Oita Hidden Gems
Japan's hot-spring capital — more thermal water and more sources than any other prefecture, from steaming resort towns to quiet mountain baths.
5 spots
Climate & Best Season
Mild and rainy; the Kuju highlands are cooler with light snow. Onsen are best in autumn and winter.
Famous For (Food)
- Toriten (chicken tempura)
- Seki mackerel
- Dango-jiru
- Bungo beef
Signature Sights
- Beppu 'hells' and baths
- Yufuin
- Usa Jingu
- Kunisaki Peninsula stone Buddhas
Nioza Historical Road
Nioza is the tuff ridge immediately below Usuki Castle, and the castle town was cut into it rather than laid out on it.…
Kitsuki Castle Town
Kitsuki is the only sandwich-shaped castle town in Japan. Samurai districts sit on two facing plateaus, the north and th…
Hitome Hakkei
Hitome Hakkei means eight views at a glance, and the name is literal: from one platform in the middle of Shin-Yabakei yo…
Hakusui Dam
Hakusui is an irrigation weir, 14 metres high and 87 metres across, built between 1934 and 1938 on the upper Ono river,…
Kokonoe Yume Suspension Bridge
The bridge is 390 metres long and hangs 173 metres above the Naruko river gorge, which makes it the highest pedestrian s…