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These are links to place Japan Bike and hikes uses on a regular
basis.
John Morrell's Journey into Japan, bike tours on Shikoku and other wild adventures with John and his crew of cool people. If I can't
do what you want then go to this site and see if he can. Australia based, and very well hosted tours.
Kiora Cottage, in Mukuno Yamaga, near Usa town. East meets west and better meets best! I couldn't do tours without Joann and Tom
at Kiora Cottage. Or at least, I wouldn't have nearly as much fun doing them!
Nogami Honkan Ryokan in Beppu. Reasonable prices and close to Beppu train station. Staff speaks English. Lovely hot springs, too.
Green Hotel in Fukuoka. If you need to overnight there, it is a business hotel close to the Hakkata station, a 15 minute shuttle-ride from the
international airport terminal.
Yamaga Green tourism page. In Japanese, it's a list of farm-stays. From the pictures, you will get an idea what's going on
here.
Yokosu Hotel in Beppu. Another cheap one, but not as close to the station. Still, it has online services and a $10 taxi ride will get you there
from the train or the ferry terminal. Did I say cheap?
Hang-Glider Associations Info Page. Don't ask me why but these guys have a great page, full of tips, weather, travel and just anything
you can think of. Maybe it's because they have a unique perspective on Japan?
Japan Etiquette. Walk Japan compiled this
rules of the road guide, and who to do it better than the British? They may be rude, but
they are rude with perfect etiquette! Japanese value etiquette highly. But an excellent and informative page, all
the same. Hi, Paul!
Japan Tourist Association. Some good stuff here, too. Aimed at flag-waving bus tour type tourists, but still valuable links.
Satoh's Gallery. We stay here. We want to live here.
Maetake in Ishigaki Island. Okinawa. For those who consider beaches an important food-group, here is one of Japan's best secret
escapes.
Important Notes on Japan.
Credit Cards. Somewhat useless in Japan. Big cities
use them more than small towns, but rarely are they accepted for food and small purchases at supermarkets. Half the hotels
accept them. None of the banks relish you putting plastic across their desks and the hissing of "wind-suck-age"
is audible at all but the biggest banks. Japan loves the...
Debit Card. Very handy indeed! Back those
with the dowry of your daughter and you may draw Japanese cash at any Post Office in the land! Big fat "yes!" to
the debit card. Don't forget your PIN. Either way, you will sometimes need...
Japanese and English Language.
You will find many people speak a few English words, and they use those English words endlessly. If your Japanese is
somewhat less than fluent, fear not! Use it. If you find that you really need to communicate,
WRITE IT DOWN! I stress
that because English is a language all Japanese
study in the written form. Make your letters clear, in neat large-case
and most people will have an "Ah-Haa!" moment. Example, don't tell the taxi where to go; write it down and he
will probably take you there directly. Many Japanese signs are in English. Unfortunately there are not many...
Street
Signs. Japan has not discovered the value of the street sign, or the logic of having them. It seems the signs are,
like us, tourists at best.
Safety. Japan is safe. Safe for kids. Safe for adults. Safe for animals.
Even the bad section of town is safe. But be careful crossing the streets.
Drive on the Left. Besides
the absurd cost of car-rentals and gas, they all drive the wrong side of the road! How colonial.
From the Oita
Airport to Beppu Town.
The town of Beppu is not close to the Oita Airport, and the City of Oita is even further
from the airport. There is a regular bus service between Beppu and the airport, and if you arrive at Oita International you
will find a bus stand directly in front, it takes you to Beppu's downtown and train station. There are
also cute girls in charming hats that will direct you in English to the bus stop. Bus cost about $20. Or you could take a
taxi for $80. Your choice.
From the Fukuoka International airport there is a non-stop highway-bus to Beppu, cost is $40
and it takes about 1-1/2 hours. It also departs from directly in front of the terminal on an hourly basis. A taxi from Fukuoka
to Beppu costs about $350. Your choice.
Japanese Trains. Oh my god! If only the rest of the world
had this. Sorry, you arrived one second late; it's gone. It arrived one second early? Driver, you must ritualistically
disembowel yourself immediately!
Japanese Service. It is the envy of the world. At least, in the parts
of the world that still know what service is. That leaves out the entire Western world and Planet Canada.
Tipping.
Don't do it. Unless your guide is foreign, and he really earned it!
Toilets. Don't do it. Expect
something foreign. Toilets that blow-dry you, make noise to cover your...noise, and toilets you can was your laundry in compete
with squat-plates and some toilets that would win the "Kindom-of-Bad-Smells" contest! Safest bet is don't use
them. Hold it 'til you get home. ;-}
Taxis. Don't do it. Ok, ok. You can do it.
