Oita Prefecture (大分県) Travel Guide

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Panoramic view of Beppu in Oita Prefecture from Kifune Castle
Author: STA3816 (Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported)

Oita Prefecture (大分県) is a prefecture of Japan on the northeastern coast of the island of Kyushu. It is separated from Honshu Island by the Suo Channel, and from Shikoku Island by the Iyo Channel. The prefecture covers 6,338.82 sq km and has a population of 1.2 million people (2011 estimate). The capital city is also called Oita.

The main street (chuo dori) of Oita City, Oita Prefecture
Author: Sanjo (Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported)

Oita Prefecture is bordered by Fukuoka Prefecture to the west, Kumamoto Prefecture to the southwest and Miyazaki Prefecture to the south. It is a mountainous prefecture with 70% of the area still forested. Located in a volcanic belt, Oita Prefecture has the largest number of hot springs in Japan. Oita Prefecture has a jagged coastline with sea cliffs and sedimentary rock formations.

Usa Shrine, Oita Prefecture
Author: Sanjo (Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported)

Oita Prefecture was created during the Meiji Restoration around 1871 by combining eight districts of the former Bungo Province with two districts of the former Buzen Province. The area was known as Toyo-no-kuni, meaning "land of abundance". The name Oita itself is said to have been derived from "Okita", meaning "abundant fields".

Visiting Oita Prefecture

You can fly to Oita from Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka. There is also a single international flight connecting it with Seoul.

Taking the train from Tokyo will be long but possible. It involves a Shinkansen bullet train ride to the Hakata Station in Fukuoka, and then the Sonic express train to Oita Station. The trip from Fukuoka to Oita alone takes two hours.

Fukiji Temple in Odo, Oita Prefecture
Author: Wiiii (Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported)

Cities of Oita Prefecture

Oita - capital
Beppu
Bungo-ono
Hita
Kitsuki
Kunisaki
Nakatsu
Saiki
Taketa
Tsukumi
Usa
Usuki
Yufu

Tourist Attractions of Oita Prefecture

Fuki-ji Temple, Bungo-Takada
Harajiri Falls
Matama Beach
Shouen Village
Usa Shrine, Usa
Usuki Stone Buddhas, Usuki
Yufu River Gorge

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