On the last Sunday in March when we checked out sakura blossom around the onsen hotel reached peak after two fairly warm days of up to 26C. 

 

 

As it was early we did some grocery shopping in the new Aeon Mall with Daiso on 2F. Afterwards we visited a river dyke along which sakura trees were planted. Here sakura was also in peak blossom with Mt Yufu as an almost perfect backdrop. Lunch in a local soba shop.

 

 

After lunch I drove to nearby Beppu via a mountainous road in order to arrive at Anraku-ji (安楽寺) for its famous sakura tree of over 150 years old.  It’s a Shidarezakura tree whose branches span across the road.  It was serene with a few visitors by cars/motorbike. 

 

 

Along the way to Beppu onsen hotel, we dropped by local parks in Beppu where sakura and azaleas were also blooming. 

 

 

Had stayed in Hotel Suginoi, Kankaiji onsen twice but this time we stayed in its newly opened Sora Kan (tower) with its own onsen and dining. Picked a modern and spacious western style room with view of Bay of Beppu from higher elevation. Thought dinner might be less crowded but it wasn’t.  Next time we’d rather stay in Intercontinental, Kanawa onsen again with less commotion.  This concluded our 7th stay in Beppu. 

 

 

 

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