Tenkaiho Observatory (展海峰), Sasebo, Nagasaki

More photos from the 99 Islands which is taken at Tenkaiho Observatory. The observatory offers a180-degree view of the 99 Islands right before your eyes.

A view of Central Sasebo from the observatory.

St.Francis Xavier Memorial Church (聖フランシスコザビエル記念教会;Hirado Church), Nagasaki

This church was built in 1931 and has become one of Hirado's popular tourist spots, as it looks out over the town and the harbour.

The inside of church

A view with both temples and a church (寺院と教会の見える風景;Jiin-to-Kyokai-no-Mieru-Fuukei)

St.Francis Xavier Memorial Church raises high behind Zuiun-ji Temple and Komyo-ji Temple. From the bottom of the old stone steps going up to these places of worship you can see the temples as well as the church, which is a very rare sight.

East meets West: Komyo-ji Temple in the foreground, Zuiun-ji Temple centre picture, towered over by St.Francis Xavier Memorial Church

The 99 Islands (九十九島;Kujukushima), Sasebo, Nagasaki

Photos from the 99 Islands, a group of islands ranging in the west coast of Kitamatsuura Peninsula, Sasebo City, Nagasaki Prefecture.

Views of the 99 Islands from Funakoshi Observation Point.

Sunset in the 99 Islands.
 

The 99 Islands tour on a pirate boat is available from Kashimae Pier.

Kaio, a pirate boat

Myoban Onsen (明礬温泉), Beppu, Oita

Myoban Onsen, on the hill facing Beppu Bay, is a small, quiet mountain resort. The hot water contains a large quantity of sulfur. You can enjoy several types of thermals such as mud bath or milky water bath accompanied by a distinctive sulphuric odor. Mineral deposits are worked at the thatched Yunohana-goya.

Mineral deposits are worked at the thatched Yunohana-goya.

Yunosato public bathes where you can enjoy several types of thermals such as mud bath or milky bath.

 Inside straw huts of Myoban Onsen, called Yunohana-goya, are used to produce yuno-hana or sulfur flowers which are crystals that develop naturally on the ground around the springs.

Bunjin-zou statues are standing inside Myoban Onsen.

A view of Central Beppu with Beppu Myoban Bridge in background.

Panorama views in Beppu

I took many photos of panorama views in Beppu.

First, I'm posting views from Jumonjibaru Viewpoint, near the Ritsumeikan Asia-Pacific University (APU). This place is a famous for a magnificent view of the city and the Beppu Bay. It is considered one of Japan's top 100 night view spots.

The entire view of Ritsumeikan Asia-Pacific University from Jumonjibaru.

Next, I'm posting a couple of pictures I took from Kifune Castle, close to Kannawa Onsen.

A view of the Central Beppu

A view of Kannawa Onsen with a steam.

 Finally, views of the city and Beppu Bay from Suginoi Hotel.

A night view

A view of Beppu in the morning.

Lake Kinrin (金鱗湖), Yufu, Oita

"It's my favourite place in Yufuin"

Lake Kinrin is a picturesque lake and is a tourist attraction in Yufuin. There are several souvenir shops and cafes nearby.

Leaves

Shitanyu (下ん湯) public bath with a straw-roofed hut.

Sagiridai (狭霧台) Viewpoint, Yufu, Oita

Driving on Oita Prefectural Route 11 from Central Beppu and passing some gentle curves, you will get to Sagiridai Viewpoint. From the viewpoint, you can see the magnificent view of Yufuin and Mount Yufu.

A view of Yufuin

Mount Yufu

Beppu Jigoku Meguri (別府地獄めぐり;Hell Tour)

On the next morning, after we left Suginoi Hotel, we were going to Beppu Jigoku Meguri (Hell Tour). The hell tour has become one of Beppu's popular tourist spots. There are ten hells in the city, eight of these are located in the Kannawa area, and two in the remote Shibaseki area.

Umi Jigoku

Onishi Bozu Jigoku

An orgy statue at Kamado Jigoku

Kamado Jigoku

An orgy statue at Oniyama Jigoku

Yama Jigoku

Shiraike Jigoku

Chinoike Jigoku

Tatsumaki Jigoku

Usuki Sekibutsu (臼杵石仏;the Usuki Stone Buddhas), Oita

We went to Usuki, Beppu and Yufuin for 2 days on 03 and 04 November 2009. First we were visited to Usuki Sekibutsu or the Usuki Stone Buddhas in Usuki City, located on the east coast of Oita Prefecture.

History
The Usuki Stone Buddhas were curved in the 12th century, and consist of four groups of stone Buddhas.

External link: National Treasures:Usuki Stone Buddhas - Kyushu Tourism Information