Oita Prefecture

Oita Prefecture is located on the southern island of Kyushu where the lush green mountains meet the sea. It is known as the “onsen prefecture” because of the large quantity of natural hot springs or “onsens” bubbling forth from beneath the mountains.

 

Ancient documents talk about Empress Keiko visiting Oita and exclaiming that the fields were vast and abundant. The fertile fields of rice, wheat, barley and flowers are part of the striking landscape and an important part of the local economy to this day. 

 

Francis Xavier’s missional community played an important role in the revival and cultural reformation in Oita, Japan that occurred in the 1500’s. Otomo Sorin is a famous local chieftain who became a Christian and encouraged his kingdom to embrace Christianity, western education and western medicine.

 

To this day Oita is known for their university education, medical programs, music and art schools, sculpting and architecture. The internationally acclaimed Asia Pacific University hosts students from all across Asia, the Pacific Island and Africa. The people of Oita are very welcoming to people from other nations.

 

Central Oita City has many cafes, boutiques, museums, and music venues as well as local and international festivals. Oita has a stadium that hosts international sporting events. Other parts of the city have factories, farms, and fisheries. 

 

We love Oita because of the beautiful nature, the history of revival, the warmth of the people, and the local love for the arts. We are happy to call Oita home.

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To find out more about Oita, visit discover-oita.com