Ōita Prefecture: Nature, Hot Springs and Cultural Heritage

Discover nature: wetlands, waterfalls and cycling routes

Tadewara Wetland is located in Aso-Kuju National Park and was registered as a Ramsar Wetland together with Bogatsuru in 2005. The neighbouring Chōjabaru Visitor Centre has nature exhibits and a high-resolution screen showing the four seasons of Kujū. Members of the 九重の自然を守る会 group hold nature observation activities in the wetland—a way to experience the landscape not merely as a backdrop, but through observing nature.

Another way to experience nature is Harajiri Falls in Bungo-ono City: it is 120 metres wide and 20 metres high. Visitors can cross the Takimibashi suspension bridge, walk around the waterfall and look down at it from above. These three perspectives make the waterfall itself the destination and offer different ways of seeing the same place.

Cyclists will also find featured routes in Ōita Prefecture. There are bicycle stations along the routes where they can stop and rest. Check the latest route information before planning. Those who prefer travelling on old paths can find the Kunisaki Peninsula Minemichi Long Trail in the wider region: it follows pilgrimage routes used by monks for hundreds of years and offers views of mountains and sea.

Hot springs and winter activities

Beppu has eight hot spring areas that have been popular since ancient times. On the Beppu Hell Tour, visitors can see hot water and mud emerging from underground. The individual stops on the tour can be visited on a regular sightseeing bus. This gives a stay in Beppu a clear focus on hot springs and sights.

If skiing or snowboarding is among your travel interests, Kuju Forest Park Ski Resort is an option to consider. Check current operating information before your trip. This way, a winter activity remains a deliberate focus rather than being silently assumed to be available at all times.

Cultural heritage, festivals and ceramics

Several places in the prefecture are distinguished by important cultural monuments. The Main Sanctuary of Usa Jingū, the Main Hall of Fuki-ji and the Usuki Stone Buddhas are each designated National Treasures. Worship of Hachiman at Usa-jingu Shrine dates back to the 8th century; the shrine is regarded as the head shrine among more than 40,000 Hachiman shrines. These details offer different insights into religious heritage without conflating the three National Treasures as a single place.

In Hita, the Gion Festival brings tradition and city life together: splendid festival floats travel through the Kuma, Takeda and Mameda districts to the sound of Gion music. The Hita Gion Festival is part of the UNESCO-listed “Yama, Hoko and Yatai float festivals”; its inscription on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity was decided on 30 November 2016. The Hita Gion Yamaboko Kaikan displays, among other things, the rear curtains of the six floats used in the festival. The floats are called Yama and are rebuilt every year.

Onta-yaki adds another craft-based cultural tradition. This pottery style was developed in Ōita Prefecture in the early 18th century. In the Onta area, everyday items such as pots, bottles, cups, bowls and plates are made using traditional methods and materials; the glaze is often caramel-coloured.

In the wider region, the 1,300-year-old Rokugo Manzan culture on the Kunisaki Peninsula brings together Buddhism, Shintō and mountain worship. The peninsula is also recognised as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System. Preserved features include agricultural traditions and a rural landscape that has remained largely unchanged for centuries.

Regional cuisine and choosing a location

Well-known products from Ōita Prefecture include premium shiitake mushrooms, kabosu citrus fruit and barley-fed Bungo beef. A long-standing fermentation tradition is reflected in barley miso and kabosu-based seasonings, among other products. These add a culinary perspective on the region to its nature and cultural experiences.

When looking for a holiday rental, it helps to first decide what you want to focus on: hot springs and the Beppu Hell Tour, nature observation and wetlands, festivals and cultural heritage, or ceramics and regional cuisine. By prioritising these interests, you can choose a suitable location more purposefully as you continue your search. The diversity of Ōita Prefecture is evident in the many different ways a trip can be planned.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Beppu, Ōita, Nakatsu, Hayami District, Kusu District, Kusu District, Yufu, Taketa, Hita, Saiki, Usa, Usuki, Tsukumi, Kunisaki, Bungo-Takada.

For the main travel overview: Japan.