Written by Jazmin Safena, 22 February 2025
An intern at Glide Japan in 2025, Jazmin joined us on a journey through Minami Beppu, capturing her thoughts and experiences along the way.
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Nestled in the heart of Japan’s famed onsen town of Beppu, Minami Beppu offers a refreshing half-day walking tour, providing a touch of local charm for those eager to escape the overcrowded, more popular places such as Yufuin. Our walk took us through a variety of local spots, including the bustling Beppu local market, a quiet abandoned housing alley, traditional local onsen, a bamboo factory, a local art gallery, as well as Space Beppu - a community hub that celebrates local arts and crafts. This blend of history, craftsmanship and daily life made for an eye-opening experience, perfect for those wanting to explore Beppu beyond its famous hot springs.
Beppu Market
Our first stop was the Beppu market - a charming little street lined with stalls selling all kinds of goodies from street food to handmade crafts and local snacks. The gentle hum of locals chatting with vendors made the place feel warm and welcoming. One shop that caught my eye was a small florist with the cutest display of tulips and sweet peas, priced from just ¥200 to ¥500. It added a splash of colour to the market, making it feel like spring had arrived early.
Strolling the Streets of Minami Beppu
After the market, we wandered through the quiet streets of Minami Beppu, and honestly, it was the kind of walk that makes you slow down and appreciate the little things. The sound of our footsteps on the pavement, the rustling of leaves, and the chilly wind that greeted our faces - it all felt so peaceful. With hardly any cars passing by, it was just us, the locals going about their day, and the gentle rhythm of this small town.
Abandoned Housing Alley
Tucked away from the main roads, we stumbled upon a narrow alleyway lined with abandoned houses and shuttered shops - a little pocket of history frozen in time. These buildings, some over 50 years old, felt like silent storytellers of Beppu’s past - formerly a bustling city, when Beppu Port made this place a cultural hub in the 1950s. Now, the rusty post boxes and faded shop signs gave it a nostalgic, slightly eerie charm. It was the kind of spot that made us pause, soaking in the quiet, as if we were stepping into someone else’s memories.
Kiyoshima Apartment (Local Artist Studio) – A Hidden Gem of Beppu’s Art Scene
Tucked away in a quiet corner of Beppu, Kiyoshima Apartment is more than just an old residential building - it's a thriving hub for local artists, bursting with creativity and raw, unfiltered expression. Stepping inside felt like entering a different dimension, where paint, performance, and personal stories intertwine.
One of the artists that stood out for me was Tomoe Higashi, a Japanese painter with a Fine Arts MFA from Bath, England. Her works explore themes of human relationships, emotions, and nostalgia, often incorporating elements of rural Japan, vintage aesthetics, and vibrant colours. Then, there was Tokyo Destinyland, a performer with a story as fascinating as their stage name. He was a solo performance artist born in 1975 who began his journey into theatre in his twenties after responding to an advertisement in a dating magazine. Since then, he has travelled across Japan, performing in various cities from Hokkaido to Kyushu. His work blends personal experience with theatrical storytelling, which was reflected in his vibrant studio.
Kiyoshima Apartment may not be on every tourist’s itinerary, but for those who love discovering raw, personal, and deeply immersive art, it’s an absolute must-visit.
Bamboo Factory
Lastly, we were given a tour around the bamboo factory, by the manager 茶さん(Cha-san). Did you know that Oita’s bamboo production makes up more than 30% of Japan’s total production? This is because the bamboo grown in Oita is known for its high quality due to the multi-layered epidermis that is formed by growing through both hot and cold weather.
The production process includes putting the bamboo sticks through hot water to smoothen the rough surface before it is dried and used to make various products such as kitchenware, and houseware. We were particularly impressed by the excellent craftsmanship of the workers as well as the meticulous effort to maintain quality by keeping them in the bridge.
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