Oita

Oita’s hot springs are enjoyable in every season, while spring and autumn are especially good for outdoor trips.

Oita Prefecture is in eastern Kyushu, Japan. It is known for its hot spring resources, as well as quiet rural towns and open natural scenery. The following is a 4-day, 3-night Oita itinerary that balances hot springs, food, and countryside views.

Classic 4-Day Itinerary

• Day 1 First Look at Oita City and Beppu: Arrive in Oita City in the morning, then visit the Oita Prefectural Art Museum and the Funai Castle Ruins. In the afternoon, head to Beppu City. At night, you can visit Takegawara Onsen to experience the atmosphere of a traditional bathhouse and get a feel for the local everyday hot spring culture.

• Day 2 Beppu Hell Tour: Spend the full day visiting Beppu’s eight “hell” hot springs. You can buy a hell pass and follow the route to see Umi Jigoku, Oniishi Bozu Jigoku, Kamado Jigoku, and others. In the evening, go to Jigoku Mushi Kobo to try cooking seafood with hot spring steam.

• Day 3 Slow Travel in Yufuin: Take the retro-style Yufuin no Mori train to Yufuin. In the early morning, visit Lake Kinrin to see the morning mist. During the day, stroll along Yunotsubo Street and try desserts, then stay overnight at a hot spring ryokan to rest.

• Day 4 Hidden Nature Spot or Return Trip: In the morning, you can visit Bungo-Ono Geopark to see Harajiri Falls, or go to Takasakiyama Natural Zoological Garden to see wild Japanese macaques. In the afternoon, arrange your return trip according to your flight time.

Main Attractions

Attractions in Oita Prefecture are spread far apart. For planning, it is best to use Beppu and Yufuin as your main bases, then arrange nearby destinations according to transport options.

• Umi Jigoku: Beppu’s largest hot spring pond, with cobalt-blue water, temperatures as high as 98°C, and rising steam. You can also enjoy a foot bath here and try hot spring eggs.

• Lake Kinrin: One of Yufuin’s representative sights. A light mist often forms over the lake in the early morning, mixing with forest reflections and rising water vapor. It is recommended to go at around 6 a.m.

• Kokonoe Yume Grand Suspension Bridge: Japan’s highest pedestrian suspension bridge, standing 173 meters high. From the bridge, you can look down over Shindo Falls and the Kokonoe Valley, with different scenery in each season.

• Oka Castle Ruins: Located in Taketa City, this site is often called Oita’s “castle in the sky.” The castle ruins and cherry blossom scenery complement each other, making it a place with both a sense of history and natural beauty.

Local Food and Restaurant Recommendations

Oita’s food is centered on local dishes and hot spring-related ingredients, with simple flavors and clear regional character.

• Chicken Tempura: A common specialty in Beppu. Chicken is coated in batter and deep-fried, with a crisp outside and tender inside. It is especially flavorful with ponzu or yuzu kosho.

• Dango-jiru: A local dish from Oita City, made with handmade rolled wheat dumpling strips in a miso-based soup, along with vegetables such as taro and shiitake mushrooms. It is well suited to slightly cool weather.
• Yufu Mabushi Shin: Located next to Yufuin Station, this restaurant specializes in clay pot rice with Bungo beef and free-range chicken. There are three ways to eat it: plain, with seasonings added, or with broth poured over it.

• Milch: A dessert shop in Yufuin known for its soft-baked cheese pudding and cheesecake, both rich and smooth in texture. The ceramic bottle packaging also makes it suitable as a souvenir.

• Kushi Gekijo Tokunagaza: A kushiyaki skewer restaurant near Oita Station, with an atmosphere similar to a late-night casual diner. The staff are friendly, and the shrimp skewers and seafood skewers are relatively reasonably priced.

Transport and Practical Tips

• Transport: Attractions in Oita Prefecture are spread out, so JR Yufuin Station and Beppu Station are recommended as main bases. If you plan to visit relatively lesser-known areas such as Taketa or Bungo-Ono, renting a car or hiring a private car will be more convenient.
• Hot Spring Passes: At the tourist information center in JR Beppu Station, you can buy the “Seven Hells Pass” and a one-day bus pass. These are usually better value than buying separate tickets, and Chinese-speaking staff can help you plan your route.
• Opening Hours: Most shops and restaurants in Yufuin close around 5 p.m. It is best to schedule shopping and meals during the day, while evenings are better suited to soaking in hot springs.
• Seasonal Recommendations: Spring (March–April) is good for cherry blossoms and hot springs, autumn (November) is good for fall foliage, and in winter you can go skiing at Kokonoe Forest Park before soaking in a hot spring.