一個漸漸喜歡上慢旅的人 's page

Before setting out, I thought this was an activity meant for kids, but unexpectedly, the adults in our group were just as captivated. Since we were staying in Beppu, we took a bus from the station for about an hour to reach Kyushu Natural Animal Park. If you’re not driving, like me, I recommend buying a package that includes admission and the bus fare from the tourist information center at the station. It’s both convenient and a good value.

The first thing you should do when you arrive is head straight over to reserve a time slot for the popular Jungle Bus feeding experience. While you wait, you can visit the adorable small animal area or the warm and relaxing cat house in the park.

Once I actually boarded the Jungle Bus and ventured deep into the large animal area, the excitement was beyond description. Watching lions, tigers, and giraffes stride over to be fed, and even getting sprayed with saliva by an elephant up close, were astonishing experiences I’ll never forget. This animal kingdom truly exceeded my expectations, and both adults and children can enjoy it. I recommend that animal lovers come experience it for themselves.

Located at the end of Yunotsubo Street, SNOOPY Chaya is a dream destination that Snoopy fans visiting the area definitely shouldn’t miss.

Not only can you find a dazzling selection of unique souvenirs that are so cute you won’t want to put them down, but best of all, each SNOOPY Chaya location across Japan offers its own exclusive items, making them highly collectible. In addition to shopping, the cafe also serves beautifully presented meals and afternoon tea, making it a great place to sit down and catch your breath when you’re tired from shopping.

It’s not just the items inside that are irresistible. The facade, which blends traditional Japanese architecture with Snoopy elements, is also incredibly photogenic. The moment you step inside, you’re completely surrounded by a soothing atmosphere. If you want to avoid the crowds, I recommend visiting around 3 or 4 p.m. for a more comfortable experience.

Stroll along the lively Yunotsubo Street, and you’ll eventually arrive at Yufuin Floral Village, which feels like a fairytale wonderland. Modeled after the famous traditional villages of England’s Cotswolds, it perfectly recreates the cream-colored stone cottages and lush greenery of the English countryside.

As soon as you reach the entrance, you’ll see adorable red squirrels and owls warmly welcoming visitors from around the world. Although the village is small and charming, as you wander through it, you’ll find one uniquely designed themed shop after another tucked away inside. Whether they sell Japanese-style goods, anime merchandise, or cute, comforting items, every shop is full of surprises, making you want to slow down and carefully explore this fairytale-like English street. It’s a little place for taking photos and enjoying a romantic atmosphere from another country.

On my second visit to Yufuin, I made sure to explore Yunotsubo Kaido properly. Starting from the popular B-Speak, this street is about a 10-minute walk from Yufuin Station and is lined with countless unique little shops offering great food, shopping, and entertainment.

Along the way, you can enjoy award-winning croquettes that are crispy outside and tender inside. Travelers who love cute animals as much as I do shouldn’t miss the incredibly soothing Mameshiba Cafe and the cat cafe next door. Spending time with the adorable mameshiba dogs simply melts your heart. If you visit in the fall, you can also try the sweet, plump chestnuts in season. While peeling and eating them at the hotel, I regretted not buying a few more bags.

The shops on both sides of the street have a wide variety of styles. Some areas feel like a little town from an English fairy tale, and you’ll also find Miffy, Snoopy Cha-ya, and Donguri Republic, a must-visit for Hayao Miyazaki fans. The street is filled with so many exquisite little items that it’s easy to lose all self-control. From there, you can take a leisurely stroll all the way to Lake Kinrin. With its lovely scenery, Yunotsubo Kaido is definitely worth spending an entire afternoon exploring at your own pace.

As soon as you step out of Yufuin Station, the magnificent Mt. Yufu comes into view. As you stroll along the lively Yunotsubo Street toward Lake Kinrin, this beautiful volcano remains quietly in the distance, as if gently guiding the way.

I especially recommend visiting this town in the fall, when the cool weather makes walking around particularly pleasant. If you want to capture a clean, refreshing street scene with Mt. Yufu and no bustling crowds of tourists, I suggest heading to the area in front of the station early in the morning for a shot with a different kind of charm. By the way, the classic logo on Milch's famous pudding sold aboard the Yufuin no Mori train was inspired by Mt. Yufu, so don't forget to try it if you get the chance.