Leisure / Outdoors Spots in Oita Area

  • Suginoi Hotel Acquabeat
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    4.0
    1124 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Oita Pref. Beppushi Kankaiji 1
    An indoor pool facility open in the summer adjoining the Suginoi Hotel in Kankaiji, Beppu City. Attractions include a wave pool, water slides, “water jungle gym,” Mystery Dork cavern to explore, and water balls. There’s also a kids’ pool. Modeled after a south seas resort, visitors can also relax on provided beach chairs.

    The hotel is situated at the hill with an amazing view of Beppu City and Beppu Bay. The onsen and the heated pool are great with great views. It is so nice seeing the sunrise while relaxing in the...

  • Oita Marine Palace Aquarium Umitamago
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    4.5
    422 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Oita Pref. Oitashi Kanzaki Uto 3078 - 22
    A large aquarium located in Oita City, Oita Prefecture next to Takasakiyama Nature Zoo, famed for its Japanese macaque exhibit. Designed around the theme of an aquarium where visitors can make friends with the animals, Umitamago is filled with exhibits and attractions which let visitors experience sea and river life up close and personal, including aquariums which recreate natural environments, a variety of shows, and opportunities to get close and even touch animals. The aquarium’s giant tank, containing some 90 species and 1,500 individual sea creatures, is truly stunning. There’s also the popular and hilarious walrus show and the Asobeach play area, ensuring that Umitamago is fun for the whole family, from children to adults.

    My husband and I went to visit this aquarium while we were in Oita. It is a convenient bus ride out of town, about halfway to Beppu. We arrived just in time to see the show. it was so interesting...

  • African Safari
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    4.5
    294 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Oita Pref. Usashi Ajimumachiminamihata 2-1755-1
    This is Kyushu’s only safari park and one of Japan’s largest, where 1,300 animals of 70 varieties are raised in conditions close to natural. There is an “animal zone” where visitors can observe lions and tigers from a jungle bus or their own car, and a “petting zone” where one can do horse riding or pet small animals, allowing one to enjoy the various aspects and charms of the animals.

    It was a great half day experience there. We were given a tray of animals food to feed them including for kind ones like reindeers and fierce ones like bears and lions. Other than the safari tour...

  • Takasakiyama Natural Zoological Garden
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    4.0
    343 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Oita Pref. Oitashi Kanzaki 3098-1
    Approximately a three-minute walk from the Takasakiyama bus stop, this zoo is located at the foot of Mt. Takasaki, with a distinctive shape reminiscent of a bell-shape. It is believed that wild monkeys lived in the area since at least around 1698 because of their description in documents from that time. The mayor of Oita City thought it could be used as a tourism resource and to prevent damage to agricultural crops in 1952, so they began to get gathered up with bait. There are currently two groups that have a total of 1,000 monkeys. In addition to being able to watch friendly monkeys up close, the potato feeding that happens twice a day is a must-see.

    Know that this zoo is up a mountain; however, they offer a tram to take you if you prefer not to walk up the mountain. They have signs not to bring food, and to watch your items. The monkeys can...

  • Kuju Flower Park
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    4.0
    154 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Oita Pref. Taketashi Kujumachikuju 4050
    A flower garden located in Kujumachi, Taketa City, Oita Prefecture. The park’s spacious grounds, 800 meters above sea level, are filled with plants which flower throughout the year Some of the best times to visit include spring, when a carpet of mountain phlox cover the grounds as well as nemophila and tulips; summer, when the lavender blossom in profusion; and fall, when one million cosmos come into flower. Pets are also allowed in the park. In the park’s restaurant, visitors can enjoy an all-you-can-eat buffet centering around delicious vegetable dishes as well as jingisukan (lamb barbecue). No reservation is required to take part in one of the park’s dry flower wreath-making classes.

    I suppose this place is a MUST visit during the flower bloom time which is in September, i was there in November and there are nothing much to see,except for an indoor area, but is a nice stroll...

  • JR Oita City
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    4.0
    240 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Oita Oita-shi Kanamemachi 1-14
    This commercial complex, connected directly to JR Oita Station, is outfitted with a shopping mall, cinema, and hotel. In Amu Plaza Oita, you can enjoy restaurants and fashionable apparel shops, boutiques, and interior decoration stores. A popular new tourist destination where visitors can spend an entire fun-filled day, other facilities include the City Spa Tenku bathhouse, which offers a delightful view of downtown Oita City and Beppu Bay; and a rooftop square where seasonal trees and flowering plants are grown. The complex also offers rental event spaces and conference rooms.

    It is a complex of JR station and shopping facilities, such as Amu Plaza, Bungo Niwasaki Market etc. I remember that there was no such a beautiful station building as I went to Oita a few years ago...

  • Oita Prefectural Art Museum
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    4.0
    132 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Oita Pref. Oitashi Kotobukimachi 2-1
    "An art museum situated along Showa-dori Avenue in Kotobuki-machi, Oita City. The museum's collection spans some 5,000 items, including Bungo Nanga paintings which were flourishing in the Oita area from the late Edo through the Taisho periods; as well as examples of modern Japanese and Western style paintings, crafts, and contemporary art by artists affiliated with Oita. Dedicated to being a ""Museum of Encounters and of the Five Senses,"" the museum holds collection exhibitions as well as special exhibitions."

    Shigeru Ban’s pretty and pristine jewellery box in Oita. The layout is unconventional for an art museum where much of the space appears to be earmarked for public and community use. That’s on the...

  • Park Place Oita
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    4.0
    55 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Oita Pref. Oitashi Kouendorinishi 2-1
    This large-scale shopping mall has a movie theater and a rooftop garden. Inside you’ll find about 160 shops, from fashion to miscellaneous goods. There are plentiful facilities for kids and many services for parents, including a big playground, a kids’ space, baby rooms, and a nursing room. This makes the mall very popular with families with kids.

    全国の地方都市に多くある郊外型のAEON MALLです。市内中心部からのアクセスは車で15分程、近くにある住宅地へのバス便でも行くことができますが、バスの運賃は比較的高めのような気がします。周辺にはサッカーや昨年ラグビーワールドカップが行われた昭和電工ドームがあります。

  • Oita Fragrance Museum
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    4.0
    69 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Beppu City Kita Ishigaki 48-1 Oita Prefecture
    A museum located in Kitaishigaki, Beppu City. The museum has a collection of fragrances from around the world and contains exhibits on fragrances, how they are made, and fragrances from the perspective of their science, history, and culture. There’s also an aroma room and hands-on area where visitors can try mixing fragrances, and museum goers can come in contact with a variety of fragrances. The museum’s shop sells fragrance-related products; an adjoining café serves herbal teas and light meals.

    I really enjoyed my visit much more than expected. The collection is very well curated with such an extensive collection of fragrances from around the world. Arrive early if you want to avoid a...

  • Sanrio Character Park Harmonyland
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Oita Pref. Hayamigunhijimachi Fujiwara 5933
    At this cute theme park one can meet Sanrio characters such as Hello Kitty and My Melody. Inside there are 14 types of attractions, restaurants and goods shops themed on Sanrio characters. Events including parades and live shows are held daily, meaning each time one visits they can enjoy a different experience. When open at night, the illuminations and fairytale atmosphere make it a popular date spot too.
  • OITA ART MUSEUM
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    4.0
    48 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Oita Pref. Oitashi Ueno 865
    This art museum is surrounded by the lush nature of Uenogaoka Kodomo-no-Mori Park. Inside are permanent exhibits of Japanese paintings by artists including Heihachiro Fukuda and Tatsuo Takayama, and early modern Chinese-style paintings of Tanomura Chikuden, works of the Bungo Southern School of Chinese paintings, and other paintings and works relating to Oita City. Events are held throughout the year from exhibition to hands-on-learning. The museum’s restaurant also commands great views of the town.

    I had modest expectations coming here since this is a city museum for a city that is not on the main tourist paths. However, the exhibits were fantastic. Great collections on display. If I travel to...

  • Umitama Experience Park “Tsukumi Dolphin Island”
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    4.0
    27 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Oita Pref. Tsukumishi Youra 2218-10
    An activity facility located in Youra, Tsukumi City. Dedicated to human-dolphin interaction and healing, it offers visitors opportunities to take in a dolphin show, feed the dolphins, take a commemorative photo, touch an actual dolphin, or even swim with dolphins. Visitors can also come in contact with seals, penguins, and ocean fish.

    This is animal abuse. You’ll get to see dead dolphins. Horrible place. If you spend your money here you are actively supporting cruelty. The dolphins are not happy.

  • Kijima Kogen Park
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Beppu City Oita Prefecture Jojima Takahara 123
    Inside this park are over 30 kinds of attractions including roller coasters, a Ferris wheel and go-karts. The centerpiece is Japan’s first wooden coaster, a huge 1,600-meter-long coaster named “Jupiter” made of 60,000 Douglas fir trees. It is gaining popularity for its unique riding experience with the creaks and vibrations of the wood adding their own thrill.
  • Oita Agricultural Park
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    4.0
    25 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Oita Pref. Kitsukishi Yamagamachihisashi 1-1
    A park consisting of the grounds around Hisashi Dam in Hisashi, Yamaga-machi, Kitsuki City. Facilities include botanical garden, field with large playground equipment, caravan campground, cottages, activity farm, training facilities, and local specialty products hall. Available for camping, training events, and a variety of other uses, the park holds a variety of events such as farming activities and hands-on classes.

    大分農業文化公園のコキアの紅葉が見たくて、ここを訪れました。 私たちが訪れた日は、2022年10月12日。コキアの紅葉は最高潮に達していました。見事なほどに真っ赤に染まったコキアは、かなりの大ぶりで、しかもすごい数なんです。とても広い園内ですが、およそ5000㎡あるというフラワーガーデンのすべてがコキアの赤で埋め尽くされていました。 このフラワーガーデンは、春には一面が「ネモフィラ」の青に染...

  • Yufuin Station Art Hall
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    4.0
    36 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Oita Pref. Yufushi Yufuinchoukawakita 8-2 JR Yufuin Station premises
    A gallery located inside Yufuin Station in Kawakita, Yufuin-cho, Yufu City. Making use of a hall also used as a waiting area inside the Arata Isozaki-designed building, the gallery exhibits paintings, photos, crafts, and other works of art. The station building also has a footbath area.

    Many people sitting there waiting for train at mid-day, and luggages are allowed to leave there, not like a Art Hall at all.

  • Trick 3D art Yufuin
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    3.5
    37 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Oita Pref. Yufushi Yufuinchoukawakami 3001 - 8 Yufuinnaya 1/2 F
    A museum where visitors can enjoy the amazing and eye-deceiving world of trick 3D art, where flat pictures seem to leap out and different images appear depending on your position. The real fun comes from the exhibits which allow visitors to take pictures and become one with the artwork, such as rooms which use perspective to make a person look taller or shorter, and a flying carpet scene. Dogs which are carried at all times are also allowed in the museum. Closest station; JR Yufuin Station.

    1. More detail should be given to the walls near the artworks. Each photo should be easily framed. Some posters are put near the artworks and if you want to do some simple editing later, the...

  • Oita Prefectural Museum of History
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    4.5
    27 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Oita Pref. Usashi Takamori Kyotozuka
    Located inside the Usa Fudoki no Oka history park, the museum preserves and exhibits materials with a focus on Cultural Properties connected to Oita. Visitors can view full sized models of the Fuki-ji Temple and Usuki Stone Buddhas, designated National Treasures, as well as artefacts excavated from Mengahira Tomb. The nearest bus stops are Oitakenritsu-rekishihakubutsukan-mae and Fudoki-no-oka-iriguchi.

    We visited Ooita Prefectural Museum of History opened in 1998 to get some background knowledge of the places we intended to visit. It certainly was worth the three hundred ten yen admission fee. In...

  • Tokiwa Wasada Town
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    4.0
    1 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Oita Oita-shi Tamazawa
    This hybrid shopping center, 2.2 kilometers from the Oita-Mitsuyoshi Interchange on the Higashikyushu Expressway, is located on the southwest side of Oita City. The center is comprised of four districts - two for large specialty stores, one Shopping Town area, and one Festival Town area. Tenants include a supermarket; cinema complex, videogame arcade, and other leisure facilities; electronics store, sporting goods store, and other large stores; restaurants; and fashionable apparel shops, boutiques, and an array of other specialty shops.

    買い物の後に甘いものが食べたくて入りました。 抹茶スイーツが色々あります。 洋菓子系が苦手な男性でも、ここなら一緒におやつタイムできるので助かります。

  • Yufuin Forest of Fantasy Artegio
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    4.0
    23 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Yufuin Oniten, Oita Prefecture 1272-175 Kawakami
    An art museum located on the grounds of the Sanso Murata in Yufuincho Yufu City, Oita Prefecture. The museum collects and displays artworks relating to music and music flows constantly throughout its halls. The stylish, bright white interior design is a must-see. Visitors can freely read some 1,000 books on music and painting in the library on the first and second floors. There is also a chocolate shop and café in the museum where visitors can enjoy a beverage with some chocolate or a slice of cake.

    A small but charming art gallery located to the east to Yufuin. In fact, The whole neighbourhood is like an artistic community, with different types of art museums, galleries, cafes, shops...

  • Dagashiya no Yume Museum
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    4.0
    22 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Oita Bungotakada-shi Shinmachi 1007-5 Showa Roman Kura
    "This museum operates out of an old storehouse redolent with the atmosphere of Japan's bygone Showa period. A ""dagashiya"" is a type of small, cheap candy/toy shop found all over Japan, and this museum's standing exhibition of some 50 thousand items primarily consists of toys sold at dagashiya in the late 1950s and early 60s. For those who lived it, the museum will bring waves of nostalgia, while for those who didn't, the items on display will seem novel and unique. Both types of people will find time going by in an instant as they view the various retro exhibits. In addition, the museum offers a free, multilingual audio guide you can access from your smartphone. At this rare facility, you can feel like you've gone back in time to Showa Japan."

    昭和のグッズが所狭しと展示されています。駄菓子屋までは無料で入場可能ですが、駄菓子屋の先からは有料になります。平成生まれの人も昭和生まれの人も楽しめるスポットなので、是非ともチケットを購入されて入場されることをオススメいたします。

Oita Areas

around-area-map

A trip to Oita is tantamount to a long soak in the Beppu baths. The mountainous, coastal prefecture of Oita is renowned for having more onsen than any other prefecture in Japan, most of which lie in the city of Beppu on the west coast of Kyushu, recognizable by its pungent sulphuric aroma and the clouds of steam that puff up across the hillside. Away from the Beppu hot springs await mountains, waterfalls, and temples, so don’t hesitate to explore Oita a little further.

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