THE TOMBO

Oita’s English Newsletter

April, May, June 2016

Issue 82

☆ Walking in Oita Prefecture ☆
Oita Prefecture is famous for its bountiful nature and beautiful scenery. With the arrival of spring and warmer weather, there aremany activities that people can enjoy outside. For those who enjoy walking in the countryside, Oita offers beautiful walking trails
for people of all levels of physical fitness. Walking routes are often only a short train or car ride away, and so it is worth getting intouch with tourist offices in Oita to check out potential rambling routes.

To hopefully get people inspired to get outside and enjoy a leisurely hike in Oita, I would like to write a little about two very
different hikes I took in Oita Prefecture in November 2015.

☆ Kyushu Olle Okubungo Course
A hike between Bungo-Ono and Taketa
The Jeju Olle Foundation in South Korea has spread its famouswalking routes to Oita Prefecture, and the Okubungo Course isa perfect way to experience both the natural beauty and theculture of Oita Prefecture in a single day’s walk.
My friend and I started the approximately 12km walk from
Asaji Station, where friendly staff members provided us withmaps and took commemorative photos. We then set off, quickly
entering the countryside as we rambled up a grassy hillside pathshaded by trees.
With ribbons placed at regular intervals to mark our way, thecourse was easy to follow (we only got briefly lost once!).
Additionally, our guide, who occasionally caught up to us in his
car to show us the way and teach us about the history of thearea, ensured that we had a greater understanding of the area
we were trekking through. While some parts of the walk aresteep, the walk is mainly along smooth or grassy paths, meaningthat there is no scrambling. It is a perfect course for beginners or
those who are not confident in their fitness level.
What really made the walk special were the landmarks. The
purpose of the Olle course is to incorporate places of historicaland cultural importance into a nature walk. We therefore
enjoyed several amusing diversions during our walk, such as
visiting the stone Buddha at Fukoji Temple and wandering among
the Oka Castle ruins in Taketa. It was an amazing experience tobe walking along country paths and then to suddenly enter the
Fukoji Temple and see the giant Buddhist image carved into themountain.
(continued on page 2)
Fukoji Temple Buddha (top), Autumn leaves at Oka Castle Ruins (bottom)

THE TOMBO

2April, May, June 2016

My favourite part of the walk came towards the end. As we approached Taketa City, we walked up a steep forest hill until we cameto the Oka Castle Ruins. For a small fee, we were able to leisurely explore the old castle walls and take in the beautiful surrounding
views. Although only some walls of the castle remain, from their scale it was possible for us to get a sense of the vastness of theold castle. The area of the ruins is famous for both its autumn leaves and for its cherry blossoms, making it the perfect end to an
autumnal or spring hike.
We finally made our way to Taketa City at the end of the route, just as the lanterns were being lit for the Chikuraku Bamboo
Lantern Festival. Tired from our walk, we walked through streets paved with glittering lamps, feeling almost as if the lights wereguiding us to the station and the train that would take us back to Oita City. It was an atmospheric and wonderful experience.
☆ Mt. Tsurumi
A steep climb from the base of Mt. Tsurumi to its peak (1375 metres)
In contrast to the Okubungo walk, the other walk I embarked upon that same month was a lot more challenging. My friends and I
decided to hike Mt. Tsurumi, the large and beautiful mountain that stands proudly over Beppu City.
We started off bright and early, ready to take on the mountain.
The hike up Mt. Tsurumi is by no means a gentle one, and almost
immediately we were huffing and puffing our way up a steep
incline. The vast majority of the walk is in heavily wooded areas,through which we were often forced to scramble on our hands andknees (I recommend taking a pair of gardener’s gloves or similar).
It was hard not to occasionally consider packing it all in, when no
matter how high we climbed, the peak seemed to never get any
nearer. Although the friends I was climbing with are very fit, I am
definitely less so, and my morale wasn’t helped by occasionallyrunning into spry and fit hikers, who seemingly without breaking asweat would cheerily greet us as they walked down the mountain.
However, when we occasionally stopped to catch our breathand have some water, we caught glimpses of the beautiful views
The misty view from the top of the mountainbetween the trees, giving us new energy and motivation. We carried on clambering over rocks and branches, until eventually
the trees began to disperse and suddenly we were on an open, mist-shrouded path leading to the top of the mountain. We were
ecstatic to reach the top (see the photo below for evidence of our smiling faces) and the views from the top of the mountainwere, though misty, beautiful.
We hurriedly ate our lunch in the cable car station before beginning the longdescent down the mountain. There is a cable car service that runs up and down
Mt. Tsurumi, but we decided to go by foot. The way down was difficult, especiallyfor someone as clumsy me (I often had to half-slide on my back down some of
the rockier scrambles). When we eventually reached the bottom of the mountain,
we were exhausted but triumphant, and went to eat a large meal of Indian foodto celebrate. I would also recommend any potential hiker to go to one of Beppu’s
wonderful onsen to rest their weary legs.
Climbing Mt. Tsurumi isn’t an easy hike, and I would encourage only those with adegree of physical fitness to attempt it, but it was a wonderful experience. Now
whenever I see views of the mountain from Beppu or from my home in Oita City,
I always smile remembering how exhausted and happy we were on reaching its
peak. In the spring, the views from the top must be particularly spectacular – it’salmost enough to tempt me to tackle the mountain again!
***
I hope that these stories have inspired some of you to investigate hiking routes in
Oita Prefecture to enjoy this spring. I know that there are lots of hikes I’ve alreadyplanned on and can’t wait to get walking. --- MiriMy friend at the top of Mt. TsurumTHE TOMBO

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Date
Apr. 8th –May 8thApr. 15th –May 31st
Apr. 30th –Jun. 26th
May 18th –Jun. 5th
Jun. 11th –Jul. 18th

April, May, June 2016

EXHIBITIONS & SCREENINGS
Description

OPAM x NOSE ISEO Theater in Museum
Collection Exhibition I
Themed Exhibiton I – Sake for a Special Day (an exhibition about sake)
Artists of NITTEN in the OPAM Collection
Auspicious Celebration of Lives – Installation of 12 Pillars +Performances of Encounters

Place
Oita Prefectural Art
MuseumOita Prefectural Art
MuseumOita Prefectural
Museum of History
Oita Prefectural Art
MuseumOita Prefectural Art
MuseumContact #☎ 097-533-4500☎ 097-533-4500☎ 097-549-0880☎ 097-533-4500☎ 097-533-4500***Most Museums and Centres are closed on Monday, or Tuesday if Monday is a public holiday. Student admissions vary, highest cost shown***

STAGE & MUSIC EVENTS
Date
Time
Apr. 10th 19:00
Apr. 30th 18:00
Apr. 30th 14:00
May 4th 13:30
May 6th

19:00

May 14th 18:00
May 28th 18:00
May 29th 14:00
Jun. 9th

13:30

Jun. 22nd 18:30

Artist/Event

Venue

H Zettrio Wonderful Tour 2016 ~Acoustic & Electric~ Brick Block
Coast! Party Maus Ken Aniki Matsuri
T.O.P.S BittsHall
Asame Hirayama Piano Recital
iichiko Otonoizumi
One Coin Relay Concert ~Piano~ Rika Miyatani
iichiko Otonoizumi
Cantaloop II – Music Airport <<Flying over the May
Cantaloop II
Sea! Spread Your Wings and Travel the World>>
Best of Best Series – Vol. 4 Argerich & Repin, iichiko Grand
Chamber Music Concert
Theatreiichiko Grand
Drum Tao: The Art of Drum
TheatreOita Chamber Orchestra 10th Anniversary Concert
iichiko Otonoizumi– Brahms Symphony No. 1
One Coin Relay Concert ~Bandoneon~ Nestor Eude
iichiko Otonoizumi
Marconi and Kazuma Miura
La Compania Lirica Italiana di Roma – Puccini’s La iichiko Grand
BohèmeTheatreCost

Contact #¥5500¥4000 +drink
¥2000
¥500

☎ 097-536-4852☎ 097-533-0467☎ 097-542-5509☎ 097-533-4004¥2500 +drink☎ 097-548-5363

Prices vary

☎ 0977-27-2299

Prices vary

☎ 097-537-5515¥1000☎ 050-5880-2004¥500☎ 097-533-4004

Prices vary

☎ 097-533-4004**Ticket prices range from student to most expensive general admission. Prices shown otherwise indicate price for purchase on the day of the event, they may be cheaper if purchasedin advance. “w/ drink” prices include a drink, “+drink” prices require the additional purchase of a drink. Times shown indicate start times, doors usually open 30 minutes beforehand.

VENUES

iichiko Grand Theatre= Oasis Tower 1F Oita City T.O.P.S BittsHall.= Ikushi 5-783, Oita City
rick Block= 5-7-5 Ikushi, Oita City
iichiko Otonoizumi=Oasis Tower 1F Oita City
Cantaloop II=3-2-30 Miyako-Machi
Nakayama Dai 5 Building 6F Oita City

Some other events you might be interested in:● International Exchange Workshop
Date/Time: May 21st (Sat) 14:00-16:00
Place: iichiko Culture Center, B1F, Small Projection Hall
Cost: Free
Inquiries: Oita International Plaza (097-533-4021)● “The Global World Expanding from Books - Spring 2016 Books Recommended by Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers,”● “Exhibition of Photographs from Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers ~ From Oita to the World”
Date/Time: April 10th (Sun) – May 9th (Mon)
Weekdays: 9:00-20:00
Weekends and Holidays: 9:00-17:00
Place: Oita Prefectural Library, 2F, Lobby
Inquiries: JICA Desk Oita (in the Oita International Plaza) (097-533-4021)● International Understanding Event – Film screening of “Living in Niger”
Date/Time: April 28th (Sat) 14:00-16:00
Place: iichiko Culture Center, B1F, Small Projection Hall
Inquiries: JICA Desk Oita (in the Oita International Plaza) (097-533-4021)

THE TOMBO

4April, May, June 2016

Festivals and Events
Date

Event Description
LocationContact #Mt. Ogi Fire Festival - Ogi-yama mountain will be set aflame as part of Beppu City
Apr. 1st
the Beppu Hot Spring Festival. Scenes of the mountain on fire and the hot Ogi-yama mountain☎ 0977-24-2828
spring steam rising provide great photo opportunities!
The 102nd Beppu Hot Spring Festival - This festival will include a number Beppu City
Apr. 1stof
events and attractions, including free entrance to approximately 88 City-wide☎ 0977-24-2828
rd~3
designated hot spring locations.
Festa 2016 - The tulips in this rural town are in full bloom in April. Fun Bungo Ono City
Apr. 2nd ~ Tulip
events for visitors will be held each Saturday and Sunday for the duration Ogata-machi, near the ☎ 0974-42-2111
15th
Harajiri fallsof the festa.
Taketa City
TaketaOkajyou
SakuraFestival
EventswillbeheldaroundthecastleApr. 3rd☎ 0974-63-2638
Okajyoufrom 11:00AMth
Apr. 16
Kimono Appreciation Day- Held on the third Saturday of each month,City
May 21st with special offers and discounts for on kimono rental and professional Kitsuki☎ 0978-63-0100
Jouka-machi
Jun. 18th photography.
Apr. 16th The 16th Cento Miglia KAMITSUE - A gathering of cars and culture. This Hita City, Kuju-Aso☎ 045-591-6235
Area,and more
event promises to be great fun.
~17th
Beppu City, Oita

May 1st ~26th

The 18th MUSIC FESTIVAL Argerich's Meeting Point in Beppu - A music City, Kitakyushu City
festival featuring a number of performances by famed pianist Martha (Fukuoka)
and Shinjyuku-ku
Argerich herself and affiliated musicians.

☎ 0977-27-2300(Tokyo)Onta-yaki Pottery Karausu Festival - A great opportunity for anyone who
May 3rd ~ wants to learn more about Oita’s traditional arts. Ceramics on sale and for Hita City
free visitors can try their hand at the spinning wheel used for making this Motoe-machi
4thclassic craft.
May 3rd ~ Ebine Festival - There will be exhibitions, game competitions, stage events, Kitsuki City
Yamaga-Machi
fresh agricultural produce for sale and a yakiniku corner!
4th
May 4thTakada CityThe 25th Ebisudani Festival - Come enjoy fun events such as taiko and Bungo
Ebisuyaba-noson
kagura performances, mochimaki, a lottery draw and more.
Kouen

29th Kitsuki Castle Festival - Centred around the castle town’s “EdoCity
May 4th ~ Thevillage”, there will be events such as basket races in addition to taiko Kitsuki
Kitsuki Castle vicinity
5th
performances.
Hita Flower Festival - Visitors can purchase fresh flowers, enjoy a flower Hita City
May 8thRose Hill Amagase
fashion show and maybe even win a prize in the lottery contest.
Usa Air Base Peace Walk - A 10km walking tour will be held around the Usa CityMay 14th former Usa air base. The tour will include guided explanation of the area. Yanagigaura highschoolThe schedule is subject to change.
Spring rice field exploration - A fun, educational activity for parents and Kokonoe-Machi
May 14th children to learn about wildlife living in the local rice fields (participation Kuju Furusato Shizen
Gakkoufee ¥500, reservations necessary) 13:30-16:30
th
May 18
Mankoji Temple Market - This gathering has taken place since 1425. Come Oita City
to exchange goods, compete in costume and karaoke contests, and more. Sakanoichi~24th
Kuju Furusato Shizen Gakkou rice planting - Participants can experience Kokonoe-Machi
May 21st planting rice by hand whilst learning about the local wildlife (participation Kuju Furusato Shizen
Gakkoufee free, reservations necessary) 10:00-17:00
Hita
River
Opening
Festival&
Fireworks
Performances
and
other
May 21st festivities to take place to celebrate ayu fishing. Don’t miss the grand Hita City
Mikuma-River~ 22ndfireworks!
The 17 th Himeshima Karei Festival - There will be Himeshima karei
May 22nd (flounder) tasting, as well as other attractions including a Kitsune-odori Himeshima-mura
Ferry port
performance (flounder tasting participation cost approx. ¥1,500)
Mt. Kuju opening - Events will be held at the mountain summit to commemorate Kokonoe Town
Jun. 5th
Mt. Taisen
the start of the summer mountain season.
Tashibunoshou rice-planting festival - This is a yearly event where visitors Bungo Takada City
Jun. 12th can experience planting rice using traditional methods in the small Ozaki area
historical rice-paddy village.
Lake Kagurame Iris Viewing Festival - A chance to see some eighty
types of irises, numbering more than 15,000 in total. Many Kitsuki City
Jun. 18th different
events, such as tea and Kagurame Dango (sweet rice dumpling) service will Castle town
be held.
th
Yufu City
Jun. 24th The 19 Yufuin Culture Documentary Film Festival - Historical and cultural
documentaries
will be screened each day in the Yufuin Kouminkan.The Yufuin Kouminkanth~26
Schedule is Subject to Change.
Jun. 26th
Jun. 25th~26th☎ 0973-22-2036☎ 0977-75-1211☎ 0978-54-3111☎ 0978-63-0100☎ 0973-57-3147☎ 0978-32-1111☎ 0973-73-0001☎ 097-537-5764☎ 0973-73-0001☎ 0973-23-3111☎ 0978-87-2211☎ 0973-76-3150☎ 0978-22-3100☎ 0978-63-0100☎ 0977-85-4464

Ro-ten-buro No Hi (Free “Open-air bath” Entrance) - 4 different facilities Nakatsu City
☎ 0979-22-1111
Yabakei-Machi
open their doors for bathers for FREE on this day every year.
The 23rd Lavender Festival - 6,600 purple lavender trees at Oita’s Kenmin Oita City
no Mori Forest Park are a sight to see! Come pick your own lavender for Oita’s Kenmin no Mori ☎ 097-588-0656
Forest Park
FREE (up to 100 branches)!

THE TOMBO
What’s Going On?

5

From the Plaza
Free Legal Consultations for International Residents
The Oita International Plaza is holding free legal
consultations for foreign residents on the third
Wednesday of every month.
●When: April 20th, May 18th, and June 15th
●Time: 13:00-16:00●Consultant: Sei Ito (Administrative Solicitor)●Venue: Oita International Plaza (iichiko Culture Center,
B1F)
Free Consultations in Chinese
The Oita International Plaza is holding free consultationsin Chinese every Thursday.
●When: Every Thursday.
●Time: 10:00-13:00●Consultant: Wenyu Kodama●Venue: Oita International Plaza (iichiko Culture Center,
B1F)
Free Consultations in Tagalog

The Oita International Plaza is holding free consultations in
Tagalog. *Please note that the times for the consultation on
April 30th are different to the usual times.

●When: April 2nd, April 30th, May 7th, May 17th, June
4th, and June 21st.
●Time: 13:00-16:00 (*except April 30th, which will be
9:00-17:00)●Consultant:Rhodora Yoshitake (President of the Oita
Philippines Friendship Association)●Venue: Oita International Plaza (iichiko Culture Center,
B1F)
Free Consultations Regarding Immigration,
Residency, and Citizenship
The Oita International Plaza is holding free consultations
regarding immigration, residency, and citizenship on thefirst Sunday of each month.
●When: April 3rd, and June 5th.
●Time: 13:00-16:00●Languages available: Japanese and English●Interpretation into languages other than Japanese andEnglish may be available with a reservation (there areno guarantees). The reservation must be made 2 days
prior to the consultation day.
●Venue: Oita International Plaza (iichiko Culture Center,
B1F)

April, May, June 2016

Japanese Lessons
Himawari Japanese Volunteers
Support for people learning Japanese in order to help themenjoy their lives in Oita, now at three different locations.
Wasada Public Hall Wed. 10:00-11:30
Meiji Akeno Public Hall Wed. 14:00-15:30
Tsurusaki Public Hall Sat. 10:00-11:30
For more information contact Ms. Fukata TEL: 097-527-2614
E-MAIL: nihongo_himawari_oita@yahoo.co.jp

Nihongo Rakuraku-talk
Beppu City Hall offers free Japanese lessons every Monday
from 14:00-15:30. For more information contact Mr. Kii in
the Beppu International Affairs Division
TEL: 0977-21-6133 E-MAIL: int-ma@city.beppu.oita.jp
Sakura Japanese Class
Come study Japanese with friendly volunteers and teachers
in a pleasant atmosphere. Sakura Japanese Class is held
every Monday from 10:15-12:00 at the Oita University
International House in Nishiki-Machi, Oita City. Classes arefree of charge. For more information call Ms. Ohashi
CELL: 090-7866-2486
AIUEO Japanese Lessons
Volunteers offer free Japanese lessons on Tuesday andFriday from 10:20-11:50 at I-NESS near Oasis Tower as wellas Thursday nights at Compal Hall from 18:30-20:30. Lessons
are also offered in Beppu at the Beppu Foreign Tourist
Information Office on Tuesday mornings from 10:00-12:00.
For more information contact:
Ms. Miyase CELL: 090-8353-2485 (day lessons)
Ms. Kato TEL: 097-532-5940 (night lessons)Community Classes and Events
Happy Talk
Come practice speaking Japanese with other learners andnative speakers. Reservations not required, just show up on
the day.
Please bring your own drink if you like. Participation is FREE.
For more details and information on when Happy Talk isheld, please visit the Facebook page:https://www.facebook.com/HappyTalkOita

THE TOMBO

6April, May, June 2016

♪ Contributing to the TOMBO

We would like to thank readers of the TOMBO for their continued support. We
are always looking for ways to make the TOMBO a better newsletter. If you have
any ideas for topics about Oita that you would like us to write about, or if you areinterested in writing an article to be featured in the TOMBO, please get in contact
with us.
Suitable topics would include articles on events and places in Oita, articles about
traditional culture or history in Oita, and so on. If you are scratching your head for
ideas, please feel free to look at the archive issues of the TOMBO online (http://
www.oitaplaza.jp/english/rp) or at the Oita International Plaza.
If you think you would be interested in possibly writing for the TOMBO, please getin contact with the editor at: miriam@emo.or.jp---With warm regards from the editor.

Usuki City

おおいた国際交流プラザ

公益財団法人 大分県芸術文化スポーツ振興財団
大分市高砂町 2−33 OASIS ひろば 21（B1F）☎ 097-533-4021 FAX:097-533-4052

YOU ! !

Oita International Plaza

Oita Prefecture Arts, Culture & Sports
Promotion Foundation

OASIS Hiroba21（B1F）2-33 Takasago-Machi, Oita-Shi 870-0029

THANK

A special thanks to all those who co-operated with us for

The International Plaza is located on the basement floor of OASIS
Hiroba 21（iichiko Culture Center）.

this issue. Your help was very much appreciated.
THE TOMBO is produced by:

Oita International Plaza
Oita Prefecture Arts, Culture & Sports
Promotion Foundation
2-33 Takasago-Machi
Oita-Shi Oita-Ken 〒 870-0029☎

097(533)4021

Fax 097(533)4052
E-MAIL: in@emo.or.jp
http://www.oitaplaza.jp/english/
HOURS: Monday-Friday

9:30am-7:00pm(closed weekends and the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month. We
are open on the Saturdays before these Mondays)
Closed national holidays & Dec 29th - Jan 3rd

大分県立美術館 OPAM
Oita Prefectural Art Museum