Introduction to Oita Prefecture
Located in the northeastern part of Kyushu, Oita Prefecture is a treasure trove of hot springs, nature, and food. Oita is known for its beautiful seasonal scenery, rich history, and warm local people. Known as a hot spring prefecture, Oita is home to the world-famous Beppu Onsen and Yufuin. In the area around Beppu Station, there are several public hot springs where you can casually drop in, and hot springs are drawn to residences. Of course, there are also many onsen ryokan, making it a popular tourist destination. There are many tourist attractions such as Jigoku Meguri, Yufuin, Kannawa Onsen, and Beppu Ropeway. Oita is also known for its “Seki Saba” (mackerel) and “Seki Aji” (horse mackerel). They are the pride of Oita Prefecture and can only be found in Oita. They are very expensive, but they are extremely fresh and very tasty.
We hope you will consider Oita Prefecture, with its abundance of attractions, as one of your travel destinations.
Geographic location
Oita Prefecture is located in the northeastern part of Kyushu, bordering Fukuoka Prefecture to the north, the Seto Inland Sea to the east at Kunisaki Peninsula, Kumamoto Prefecture to the west, and Miyazaki Prefecture to the south. It is accessible from Ehime, Osaka, and Kobe by ferry.
History & Culture
The area is rich in historical landmarks and hot springs history.
- Onsen Culture: There are many of Japan’s leading hot spring resorts, such as Beppu Onsen and Yufuin Onsen.
- Yu-Kemuri Observatory: This observatory is a symbol of Beppu Onsen, where steam rises from the ground.
- Jigoku Meguri: This is a powerful sightseeing spot in the source area of Beppu Onsen.
- Usa Jingu Shrine: This is the headquarters of some 40,000 Hachiman shrines throughout Japan.
- Nakatsu Castle: This castle is associated with Kanpei Kuroda and features beautiful stone walls.
- Bungo Takada City: A historic townscape from the Edo period still remains.
Tourist attraction
There are many tourist attractions to visit in Oita Prefecture.
Beppu Onsen
A hot spring resort with a history of over 2,000 years, Beppu ranks first in Japan in both the number of sources and the quality of its hot springs, and its 87,616 liters per minute of hot spring water is considered the second largest in the world. Beppu Onsen also has the highest overall satisfaction rating in Japan, making it a must-visit destination for anyone who loves hot springs.
Beppu Hell Tour
These are naturally gushing hot springs that exist in numerous Beppu hot springs. They are intended for viewing and are not available for bathing. They are red or blue in color and look just like “hell,” and are popular tourist attractions in Beppu, including Umi-Jigoku, Blood Pond Hell, and Shiraike Jigoku.
Yufuin Onsen
This is a popular hot spring resort where visitors can enjoy the elegant hot spring town and beautiful nature. The streets of Kinrin-ko and Yufuin are very stylish and photogenic spots.
Beppu Ropeway
The mountain is 1,583 meters above sea level, and you can enjoy the scenery by climbing the mountain or taking the ropeway.
Kokonoe Yume Otsurihashi
With a length of 390 m and a height of 173 m, it is the largest suspension bridge (for pedestrians only) in Japan. The load-bearing capacity is built so that about 1,800 people weighing 65 kg can ride on it at one time without any problem. There is no bungee jumping service, but there is a tourist information center and an observation deck to view the falls, so it is a place where visitors can fully enjoy themselves.
Usa Jingu Shrine
It is the headquarters of about 40,000 Hachiman shrines throughout Japan, and is steeped in history and tradition. It is known as the best power spot in Oita Prefecture and is also known for its wish-fulfilling Jizo. It is said that if you visit the shrine without being seen by anyone, your once-in-a-lifetime wish will be granted. If you visit the shrine with a humble heart, you will get good results in the future.
Food culture
Oita Prefecture’s food culture offers fresh seafood and local cuisine.
Seki mackerel and Seki horse mackerel
The mackerel and horse mackerel caught in the Bungo Channel, where the tides of the Seto Inland Sea and the Pacific Ocean collide, are regarded as high-end brand-name fish. Seki saba (mackerel) is in season from December to March, and seki aji (horse mackerel) is in season from July to September, when its fatty taste is doubled. I once had it, and it was really tasty and expensive.
Toriten
Oita is famous for “toriten,” or chicken tempura. Toriten is a dish of tempura chicken. It is said to have originated in the old days when fried chicken came with bones and women found it difficult to eat, so the boneless thigh meat was cut into bite-size pieces and arranged in a tempura style. Restaurant Toyoken is said to be the origin of toriten, and on holidays, many customers from outside of the prefecture crowd the restaurant, creating long lines of customers. Reservations cannot be made, so the only way to visit is to get in line before the restaurant opens. The parking lot guides give a performance of safety and gratitude.
Hita yakisoba
It is a local dish of Hita City. It looks no different from regular yakisoba, but it is characterized by its light sauce and the savory flavor created by grilling the noodles on a teppan (iron plate). It is a cheap and tasty dish.
Dangojiru
It is a simple local dish containing dumplings kneaded and torn from flour.
Activities
Oita Prefecture offers a wide variety of activities.
Beppu Hell Tour
A visit to Hell, with its steamy hot springs, is a magical experience.
Beppu Onsen Tour
The abundance of hot spring water and the diversity of spring qualities are attractive, and visitors can enjoy visiting some of the world’s best hot spring resorts and touring around the hot springs.
Strolling in Kokonoe Yume Otsurihashi
This pedestrian-only suspension bridge is the tallest in Japan and offers thrilling views.
Strolling in Yufuin
Visitors can stroll through the elegant hot spring resort area and enjoy cafes, museums, and souvenir shops.
Yamanami Highway Cycling
Why not enjoy cycling along the Yamanami Highway, Beppu’s pride and joy? The cycling service will pick you up and drop you off at your favorite place, so you can start from a spectacular view such as Snake Koshi Observation Deck or Yamanami Highway Observation Deck.
Green Tourism
You can experience green tourism in a farming village in Usuki City, Oita Prefecture. You can stay in a good old Japanese farmhouse and learn about agriculture, culture, cooking, and much more. Since the purpose of this plan is to learn, not to stay, it is like a short-term study abroad experience.
Seasonal Recommendations
Spring
- Cherry blossom viewing: Cherry blossom views can be enjoyed at Beppu Park, Yufuin Onsen, and other locations throughout the prefecture.
- Strawberry Picking: Oita Prefecture produces a large amount of strawberries, and the Berries variety is a specialty of Oita.
Summer
- Sea bathing: You can enjoy sea bathing along beautiful coastlines such as Beppu and Saiki.
- Mountain Climbing: There are many mountains where mountain climbing can be enjoyed, including the Kuju Mountain Range and Mt.
Autumn
- Autumn Foliage Viewing: Visitors can enjoy the scenery of autumn foliage throughout the prefecture, including Yufudake and Yabakei.
- Mushroom Picking: Visitors can enjoy picking a variety of mushrooms, including matsutake and shimeji mushrooms. Accompaniment by an expert is required.
Winter
- Onsen Tour: While enjoying the snowy scenery, visitors can tour around Beppu Onsen, Yufuin Onsen, and other hot spring resorts.
- Stargazing: The high altitude of the Kuju mountain range makes it possible to see beautiful starry skies with clear air. The Tadehara Marsh is especially recommended.
Local Culture
Festival
- Beppu Hell Festival: A powerful festival held every July.
- Nakatsu Gion: Held every July, this festival features the spectacular Yamakasa.
Traditional crafts
- Beppu Bamboo Craft: Delicate bamboo craftwork inspired by the hot springs of Beppu.
- Hita cedar from Bungo Takada City: High-grade wood with beautiful grain and high durability.
Transportation
Access to Oita Prefecture from Tokyo is by plane, bullet train, train, or highway bus.
Airplane
It takes about 2 hours from Haneda Airport to Oita Airport. This is the most popular means of transportation.
Shinkansen
From Tokyo Station, take the Tokaido Shinkansen to Kokura and transfer to the limited express Sonic. One-way trip costs about 25,000 yen and takes about 7 hours, so flying is recommended.
Lastly
Oita Prefecture is an attractive tourist destination where you can enjoy hot springs, nature, and food to the fullest. You can enjoy hot springs such as Beppu Onsen and Yufuin Onsen, natural scenery such as Mt. Yufudake and Kokonoe “Dream” Suspension Bridge, and gourmet foods such as Toriten and Sekisaba (mackerel). We hope you will visit Oita Prefecture and enjoy Japanese hot springs and culture to the fullest.