Japanese January 18, 2003: Beer Forest in Hita (2)
	Well, the tour starts at last.
Huge brewing tanks shin beautifully.
	The tour conductor explains the brewing process. The hop gathering picture is unusual for me.
The yeast fungi self-reproduce in the tank like this, a video tells me.
	On Saturday, the line is off. A video demonstrates how the actual line works.
The bottles filled with beer are lifted like this, a vacuum lifter.
	Human eye inspection is still important in final checking line. Can you detect a less-charged bottle?
Empty cans and bins are completely recycled. The segregated disposal is a must to keep the clean environment.
	The product samples fill the wall of the corridor. They are very impressive.
	Here, let's taste the just-born- beer. My husband handed his car key to me. Fresh beer was really good, he said. All the visitors enjoy the beer up to their necks.
Hita City, a western part of Oita prefecture, spread under our eyes, telling it is an area surrounded with low hills.
	After the guided tour, we came down to the restaurant. A stone monument of Ebisu(Yebisu), the deity of commerce and who brings us happiness, sits in the pond with smile.
We got in the restaurant. Large pizza, mushroom spaghetti, and a baked potato were our lunch menu.
	After the Beer Forest, we visited Mrs. Uratsuka. Whenever we visit Hita, we can't miss to see her.
She is one of my old PC friends. She looks very good with wonderful smile. I was very happy to see her. In the spacious Tatami room was a low-legged chair called "Ozashiki-Isu." It is a test sample of Hita Japanese cedar I have had a wonderful day today.
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