Thoughts on the beginning of today:

Lots of little kids (mainly girls) clinging to mothers, eyes shut across bridge. Cold breeze. Took hat off, didn’t want to lose it over edge. Size comparison bridge to Godzilla on sign. Would be really impressive in autumn when colourful and not winter brown. Even in places like this still people living around. No where is truly that wild in japan. Shirohebi. White snake temple, for good luck. Very tolerant snakes.

Thoughts on the end of today:

Onus on shop assistant/hotel staff for them to speak english. Haven’t been stuck yet.

Japanese sleeping on trains. Anytime, anywhere.

Bungo-Nakamura to Oita. Change train for Beppu. Long way on local train between Bungo-Nakamura and Oita.

Very scenic steepled hillsides. Trees and farms. Train windows are no good for good photos. Hills leading into the river. Onigase. Oita River.

Beppu arrival. Got bus pass, got hells pass.

Very busy at hotel, check in. World’s hardest pillow

Music played at crossing. Flowers at Park. Pretty. Lots of picnickers. Bamboo Forest as well.

Tall tower, Beppu B-Con Plaza. Great views, sun setting made it a bit glarey. 100m up.

Conveniece store dinner.

Gas station pumps hanging from the ceiling.