Oita Prefecture
Oita Prefecture, located in north eastern Kyushu, is undoubtedly most well-known within Japan for its onsen (hot springs) as it boasts the greatest number of hot spring locations and the greatest output volume of spring water in the country. However in the hot summers when hot onsen aren’t as appealing, there are many fun activities to keep you cool and entertained. One such activity is the Taketa Soft-Serve Stamp Rally, a yearly event that takes place in the beautiful mountainous areas of Taketa and Kuju in the southwest of Oita Prefecture. Each year from early July to late September around 23 stores throughout the region participate in the Stamp Rally, offering delicious and slightly unusual flavours of soft-serve ice cream to their visitors. If you like ice cream and you’re up for a challenge, anyone who eats and collects all 23 ice cream stamps can submit their stamp card to receive official Taketa Soft-Serve Rally Ambassador status in the form of a certificate and a stylish badge.
Soy sauce soft-serve
At its heart, the Taketa region is an agricultural community, which was reflected in some of the 2013 ice cream flavours such as tomato, spinach, kabosu (a locally grown tangy citrus fruit resembling a lime), blueberry, soy milk and yoghurt. The flavours for the 2014 Rally are sure to be just as delicious and exciting.
Many of the ice cream locations are quite spread out and the most convenient method of hopping between them is definitely by car. During your road trip you can enjoy the breathtaking sights of Oita’s mountainous scenery. Around 70% of Oita Prefecture is covered by beautiful, lush forests, and the best time to see them is in summer when they are at their greenest.
A number of the participating ice cream stores are also home to onsen, and while it might be a little warm for full-body bathing, a refreshing alternative is the ashiyu (foot onsen) that can be enjoyed by visitors for free. There are few things as relaxing as dipping your toes in warm spring waters and chatting with friends while enjoying a refreshingly cool ice cream.
Rest your weary feet in
an ashiyu (foot onsen)
The scenic mountains of
the Taketa region
Kuju Flower Park and Kuju Winery
The colourful flower fields of
Kuju Flower Park
If you find yourself a little full of ice cream and want to see some of the other features this area has to offer, the Kuju Flower Park is well worth a visit. At the Flower Park visitors can stroll through the flower fields, take part in jam making and flower drying workshops, celebrate at the seasonal flower festivals and go blueberry picking. At the Kuju Winery visitors can take a tour of the vineyards, sample and purchase locally made wine and dine at the on-site restaurant. If you’re traveling with a furry friend, both locations also have dog-friendly policies, with just a few simple rules to keep in mind.
You might initially come for the ice cream, but you will want to stay for the history, gorgeous scenery and warm, welcoming people. Maps and brochures for this year’s Soft-Serve Rally event will be available online and at all participating ice cream stores from the end of June.
For more information:
Tourism Oita homepage http://www.visit-oita.jp/index.e.html (Japanese, English, Korean, Chinese pages available)
Oita Prefectural Government, Tourism and Regional Promotion Division