-17.
  16. ↑ "Bath's Twinning Associations". The Mayor of Bath. Archived from the original on 2011-05-17. Retrieved 2013-07-15.
  17. ↑ "Town Twinning". Bath and North East Somerset Council. Archived from the original on 27 October 2007. Retrieved 12 December 2007.
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