This is the Kuju Kogen (Kuju Highlands) in Oita Prefecture, which I visited during Golden Week recently. Both panoramas are taken along the “Yamanami Highway”, a scenic route across the mountains between Yufuin and Kurokawa Onsen.
The scenery isn’t typically Japanese – if only because it’s wide and open. Yes, that’s volcanic steam churning out of that mountain – it was quite a spectacular view.
Click on either of the panoramas to see them full size.
