Ōita, Japan

Reading Time: 7 minutes

Ōita, Japan

Region: Ōita

---

Geographic Coordinates: 33.233300, 131.607000

Climate: Seasonal.

Population: 477186

Language: Japanese

---

Ōita is a picturesque city located in the southern part of Japan’s Kyushu Island, Known for its hot springs, Stunning natural scenery, And rich cultural heritage. The city has a population of around 480, 000 people and covers an area of approximately 500 square kilometers. One of the most famous attractions in Ōita is Beppu Onsen, One of the largest hot spring resorts in Japan. Visitors can explore eight different hot springs areas that offer unique experiences such as Jigoku Meguri (Hell Tour), Where they can observe boiling mud pools and steam vents that create an eerie atmosphere.

Ōita also boasts several beautiful parks and gardens worth exploring. Takasakiyama Natural Zoological Garden is one such park that houses over 1, 300 monkeys from various species. Visitors can observe these monkeys up close as they roam freely around the park. Another must-visit attraction in Ōita is Usa Jingu Shrine which was founded over 1, 300 years ago and dedicated to Hachiman God (the god of war). The shrine features several ornate buildings with intricate wood carvings and colorful decorations.

Food lovers will enjoy Ōita’s local cuisine offerings such as toriten (fried chicken), Kabosu citrus fruit dishes or basashi (horse meat sashimi). Additionally there are many restaurants serving delicious seafood caught from nearby waters including sushi made with fresh fish like tuna or squid. there are many festivals held throughout year including ‘Oita Toji’ which showcases traditional Japanese arts & crafts as well as food stalls selling local specialties like soba noodles or yakitori skewers cooked on open flames! Ōita offers something for everyone; whether you’re interested in history & culture, Natural beauty or simply relaxing in hot springs.

It is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Japan.’

---

---

1. Beppu Onsen is a renowned hot spring resort town with more than 2,000 hot springs.
2. Usuki Stone Buddhas is a collection of over 60 stone Buddha statues carved into the cliffs and hillsides.
3. Yufuin is a picturesque town famous for its traditional architecture, artisan shops, and scenic views of Mt. Yufu.
4. Takasakiyama Monkey Park is home to over 1,500 Japanese macaques that roam freely in their natural habitat.
5. Oita Prefectural Art Museum is a modern art museum showcasing works by local artists as well as international exhibitions.
6. Hells of Beppu (Jigoku) are eight geothermal pools known for their vibrant colors and steam vents.
7. Usa Jingu Shrine is one of Japan’s oldest Shinto shrines dedicated to Hachiman, the god of war and agriculture.
8. Nakatsu Castle Ruins are the remains of an early 17th-century castle that offers panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.
9. Oita Marine Palace Aquarium Umitamago houses various marine creatures including dolphins, sea lions, penguins etc.
10. Kitsuki Castle Town is an ancient castle town preserved with traditional buildings which has been listed among Japan’s Important Preservation Districts for Groups of Historic Buildings.

---

1. Agriculture: Ōita is known for its farming industry, producing crops such as rice, wheat, barley, and vegetables.
2. Tourism: Ōita is famous for its hot springs (onsen) and scenic beauty. It attracts a large number of tourists every year.
3. Manufacturing: The manufacturing sector in Ōita includes the production of electronics, machinery, textiles, and food products.
4. Healthcare: There are several hospitals and medical facilities in Ōita that offer high-quality healthcare services.
5. Education: There are several universities and colleges in Ōita that provide higher education to students from different parts of Japan.
6. Fishing: The fishing industry is also significant in Ōita due to its location on the coast of the Seto Inland Sea.
7. Retail: Retail businesses such as supermarkets, department stores, and specialty shops contribute significantly to the economy of Ōita.
8. Transportation: The transportation sector includes railways, buses, taxis, and other public transportation services that connect different parts of the city with each other and with neighboring cities.

---

1. Beppu Onsen: Beppu is renowned for its hot springs, boasting over 2,000 of them.
2. Oita Trinita: Oita Trinita is a professional football club located in Oita City and competes in the J.League.
3. Usuki Stone Buddhas: The Usuki Stone Buddhas are a collection of Buddhist sculptures found in Usuki City that date back to the Heian period.
4. Takasakiyama Natural Zoological Garden: The Takasakiyama Natural Zoological Garden is a monkey park situated in Ōita City and houses more than 1,500 Japanese macaques.
5. Shigetaka Kurita: Shigetaka Kurita, an artist and graphic designer from Ōita, invented emojis while working at NTT DoCoMo.
6. Maki Ohguro: Maki Ohguro hails from Kokonoe Town in Ōita Prefecture and is a singer-songwriter.
7. Kuniko Inoguchi: Kuniko Inoguchi served as Minister of State for Gender Equality and Social Affairs under Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi between 2005-2006; she’s also a politician.
8. Kiyotaka Fukushima: Kiyotaka Fukushima was an Olympic marathon runner who won bronze at the Mexico Olympics (1968) and silver at the Montreal Olympics (1976).
9. Yutaka Takei: Yutaka Takei was an actor famous for his appearances in samurai films like Zatoichi and Lone Wolf and Cub.
10. Tsuyoshi Sudō: Tsuysoshi Sudō was an author from Nakatsu City whose works include Summer Clouds which won Akutagawa Prize(1970)and The Silent Cry which won Tanizaki Prize(1963).

---

1. Usuki Stone Buddhas: A collection of over 60 stone statues carved during the 12th century.
2. Oita Art Museum: A museum showcasing contemporary art, as well as traditional Japanese art.
3. Beppu Jigoku Meguri: A series of eight hot springs known as the Eight Hells of Beppu.
4. Takasakiyama Natural Zoological Garden: An open-air zoo that features monkeys and other animals native to Japan.
5. Funai Castle Ruins: The ruins of a castle built in the early 17th century by the daimyo Otomo Sorin.
6. Ōita Prefectural Museum: A museum dedicated to the history and culture of Ōita prefecture.
7. Yufuin Onsen: A hot spring town known for its picturesque streets lined with shops and cafes.
8. Kyushu Ceramic Museum: A museum showcasing ceramics from all over Kyushu, including traditional pottery techniques and modern ceramic art.
9. Hiji Waterfall Park: A scenic park featuring a waterfall, hiking trails, and a suspension bridge overlooking the gorge below.
10. Harajiri Falls: One of Japan’s 100 Best Waterfalls, located in Bungo-ono city in Ōita prefecture.

---

---

1. Oita Trinita is a professional football club located in Ōita city, founded in 1994. They have been playing in Japan’s top football league, J-League, since 2002 and were the runners-up in the Emperor’s Cup of 2008.
2. The Panasonic Wild Knights are a rugby union team based in Ōita city that was established as the Matsushita Electric Industrial RFC in 1951. Over the years, they have won multiple titles including six Top League championships.
3. Bungo Takada FC is a semi-professional football club situated in Taketa city of Ōita prefecture that was founded back in 1970 and currently plays its matches at Japan Football League (JFL).
4. Nippon Steel Kamaishi FC is another semi-professional football club located within Kamaishi city of Ōita prefecture that was established by employees of Nippon Steel Corporation and plays their home matches at Kamaishi Recovery Memorial Stadium.
5. Higashi-Ōita Trinita SC is an affiliated youth academy with Oita Trinita that aims to promote grassroots development across eastern Ōita prefecture for football enthusiasts.
6. OITA Miyoshi Weisse Adler is a women’s professional soccer team from Japan playing at Showa Denko Dome OITA stadium.

---

---

1. Oita Tanabata Festival is held in August to celebrate the legend of two stars, Orihime and Hikoboshi, who can meet only once a year on the seventh day of the seventh month due to being separated by the Milky Way.
2. Beppu Hot Springs Festival takes place in February and celebrates Beppu’s famous hot springs with parades, street performances, and fireworks.
3. Yufuin Floral Village Spring Flower Festival is held in April and May where visitors can enjoy various flowers blooming throughout Yufuin Floral Village.
4. Usa Jingu Shrine Autumn Festival takes place in October or November and features traditional Japanese music performances along with food stalls at Usa Jingu Shrine.
5. Bungotakada Tango Lantern Floating Ceremony is held in August or September near Bungotakada City Hall along the Tango River.
6. Oita International Wheelchair Marathon is organized every year since 1981 for people with disabilities to participate alongside able-bodied participants on February 21st.
7. Kunisaki Peninsula Kodo Arts Festival is an annual event that takes place during Golden Week (April/May) where visitors can see live performances from musicians playing traditional Japanese instruments such as taiko drums and shamisen.
8. Nakatsu Summer Night Market sets up during summer nights with many food stalls selling local delicacies like yakitori (grilled chicken skewers), takoyaki (octopus balls), okonomiyaki (Japanese savory pancake), clothing accessories, etc.,
9. Oita Toilennale Art Festa is an art exhibition held annually between July to September showcasing contemporary art created by local artists as well as international artists at various locations across Oita city including museums & galleries.

---

1. Toriten: A dish of deep-fried chicken that is a specialty of Ōita.
2. Bungo beef: A type of wagyu beef from the Bungo region, known for its marbling and tenderness.
3. Sekiya Ramen: A famous ramen chain that originated in Ōita, known for its rich and flavorful pork broth.
4. Yufuin soba: Buckwheat noodles made with water from the Yufuin hot springs area.
5. Beppu Onsen steamed dishes: Various seafood and vegetables steamed using the natural steam from the hot springs in Beppu city.
6. Ajimu Yakitori: Grilled chicken skewers served with various sauces and seasonings at this popular restaurant in Ajimu town.
7. Ichimura Sushi: A sushi restaurant that serves fresh seafood caught locally off the coast of Ōita prefecture.
8. Oyama Shokudo: A casual diner-style restaurant serving traditional Japanese comfort food like tonkatsu (breaded pork cutlet) and omurice (rice omelette).
9. Katsukiya Tonkatsu: Another popular tonkatsu restaurant chain originating from Ōita, known for its crispy fried pork cutlets served with special sauce.
10. Hina no Yakata Cafe & Restaurant : This cafe-restaurant located at Hina no Yakata Castle offers a variety of local dishes such as toriten, oyakodon (chicken rice bowl), tempura soba etc., while enjoying a panoramic view of Nakatsu City from atop a hill overlooking it.

---

1. Takasakiyama Natural Zoological Garden is a highly visited zoo that houses more than 1,300 animals, including monkeys, tigers and elephants.
2. Beppu Park is a vast park that boasts of a lake, playgrounds and walking paths.
3. Oita City Culture Center offers various events and activities such as music concerts, theater performances and art exhibitions.
4. Saiki Castle Ruins Park provides breathtaking views of the city from its ancient castle ruins park.
5. Usuki Castle Ruins Park has historical significance and is another castle ruins park worth visiting.
6. Kujyu National Park located in the central part of Ōita prefecture offers scenic views of mountains and lakes along with hiking trails for adventure enthusiasts.
7. Hells of Beppu (Jigoku) are thermal hot springs located in Beppu city that offer unique natural scenery for visitors to enjoy.
8. Yufuin Onsen Town is famous for its picturesque scenery and traditional Japanese architecture as well as being a hot spring resort town.
9. Kunisaki Peninsula Geopark is a UNESCO Global Geopark situated on the Kunisaki Peninsula which features unique geological formations such as sea caves, cliffs, and rock formations.
10. Oita Marine Palace Aquarium Umitamago is an aquarium with an extensive collection of marine life including dolphins, sharks, penguins etc.

---

---