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Ms. Hisako (Japanese tour organizer) and I started our Kannawa tour in one fine winter afternoon of 20
09. Kannawa is one of the eight hot spring districts in Beppu. Kannawa hot springs date back to the Kamakura Period (1276). The Kannawa district is a charming spot, with hot springs, traditional Japanese hotels, shops and foods. We walked through mysterious narrow streets of Kannawa. Ms. Hisako said when people walk with Geta (one kind of Japanese traditional shoe) on the stone –paved roads, it generates a rhythmic sound. Another interesting feature of the road is Steam exhaling. When a car passes over the iron lids on the drainage system, the lids release steam. It seems that the car itself releases steam from its back. In the entrance we saw the statue of Priest Ippen Shonin, a famous Buddhist priest, founder of Kannawa who opened the hot springs for healing and therapy in the 13th century. By the statue a large stone plate shows (as Ms. Hisako translated): Saint Ippen, the founder of the hot spring, visited Kannawa on his way of pilgrimage around Kyushu Island in Kamakura era. At that time this area was a huge wasteland of hot springs steaming up everywhere. He developed the area into a hot spring resort.Japanese people believe that the hot spring heals mind and body. So hot springs become very popular among the people.
Jiguku Mushi
Jigoku-mushi (hell steaming) is a traditional method of preparing food by using the hot spring steam. In this me
thod various ingredients—vegetables, eggs, corns etc.—are steamed in a pot called a jigoku-gama (kind of iron pot) that uses hot spring steam released from the ground. We enjoyed it in Daikokuya Ryokan. We cooked eggs and sweet potatoes in the jigoku-gama by using hot spring steam. We put eggs and sweet potatoes in a cane basket then placed it on jigoku-gama and cover it with a wooden lid. Within a few minutes food is cooked. It was oil free and naturally cooked. It took 8 minutes for eggs and 20 minutes for sweet potatoes. The taste was really great! Any kind of food can be cooked there such as; chicken, sea food, shrimp, spinach, takenoko (bamboo shoot), pudding, rice ball, corn etc. But the time is different for every item according to the chart hanging there. Anybody can rent jigoku-gama for private use.
thod various ingredients—vegetables, eggs, corns etc.—are steamed in a pot called a jigoku-gama (kind of iron pot) that uses hot spring steam released from the ground. We enjoyed it in Daikokuya Ryokan. We cooked eggs and sweet potatoes in the jigoku-gama by using hot spring steam. We put eggs and sweet potatoes in a cane basket then placed it on jigoku-gama and cover it with a wooden lid. Within a few minutes food is cooked. It was oil free and naturally cooked. It took 8 minutes for eggs and 20 minutes for sweet potatoes. The taste was really great! Any kind of food can be cooked there such as; chicken, sea food, shrimp, spinach, takenoko (bamboo shoot), pudding, rice ball, corn etc. But the time is different for every item according to the chart hanging there. Anybody can rent jigoku-gama for private use.Address of Daikokuya: 3- kumi, Kannawa, Beppu, Tel: 0977-66-2301
Business Hours: 10:00-22:00
Mushi-Yu
Mushi-Yu
We visited Mushi-yu, a well known steam bath in Kannawa. First time for me, so Ms. Hisako told me what to do. First w
e took shower by hot spring water and wear yukata (a traditional robe rented from Mushi-yu).Then we crawled into the steam house. The house is small and can accommodate 4/5 persons at a time. The floor is wooden, covered by a kind of special straw(…). We lay down on the straw using stones as pillows. Steam coming out from the floor made us extremely sweating. Though I had feelings of staying in hell in that small cave like, almost dark steam house, I felt very comfortable. When I inhale the overwhelming fragrance of the straw, I felt relaxed. It was intensely hot. We stayed there around 2-3 minutes then came out and enter again for 3-4 minutes. From the steam house we went to the nearby hot spring to take a hot bath as next step to wipe off the straw sticking to our sweaty body. It was tremendous experience that I have ever had. Steam rooms and hot springs are separate for men and women. It is believed that Steam bath is especially good for cure of neuralgia, rheumatism, and arthritis.
e took shower by hot spring water and wear yukata (a traditional robe rented from Mushi-yu).Then we crawled into the steam house. The house is small and can accommodate 4/5 persons at a time. The floor is wooden, covered by a kind of special straw(…). We lay down on the straw using stones as pillows. Steam coming out from the floor made us extremely sweating. Though I had feelings of staying in hell in that small cave like, almost dark steam house, I felt very comfortable. When I inhale the overwhelming fragrance of the straw, I felt relaxed. It was intensely hot. We stayed there around 2-3 minutes then came out and enter again for 3-4 minutes. From the steam house we went to the nearby hot spring to take a hot bath as next step to wipe off the straw sticking to our sweaty body. It was tremendous experience that I have ever had. Steam rooms and hot springs are separate for men and women. It is believed that Steam bath is especially good for cure of neuralgia, rheumatism, and arthritis. Ashi-Yu
Outside, there was another ashi-yu. Ashi-yu is a place where people can bathe their legs. It’s free for all. We put our legs inside a wooden box then covered it by a lid. The steam comes out beneath the ground made our legs sweating. We enjoyed it for 3-4 minutes. We pull out our warm legs and started walking back for home with happy feelings. Thus we finished our Kannawa tour.
Address of Mushi-yu: Kannawa kami- 1 kumi. Tel: 0977-67-3880. Business Hours: 6:30-20:00
Admission fee: 500 Yen per person, 210 yen rent for yukata (or you can bring your own shirt)
Holiday: 4th Thursday of the month.
Kannawa preserves its own history as a bathing town. The people of Kannawa are genuine and friendly. I enjoyed my tour very much. We finish our visit to hell with heavenly feelings. If you have a chance, please come to Beppu and visit Kannawa. I am sure you will enjoy it too!
Admission fee: 500 Yen per person, 210 yen rent for yukata (or you can bring your own shirt)
Holiday: 4th Thursday of the month.
Kannawa preserves its own history as a bathing town. The people of Kannawa are genuine and friendly. I enjoyed my tour very much. We finish our visit to hell with heavenly feelings. If you have a chance, please come to Beppu and visit Kannawa. I am sure you will enjoy it too!
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