Day 54 Beppu Ropeay 8 March 2026 скачать в хорошем качестве

Day 54 Beppu Ropeay 8 March 2026

Our final stop of the day was Beppu, one of Japan’s most famous hot spring regions. But instead of visiting the steaming “hells” or the onsen baths, our tour took us upward, high into the mountains, via the Beppu Ropeway. The ropeway climbs Mount Tsurumi, one of the major peaks overlooking Beppu Bay. The summit stands at 1,375 metres, and the ropeway station itself is already high in the foothills, so the gondola rises roughly 800 metres in a single ascent. According to the thermometer at the top, the temperature was below zero, yet I didn’t feel particularly cold, perhaps because the air was crisp and dry rather than damp. We only had about fifteen minutes at the summit, but the views were breathtaking. From the top you can see: Beppu Bay stretching out to the horizon the city of Beppu nestled between sea and mountains the surrounding ridgelines of the Kuju and Yufu mountain ranges and, on a clear day, even as far as the Shikoku mountains across the water. Thankfully, the weather was on our side. The sky was clear enough to enjoy the panorama both going up and coming down, and the late‑afternoon light made everything glow. The journey to the ropeway was almost as beautiful as the summit itself. The road wound through the Kokonoe highlands, part of the scenic Yamanami Highway, one of Kyushu’s most celebrated mountain routes. This area is known for its sweeping vistas, rolling plateaus, and forests that seem to stretch endlessly. The trees lining the slopes were, I believe, Japanese red pines (Pinus densiflora) - tall, elegant, and slightly windswept. They are the most common pine species in Japan and thrive in the volcanic soils of this region, especially around the Tsukahara Plateau. Here they often grow alongside other conifers such as hemlock, creating a textured, layered forest that looks beautiful in every season. Travelling through this landscape, it was easy to understand why people describe the Yamanami Highway as offering “grand, expansive scenery.” The combination of mountains, forests, and open sky felt almost cinematic. Even though our time at the summit was brief, the experience was worth every minute. The ropeway ride itself was smooth and scenic, and the views from the top were spectacular. After a long day of sightseeing, it felt refreshing to stand in the cold mountain air, look out over the sea, and take in the vastness of Kyushu from above. Then it was back onto the bus for a final stop.