beppu: january 2006

This is the aquarium in Oita, near Beppu.
'Umitamago' means 'sea egg', which is on display.
I didn't see the sea egg. I went to the mountain sanctuary
to see the macaque monkeys that live there.

This is the pedestrian air bridge that takes you to the mountain.

Close-up shot of that cool bridge that mirrors the shape of the mountain.

It is feeding time and all the tourists are waiting around to watch.
It was a bit chilly that day.
This is just one of many 'tribes' that rotate and take turns
coming down to get 'fed' by the park caretakers.

Grooming one another is common. Caring and sharing within the tribe.

Mom and the kids wait patiently but anxiously for the nutritious grain
the caretakers feed them. Visitors are carefully guided about what not to do:
No touching, staring, feeding, or talking to the animals.
We are reminded that it isn't a zoo.
One look at some of the 1200 monkeys that live on the mountain
and the feeding frenzy that ensued (which I didn't take shots of)
let you know they are dead serious.

I waited for baby to turn it's head (no luck).
Mom shot me a look now and again
to make sure I was at a safe distance.

Surrounded but yet so alone. A pensive moment.

Japanese cars are just super-cool. They are already in the future.

Beppu is so beautiful, as you will see.
Even the sewer covers are enameled.

My 'driver', best friend and man about town, Tetsuya.

This car is decorated and painted in the 'Hello Kitty' style.
You think I'm kidding? The license plate holder and interior seat covers told all!

Tracy, you are famous in Beppu. The 'Tracy' boutique! I got a kick out of that one.

The view from our 'business' hotel, very comfy with twin beds and fridge.
It used to be a 'love' hotel, the ubiquitous Asian style
hotel designed for romance and, well, a quickie.
An inexpensive alternative at about $35.00 per person.
(However, a television 'card' to turn the TV on costs about $10.00!).

No I haven't taken acid.
This is the dashboard clutter, I just thought it looked cool.
Everywhere you look there are mountains.

See?!

And again. I marvel at Japan's beauty.

The opposite view from the monkey mountain bridge.
The harbor linking Oita and Beppu.

A charming street in Yufuin, about an hour from Beppu.
We were on yet another onsen trip. This one yielding the real
volcanic sulfurous mud I have been yearning for. It was like
taking a bath in silk. Another one had water that was cobalt blue.

Street shot. Yufuin. A charming crafts and restaurant-filled lane.

A local restaurant.

Another eatery, decorated with a harvest theme. Farms all around.
Kyushu is partly Japan's 'rice-basket'.

An intense self-portrait at the Marc Chagall museum in Yufuin.
Some Japanese patron decided they loved Chagall.
And voila, his museum was born!

I told you this blog was unedited. This is a shot of the monkey mountain bridge.

Detail. Marc Chagall lithograph.
He loved the circus as a metaphor for life. I'm there.

A charming cafe we decided to stop in after Chagall.

The view outside the window at the Chagall Museum.
The patron was, I would say, well-to-do.

Beppu: On the island of Kyushu, about two hours from where I live.