Have you ever thought about wanting to show the breathtaking views you’ve seen while traveling to your children or grandchildren? Unfortunately, the scenery we are witnessing today may be changed in 100 years.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could protect the rich natural environment of the region while enjoying our travels and pass it on to future generations?
The abundant regional resources also contribute to tourism, allowing us to enjoy unique experiences in various locations. It is precisely because of well-preserved nature that travelers can savor the landscapes and local ingredients, ensuring that the next generation can enjoy the same natural beauty.
Environmental elements are essential for sustainable tourism, and the concept of "conservation and utilization," which emphasizes using natural resources for tourism while also preserving them, has been advocated in Japan's national parks.
This time, I experienced the important natural blessings of the region, including vast grasslands, volcanoes, and hot springs powered by geothermal energy, in Oita and Kumamoto Prefectures in Kyushu.
Living with the Energy of Beppu's Hot Springs
Beppu City in Oita Prefecture is famous for its hot springs. This onsen area is called "Jigoku" (Hell) because it was considered too dangerous to approach in about a thousand years ago.
Today, visitors can explore seven hells (Onsen), including Umi Jigoku (Sea Hell) and Kamado Jigoku (Cooking Pot Hell).
The unique features of Beppu Onsen are its quantity and quality.
According to a 2019 survey by the Ministry of the Environment, Oita Prefecture ranks first in the nation for both the number of hot spring sources and the volume of hot spring water, with Beppu City leading the prefecture.
There are seven different types of hot spring waters in Beppu, and soaking in them in order—from Myoban Onsen to Kannawa Onsen—provides remarkable beauty benefits.
The ways to enjoy the hot springs are diverse; you can experience steam baths lying on medicinal herbs or sand baths. Many people come for "Touji" (bath healing) to relax and rejuvenate for these reasons.
The steam rising throughout the town makes it feel like the entire city is a hot spring.
The heat from the springs is also an essential energy source for local residents, used for electricity generation.
Oita Prefecture is the largest geothermal power plant in Japan, producing about 40% of the country's geothermal electricity. The self-sufficiency rate for renewable energy in Oita is 28.1%, the highest in Japan.
The heat from the hot springs is harnessed to generate renewable energy, and it is also used in everyday life, such as cooking with the heat in place of a microwave.
You can experience meals prepared using this geothermal energy.
I enjoyed "Jigoku Mushi" (hell-steamed) dishes at Daikokuya, a ryokan and dining hall.
Vegetables and meats are cooked in 90-degree steam for about six minutes. Guests can bring their ingredients to the impressive steam pots for cooking.
The food, enriched with minerals from the hot springs, is delicious with a natural salty flavor. You can also buy ingredients nearby and prepare your favorites.
Through this sustainable food experience that utilizes the natural energy of the hot springs, you can truly savor the essence of Beppu with all your senses.
Traditional Crafts Made from Sustainable Material: Bamboo
Oita Prefecture is known for its thriving bamboo cultivation, and the bamboo crafts have been widely recognized as gifts for the Emperor and souvenirs for visitors to hot springs.
Beppu bamboo crafts have a history of over 100 years and are designated as traditional crafts recognized by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry.
These beautifully crafted bamboo items are displayed as art pieces in various locations.
At the Beppu City Bamboo Craft Traditional Industry Hall, visitors can view exhibitions, purchase products, and participate in workshops.
Each bamboo craft is stunning, particularly those created by Living National Treasures, such as Shōunsai Shōno, who was first recognized in 1967, and Seihou Kibe, who received the designation in 2024.
Bamboo is increasingly being used as a sustainable alternative to plastic in everyday items, including cutlery, toothbrushes, and lunchboxes. Its durability allows for long-term use. In addition to everyday bamboo items, the shop also offers bamboo craft accessories, making for stylish fashion pieces.
There are also tours for bamboo harvesting and workshops, as well as visits to individual studios where bamboo crafts are made, providing various opportunities to engage with this traditional craft.
Enjoy a relaxing stay in Beppu, Oita, filled with sustainable elements!
A Sustainable 1,000-Year Grassland in Aso, Kumamoto
The Aso region is located in the eastern part of Kumamoto Prefecture, near the borders with Oita and Miyazaki Prefectures, and is within the "Aso Kuju National Park."
Mount Aso is an active volcano that erupted three years ago.
The grasslands spreading at the foot of Mount Aso are said to have existed for about 13,000 years, dating back to the Jomon period, where humans and nature have worked together to nurture these plains.
In Japan's climate, grasslands cannot be maintained solely by natural forces; without human intervention, they would eventually turn into forests. By making moderate adjustments, people have helped maintain the balance of nature.
The benefits of grasslands are numerous: they mitigate sediment disaster risks, possess excellent water source conservation functions (storing and discharging rainwater), support biodiversity, and sequester carbon in the soil.
This time, I experienced the grasslands of Aso through the Adventure Cycle Aso Mountain Grassland Ride, witnessing the collaboration between humans and nature that created these plains.
To protect the grasslands, it is necessary to regularly reduce the grass cover to encourage new growth, which has been achieved through practices like grazing, hay harvesting, and controlled burning.
While there was hay harvesting for the Aka-ushi (Japanese Brown Cattle) that graze in the grasslands, the number of cattle has now decreased to 300. Aka-ushi beef is known for its rich red meat rather than fat, and consuming 100 grams is equivalent to the amount of grass that one tatami mat can cover.
Controlled burning, known as "noyaki," is an important method for preserving grasslands that has been practiced since the Jomon period. Each year, the grasslands are intentionally burned by human hands. I spoke with a guide who conducts these burns.
Noyaki helps regenerate the grasslands and protects endangered plant and insect species. Unlike the large-scale burning seen in the Amazon, this practice typically affects a small area for only about three seconds, resulting in minimal negative impacts on the ecosystem.
The carbon dioxide emitted during the burning is transformed into carbon-rich ash that the grass can absorb. The regenerated grasslands are capable of absorbing twice the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by Kumamoto.
However, the process of burning the grasslands is dangerous, and it requires significant effort to cut the borders of the areas that won't be burned. Due to a shortage of manpower, the area being burned has decreased, and over the past 100 years, the total grassland area has been reduced to less than half.
Seeing the beautiful scenery firsthand made me feel inspired to take action regarding these issues.
In fact, a portion of the tour fee goes towards environmental conservation activities, allowing us to enjoy and protect Aso's natural beauty at the same time.
In winter, there are tours that support Aso's activities by participating in controlled burning, enabling participants to enjoy both the season and the conservation efforts.
My experience of participating in the tour, learning about Aso's ecosystem and grassland burning, while cycling through the preserved lush grasslands, became my most memorable moment of the year.
When you see the scenery of Aso, you too will likely want to preserve it for future generations.
Would you like to join us on a tour that allows us to enjoy and protect nature together?
Tricolage offers special journeys that balance environmental conservation and tourism.
We invite you to embark on an adventure with us that you’ve never experienced before!
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