Hello viewers of Cool Japan Video! This is the Bungoono City Tourism Association. From now on, we will be introducing the many charms of Bungoono City in Oita Prefecture on Cool Japan Video, so please stay tuned! ◆◆◆ What is Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture Bungoono City in Oita Prefecture lies in the southern part of Oita Prefecture and offers abundant scenic nature and historic sites. Bungoono City was formed in 2005 by merging five towns and two villages (Mie Town, Kiyokawamura, Ogata Town, Asaji Town, Oonocho, Chitose Village, and Inukai Town), and it now has a population of about 32,000. Bungoono City is the only place in Kyushu designated both a Japan Geopark and a UNESCO Eco Park, with vast natural landscapes to enjoy through all four seasons. In recent years the city has also developed excellent sauna facilities, making it an ideal place to relax. ◆◆◆ Access to Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture ◇ Oita Airport – Access to Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture You can reach Bungoono City from Oita Airport by car or public transport. By car: It takes about one and a half hours by car from Oita Airport to Bungoono City using toll roads. You will pass beautiful mountains and rural scenery along the way. By train: From Oita Airport, take the airport bus to Oita Station in about one hour, then transfer to the JR Hohi Main Line and ride about one hour to Mie Town Station, the central station of Bungoono City. ◆◆◆ Bungoono City — The Sauna Town Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture has recently gained attention as a “sauna town.” The area has a long history of stone bath culture and a tradition of enjoying steam baths, so the city has declared itself a “sauna town,” using its great outdoors to develop outdoor saunas as a tourist resource. Bungoono City’s saunas provide a relaxing natural setting where visitors can enjoy restorative moments. Local-themed sauna events are held regularly, making the city an attractive destination for sauna enthusiasts. ◆◆◆ Popular sightseeing spots in Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture ◇ Harajiri Falls Harajiri Falls, called the “Niagara of the East,” is a magnificent waterfall and a signature sight of Bungoono City. This waterfall is about 120 meters wide and 20 meters high, and its seasonal scenery draws many visitors. In particular, the fresh green season offers a spectacular view where the falls and surrounding nature blend beautifully. ◇ Inazumi Underwater Cave Inazumi Underwater Cave is a rare underwater limestone cave. A cave formed in the Paleozoic era about 300 million years ago sank underwater during the massive Aso volcanic eruption 300,000 years ago, becoming an underwater cave. Inside the cave, over 1,000 meters long, you can find stunning stalactites and flowing underground water that create a mystical landscape. Visitors can explore the cave on guided tours and enjoy snorkeling or scuba diving in Japan’s top underwater cave. ◇ Chinda Falls Chinda Falls is a beautiful waterfall with a drop of about 20 meters, surrounded by rich natural scenery. It is one of the geosites of the Bungoono Geopark and is designated as a nationally registered monument. You can also see the remains of a power plant built in the Meiji era. ◇ Yusaku Park Yusaku Park is a vast park famous for its autumn foliage. In autumn, more than 500 maple and Japanese maple trees planted around the shinji pond turn red and yellow, attracting many visitors. On weekends and holidays during the foliage season, the autumn leaves are illuminated for a magical atmosphere. ◆◆◆ Roadside Stations and Satonomes in Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture There are five roadside stations in Bungoono City. A tour of these roadside stations is a great way to explore the area. ◇ Roadside Station Mie From here you can enjoy the renowned Enaido no Kei scenic view in Mie Town. The product center offers fresh local vegetables and specialty products. ◇ Roadside Station Kiyokawa You’ll find affordable fresh vegetables and heartfelt handmade processed goods from producers. This is also the hometown of the intangible folk cultural property Mitake Kagura. ◇ Roadside Station Harajiri no Taki This roadside station adjoins Harajiri Falls, one of Japan’s top 100 waterfalls. It’s conveniently located for visitors touring Bungoono City. ◇ Roadside Station Asaji Nanohana Oborozuki Kan is a very distinctive log-built structure. Restaurant Fukujuso serves exquisite dishes featuring the local specialty Bungo-Asaji beef. ◇ Roadside Station Ono Set within the great nature of Bungoono City, this roadside station offers plenty of fresh vegetables and local specialties to enjoy. ◆◆◆ Events and festivals in Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture ◇ Tulip Festa Held every spring, this festival features 300,000 vibrant tulips in 100 varieties blooming around Harajiri Falls. ◇ Kodai Torch Fire Festival The Kodai torch fire festival is a traditional event held each August during the Obon season and is a local summer highlight. The vast Ogata Plain fills with the glow of many torches. ◇ Bungo Inukai Fireworks Festival This historic and traditional fireworks festival takes place in Inukai, the birthplace of Bungo fireworks. ◇ Mitake-style Kagura Festival In Bungoono City, where many performing arts have been handed down, local Mitake Kagura and kagura from other regions perform together. Mitake Kagura is said to have begun around the same time as the founding of Mitake Shrine and stands as one of Oita Prefecture’s representative kagura. In 2007 it became the first kagura in Oita Prefecture to be designated a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property and has received high praise outside the prefecture as well. ◇ Megurukura — Bungoono Brewery Tour This event is a joint brewery opening of the city’s four breweries, where you can drink delicious sake and shochu and enjoy the scenery of Bungoono for a luxurious day. Bungoono City has two sake breweries and two shochu distilleries. Rich water from the surrounding mountains nurtures the rice and barley, and these high-quality ingredients allow the four breweries to produce outstanding drinks. ◆◆◆ Tourist information for Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture Bungoono City is a charming destination with beautiful natural scenery and a rich history. Enjoy the city’s attractions throughout the changing seasons and savor all that Bungoono City has to offer. We will continue sharing recommended information about Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture, so please follow us!