Yukemuri Yokocho in the Tokiwa department store, Beppu

photo by Wkpn · CC BY-SA 3.0

At Toyo-Ken, in the basement, tori-ten was born: the fried chicken that is the symbol of Oita.

Beppu's only department store, with a hot-spring-themed food hall in the basement that brings together the city's food specialities. The Toyo-Ken restaurant, inside it, is identified as the birthplace of tori-ten, the marinated fried chicken that is a food speciality of Oita Prefecture.

Tokiwa Beppu, located near the Kita-hama bus terminal, is the city's only department store. In its basement (west wing) is the Yukemuri Yokocho (‘hot-spring steam alley’), a food hall that brings together local restaurants in a simple, accessible format, including Rokusai, which specialises in the handmade cold ramen typical of Beppu, and Toyo-Ken, identified as the birthplace of tori-ten, the fried chicken marinated in soy sauce that is one of the best-known food specialities of Oita Prefecture. On the ground floor there is also a souvenir market, and the store offers free foot baths.

ℹ️ Store opening hours: 10:00–19:00. The food hall keeps the same hours, with possible early closing at busy times. Rokusai: from 11:00 until the broth runs out. Toyo-Ken: 11:00–16:00 and 17:00–18:20. Access: next to the Kita-hama bus terminal, near Beppu Station.

🚉 Beppu · 7 min walk

Sources: tokiwa-dept.co.jp

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