What is Oita like?
Oita Prefecture, located in the Kyushu region, is renowned for its abundant nature, hot springs, and delicious cuisine.
With picturesque landscapes, onsen resorts, and historical landmarks, it offers a diverse range of attractions for visitors.
Additionally, Oita’s specialty dishes and local cuisine, crafted from fresh ingredients, are highly acclaimed.
The prefecture is known for its relaxed atmosphere and friendly locals, making it a charming destination to explore.
Popular dishes in Oita
Bungo Beef（豊後牛）
Bungo Beef is renowned for its marbling and tenderness, making it a high-quality Japanese beef enjoyed in various dishes such as sukiyaki, shabu-shabu, and steak.
Toriten（とり天）
Toriten is a classic local dish that features deep-fried chicken pieces coated in tempura batter, known for its crispy texture.
It’s commonly enjoyed with ponzu sauce or mixed with spicy mustard or yuzu pepper.
Jigoku-mushi Cuisine（地獄蒸し料理）
Jigoku-mushi cuisine utilizes the steam from hot springs to cook ingredients, resulting in flavorful dishes infused with the subtle aroma of the onsen.
In Beppu’s Kannawa area, there are facilities where visitors can steam their own ingredients for a unique dining experience.
Nakatsu Karaage（中津からあげ）
Nakatsu city is often referred to as the “Holy Land of Karaage,” boasting over 60 specialized karaage (fried chicken) shops.
The chicken pieces are marinated in a sauce based on soy sauce and garlic, often with added ginger and spices, before being deep-fried.
Sweetfish Dishes（鮎料理）
Sweetfish, locally known as “ayu,” is a seasonal delicacy that is enjoyed in various ways such as salt-grilling, sashimi, or simmered in a sweet sauce.
The riverside teahouse “Hita Ayuyanaba Chaya” offers a picturesque setting to savor sweetfish dishes while overlooking the Mikuma River, operating from July to early November.
Popular sightseeing spots in Oita
Yufuin Onsen（湯布院温泉）
Yufuin Onsen is a hot spring resort located at the foot of the beautiful Mount Yufu, offering not only high-quality hot spring inns but also stylish restaurants and souvenir shops.
It’s a perfect destination for small private trips with family or friends.
Beppu Onsen（別府温泉）
Beppu Onsen is renowned for having one of Japan’s largest numbers and volumes of hot spring sources, overwhelming other hot spring resorts in quantity and variety.
Beppu has eight distinct hot spring districts, known as the “Beppu Hatto,” each with its own unique characteristics.
Visitors can enjoy a “hot spring tour” within Beppu City, experiencing different types of hot springs.
Beppu Hell Tour(Jigoku Meguri)（別府地獄めぐり）
The Beppu Hell Tour is a popular sightseeing spot in Beppu, where visitors can observe hot springs with temperatures close to 100 degrees Celsius.
The name “hell” comes from the fact that this area was once considered a dreaded and forbidden place due to the steam, mud, and hot water erupting over a thousand years ago, as recorded in the “Bungo Fudoki.”
Kokonoe-Yume-Otsurihashi（九重夢大吊橋）
This bridge is known as the highest pedestrian-only suspension bridge in Japan, Kokonoe-Yume-Otsurihashi offers a walkway that feels like strolling through the sky.
Visitors can enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the autumn foliage if the timing is right.
Takasakiyama（高崎山）
A zoo without cages where visitors can see wild monkeys up close.
Home to approximately 1,000 Japanese macaques, feeding sessions are held every 30 minutes.
Each group of monkeys has its own unique behavior, giving visitors a fascinating insight into the monkeys’ ecology.
Kijima Kogen Park（城島高原パーク）
Located in the Jyoshima Plateau of Beppu City, Kijima Kogen Park is a leading theme park in Oita.
It features some of Kyushu’s most thrilling rides, with the wooden roller coaster “Jupiter” being the highlight attraction, as the first of its kind in Japan.
Last Word
Oita Prefecture is one of Japan’s most popular hot spring destinations.
If you’re interested in Japanese hot springs, I think it’s an essential spot to visit.