The best thing about having visitors is that we can act like tourists and see all the things we have been wanting to see but just never found the time.
About 50-60 years ago there was a big monkey problem here in Oita. The monkeys roamed free and ate all the crops. So, instead of killing them, the prefecture designated Mount Takasaki as a mountain where the monkeys could roam freely. One magical morning, the governor of Oita blew a conch shell from the sea and all the monkeys flocked to the mountain in hoards. Or so the story goes... they also lured them with lot of food...
On the mountain there is a feeding area where the monkeys come to eat. This is where the tourists can go and walk amongst the monkeys.
Grooming is their favorite activity.
This looks familiar! Even monkeys chew on their toenails.
Shawn feels right at home.
Walking amongst the monkeys began to feel a little absurd.
Who are the monkeys in this picture?
Monkeys have feelings, too! This sign also included gems such as "don't stare into their eyes."
Then we walked across the highway to an aquarium called "Umi Tamago" which means "Sea Egg."
In front of a fabulous jelly fish tank.
Right in the ear!
Under the sea in a shark cage and they didn't even get wet!
Thousands of anchovies. Neat.
Shark jaw. Yikes.
Rachael knew one thing about Japan when she came here. That was: she likes sushi. So, we did our best to find some sushi for her. Here is a cheap cheap kaiten-zushi bar - train sushi.
Shawn ate tons. Look at this stack!
Another sushi lunch.
We spent a lot of time on trains.
Oita is famous for onesen - natural hot springs. So, we had to take her to the famous onsen town of Beppu. We went to an outdoor onsen and while we bathed and relaxed they prepared a lunch for us. It was awesome to have an authentic Japanese experience.
We had to hike up a bit to the pool.
The women's onsen.
Also in Beppu is a sex museum. It was a very very interesting experience...
These are some of the wonders of Oita prefecture! We love it here more and more everyday.
1 comment:
haha nice. i live in oita too lol.. a n hour drive away from oita city accualy.. www.myspace.com/black_angel56
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