Crossing the Yufu-dake Pass we headed for Beppu. As we approached the Tsurumi-dake Ropeway, we took the chance. In just a few minutes the gondola brought us to 1300m, where we enjoyed the sight of Beppu and Kyushu inland, for once without breaking a sweat.
After the following decline arriving in Beppu, we parked our bicycled and relaxed. Our Ryokan was located in Kannawa district, which hosts a great variety of hot springs. We were treating our legs in a unique steam bath or cooked our whole body in a herb grass steam bath. Neverthelesd, visiting the hot sand bath was the highlight of our stay. Dressed in a Yukata, were buried up to the neck in hot sand. For 15 minutes we lay there, sweating out the efforts of the past days!