This video, titled "[Hiking] Coffee From a Spring - A Walk in the Woods and a Quiet Time" (【ハイキング】湧き水でコーヒー - 森林散策と静かな時間), was released by "Morinone Channel" (モリノネチャンネル). Wouldn't it be wonderful to make coffee from a clean spring in the mountains and take in the magnificent scenery? The Oike Spring Group in Yufu City, Oita Prefecture, introduced in the video, is an area at the source of the Aso River. The rainfall on Mt. Kurodake is filtered underground over a long period of time to produce clean spring water. It's very comfortable and cool even in summer as it is located 850 meters above sea level. Sitting under a tree, boiling water from the spring with a portable stove, and drinking coffee will refresh your body and mind.

Introducing the Miyamikirishima of Mt. Tsurumi in Oita Beppu This video, titled "JG☆☆☆8K HDR Oita, Beppu Mt. Tsurumi Miyamakirishima Flower Season" (JG☆☆☆8K HDR 大分 別府 鶴見岳のミヤマキリシ Oita, Beppu Mt. Tsurumi Miyamakirishima Flower Season), was uploaded by "JAPAN GEOGRAPHIC." The video introduces the ride up the Beppu Ropeway on Mt. Tsurumi, along with the beautiful flowers blooming atop the mountain and the breathtaking views that await you! The Flowers Blooming on Mt. Tsurumi Photo：Kyushu Azaleas of Mt. Tsurumi The flowers blooming atop Mt. Tsurumi are Kyushu azaleas. They are a semi-deciduous shrub of the azalea family and stand 0.3 to 1 meters tall. They produce purple-red flowers as well as peach-red and light-red flowers, and are at their best from late May to mid-June in Japan. A unique plant found only in the high mountains of Japan's Kyushu Region, it's distributed on Mt. Kirishima, Mt. Aso, Mt. Kokonoe, Mt. Unzen, etc. On Mt. Tsurumi in Beppu, Oita, in Japan's Kyushu region, approximately 5,000 Kyushu azaleas bloom all at once every spring. [Video] 0:45 - Kyushu Azaleas The contrast between the pink carpet of azaleas, the mountains in the distance, and the blue skies makes this a truly photogenic spot! You can see the birds chirping and butterflies fluttering about in the video as well. [Video] 10:49 - Azaleas and the Mountains of Kyushu The Seasonal Views of Mt. Tsurumi: Autumn Leaves, Rime, and More Photo：Frost-covered plants on Mt. Tsurumi Mt. Tsurumi is 1,375 meters above sea level, located in the east of Aso-Kuju National Park, and is designated as one of the Top 300 Mountains of Japan. In early summer, the azaleas are at their best, as shown in the video, but autumn is also a popular time of year as visitors can enjoy the lovely autumn foliage. From the top of the mountain, you can see Mt. Yufudake and Mt. Kuju. The best time to view the autumn leaves is from late October to mid-November. Furthermore, Mt. Tsurumi is famous for its rime in winter. Rime is a phenomenon that occurs when the temperature drops below freezing, covering the trees and other flora with frost. When this happens, the entire mountain is transformed into a silvery white world. Mt. Tsurumi is a mountain rich in nature where you can enjoy completely different views in each season. Mt. Tsurumi, a Popular Mountain for Climbing and Hiking Photo：Mt. Tsurumi and the Beppu Ropeway, Beppu, Oita Mt. Tsurumi is a popular mountain amongst hikers and climbers. It's said to be a relatively easy mountain to climb, even for beginners, due to its gentle gradient. Since it is a popular mountain, it's likely that there are many other climbers on the mountain. For safety reasons, beginners should always climb with another person. The summit of Mt. Tsurumi can also be reached via the Beppu Ropeway. The ropeway runs from Beppu Kogen Station, located halfway up the mountain at an elevation of 500 meters, to Tsurumi Sanjo Station at an elevation of 1,300 meters. [Video] 0:10 - Ascending Mt. Tsurumi via the Beppu Ropeway If you take the Beppu ropeway up to the summit station, it takes only 10 minutes to reach the top of the mountain. Some people ascend and descend the mountain without using the ropeway, but you can also hike up and take the ropeway down on the way back. Temples, Souvenirs, and Other Things to Do on Mt. Tsurumi Photo：A shrine on Mt. Tsurumi, Beppu, Oita Not far from Tsurumi Sanjo Station, there is an observatory from which you can enjoy a spectacular view of Beppu Bay. There are also walking paths that lead to several observation points. In addition to the scenery, Tsurumi Sanjo Gongen Shrine is located in front of the station, and you can see the shrine's red torii gate in the video. Furthermore, there are many attractions on Mt. Tsurumi, such as the Pilgrimage of the Seven Lucky Gods and other places of worship. [Video] 0:42 - Tsurumi Sanjo Gongen Shrine The summit of Mt. Tsurumi also has a variety of souvenir shops. In addition to the station store, there is also the Kyushu Shochu-kan (州焼酎館) in front of the main parking lot, which sells a variety of souvenirs, from wine and other alcoholic beverages to handicrafts. Staying Safe on Mt. Tsurumi Mt. Tsurumi is a popular mountain for hiking and climbing, but it is also an active volcano. In the case of an eruption, there are disaster prevention maps and a disaster prevention guidebook for climbers which are available online. It's recommended that you download them in advance to ensure safe climbing. Disaster prevention maps and guidebooks can be downloaded in PDF format from the Oita Prefecture official website. You can also view live disaster prevention cameras installed by the Japan Meteorological Agency. Things to Do Near the Beppu Ropeway Mt. Tsurumi and the Beppu Ropeway are located a ways from the city, but if you head back to Beppu, there are a number of things to see and do. Below is a short list of things to check out when visiting the area: Jigoku Meguri - A Tour of the Hells of Beppu The Jigoku Meguri tour takes you on a tour of eight of the most famous hot springs in Beppu. It's a tradition that is said to date back to the Edo Period, and takes about 2 hours to complete. All of the hot springs have something about them that is unique, so it makes for an exciting tour. Hours: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Admission Fee: Adults (High school students and older): 2,200 yen, Children: 1,000 yen. ※Discounts available for groups of 30 or more Beppu Park Located in the center of Beppu, Beppu Park is a large park with many flower gardens. The park also has a variety of athletic facilities, and during the spring, cherry blossoms bloom beautifully throughout the park. Hours: Open 24 hours. (Parking available from 8:00 am to 9:00 pm) Admission Fee: Free (Parking is 100 yen/hr.) Rakutenchi Rakutenchi is an amusement park for children with a number of rides. Additionally, there are a variety of animals inside the park and even petting zoos where children can interact with them. It's a great place to check out if you're traveling with kids. Hours: 9:30 am - 5:00 pm Closures: Closed on most Tuesdays. Please check the official website for more information Admission Fee: Adults (Middle school students and older): 1,300 yen, Children (Ages 3 to elementary school): 600 yen, Infants (Ages 2 and under): Free Weather on Mt. Tsurumi and What to Wear During May and June, when the azaleas on Mt. Tsurumi are at their best, the weather is quite warm. As Japan is nearing the end of spring and transitioning to summer at this point, the average temperatures for May and June are 19° C (66° F) and 23° C (73° F) respectively. Because of this, it's recommended that you dress light, with t-shirts and shorts. If you're planning on hiking up the mountains, we also recommend wearing hiking shoes or at the very least, some good walking shoes. Summary of Mt. Tsurumi in Beppu, Oita Photo：Beppu Onsen, Oita That concludes our introduction to azaleas on Mt. Tsurumi. At the foot of the eastern side of Mt. Tsurumi is Beppu Onsen, one of the most famous hot spring resorts in Japan. You can relax after a hike up Mt. Tsurumi at Beppu Onsen and enjoy a delicious meal there as well! You can also enjoy a lovely view of the city of Beppu, so don't forget to bring a camera! ◆Beppu Ropeway◆ Address: 10-7 Aza-Kanbara, Oaza-Minami-Tateishi, Beppu-city, Oita, Japan 874-0000 Hours: Summer (March 15 - November 14): 9:00 am - 5:30 pm (Last ascent 5:00 pm, last descent 5:30 pm), Winter (November 15 - March 14): 9:00 am - 5:00 pm (Last ascent 4:30 pm, last descent 5:00 pm). ※For nighttime hours please contact the Beppu Ropeway directly. Telephone: 0977-22-2278 Ropeway fees (round trip): Adults: 1,800 yen, Children (Ages 4 to elementary school): 900 yen. ※Discounts available for groups. Access: ・By train (bus): Take a bus from the West Exit of JR Beppu Station and get off at Beppu Ropeway ・By car: A 5-minute drive on Prefectural Road 11 from the Beppu IC of the Higashi-Kyushu Expressway toward Yufuin (parking available) 【Official Website】Beppu Ropeway 【TripAdvisor】Beppu Ropeway

Mt. Sobo Video Introduction This video, titled "Kobara Gorge [Gorge Walking Video] Sobo, Katamuki and Okue Biosphere Reserve" (神原渓谷【渓谷散策動画】祖母・傾・大崩ユネスコエコパーク), was uploaded by "Sobo, Katamuki and Okue Biosphere Reserve" (祖母・傾・大崩ユネスコエコパーク). Mt. Sobo, one of the 100 Famous Japanese Mountains, is the source of Kobara Gorge. Designated as Sobo-Katamuki Quasi-National Park, visitors can enjoy the beauty of the fresh greenery in summer and colorful autumn leaves in fall while enjoying a relaxing hiking experience. The Sobo, Katamuki and Okue Biosphere Reserve – Tons of Popular Tourist Attractions Photo：Takachiho Gorge Straddling Oita and Miyazaki prefectures, the area surrounding Mt. Sobo, Mt. Katamuki, and Mt. Okue is home to lush virgin forests, numerous valleys, and rare flora and fauna. The area is known as the "Sobo, Katamuki and Okue Biosphere Reserve." The Oka Castle Ruins, the motif of Kojo no Tsuki, a famous Japanese song, as well as Harajiri Falls, selected as one of the top 100 waterfalls in Japan, and Takachiho Gorge, a place of scenic beauty and natural monument, are also located in the area. In addition, popular sightseeing spots such as Seiun Bridge, which is the largest bridge on a national highway in Japan, are scattered throughout the area. In order to protect the area's rich natural environment, the municipalities in the vicinity of the Mt. Sobo, Mt. Katamuki, and Mt. Okue mountain ranges have launched efforts to have the area registered as a UNESCO Eco-Park (Biosphere Reserve). Having been recognized as a registered site in 2017, the area is expected to conserve biodiversity, revitalize the local community, and serve as a center for environmental education and research. Mt. Sobo - Virgin Forests and Beautiful Valleys, Popular Among Mountaineers Mt. Sobo has an elevation of 1,756 meters and is located on the borders of Oita and Miyazaki Prefectures, and has been selected as one of the 100 Famous Japanese Mountains. It is also known for its rich natural forests, numerous valleys suitable for exploring waterfalls, and is a treasure trove of rare wildlife, with animals like the Japanese serow, which is a protected species. While there are well-maintained climbing routes and walking trails, the trail near the summit is a steep mountain path that involves rocky climbing. Mt. Sobo - Enjoy Extensive Hiking Trails Source :YouTube screenshot The Kobara Gorge Trekking Course, which climbs from the first to the fifth station of Mt. Sobo, is a course that's great for shorter mountaineering trips, with well-maintained trails and promenades. The video introduces the highlights of this trekking course. Gyouran Falls, located just outside the entrance of the first station, is one of the 100 Views of Oita. [Video] 0:38 - Gyouran Falls Ahead you'll find Oyashiro Falls, where it's said that Shugendo monks once purified themselves to reach the summit of Mt. Sobo. [Video] 1:07 - and 1:53 - Oyashiro Falls Other highlights include the fifth station hut, which is the turnaround point of the course, "Seirei no Ki" (精霊の木, lit. 'Spirit Tree'), a mysterious-looking tree with several intertwining trunks, and "Nezame Falls" (寝覚の滝), which has a drop of about 10 meters. [Video] 1:21 - The Fifth Station Hut [Video] 1:34 - Seirei no Ki [Video] 2:00 - Nezame Falls On the downhill route, stone walls that are believed to be the remains of a lumber trail, which was used to transport lumber, can still be seen, and precious remains of various industries can also be seen. An Easy Hike Up Mt. Sobo - Enjoy a Gorge Walk Recommended for Beginners The "Fujikawachi Gorge Walking Course" is recommended for a short mountain climbing, hiking, or waterfall touring trip on Mt. Sobo. The valley is dotted with unique spots that are great for taking Instagram photos, such as "Senmaidaira" (千枚平) where you can play in the water, "Hyotanbuchi" another place surrounded by nature, and "Odoiko Doi," an interesting rock formation that looks like an irrigation canal. Visitors can also use campgrounds with bungalows and camp sites, and "Fujikawachi Yu-topia," a day-trip hot spring facility. Summary of Hiking Information for Mt. Sobo Photo：A woman enjoying mountain climbing The popular Mt. Sobo/Kobara Gorge offers a relaxing experience for both body and soul, with waterfall tours and light hiking. The Kobara Valley Trekking Course and the Fujikawachi Valley Walking Course are great for beginners to try. However, climbing Mt. Sobo is not completely free from danger of accidents and other hazards. Please be sure to double check climbing routes and gather information on the day's weather and climbing conditions before setting out on the trail. A direct bus service runs from Bungo Taketa Station to the Mt. Sobo trailhead (Kobara), and a parking lot is also available. In the video, you can enjoy the rich nature and beautiful scenery of Mt. Sobo, the trekking course in the Kobara Valley and its attractions with vivid footage. In addition, spots where you can take awesome Instagram photos are introduced with still images as examples. be sure to check it out so you can get some photo ideas of your own! 【Official Website】Sobo, Katamuki and Okue Biosphere Reserve http://sobokatamuki-br-council.org/home-en