Minshuku Kokage, our home in Beppu for the long weekend. Loved this place and the people who ran it. It included a very nice private onsen and breakfast.
Biking Beppu February 14th 2007 We LOVE Beppu! A long weekend in Beppu was one of the best trips yet. Beppu is located a short ferry ride from Shikoku on the island of Kyushu. The ferry ride itself was great. An early ride from Hojo to Matsuyama port to get us on the boat by 6:45am. Whew. We loaded our bikes on with the cars and trucks. The Japanese service workers were very helpuful in tying the bikes down and worrying about no ... read more
Asia » Japan » Ehime » Matsuyama In 1603, a Tokugawa shogunate (military dictatorship) ushered in a long period of isolation from foreign influence in order to secure its power. For 250 years this policy enabled Japan to enjoy stability and a flowering of its indigenous culture. Fol... ... read more
Having never visited Japan before, making the move for an entire year was very intimidating. I had no idea what to expect, much less an understanding of the language or culture. These barriers have been slowly fading, and I have found the Japanese people to be amazingly accomodating. The term *Minnesota nice* must now be applied to an entire country!... full info