Oita Prefecture

Dubbed the "Onsen Prefecture," best represented by Beppu's Hell Tour and the Yufuin hot spring resort.

Oita Prefecture lies in northeastern Kyushu, facing the Seto Inland Sea and the Bungo Channel to the east, and is known for ranking among Japan's top for both the number of hot spring sources and the volume of water. Beppu Onsen is famous for its "Hell Tour" and varied spring types, and you can try sand baths and steam-cooked food; Yufuin, with Mt. Yufu as its backdrop, has refined, quiet streets and is good for staying at a hot spring inn. The prefecture also has natural and cultural sights such as Usa Jingu and the Rokugo Manzan temple cluster on the Kunisaki Peninsula, and the Kuju mountains. Autumn and winter are the most enjoyable times for soaking in hot springs. Oita Airport has flights to Tokyo and elsewhere, and from Fukuoka you can take a JR limited express.

Destinations

• Beppu
• Yufuin

Itineraries

• Fukuoka, Yufuin & Beppu Hot Spring Getaway – A short hot spring route starting and ending in Fukuoka, connecting Dazaifu, Yufuin, and Beppu entirely by rail and bus
• Northern Kyushu Road Trip: Yufuin, Aso & Takachiho – A loop starting and ending in Fukuoka without backtracking, passing through Beppu, Kokonoe, Kurokawa, Aso, Takachiho, a…
• Kyushu Rail Grand Loop (No Car) – A car-free loop around Kyushu: Nagasaki on the west, Aso in the center, Beppu and Miyazaki on the east, ending in Kagos…