Along the Dohtonbori River in the center of Beppu, there are many long-established candy stores and restaurants. As you walk through this area, you will be enveloped by the unique fragrant aroma. It comes from the aroma of 'Jigoku-mushi' produced by the riverside shops.
'Jigoku-mushi' is a specialty dish of Beppu, where vegetables, meat, and takoyaki are steamed in a steamer for about 10 minutes. The fragrant and spicy aroma produced by this cooking method has become a symbol of Dohtonbori.
When you visit Dohtonbori, you will find many quaint traditional shops. The old-fashioned storefronts and the snacks and souvenirs displayed in front of them exude a retro Showa atmosphere.
Among them, 'Nishikimatsudo', a long-established store for 'konpeito' since the Meiji era, retains an unchanged appearance. The wooden interior of the store is one of the highlights, exuding a retro atmosphere.
It is also recommended to take a break on the benches along the Dohtonbori River. Watching the flickering lights on the river while feeling the hustle and bustle around you, this leisurely time will surely become a wonderful memory of your trip.
Adding a bit of humor, you could even change the aroma of 'Jigoku-mushi' to 'Beppu's aroma', which may add a touch of color to your travel memories.