Oita Travel Guide

Trek Zone

City

Facts and practical information

Located on the southern coast of Japan's Kyushu Island, Oita is a charming city that offers a mix of natural beauty, cultural heritage, and modern attractions. Known for its hot springs, stunning landscapes, and delicious cuisine, Oita is a must-visit destination for travelers seeking an authentic Japanese experience.

One of the highlights of Oita is Beppu, a famous hot spring resort town just a short distance away. Beppu is home to a variety of hot spring baths, ranging from traditional onsen to sand baths and mud baths. Visitors can relax and rejuvenate in these therapeutic waters while taking in the picturesque surroundings. Beppu is also known for its unique "Hell Tour," where tourists can explore several hot spring sources that emit steam and boiling water, creating a surreal and otherworldly atmosphere.

For nature enthusiasts, Oita offers breathtaking landscapes that are perfect for outdoor activities. Takasakiyama Natural Zoological Garden is a popular spot to observe wild Japanese macaques in their natural habitat. The monkeys freely roam the area, allowing visitors to get up close and personal with these adorable creatures. In addition, the Kunisaki Peninsula is a hiker's paradise, with its lush forests, scenic trails, and ancient temples that date back to the 8th century.

Oita is also a city that celebrates art and culture. The Oita Art Museum showcases a diverse collection of contemporary and traditional Japanese art, including ceramics, paintings, and sculptures. The museum itself is an architectural masterpiece that harmoniously blends with its natural surroundings. For those interested in history, Usuki is a small town in Oita that boasts a number of well-preserved samurai residences and stone Buddhas, providing a glimpse into Japan's feudal past.

No visit to Oita would be complete without indulging in its delectable cuisine. The city is renowned for its "Bungo Beef," a premium wagyu beef that is known for its marbling and melt-in-your-mouth tenderness. Oita is also famous for its seafood, particularly its fresh sashimi and seafood hot pots. Food lovers can explore the local markets and restaurants to savor the flavors of Oita's culinary delights.

Local name: 大分市 Population: 477.7 thous. (2019)Area: 193.54 mi²Elevation: 46 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 33°14'14"N, 131°36'22"E

Location

Region: OitaJapan

Contact

Website

Social media

Add

Oita Top Attractions

Oita Attractions - What to See and Explore

Oita offers many attractions and places to visit. Here are the most important ones: City Art Museum, Ōita City Historical Museum, Yusuhara Hachimangū, Funai Castle. Below you will find a complete list of places worth visiting.

Art museum • Museum
City Art Museum
Ōita City Art Museum opened in Ōita, Ōita Prefecture, Japan, in 1999. The collection includes Nihonga, Yōga, Bungo Nanga, crafts, modern art, and the Important Cultural Property Materials relating to Tanomura Chikuden.
Museum
Ōita City Historical Museum
Ōita City Historical Museum opened in Ōita, Ōita Prefecture, Japan, in 1987. The collection comprises materials relating to Ōita. The museum itself is on the site of the former Bungo Kokubun-ji, the provincial temple of Bungo province.
Sacred and religious sites • Temple
Yusuhara Hachimangū
Yusuhara Hachiman-gū, also known as Yasuhara Shrine, is a Japanese Shinto shrine in Oita, Oita on the island of Kyushu.

Forts and castles • Historical place
Funai Castle
Funai Castle is a 16th-century castle, located in Ōita city, Ōita Prefecture, Japan. It was built by Ōtomo Sōrin in 1562, who owned much of the surrounding Kyūshū island. The castle was originally built with several turrets, all of which were burnt down with the three story donjon in 1743.
Art museum • Museum
Ōita Prefectural Art Museum
The Ōita Prefectural Art Museum, also known informally as OpAm, is an art museum and community exhibition venue in Ōita Prefecture, Japan. The museum is located in the center of the prefectural capital Ōita-shi, a 15-minute walk north-west of Ōita Station.
Sacred and religious sites • Temple
Sasamuta-jinja
Sasamuta-jinja is a Japanese Shinto shrine in Ōita, Ōita on the island of Kyushu.
Skyscraper
Oasis Hiroba 21
The Oasis Hiroba 21 is a skyscraper located in Ōita, Ōita Prefecture, Japan. Construction of the 102-metre, 21-storey skyscraper was finished in 1998.
Universities and schools
Oita Prefectural College of Arts and Culture
Oita Prefectural College of Arts and Culture is a public junior college in Ōita, Ōita Prefecture, Japan, established in 1961. The university has departments in art, music, global studies, and information and communication.
Universities and schools
Oita University
Oita University is a national university in Ōita, Ōita Prefecture, Japan. It was established in 1949, and in 2003 absorbed Oita Medical University, which had been established in 1976.

Things to See and Do in Oita by Category

Sights, interesting and unusual places and attractions valued by most tourists. See the list of places to visit in Oita.

Active

Ōita Bank Dome
Oita
Outdoor activitiesFootballArenas and stadiums
Oita Athletic Stadium
Oita
FootballArenas and stadiumsSport venue
Bai mugorufu ju le bu
Oita
Golf

Day trips

Oita – popular in the area (distance from the center)

In the vicinity of Oita, it's worth seeing attractions such as: Mount Kujū (Yaba-Hita-Hikosan Quasi-National Park), Mount Yufu (Yufu), Aso Volcano Museum (Mount Aso).

24 milesSW
Nature, Natural attraction, Volcano
Mount Kujū, Yaba-Hita-Hikosan Quasi-National Park
Mount Kujū, nestled within the verdant expanses of Yaba-Hita-Hikosan Quasi-National Park in Japan, is a serene destination for nature enthusiasts and hikers alike. Known for its picturesque landscapes and tranquil atmosphere, the mountain is part of the Kujū Mountain...
13 milesW
Nature, Natural attraction, Volcano
Mount Yufu, Yufu
Mount Yufu, often referred to as the "Mount Fuji of Oita," is a striking twin-peaked volcano that dominates the skyline of Yufu City in the Oita Prefecture of Japan. With its picturesque silhouette, it is a beloved symbol of the area and a popular destination for...
40 milesSW
Specialty museum, Science museum, Natural history museum
Aso Volcano Museum, Mount Aso
The Aso Volcano Museum is a museum that explains volcanoes. It is near Mount Aso, the largest active volcano in Japan. The Museum is in Kusasenri, Aso City, Kumamoto Prefecture.
35 milesNW
History museum, Historical place, Forts and castles
Nakatsu Castle, Nakatsu
Nakatsu Castle is a Japanese castle in the city of Nakatsu in Ōita Prefecture. It is known as one of the three mizujiro, or "castles on the sea", in Japan, with Takamatsu Castle in Kagawa Prefecture and Imabari Castle in Ehime Prefecture.
11 milesW
Nature, Natural attraction, Volcano
Mount Tsurumi, Beppu
Mount Tsurumi is a 1,374.5 m volcano in Beppu, Ōita, Japan.

Show all

Best Time To Visit Oita

Learn when is the best time to travel to Oita weather-wise and what to expect in each season.

Popularity among visitors

JFMAMJJASOND

April, May and August are the busiest months in this location. Slightly fewer tourists decide to visit in January and July.

Average temperatures in °F

JFMAMJJASOND

The highest air temperature is in July and August. While the coldest is in January, February and December.

Monthly rainfall in inches

JFMAMJJASOND

The lowest rainfall is recorded in January and December. Most of it rains in June and July.

Length of day in hours

JFMAMJJASOND

We can expect the longest days in June, while the shortest in December.

Sunrise

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are the top attractions to visit in Oita?

The top attractions to visit in Oita are:

What is the best time to visit Oita?

April, May and August are the busiest months in this location. Slightly fewer tourists decide to visit in January and July. The highest air temperature is in July and August. While the coldest is in January, February and December.