tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-129894052009-10-13T15:14:42.281+09:00A tale of a man and his son and how they hit 88 hot springs in Beppu, Japan and were dubbed "Hot Spring Masters."Joelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03840771466952215464noreply@blogger.comBlogger117125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12989405.post-88728447578327791132009-02-04T12:00:00.000+09:002009-02-04T12:01:47.811+09:00

VOTE JOEL!

Joelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03840771466952215464noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12989405.post-42235751208133242932009-01-26T10:55:00.001+09:002009-01-26T10:56:48.136+09:00

I applied for the Worlds Best JobWish me luck

Joelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03840771466952215464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12989405.post-12287195281795281172009-01-13T09:10:00.003+09:002009-01-13T09:13:31.088+09:00

I had the pleasure of going back to Beppu on business and staying at the Nishitetsu Inn right downtown.Having just spent 3 weeks in the US, I thought, "I could really use an onsen" Then I got the call, and the job required me to spend the night.The onsen is clean and spacious and pretty good as far as low-end business hotels go. The faint whiff of chlorine was a turn-off, but the temperature was

Joelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03840771466952215464noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12989405.post-67063109077493652342007-10-12T16:22:00.000+09:002007-10-12T16:26:30.855+09:00

After 3 years and 2 months in the hot spring capital of the world, we have decided to move on to some new and bigger challenges. Our new home: Fukuoka City! Thank you to everyone in Beppu and everyone who followed our blog. The soon to open official English language Beppu Tourism Bureau site, Beppu Navi, will be based on our very own onsen adventures. Tune in at BeppuNavifor a sleek new look at

Joelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03840771466952215464noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12989405.post-14512263107583104282007-06-28T15:59:00.000+09:002007-06-28T16:00:32.844+09:00

World Hum | Travel Interview | Joel Henry: Dean of “Experimental Travel”In searching for Joel Henry, I found an interesting article on experimental travel. I think Beppu or some of its many NPOs could do something cool with this idea.

Joelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03840771466952215464noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12989405.post-27981060307650862912007-06-28T11:57:00.000+09:002007-06-28T12:02:14.696+09:00

My tour of duty at the uni is coming to a close, but it looks like I will be sticking around Beppu for 2 years doing freelance work. I will try to get son#2 to Master status in that time. Next stop: Hawaii, 2009-2010Anyone have some leads/connections in the PR or tourism indsutry there?

Joelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03840771466952215464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12989405.post-9421240582494193002007-04-30T06:50:00.000+09:002007-04-30T09:34:50.580+09:00

Well, I seem to have gained a reputation as the "onsen guy." Shhh! Don't tell anyone that we haven't onsened since January....In any case, by popular demand I present to you my recommendations for family baths (In no particular order). These are places where you can either rent a separate family bath, or by virtue of their design, you get to hof the whole onsen until you are done.If you need

Joelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03840771466952215464noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12989405.post-54431065741067949282007-02-13T16:59:00.000+09:002007-02-13T16:55:00.831+09:00

Greetings! I am still in Beppu doing my thing. Check out my latest media appearances!Sat, Feb 17 in the morning (check your newspaper)Channel: OBSShow: Kabosu TimeI will tour Kannawa with Mr. Kai and the student guides and the gaijin tarento at OBS.Check it out!-------------Tuesday, Feb. 20Show: Konnichi wa, Hachimaru-chan DesuChannel: NHK Dai 1 Radio (National broadcast)Time: 11:30 - 11:50 (for

Joelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03840771466952215464noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12989405.post-1167359841700140302006-12-29T11:36:00.000+09:002006-12-29T11:37:21.713+09:00

The NHK documentary that we "starred" in this summer is being re-broadcast by popular demand. If you missed it, don't miss it! 12/31/2006 5:10 AMNHK Sogo TV"Furusato Hatsu"

Joelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03840771466952215464noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12989405.post-1165473998348231812006-12-07T15:46:00.000+09:002006-12-07T15:46:38.380+09:00

My worldwide debut is now available for all to see in 6 different languages. If this link gives you trouble, try accessing from the front page here.This was produced by NHK International for the Japanese Foreign Ministry, who have distributed this to hundreds of Japanese embassies worldwide, in addition to providing the streaming link online. How cool is that?

Joelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03840771466952215464noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12989405.post-1161765252753894772006-10-25T17:33:00.000+09:002006-10-25T17:34:12.766+09:00

Joelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03840771466952215464noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12989405.post-1161609007617597472006-10-23T22:08:00.000+09:002006-10-23T22:10:07.653+09:00

JapanProbe has kindly posted some clips of my latest TV appearance doing guide work for the stars! Check out the YouTube clips!thanks James!

Joelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03840771466952215464noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12989405.post-1154074142932197372006-07-28T16:57:00.000+09:002006-07-28T17:09:02.933+09:00

Kakujusen takes the cake. It was clean and the water, full of sulphur and what have you, felt great on the skin(if not so nice to the eyes). The "secret onsen" up in the mountains are also pretty cool so I will give them an Honorable Mention here. Hebin-yu and Tsuru-no-yuNabeyama no yu

Joelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03840771466952215464noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12989405.post-1154073070520273512006-07-28T16:39:00.000+09:002007-04-10T11:06:25.912+09:00

Even though some of the nicest people you will meet run these places, some pools of hot water are better left alone...1.Tani no yuAncient cement structure with a spooky Amida Buddha statue and more mosquitos than you could shake a stick at.2.Sesseki OnsenCrusty bath inside a Shinto temple. This was probably the worst case of "floaties" that I can recall.3. Netsu-no-yu OnsenFree onsen, so I should

Joelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03840771466952215464noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12989405.post-1154072312484953772006-07-28T16:20:00.000+09:002006-07-28T16:38:32.506+09:00

Okay, I am going to start my rankings as they come to me. Nothing scientific or quantifiable here, just what I like (or don't). Some will be best 3, some best 5 and maybe some will be only one. 1. Kannawa-en InnThe traditional gardens and the rare color-changing outdoor bath pretty much sealed this for me. I went last fall, but nothing topped it since.2. Suginoi PalaceIt costs a lot, but it is

Joelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03840771466952215464noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12989405.post-1153801830419509132006-07-25T13:30:00.000+09:002006-07-25T13:37:28.593+09:00

Today we took our Spaports, worn and torn Spaports that they are, down to the tourism bureau to become deemed Hot Spring Masters. (Onsen Meijin, in Japanese).After paying the fee (1500 yen per person, up from 500 yen last year. Should've done this faster...), we received the coveted Master's black and gold towel. Maybe I can take this to a Steelers game when we go home next.Here is's Jude's

Joelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03840771466952215464noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12989405.post-1153783278852579052006-07-24T20:20:00.000+09:002006-07-25T13:17:58.003+09:00

WE decided to go out in style. I had been saving this onsen for last. It is the most expensive one on the tour at 2000 yen. The fact is, you can do 20 100-yen onsen for the same price, but I wanted 88 to be special. besides, Shiho won't come if I don't go somewhere nice. Dad drives with skill and speed to Suginoi Palace (and damn that flash. Thought is was a cop car!) I took the back way, which I

Joelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03840771466952215464noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12989405.post-1153712001052029792006-07-24T12:31:00.000+09:002006-07-24T12:33:21.066+09:00

For those of you in Japan, you can still catch re-runs of the NHK documentary that I was on in Hi Vision.BS Hi-Vision TVMonday, July 24 15:00 - 15:49Wednesday, July 26 00:00 - 00:49 (in other words, late Tuesday)The regular NHK broadcast has been postponed untilSept. 3 (SUN) 10:00 - Please tune in!

Joelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03840771466952215464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12989405.post-1153654827294172542006-07-23T20:28:00.000+09:002006-07-23T20:40:27.313+09:00

It was a busy day today. We went down to Oita today to be on the radio again. This time my harmonica jam with the radio announcer was broadcast all over Oita Prefecture, well, at least to whoever was listening to AM radio between 11:00 and 11:50. It was fun. Then I took the family to lunch at a famous Beppu restaurant. It is famous for it's hibachi grills (the smoke from which fills the entire

Joelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03840771466952215464noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12989405.post-1153654099193981542006-07-22T23:24:00.000+09:002006-07-23T20:28:19.206+09:00

This is an old ryokan (Japanese style inn) that dates way back to Beppu's heyday many, many years ago. The old dude at teh front desk was one of the most sincerely nice hotel guys I have met in a long time. The bath is nice, but not too hot with a giant stone where the onsen drips down. It is covered in onsen minerals from over the years. I guess it is famous.Jude had a good time in the bath

Joelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03840771466952215464noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12989405.post-1153542660532693002006-07-22T13:21:00.000+09:002006-07-22T13:34:30.810+09:00

We had an appointment at 11:30 and the whole family decided to catch an onsen before that. Yamada Besso was the only hotel open from 10:00 so that's where we went. The buidling is over 80 years old, which in Japan is pretty old considering the war and its aftermath. It was the coolest buidling I've been in in a long time. There was a western style sitting room with a giant Japanese tatami room.

Joelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03840771466952215464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12989405.post-1153349828085466792006-07-19T22:46:00.000+09:002006-07-20T08:00:54.506+09:00

Beppu is great because since it is the onsen capital of Japan, there are quite a few places that offer "X plus onsen." I have been to cafes with onsen and BBQ restaurants with onsen and candy stores with onsen. Tonight was ramen and onsen. We noticed this place right after we moved here and it always struck us as funny. Well, last night depsite the puring rain, we all went out (Dad's treat). Jude

Joelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03840771466952215464noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12989405.post-1153230591206853972006-07-18T22:44:00.000+09:002006-07-18T22:49:51.226+09:00

With the amazing momentum of our 3-day weekend, we took to the streets of Kannawa once again. This time I actually plunked down more than 100 yen for an onsen (500 actually) and got a nice treat. Kanawa-so is tucked down a little side-street, so little that I didn't even realize it was a street. This is the 4th time I have tried to find it. 4th time's a charm. It was a Tuesday night so not very

Joelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03840771466952215464noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12989405.post-1153140981114215502006-07-17T21:56:00.000+09:002006-07-17T22:00:27.606+09:00

It was our goal to hit 10 onsen this 3 day weekend and tonight's visit to the Beppu Community Center was the clincher.This a is a newish facility where the tourism bureau is. There is also some sort of martial arts dojo here. Very nice, by the looks of it.The wooden iterior of building was very relaxing. The onsen was nice and new with a view ofa Japanese sand/rock garden. C'est chic!The onsen

Joelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03840771466952215464noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12989405.post-1153129031224447782006-07-17T18:27:00.000+09:002006-07-17T18:37:11.240+09:00

Kaimonji Onsen is next to a temple called, you guessed it, Kaimonji Temple just down the street from Beppu Station. I tried to go here once but got "busted" for illegal parking by the pachinko parlor parking lot attendant.This is a 100-yen city-run onsen. In fact, the lady at the counter recognized us from Saturday night (She was working at Tanoyu Onsen then). It is very retro with the old school

Joelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03840771466952215464noreply@blogger.com2