Travel / Tourism Spots in Oita Area

  • Beppu Jigoku Meguri (Hot Springs Tour)
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    4.0
    1666 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Oita Pref. Beppushi Kannawa 559-1
    For over a thousand years, the gasses, hot mud, and boiling waters erupting from beneath the area from Kanawa to Kamegawa have led it to being called the Jigoku (Hells) of Beppu. In 2009, four hot springs, Umi (Sea) Jigoku, Chinoike (Blood Pond) Jigoku, Tatsumaki Jigoku, and Shiraike (White Pond) Jigoku were designated as National Places of Scenic Beauty. Visiting these four hot springs in addition to three other famous ones is fun and enjoyable. In addition to hot spring eggs (slow boiled in hot spring waters), hell-themed souvenirs such as Chinoike ointment, and Enman no Yu (bath salts) are popular to take home and give to friends. A 15-minute drive by car from JR Beppu Station.

    We did the beppu hells as a day trip from Fukuoka. Public transport was easy enough to navigate. The first 2 hells were underwhelming and their aquarium and crocodile displays were, in my opinion...

  • Umi Jigoku
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    4.0
    766 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Oita Pref. Beppushi Kannawa 559-1
    Umi Jigoku boasts of being the largest among the Beppu Jigoku hot springs. The beautiful cobalt blue color is due to iron sulphate in the hot spring water. Royal water lilies and tropical water lilies are cultivated using the heat from the hot spring and the flowers will be at their best from early May until early November. At the Bon Festival event, lower grade elementary school children (up to 20 kilograms) can get on the leaves of the royal water lilies that float in the pond. There is also a footbath. The hot spring has been designated as a National Place of Scenic Beauty.

    The large and main place of hell jigoku have many interesting place in here. If you have less time around here. This place in the one that you must select.

  • Furuzono Stone Buddhas
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    4.5
    211 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Oita Usuki-shi Fukata
    "This collection of over 60 Buddhist statues carved out of a tuff rock wall forms the core of the Usuki Stone Buddhas and is a five-minute drive from the Usuki Interchange on the Higashikyushu Expressway. The statues are believed to have been created from the late Heian period to the Kamakura period. One of the best stone Buddhist statue groups in Japan in terms of size, quantity, and carving skill, the group's statue of Vairocana in particular is considered a masterpiece. In 1995, this statue was the first such stone Buddhist statue in the country to be designated a National Treasure. Also known as the ""13 Furuzono Buddhas,"" other nearby stone Buddhist statue groups include the first and second Hoki Stone Buddhas clusters, and the Sannosan Stone Buddhas."

    It is definitely worth visiting, or I rather say it is worth traveling to Kyushu to visit Usuki Stone Buddha. There are four different areas, you can see many statues of Buddha, which are engraved in...

  • Roadside Station Yufuin
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    3.5
    175 Reviews
    Transportation
    Oita Pref. Yufushi Yufuinchoukawakita 899-76
    A roadside station situated along National Route 210 in Kawakita, Yufuin-cho, Yufu City. Facilities include a shop selling local agricultural and specialty products like yuzu citrus pepper, a condiment said to have been invented in Oita; and a takeout corner which sells soft serve ice cream, toriten chicken tempura, and Yufu Koro croquettes which were developed in conjunction with Yufu High School. The station’s restaurant serves rice bowls topped with Japanese beef and soba noodles made with Yufuin buckwheat and hot spring water.

    大分自動車道 由布院インターを出てすぐ! 正面に見える立地条件の良い道の駅です! 地産地消の品揃えで農産物、お土産なども販売してます。

  • Nakatsu Castle (Okudaira Clan Historical Museum)
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    4.0
    180 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Ninjitsu City, Oita Pref.
    Nakatsu Castle formed with fortification of the mouth of the Yamakunigawa River (currently the Takasegawa River) by Kuroda Kanbei. Since the fortress takes the shape of a folding fan, it also takes the name “Ogi Castle,” “ogi” meaning folding fan in Japanese. Following this, it was occupied by the Hosokawa, Ogasawara, and Okudaira clans. The castle tower was rebuilt in 1964 and now houses exhibits of swords, clothing and historical documents related to the Okudaira clan.

    Nakatsu Castle is, beside Fukuzawa Yukichi’s former residence, certainly the main tourist attraction in Nakatsu. However, the exhibit inside is much similar to that of other castles, and there is...

  • Ryu Maki Jigoku
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    3.5
    221 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Oita Beppushi-shi Kamegawa Noda 782

    After travel to other jigoku, This is have small amphitheater for watching onsen geyser about 15-30 minute per round.

  • Ao-no-domon
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    4.0
    136 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Oita Pref. Nakatsushi Honyabakeimachisogi
    In the Edo period a Zenkai high priest who was grieved at men and horses losing their lives on the perilous road, spent 30 years carving out a tunnel with just chisel and hammer together with his masons. It is said that this tale was the basis of Kan Kikuchi’s novel “Beyond Love and Hate.” Even today, in one part of the tunnel the remaining marks of the chisel work can be seen.

    Ao Cave is well known thanks to the novel “Onshuno Kanatani”, written by Kikuchi Kan. The novel is based on a real story of a bonze who dug the tunnel for local people. I had expected a very...

  • 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...

  • Fuki-ji Temple
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    4.5
    110 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Oita Pref. Bungotakadashi Tashibufuki 2395
    A Tendai Buddhist temple standing silently along Prefectural Route 655 in Bungotakada City. Erected in the Heian period (794–1185) as a shrine in the Usa Jingu Shrine complex, the temple’s principle object of worship, a seated wooden figure of Amitabha Tathagatta, is designated an Important Cultural Property. Together with the Phoenix Hall at the Byodoin and the Golden Hall at the Chuson-ji Temple, the temple’s Great Hall is counted one of the three most outstanding halls devoted to an image of Amitabha in Japan. Designated a National Treasure, the Great Hall is also the oldest wooden structure in Kyushu. The Fukinotou inn adjoining the Great Hall for those looking to have a quiet and relaxing stay.

    Beautiful amazingly preserved temple, well not entirely - there are spots on the walls with graffiti made by local kids who used it as their playground in the 1950s but it makes it all the more...

  • Kumano Magaibutsu
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    4.5
    117 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Oita Pref. Bungotakadashi Tashibuhirano
    A group of stone carvings made into bare rock in the late Heian period (794–1185) which are believed to be the oldest Buddhist imagery in the nation. There are two carvings—an eight meter tall image of Fudo Myoo (Acala, the God of Fire) and a 7.7 meter tall image of Dainichi-nyorai (Vairocana); both are among the largest such Magaibutsu (Buddhist imagery carved into bare stone) in the country and are nationally designated Important Cultural Properties and as well as a Historic Site. In order to view the statues, it is necessary to climb a steep set of stone steps; accordingly, visitors are encouraged to wear comfortable footwear. Walking stick rentals are also available. The figures may be viewed until evening.

    Following Fukiji-oodou we visited Kumano-magaibutsu (stone Buddhist statues carved on rock) not far away. These statues date back to the late Heian period, probably 11th to 12th century, and is the...

  • Kitsuki Castle
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    3.5
    118 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Oita Pref. Kitsukishi Kitsuki 16-1
    "This castle is considered the smallest in Japan and is located on a plateau near the mouth of the Yasaka River. Built by Kitsuki Yorinao in 1394, the Kanji used for the part of ""Kitsuki"" was different from the one used today at the time of its construction, but because the shogunate vermillion seal had mistakenly been written in different Kanji, the Kanji used on the seal came to be used commonly.. It is also known as Gagyu Castle because the plateau it is on is shaped like a cow lying down, and as Katsuyama Castle because it endured for two months against an attack by the Shimazu. The current castle keep was reconstructed in 1970, and items such as armor used by the castle lords is displayed in the castle museum."

    There is an English brochure, but most of the information is in Japanese. However you can try on some real armor and look out over a view of the entire city.

  • Oniyama Jigoku
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    3.5
    124 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Oita Pref. Beppushi Kannawa 625
    In 1923, for the first time in Japan, the breeding of crocodiles was started which used the heat from a hot spring—the place is also referred to as “Crocodile Hell”. There are a number of crocodile breeding areas surrounding the Jigoku pond, and the number of crocodiles kept there is roughly 70. At the weekend, there is also an event where a member of staff gives food to the crocodiles, so you can observe the exciting moment when the crocodiles are fed.

    The higehest temperature onsen was occuppied by the stream and surrounding by crocodiles. There are many crocodiles farming here live with the onsen.

  • Usa-jingu Shrine
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    3.5
    7 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Oita Pref. Usashi Minamiusa 2859
    This Shinto shrine is famous for being the head shrine of all 40 thousand Hachiman shrines in Japan dedicated to Emperor Ojin as the god Hachiman in a syncretic belief system which combines elements of Buddhism. Enshrining Hachiman as well as Hime and Empress Jingu, the shrine was founded in 725. The grounds are spacious, and the main shrine building, a National Treasure, is divided between an upper building located on a hill and a lower building located at the base. The first hall of the upper building is believed to provide luck with money and business; the second and third are believed to provide luck with love and easy childbirth.

    広い境内を持つ宇佐神宮には、いくつもの摂社・末社がありました。それらのお社にもお参りしながら、宇佐神宮の本殿にあたる「上宮」へと向かう石段を登っていきました。上宮の入り口ともいえる西大門の少し手前の右手にあったのが、若宮神社です。 摂社としては本殿のすぐ前に鎮座していますし、大きく立派なお社だなあと思ってお参りしました。この神社は、大鷦鷯命(おおささぎのみこと)など五柱の神々が祀られています...

  • Roadside Station Mizube no Sato Oyama
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    4.0
    51 Reviews
    Transportation
    Oita Pref. Hitashi Oyamamachinishioyama 4106
    A roadside station situated along the Hita Kaido Highway in Nishioyama, Oyama-machi, Hita City. The station’s farmer’s market sells local fruits and vegetables as well as ready to eat foods like plum liquor and umeboshi pickled plums made with local plums, an Oyama specialty product. There’s also a yakiniku Japanese-style grill-it-yourself barbecue restaurant where diners can grill and enjoy Tenryo Mochibuta pork, Bungo chicken, wild game from Okuhita, and domestic beef using smokeless grills. The restaurant offers meal courses (advance reservation required) and set meals which include salad bar and buffet access.

    進撃の巨人ミュージアムが併設されているので立ち寄りました。 周辺にはいくつか道の駅があるので、ポイントはやはりそのミュージアムでしょうか。館内はそんなに広くないですので、外のワゴン販売とか見て回っても時間はそんなにかかりません。水辺なのでドライブの休憩にはいいと思います。

  • Chojabaru Visitor Center
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    4.0
    49 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Oita Pref. Kusugunkokonoemachi Tano 255-33
    The visitor center for Aso Kuju National Park situated along the Yamanami Highway in Tano, Kokonoe Town, Kusu County. This center boasts a superb view of the Kuju Mountains, and the Tadewara Wetlands, covered by the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, sprawls behind the center. The center contains exhibits on the plant and animal life in the area and wooden walkways lead from the center to the wetlands.

    We needed help with the installation of the snow chain onto our tires (didnt expect snow in kyushu mid DEC)...and we went to get help at the visitor centre hopefully to get help of any kind... But to...

  • 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...

  • Global Tower
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    4.0
    56 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Oita Pref. Beppushi Yamanotechou 12-1
    A symbolic, 125-meter-tall tower located on the grounds of the B-Con Plaza multipurpose complex situated along Fujimi-dori Street in Yamanote-cho, Beppu City. Outfitted with an observation deck 100 meters above the ground, visitors can get a 360-degree, panoramic view of Beppu City. The observation deck is also popular because of its night view, selected for inclusion in a list of Japan’s “Night View Heritages.”

    The tower is easy walking from the main core of Beppu. Its nice to walk through the park. Entrance to the Global Tower is behind the convention centre. There is an elevator to take you to the...

  • Makiodo
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    4.0
    59 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Oita Pref. Bungotakadashi Tashibumaki 1796
    A Buddhist temple situated along Prefectural Route 655 in Tashibumaki, Bungotakada City. The temple is one of the groups of Rokugo Manzan temples found on the Kunisaki Peninsula. The temple once flourished as the greatest of the eight head Rokugo Manzan temples but its 36 buildings were almost completely destroyed in a fire. The temple possesses numerous National Important Cultural Property-designated Buddhist statues, including a wooden seated figure of Amitabha, the temple’s principal object of worship; and wooden statues of the Four Heavenly Kinds which stand guard around it. The grounds encompass an observatory and Kodai Park, which contains a group of stone Rokugo Manzan structures.

    Rare wooden statues on display. This temple combo Shinto divinities and Buddhist deities. The wooden hall (photo) was built during the zero period.

  • Inazumi Underwater Limestone Cave
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    4.0
    53 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Oita Pref. Bungoonoshi Miemachinakaduru 300
    The Inazumi Underwater Limestone Cave was formed 300 million years ago in the Paleozoic era, and took its current form after being submerged in the Aso volcano eruption 300,000 years ago. It is one of the world’s more unusual underwater limestone caverns, replete with underwater stalactites, coral stones and helictites. It is possible to walk around and see inside of the caves. The sound of water trickling down with quiet echoes into the “reverb pond” and the sight of the beautiful green “emerald spring” are mysterious wonders not be missed.

    Very unique cave to see I have quite a few caves in several countries around the world and was very impressed by this one It takes a while to get there as ypu need a car and the road is narrow in...

  • Roadside Station Sugo
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    4.0
    50 Reviews
    Transportation
    Oita Pref. Taketashi Sugou 989-1
    A roadside station situated along the Bungo Kaido Highway in Sugo, Taketa City. Here visitors can purchase sweetcorn, a local specialty product, other highland vegetables and processed foods or enjoy “Sugo Udon” noodles made with local vegetables in the adjoining restaurant. The station’s soft serve ice cream made with sweetcorn is also popular.

    阿蘇方面から竹田市へ向かうために、国道57号線を走りました。ちょうど中間あたりに、こちらの道の駅がありました。 国道横には広い駐車場があります。館内の物産品のコーナーには、このあたりで採れた農産品がたくさん並んでいました。私たちはその中から「ピオーネ」という品種のぶどうを購入してみました。初めて聞く名前だったからです。甘くてジューシーな大粒のぶどうで、とてもおいしかったです。駐車場の車の中で...

Oita Areas

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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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