Highlights

This is a hike from hot spring to hot spring in the charming rural of Oita. We will also hike the magnificent gorges, gorgeous valleys, a pretty plateau, and the volcanoes. Staying over at traditional Japanese inns and meeting the friendly locals, also known among the Japanese as the horse-eating barbarians. If you have always wanted to experience hot spring (onsen) hopping the immersive, authentic, and traditional way then this trip is for you. Come and join me in this "hot" journey.

Highlights

Experience Beppu, the hot springs capital of Japan that has 2,300 hot springs sources and its eight "hells", designated as National Scenic Beauties of Japan
Visit Yufuin the floral onsen village.
Try cooking an egg and pudding steamed in these natural hells
Experience the many different hot springs baths, the cheesy and strange in Beppu, the rural and therapeutic in Nagayu, and the stylish baths in Yufuin
See an active volcano Mount Aso, the largest ancient caldera in the world
Boat the mysterious and beautiful Takachiho Gorge.
Walk Kokonoe Yume Otsurihashi, a suspension footbridge, Japan's longest pedestrian bridge
Hike to the volcanoes, the Kuju mountains ranges, one of the 100 famous Japan's mountain.
See the sunrise and Aso's landscape from Daikanbo.

We will start our hike in Nakatsu, the birthplace of Fuzukawa Yukichi, the famous educator who is pictured on the 10,000 yen note. To get a glimpse of Yakabei Gorge, we will have to cross this suspension bridge.

Walk across Kokonoe Yume Otsurihashi a suspension footbridge. Photo by JNTO

We will start the "hot" hot spring trail.

One of the "hell" hot spring in Beppu, photo by Fredrik Rubensson licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

Chinoike Jigoku hot spring in Beppu, also called the blood pond hell, it is not for bathing, photo by Jordi Sanchez Teruel licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

Another Chinoike Jigoku hot spring in Beppu, and this too is not for bathing, photo by Hans-Johnson licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0.

Misty morning in Yufuin a hip and stylish hot spring towns, photo by Miya.m licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0

One of the outdoor hot spring bath in Yufuin and for us to enjoy. Photo by Welcome Kyushu

One of the outdoor hot spring bath in Shibaseki in Beppu and for us to enjoy. Photo by Enjoy Onsen beppu

Having seen and experience some of the hot spring, let's move on to Kuju mountain ranges, and hike among the volcanoes and the waterfalls of Bungo Ono.

A view of Kuju mountain in the autumn, photo by Jammy Jammy licensed under CC BY 2.0

Waterfalls in Bungo Ono

The landscape is full of greenery in summer, on the road to Mount Aso. Photo by Miya.m licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0

Mount Aso is an active volcano in the center of Kyushu. Its ancient caldera the world's largest, with a diameter of up to 25 kilometers and a circumference of over 100 kilometers. Mt.Aso Ropeway began to carry the first passengers in 1958 and was the first passenger lift to an active volcano on the earth. We will take a ropeway up to its crater.

View of Mount Aso an active volcano.

View of Takachiho Gorge photo by Einheit 00 licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0

We will make our way back to Hakata city after Mt Aso and Takachiho Gorge, however, for those that wish to continue their journey, I thought Kumamoto not too far from Mt Aso is a good place to extend your journey.

Please take note we are planning for hikes during summer and autumn, therefore the photos used are representing the scenes for both seasons.

Itinerary

Day 1
Fly from Singapore to Hakata
Free and Easy Hakata.
Overnight

Day 2
Visit Beppu Hells (Umi,Chinoike,Tatsumaki and Shiraike)
Take Steamed sand bath
Overnight in Beppu hotel.

Day 3
Take Beppu Ropeway
Walk the suspension bridge
Overnight in Yufuin hotel.

Day 4
Walk Yufuin in the morning.
Visit Cats cafe
Visit Tsujibasha(Horse carriage)
Visit Retoro car museum
Overnight in Kuju hotel

Day 5
Visit Flower park, Milk shop, Tadewara wetlands, Kurokawa onsen, waterfall.
Overnight in Nagayu hotel.

Day 6
Sightseeing at Kusasenri
Visit Aso volcano musuem
Overnight in Aso hotel.

Day 7
To Daikanbo for 2 hours for sunrise view.
Back to Aso hotel for breakfast.
Boating at Takachiho gorge.
Free and Easy Hakata.
Overnight in Hakata hotel.

Day 8
Fly from Hakata to Singapore

Reviews

Hazel
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Review for A Road Trip to the Picturesque Heaven's Gate - Ha Giang November 11, 2019
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Review for A Road Trip to the Picturesque Heaven's Gate - Ha Giang November 11, 2019
I had a amazing trip with a group of friendly and warm tour mates. Carly was such an assuring tour leader. Excellent and safe Vietnamese driver, Jerry. well spoken English Vietnamese guide Tommy. I enjoyed myself very much and look forward for another trip!
PengPeng
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Review for A Road Trip to the Picturesque Heaven's Gate - Ha Giang November 6, 2019
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Review for A Road Trip to the Picturesque Heaven's Gate - Ha Giang November 6, 2019
Excellent short trip with beautiful verdant countryside and charming local tribal people not corrupted by tourism yet . Be prepared for long drive on narrow winding mountain roads.
rosse ong
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Review for A Road Trip to the Picturesque Heaven's Gate - Ha Giang November 5, 2019
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Review for A Road Trip to the Picturesque Heaven's Gate - Ha Giang November 5, 2019
Best trip ever ! Everyone laughed and enjoyed the hols as if we have known each other all our lives instead of meeting for the first time ! Everyone kept their cool when faced with an unforseen delay . The scenery at Ha Giang is simply superb . There are so many small towns within the mountains with... Read more Best trip ever ! Everyone laughed and enjoyed the hols as if we have known each other all our lives instead of meeting for the first time ! Everyone kept their cool when faced with an unforseen delay . The scenery at Ha Giang is simply superb . There are so many small towns within the mountains with so many minority races living together . Their costumes are so colourful and the ladies' headgears are so lovely to gawk at . If I could , I would love to go again . Highly recommended for gungho people with "throw everything to the wind" attitude . Fantastic local guide and driver (Tom & Jerry) and pats on the back for Carly (Singapore guide) too . Thanks .........rosse and raymond . Read less
René
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Review for Commemorating Singapore’s History - The Bicentennial Experience July 14, 2019
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Review for Commemorating Singapore’s History - The Bicentennial Experience July 14, 2019
Georgina was great in: 1) giving reminders so that people can un-RSVP for others on wait list to get a spot. 2) giving clear instructions, photos, links on how to get to the meeting point, 3)explaining why everyone had to be on time and what the program is expected to be and when it might end. ... Read more Georgina was great in: 1) giving reminders so that people can un-RSVP for others on wait list to get a spot. 2) giving clear instructions, photos, links on how to get to the meeting point, 3)explaining why everyone had to be on time and what the program is expected to be and when it might end. Late evening slot was a good idea as we got to see the night installations at The PathFinder portion, but food stalls already closed upon exit. There are toilets inside the exhibit in Fort Canning Center itself. Cleaner than the mobile toilets outside. Thank you for helping to get us tickets when it is so difficult to do so. Read less
TUANG LEONG
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Review for Lets' Visit the Hidden Beach of Sentosa (Private Event for GrabRentals) July 9, 2019
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Review for Lets' Visit the Hidden Beach of Sentosa (Private Event for GrabRentals) July 9, 2019
My wife, son and I never regret of signing up this trip. My 8 year old son enjoyed the walk on the rocky beach. Best moment of the walk was that we came closed to the corals, crabs ???? and ???? shrimps. Thank you threeplaygrounds!