January 1999: My Casual Life

The Oita River

Mieko Nagano: Oita City, Japan


The Oita River runs in the center of the valley in which we live. A comfortable cycling road runs on the left bank of the river. We occasionally walk on the road on sunny days. In the distance, we can view Mt. Yufu and Mt. Tsurumi that show elegant slopes on the background of the blue sky. Outside of the bank are rich farming lands. On the shore of the river people enjoy fishing under the mild winter sunlight. Waterfowls drift on the stream that reflects morning brightness. The river offers me some of the best hints to compose "haikus." The Oita River is said to start at a small pond called "Kinrin" in Yufuin basin. The river waters the valley and Oita City, then finally flows into the Beppu Bay at Benten area. The cycling road is officially called "Benten-Yokose Cycling Road," meaning it connects the two areas with a 15-kilometer paved road.

map of Oita


" Yokose" is the name of the area we live in. On a sunny day, I ventured to walk through the road on the bank. As we are afraid that we may get tired on the way, we decided to take a bicycle with us. The bicycle may help us. The road is very popular to many people who enjoy walking or jogging, and taking dogs. We passed under many bridges and saw various things such as housings, water take-in, and drifting waterfowls on the wide surface of the river near the river mouth. I could realize how deeply people depend on the river. The river flows into the Beppu Bay at Benten area, from which hovercrafts depart or arrive. The river also feed water to Oita seaside industrial zone. The trekking taught me how important the river is to the daily life in Oita City and vicinity.

My casual life, November: The Group of Friend
My casual life, October: New COARA
My casual life, May: Personal Computer
My casual life, April: Shopping
My casual life, March: A new home
My casual life, February: My kitchen
My casual life, January: My home land Oita

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mieko@fat.coara.or.jp