A rainy scenic drive through Yufuin Floral Village and Yufuin to Mojiko.
March 24, 2024
"Yufuin (由布院 as onsen resort, 湯布院 as city district) is a popular hot spring resort, located about ten kilometers inland from Beppu, another, much larger and more developed hot spring resort. Yufuin has a wealth of art museums, cafes and boutiques, and many travelers come to the city just to stroll about town for the day.
Yufuin is located on a flat river basin surrounded by mountains. The most prominent feature of Yufuin's skyline is the twin peaked Mount Yufu, which hovers over the town and serves as the backdrop for many scenic views. The area is rural, and shortly after leaving the main walking route, travelers will come across the rice paddies and farm houses, which make up a considerable part of the town.
The ryokan and hotels of Yufuin are spread out around town, and not clustered along the main street like in many other resort towns. Instead, the main street is lined with cafes, boutiques and small museums, giving Yufuin an atmosphere more like a trendy shopping area than a traditional onsen town. Nonetheless, there is a large number of lodgings with hot spring baths, some of which open their baths to non-staying guests during daytime."
--www.japan-guid...
"Apart from its incredible history and well preserved culture, Japan hosts some of the most wonderful places that very few know about. While the bonsai art and kimonos are exciting, it’s actually an English setting that takes people aback: Yufuin Floral Village.
Even though the visitors can walked through the village in a few minutes, the trip is definitely worth it. The old English atmosphere is inspired by Cotswolds, an English area dating back to the Neolithic Era. Many scenes from the legendary ‘Harry Potter’ were filmed in the little houses made of stone there. Although the atmosphere may be very English, it may still be wise to brush up on some basic Japanese phrases before your adventure.
Unlike Cotswolds, though, the vintage architecture of Yufuin Floral Village was made in 2012 by a local businessman - and it didn’t take long until it attracted crowds.
Surrounded by hills and mountains, the series of houses and stores are so small that an average adult can touch their roof. Each building is carefully decorated with flowers, bushes and lamps above the doors. Apparently, the inside is just as intriguing, regardless if it’s a garage or a store.
The old English atmosphere is even more pronounced due to the classic red vintage cars parked in narrow streets; from time to time, visitors can also spot the Great Britain flag on cars, doors or used as small carpets.
The Peter Rabbit animal garden is a beautiful mix of Japanese and English plants with ducks and other creatures. At the entrance, tourists can meet Beatrix Potter, an owl resembling the wise Harry Potter birds- except, Beatrix has its own little house.
There’s just one thing that reminds visitors they’re still in Japan. From Kiki’s bakery to a florist shop, the Battle of the fragrances or the Glasses shop, each store is filled with Japanese promotional signs and a wide range of products.
Furthermore, for those who fell in love with the natural, old atmosphere, there is a hotel placed on a hill where they can spend the night. From up there, not only can they see the entire village slightly enlightened by small lamps, but also the breathtaking view of mountains and hills in the area."
--unusualplaces....
"Moji was one of five cities that merged to form Kitakyushu City in 1963. It is the closest municipality of Kyushu in proximity to Honshu. Moji Port (門司港, Mojikō) has been prominent as an international trading port since the late 19th century. Today, although main port activities have been moved to a newer location at Shin-Moji Port, Moji Port retains its relevance as a tourist destination with a flavor from the past thanks to several well preserved Western-style buildings from the Meiji and Taisho periods.
One of these buildings is Mojiko Station, one of Japan's oldest and most atmospheric train stations. A leisurely walk from the station takes you to the several other historic buildings located in an attractive waterfront area. These buildings were initially constructed about a century ago to accommodate and facilitate flourishing businesses thanks to the thriving trade with the Asian continent. Some of them are open to visitors and house the likes of libraries, cafes, restaurants and museums."
--www.japan-guid...
18 сен 2024
