Visiting Bairin-ji Temple, Kurume

On Wednesday we had decided to take a drive🚙 Bairinji (梅林寺), a Rinzai temple in Kurume, Fukuoka. According to Wikipedia, the temple was the bodaiji of the Arima clan and originally located in Fukuchiyama in the Tanba Province, where it was called Zuigan-ji (瑞巌寺). In 1620, when Arima Toyoji was transferred from Fukuchiyama Domain to Kurume Domain in Chikugo Province, he relocated the temple to his new domain and named it Dairyu-ji (大龍寺). It was later renamed to Bairin-ji which is associated with his father Noriyuki's posthumous name, Bairin'in-den (梅林院殿) and became a mausoleum of the successive daimyo of the domain. 

The entrance gate of Bairin-ji.

Passing the temple gate, then go straight down the sando road to the main hall.

The Zen Hall of Bairin-ji🛕 It is always close because of young monks doing some practice😁 

The Kaizando (開山堂) founder's hall.

After that I went to the cemetery dedicated to the Arima family.

Autumn colors getting started around the garden🍂

The Chikugo River seen from the garden. Before the bridge was open in 1974, there was a ferry boat that connected the river from here to Nagatoishi-machi on the opposite bank. 

Visiting Bungo-Mori Roundhouse, Kusu, Oita

In the afternoon, we had decided to take a drive🚙 to Bungo-Mori Roundhouse Park in Kusu. It was built in 1934 when the Kyudai Main Line was fully opened. 

The loco shed🚂 Located to the east of Bungo-Mori Station🚉, it was a large roundhouse that kept 21 steam locomotives at its peak. 

The engine shed was in use until 1970 and could be up to 12 locomotives. 

A steam locomotive 9600 series used for coal transport in the Kyushu area such as Nagasaki and Karatsu during the working period. He was a brave hero that saved victims of the atomic bomb in Nagasaki👏 After the retirement in 1974, it was kept in Shime, Fukuoka for memories. But such a bad condition that the town council rejected the budget for maintenance repair, and it was waiting to be scrapped. However in 2015, Kusu Town bought for free of charge, and now on display😊     

 

Panoramic views of Kannawa Onsen from Yukemuri Viewpoint, Beppu

On the second day, we went to some sightseeing spots such as Bungo-Mori Locomotive Roundhouse🚂 in Kusu Town.

First, we went to Yukemuri Observatory in Beppu. From here, you can see the awesome view of the hot springs town♨ 😀　

Hot air and smoke rises from everywhere in the city. I think it's just amazing😄

Staying at Terrace Midobaru, a Japanese style hotel in Beppu

We went to Oita for 2 days on November 6 and 7. 

First I took pictures of buses🚌 in Usuki and Oita. After that we headed to Terrace Midobaru (テラス御堂原) in Horita Onsen♨ I've never stayed there so I was really looking forward to it.

This time we just stay for one night and booked on Rakuten Travel at cheapest price, ¥28000 per person per night with two meals🍴 

The room we stayed in was on the second floor of the West wing. It has both Japanese and Western, but it's quite simple😉 They put a carpet in living room instead of tatami mat😄  

The Wagyu beef Shabu-shabu hotpot dish I had for dinner😋

A bowl of Takikomi-gohan🍚 cooked with seasoning, salt and a whole yellowtail fish🐟 

The night view of Beppu from my bed room is beautiful🌃

An onsen bath🛁 in the room. I just took a relaxing bath anytime😇

The next morning my mother and I woke up at 7 am. 

We had breakfast at 8 o'clock so we have to go to the same place as dinner last night.

We got a Kabosu drink and blueberry yogurt for starter. By the way, Kabosu is local specialties in Oita Prefecture.

A variety of dishes.

Good morning city views from my room.

I had some delicious biscotti at checkout counter😊