OITA PREFECTURE
Oita Prefecture is located in Kyushu and is famous for its rich hot spring resources. With sand, mud and water hot springs tucked away in unspoiled highlands and forests, Oita Prefecture is a place to relax the body and get in touch with nature. Besides that, seasonal blossoms and scenery, unique experiences, merrymaking festivals and satisfying meals are waiting for us to explore.
Seasonal Highlights
Spring
In Ota, you can see the early cherry blossoms, which bloom from the end of February through to early March. Oka Castle Ruins has been selected as one of "Japan’s Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots".
Summer
Kuju Flower Park: A unique flower park that contains volcanic landscapes and golden marshlands with walking trails. There are about 500 species of 5 million flowers in full bloom inside this park.
Autumn
Lake Kinrin means “Golden Fish Scale”. During sunset, the scales of the fish swimming in the lake appear like a golden glitter. You also may see the beautiful reflection of mountains, buildings and trees on the lake.
Winter
For those who love Japanese onsen (hot springs), Beppu will be the hallowed vacation destination for them because Beppu has the largest volume of water discharged in western Japan.
Hell Tour – Jigoku Meguri
Umi Jigoku (Sea Hell)
It is the largest and widest onsen on the Jigoku Meguri Tour. High levels of iron sulfate make it cobalt blue in colour.
Kamado Jigoku (Cooking Pot Hell)
There are various jigoku in Kamado Jigoku which is from 1st district to 6th district and have the most varied experiences. Besides simply bathing in onsen, you can also experience onsen through drinking and smelling.
Chinoike Jigoku (Blood Pond Hell)
It is Japan’s oldest natural hell. It stretches back more than 1300 years ago. Vivid red color of water is because it contains iron and magnesium oxides.
Oniyama Jigoku (Demon Mountain Hell)
It is the first place in Japan where crocodiles were bred using the heat of onsen. There are about 70 crocodiles and alligators living there nowadays.
Oniishi Bozu Jigoku (Monk’s hell)
It is a mud pond. It is named after the gurgling mud bubbles that rise to the surface and resemble like a monk’s shaved head.
Tatsumaki Jigoku (Spout Hell)
It is a hot geyser in this valley. The geyser shoots up boiling water at regular intervals and it can go up to a height of 50 meters without the roof.
Shiraike Jigoku (White Pond Hell)
It features a pond of hot, milky water that is surrounded by a nice garden. So, visitors can take a lot of instagrammable photos here.
Yama Jigoku (Mountain Hell)
It spews thick steam through the rock surface of the mountain.
Unique Experiences
Sand Bath
It is a one-of-a-kind experience in which you are covered in hot sand up to your neck and allowed to sweat.
Beppu Onsen Hoyoland
It is unique with its creamy mud bath. The mud has an excellent skin beautifying effect.
Yakatabune Dinner
The 'yakatabune' is a traditional cruising boat since Edo period till today. Getting on a boat, can enjoy the river view while having dinner.
Attractions
Kokonoe Yume Otsurihashi Bridge
It is the highest suspension walkway bridge in Japan at 173 meters and 390 meters long. Beyond the bridge, you can enjoy wonderful views of mountains, forest and one of Japan’s top 100 waterfalls.
Lake Kinrin
The high temperature of lake water caused by fresh water and onsen flow into the lake creates a natural phenomenon of steam rising from the surface.
Mamedamachi
It is a traditional shopping center with authentic ancestral buildings and crafts. It is also known as “Little Kyoto”. These buildings have been designated as an “Important Preservation District of Historic Buildings”.
Harajiri Falls
It is also known as “Niagara Falls of Japan” for its distinctive horseshoe shape, but these falls are much smaller.
Festivals
Hita Sennen Akari
It is also known as Hita’s Lantern Festival. Thousands of lightning bamboo lanterns are lined up in Mameda Town and the Kagetsu River.
Usuki Gion Festival
A summer festival held continuously for the past 360 years. Nakatsu, Hita and Usuki hold Gion festivals on July 21st and 22nd July yearly.
Meals
Bungo beef
Bungo beef is a locally grown beef in Oita. It has a beautiful marble-white colour and mild soft texture, which is a high quality product of which Oita can be proud. You can enjoy Bungo beef with barbecue.
Jigokumushi
It is also known as "hell-steaming." It is an ancient cooking method that uses the hot spring steam that constantly spouts from the ground. Seasonal vegetables, fish, meat and even buns and pudding also steam via hot spring steam.
Seki-Aji and Seki Saba
Mackerel fish is the top-class premium fish in Oita. Seki-Aji and Seki-Saba are types of mackerel fish that are caught in Oita fish port. Fisherman caught through the traditional pole-and-line fishing method, so it will not damage the fish and it will be best to enjoy it as sashimi for the fresh flavor.
Toriten
The bite-sized chicken tempura is a common dish that can be found throughout Oita prefecture. You can simply enjoy it with the ‘Oita’ flavor, which is mixed with ponzu sauce or mustard sauce.