Oita Prefecture (大分県)

Panoramic view of Beppu in Oita Prefecture from Kifune Castle


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


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


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".

Planning your trip to 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

Cities of Oita Prefecture

Tourist Attractions of Oita Prefecture

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