National Treasure
Peacock Pattern Ribbon
Discover the 800-year-old Peacock-patterned Kei, a National Treasure at Usa Shrine in Oita. This bro...
Usa Shrine Main Hall
Explore Usa Jingu, Japan's second most prestigious shrine after Ise. This 1,300-year-old National Tr...
Fukiji Temple Great Hall
Usuki Rock-Carved Buddhas
Articles
Important cultural property
Nine-Storied Pagoda
Discover Kujuno-to, a 13th-century Important Cultural Property stone pagoda in Usuki. This remarkabl...
Jinkakuji Temple Main Hall
Discover Jinkakuji Hondo, a remarkable Important Cultural Property built in 1369, nestled atop Mount...
Iwatoji Temple Pagoda
Former Main Hall of Oonomatsu Tenmangu Shrine
Kamio Family Residence (Yamakuni Town, Shimoge District,
Ganjoin Temple Main Hall (Aizen Hall)
Other Heritage
Yoshikawa Family Residence Storehouse
Explore the Yoshikawa Family Residence Storehouse (Yoshikawa-ke Jutaku Dozo), a Registered Tangible ...
Ogata Miyasako West Stone Buddha
Discover the Ogata Miyasako Nishi Sekibutsu, a National Historic Site in Oita Prefecture featuring t...
Ogata Miyasako East Stone Buddha
Explore the Ogata Miyasako Higashi Stone Buddhas, a National Historic Site in Bungo-Ono City, Oita P...
Shimofuji Christian Cemetery
Discover Shimofuji Christian Cemetery in Usuki, a nationally designated historic site and Japan's fi...
Kasuga Shrine Shinden
Discover the Kasuga Shrine Moushiden in Bungo-Takada, Oita Prefecture—a nationally registered tangib...
Obsidian Production Area of Himeshima
Explore Himeshima's rare milky-white obsidian cliffs, a National Natural Monument where prehistoric ...
About Oita
Beppu Onsen, known as Japan's premier hot spring resort, features approximately 2,000 sources citywide with Japan's top discharge volumes. Eight hot spring villages called Beppu Hatto (Beppu, Hamawaki, Kankaiji, Horita, Myoban, Kannawa, Shibaseki, Kamegawa) each possess different spring qualities and characteristics. Particularly, jigoku meguri (hell tour) represents Beppu tourism synonyms, enabling visits to natural phenomena including Umi Jigoku, Chinoike Jigoku, Tatsumaki Jigoku, and Shiraike Jigoku with erupting steam and hot water.
Yufuin Onsen, hot spring resort spreading at Mount Yufu foothills, attracts women for stylish townscapes and artistic atmospheres. Lake Kinrin, famous for mystical morning mist scenes, maintains year-round steam rising from lake bottom hot springs and fresh water. Stylish cafes, sundry shops, and art museums line Yunohei-kaido, enabling enjoyable walks.
Usuki Stone Buddhas, stone Buddha groups carved from late Heian through Kamakura periods, feature 59 stone Buddhas designated as national treasures. Divided into four groups - Koen Stone Buddhas, Sannozan Stone Buddhas, Fukada Stone Buddhas, and Koen Stone Buddhas - their precise carving techniques and excellent preservation represent Japanese stone Buddha art masterpieces.
Usa Jingu, head shrine of approximately 40,000 nationwide Hachiman shrines, enshrines Emperor Ojin as main deity. Founded in 725, this shrine is also known as Shinto-Buddhist syncretism birthplace, with main hall designated as national treasure. Built in distinctive Hachiman-zukuri architectural style, approach taiko bridges and kure bridges create beautiful scenery.
Kunisaki Peninsula, known for unique mountain Buddhism culture, features scattered historic sites including Futago-ji, Fuki-ji, and Kumano Magaibutsu. Particularly, Fuki-ji Daido, designated as national treasure as Kyushu's oldest wooden architecture, represents late Heian period Japanese-style architectural masterpiece. Kumano Magaibutsu represents large cliff Buddhas carved in rock faces, attributed to late Heian period.
Kuju Mountains, mountain region spanning Oita and Kumamoto prefectures, features Kyushu mainland's highest peak Nakadake (1,791 meters). Kuju "Yume" Otsurihashi, pedestrian suspension bridge measuring 390 meters long and 173 meters high, offers spectacular Kuju Mountain and Naruko River valley views from bridge. Autumn foliage seasons are particularly beautiful, attracting numerous tourists.
Oita food culture prominently features nationally famous seki aji (horse mackerel) and seki saba (mackerel). Bungo Channel-caught horse mackerel and mackerel, raised in fast-current sea areas, feature firm flesh and excellent fat content. Particularly, single-line caught fish around Oita City Saganoseki Peninsula represent premium quality, with sashimi as most delicious consumption method.
Toriten, Oita Prefecture-origin cuisine spreading nationwide as local gourmet, represents chicken tempura with thin batter, commonly eaten with ponzu or special sauce. Oita's representative cuisine offers crispy, light texture and chicken umami.
Dango-jiru represents Oita Prefecture local cuisine featuring flat wheat flour noodles (dango) simmered with vegetables and meat in miso-based broth. Noodles called "dango" for hand-torn preparation feature chewy texture. Different families vary ingredients and seasonings, beloved as Oita home flavors.
Bungo beef, Oita Prefecture black wagyu raised in Aso-Kuju National Park's rich natural environment, represents high-quality wagyu. Characterized by fine marbling, tender meat quality, and deep flavors, enjoyed as steaks and sukiyaki.
Kabosu represents Oita Prefecture specialty comprising over 95% national production. Characterized by refreshing acidity and distinctive aroma, widely used as condiment for sashimi, grilled fish, and hot pot cuisine. "Kabosu Kingdom Oita" represents prefectural signature agricultural product.