Reward Trip #24: [Oita, Matama Coast]
Series #24: [Oita, Matama Coast] One of Japan's 100 Best Sunsets! A reward trip to envision your future amidst the striped patterns of a tidal flat dyed in orange.
[Theme & Destination Introduction]
To you, who works hard every day, why not treat yourself to the ultimate summer vacation reward? For the 24th day of our new series, we will guide you to Matama Coast in Bungotakada City, Oita Prefecture, located at the base of the Kunisaki Peninsula. This is a highly popular, romantic power spot and the only place in Oita Prefecture where you can see a beautiful sunset sinking into the horizon. As dusk approaches,
the jagged striped patterns of the sand revealed by the receding tide and the sparkling puddles begin to be dyed a deep orange by the light of the setting sun. Listening to the sound of the waves while gazing at this fantastic, art-like scenery found nowhere else in the world, you can feel a warmth deep in your chest and your daily busyness gently melting away. "Like this beautiful light, I will make my future shine warmly too!" This is a top-tier reward trip where you can receive plenty of positive power for tomorrow.
[How to Get There]
The starting point for this trip is JR Nippo Main Line's "Usa Station." It takes about 40 minutes from Oita Station on the Limited Express "Sonic." From Usa Station, take a local bus bound for "Bungotakada/Matama" for about 35 minutes, and once you get off at the "Matama Coast" bus stop, the beautiful sea is already spread out right before your eyes.
[Expenses]
These are the basic transportation costs for a round trip from Usa Station to Matama Coast. - Local bus fare (one way): Approximately 600 yen for adults. At about 1,200 yen for a round trip, it is an affordable price to go see a world-class sunset from a front-row seat. With the money you saved, why not luxuriously enjoy Bungotakada's specialty, freshly made "Bungotakada Soba," or a cold drink at a cute seaside cafe!
[Travel Expenses and Admission Fees]
Strolling along the endless, beautiful Matama Coast and admiring the sunset are, of course, "free". Anyone can freely feel the drama of the great outdoors, which changes its expression every moment through the ebb and flow of the tide and the setting sun. As a reward to yourself this time, let's add a special good-luck experience at the facility right in front of the coast, famous as a sanctuary for lovers, "AWASHIMA," by writing your future wishes on a cute heart-shaped padlock (approx. 500 yen) and attaching it.
[Highlights]
The biggest highlight of Matama Coast is, without a doubt, the perfect, breathtaking view that appears only on limited days when the "sunset" and "low tide" times overlap. The light of the sunset reflecting on the water surface and the beautiful waves of sand emerging in black are breathtakingly beautiful. With the sound of waves gently washing your feet as background music, just staring blankly at the gradation of the sky, you can feel your heart clearing and calming down. No matter where you frame it, you can take the best, stylish photos that look like a scene from a movie.
[A Little Detour]
During the daytime before going to see the sunset, let's take a detour to "Bungotakada Showa-no-machi" nearby. This is a very popular tourist spot where the lively and warm shopping street cityscape of the Showa 30s has been stylishly restored just as it was back then. Riding a retro bonnet bus, buying nostalgic candy at a dagashiya (candy store), even children in upper elementary school can feel like they have time-traveled, making it the best detour time that will bring excitement and smiles.
[If Staying Overnight]
If you are staying overnight on this trip and want to spend a higher-grade, special time, we recommend "Spa Land Matama," located a short drive from Matama Coast. It is a hot spring inn surrounded by rich nature, and its greatest pride is the natural hot spring, which is very popular among adult women for making skin smooth. For dinner, you can enjoy a luxurious Japanese course meal using plenty of fresh local seafood, specialty Bungo beef, and freshly made delicious soba noodles. Feeling the quiet night sea breeze, it will be a luxurious adult night where you can treat yourself to the fullest.
[Summary]
How was your trip to Matama Coast, wrapped in the mysterious, orange-glittering tidal flat waves and the world's most beautiful sunset? By fully feeling the overwhelming power of the colors of the great outdoors with your five senses, the excitement for a new start must have spread throughout your chest. After praising yourself a lot for your hard work, now, what kind of wonderful scenery will you encounter tomorrow? Next time, we will finally head on the return route from Oita to Fukuoka! We are heading to the grand panorama of the green karst plateau that Kitakyushu boasts, shining in the summer light. Please look forward to it!