| Population: 122,297 (January, 2008) Beppu, famous as Japan's leading hot spring resort, is proud of its small-town atmosphere and tradition of hospitality to visitors and new residents from around the world. This small-town paradise is an ideal destination for the outdoors enthusiast, offering beautiful hikes (such as the volcanic mountain of Tsurumi Peak), breath-taking lakes (such as Lake Shidaka where locals often go for picnics with family and friends), and its famous therapeutic hot springs. Beppu’s hot springs, both jigoku (hot springs for looking at) and onsen (hot springs for bathing) disperse more than 100 litres of hot water per day. From a height, it is even possible to see white plumes of steam rising up from the town. Beppu offers excellent exposure to both Japanese and local culture with the Beppu Art Museum, numerous cultural festivals, and the Beppu Traditional Bamboo Crafts Center, where viewers can enjoy stunning works of bamboo art as well as create their own. Mid-June to early July in Beppu are not to be missed with the outdoor tea ceremonies that accompany the blooming of over 300,000 iris blossoms around Lake Kagurame. Students can also enjoy Beppu’s unique cuisine, including Jigoku Steamed foods (seafood and mountain vegetables that have been steamed in the hot springs’ natural vapors) and traditional Dango-jiru dumpling soup. Oita Prefecture Online Magazine: http://www.pref.oita.jp/10400/o_net/back_no/vol_01/english/scene.html
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