A Dog-Friendly Cherry Blossom Drive in Oita: Nagayu Onsen Weeping Cherry Village & Beppu Ropeway

The sky was a bit overcast from the morning. “Well, if it’s just a drizzle, maybe there’ll be fewer people,” we told ourselves as we set off for Oita with Elmo. Our destinations were the Nagayu Onsen Weeping Cherry Blossom Village—a place I’d been curious about for a while—and Beppu Ropeway, which my wife suggested on a whim.

As usual, Elmo was in the back seat, alternating between gazing out the window and dozing off. You really get the sense that dogs enjoy the mellow pace of a drive just as much as the destination. As we approached the Nagayu Onsen area, the landscape shifted into a mountainous vibe. With cherry blossoms blooming here and there along the roadside, my mood lifted. “Man, mountain roads in spring are the best,” I thought, telling Elmo, “We’re almost at the big cherry blossom spot!”

Walking Through the Rain at Nagayu Onsen Weeping Cherry Blossom Village

By the time we reached the “Weeping Cherry Blossom Village” in the Nagayu Onsen area, the rain had turned into a proper downpour. We’d come all this way only for it to pour… We decided to wait in the car for a bit, hoping for a break in the weather.

Even through the windshield, the blossoms inside the park were stunning. The park spans about 100,000 square meters with roughly 2,600 trees across six varieties, and seeing it in person, I knew immediately: “We struck gold here.” I just wish it had been sunny.

When the rain finally let up a little, I thought, “Now’s our chance!” and dashed out with Elmo. The ground was a bit muddy, but that only added to the dewy, ethereal atmosphere of the weeping cherries—a unique charm you only get on rainy days.

The park is incredibly vast; as far as the eye can see, it’s nothing but cherry blossoms. We strolled through what felt like pink curtains of weeping branches hanging low. Elmo, despite getting a bit wet, was the type to keep wiggling his butt and charging ahead. I was worried he might be cold, but one look at his face told me he was having a blast—he was in full “adventure mode.”

On the slopes, it wasn’t just weeping cherries; rapeseed blossoms and daffodils were blooming too, creating a gorgeous contrast between yellow and pink. From the higher ground, you could look down on a “sea of cherry blossoms.” It was the kind of view that demands a photoshoot, so I spent the walk with a leash in one hand and my phone in the other, snapping away.

I was also happy to see quite a few food stalls out, giving the place a festive vibe. Despite the rain, there were more people than I expected, all enjoying the blossoms under their umbrellas. Elmo kept looking around, distracted by the delicious smells from the stalls—it was adorable.

With parking for 500 cars and a reasonable 500 yen entry fee, it’s very accessible. Even though the conditions weren’t perfect due to the rain, the lack of crowds and the deep, vivid colors of the wet petals made it a truly worthwhile experience.

The Otherworldly “Blossoms x Fog x Ropeway” at Beppu Ropeway

After our walk at Nagayu Onsen, we headed to the Beppu Ropeway. It’s a famous spot where one of Kyushu’s largest gondolas (fitting 101 people) whisks you up to the 1,300m summit of Mt. Tsurumi.

However, the rain started getting heavier, making it a bit too harsh to keep Elmo outside for long. In the end, we let him have a quick walk around the parking lot before letting him rest in the car.

The parking lot at Beppu Ropeway is absolutely massive. Official info says it holds about 250 cars, and standing there, I realized, “If it were sunny, just walking a lap around this lot would be a great workout for a dog.”

The highlight of the day was undoubtedly the “fog.” Beppu is known for being foggy, and this day was no exception—the mountains were completely white. This area can be tricky to drive in, as highways often close due to zero visibility. But that fog made the scenery of the blossoms and the ropeway incredibly dramatic.

Cherry blossoms were in full bloom around the station building, and as the gondola slowly moved past them, it was swallowed up by the white mist. The pink of the blossoms, the green of the mountain, and the pure white fog created a scene straight out of a movie. “Wow, this is insane… it’s so beautiful,” I muttered, completely entering “photographer mode.” The way the blossoms on the distant slopes were enveloped in fog created a sense of depth that you really have to see with your own eyes. My amateur photos don’t do it justice.

Both my camera and I got soaked in the rain, but I couldn’t stop taking pictures. Honestly, I hadn’t realized Beppu Ropeway was such a premier spot for cherry blossoms. It was a wonderful surprise.

One thing for dog owners to note: pets are not allowed on the ropeway itself (assistance dogs are an exception). Still, you can enjoy the blossoms plenty just around the parking area, and in good weather, a loop around the lot with your dog would be a very satisfying walk.

Reflections on a Rainy-Day Drive with a Dog

Our drive through Oita was a day spent “dancing in the rain.” While sunny weather is obviously ideal, this trip reminded me that rainy days have their own special merits.

At Nagayu Onsen, the wet weeping cherries looked more vibrant against the green mountains. Seeing Elmo happily sniffing around despite his damp fur made me so glad we came. At Beppu Ropeway, I witnessed a combination of blossoms, fog, and the ropeway that you likely wouldn’t see on a clear day. The sight of the gondola vanishing into the mist felt like a reward for venturing out in the rain.

From a dog owner’s perspective:

• Nagayu Onsen Weeping Cherry Village is great for a long walk and the food stalls are a plus.
• Beppu Ropeway doesn’t allow dogs on the ride, but the parking area is perfect for blossoms and a stroll.
• Both are very car-accessible and make for a great driving duo.

A few tips for anyone planning a visit:

• Waterproof shoes and a towel for your dog are a must on rainy days.
• Weather in the mountains changes fast; watch out for fog and poor visibility (especially on the highway near Beppu).
• If you go to Beppu Ropeway with a dog, go with the mindset that you’re there for the surrounding walk rather than the ride.

All in all, our “Oita Cherry Blossom Chase” was a highly satisfying day, even if we got a little wet. I’m already looking forward to going back to Beppu Ropeway on a sunny day with the whole family and Elmo to finally walk that full lap around the parking lot.