May 2024 Tour Day 2

Beppu is famous for its hot springs. Some are over 100 degrees centigrade and the water is coloured by the rocks it flows through. These super-hot, madly coloured hot springs are known as the Beppu Hells. We went to Umi Jigoku (sea hell) and Chinoike Jigoku (blood hell). Leaving Beppu we visited Takasakiyama, home to hundreds of wild monkeys. There was a sense of trepidation among the riders as the monkeys in places like Gibralta are renowned for being mischievous. There was nothing to fear, however. The monkeys were very chill. The rest of the day was some lovely riding (despite a bit of rain) into a mountain lodge hotel in Gokase, right in the middle of the island.