Rugby World UK – August 2019

This island has three World Cup venues, myriad

attractions across its seven prefectures and a

host of matsuri festival events. Take a tour...

THE SEVEN

WONDERS

OF KYUSHU

RW Promotion

OITA

DAY TRIPS

Head to Beppu for a tour of the ‘hells’.

These seven hot springs dating back more

than 1,000 years are for viewing rather

than bathing, with mud pools, geysers and

ponds of different colours, including the

red Chinoike and blue Umi Jigoku.

About 5km south of Usuki city centre,

you’ll find the Sekibutsu (Stone Buddhas)

carved into a cliff. There are four clusters

of the buddhas, which are designated as

national treasures, and it takes half an

hour to walk the trail past all of them.

FESTIVAL SPIRIT

There are a number of festivals in Oita.

The city of Kunisaki stages the Kebesu

Matsuri on 14 October at

the Kushiku Shrine. It’s a fire

festival that involves two

sides – ‘kebesu’ and ‘touba’

• competing with each
  other. The history of the
  festival remains a mystery
  but it involves a bright fire
  while performers wear white
  clothes and the ‘kebesu’
  put on wooden masks.
  Sake lovers should head
  to the Shirahigetawara
  Shrine in Kitsuki from 17-18
  October for the Doburoku
  Festival, which has been
  running for 1,300 years.
  Visitors will get to try doburoku,
  unfiltered sake that is white,
  thick and sweet, produced by
  some of the few breweries
  allowed to make it.
  The Ontayaki Minto Festival
  runs from 12-13 October, where
  local potters sell their ceramics
  at reasonable prices.
  The Ontayaki pottery village
  is known for its styled ceramics,
  with techniques passed down
  from fathers to sons for more
  than 300 years. Not only do
  you have a chance to shop
  but also to admire the
  Japanese countryside.

POST-MATCH
Downtown in the major cities
is the place to be. In Oita try
Funai-machi, Chuo-machi
and Miyako-machi, in Beppu
head to the Kitahama area, in
Nakatsu visit Hinode-machi
and in Saiki go to Umaimon
Street. If you’re in Usa, try the
Yokkaichi area and in Hita
head to the Kuma area.
Enjoy Oita’s version of fish
and chips – shiitake chips and
fried yellowtail – or dango
soup, a miso noodle soup
topped with dumplings. Wash
that down with a highball with
kabosu citrus fruit. Then try
Fired up Festival action from the Kebesu Matsuri Oita’s local sake and shochu.

WORLD CUP

MATCHES

Wed 2 Oct

New Zealand v Canada

Sat 5 Oct

Australia v Uruguay

Wed 9 Oct

Wales v Fiji

Sat 19 Oct

QF Winner Pool C v

Runner-up Pool D

Sun 20 Oct

QF Winner Pool D v

Runner-up Pool C