Japan’s charm was on display for everyone to see during the Olympic games this year.
That being said, there is far more to this wonderful country than just its capital. For instance, Oita, a picturesque mountainside region that is demonstrating its value for the second year with a London tourism desk. Tourism Oita set up its desk in London last year and it can’t wait to show more European travellers the beauty of the area.
It is an area full of natural hot baths, with some saying its hot springs are amongst the most beautiful in the world.
A statement from Tourism Oita detailed the natural qualities of this region: “Oita has the hottest springs of anywhere in Japan. Internationally, only Yellowstone National Park in the United States has more.The main difference between Oita and Yellowstone is pretty simple: you’re allowed to get into most of Oita’s onsen and have a bath! About 8m people visited Oita in 2019, before travel restrictions came in.”
This area isn’t just for bathing either. A local style of cooking, known locally as ‘jigokumushi’ – or ‘hell steaming’, sees meals prepared over natural steam vents.
With international travel returning to normality in 2021, this could be a new destination for European tourists.
