What to See in Oita, Japan

Oita Prefecture, in the northeast of Kyūshū, is one of Japan’s defining onsen regions, shaped by heat rising from beneath the ground. The best-known place to experience it is Beppu, but the prefecture also offers historic shrines, Buddhist traditions, museums and distinctive towns. This Oita travel guide introduces the places and experiences that make the region worth exploring. Neywo offers free audio guides for three cities in Oita, with 20 narrated places in total and narration in 11 languages.

What to see and do in Oita

Experience the hot springs of Beppu

Beppu is the clearest expression of Ōita’s geothermal abundance. The city has more than 150 individual onsen bathing facilities, while its ryokans and public baths draw on the same volcanic source. Across the prefecture, hot springs have helped make Ōita a popular destination for onsen and ryokan stays.

Some of Beppu’s most famous springs are known as the Hells of Beppu. These are not bathing facilities, but places to view the dramatic effects of geothermal activity. Their heat and appearance are reminders that the same underground force can be both welcoming and powerful.

The natural warmth beneath Ōita also has a modern role. A study found that geothermal energy and hot spring heat helped the prefecture meet part of its energy demand. Here, the underground heat is not simply a source of relaxation: it is one of the forces that defines the region.

For specific places to visit, see the Beppu city guide. Neywo’s Beppu audio guide includes 11 narrated places, including Oniishibozu Hell, Catholic Beppu Church, Oita Fragrance Museum and Tatsumaki Hell.

Discover Ōita’s layered history

The history of Ōita begins with the older regions of Kyūshū. Around the sixth century, the island included Toyo Province, which was later divided into Bungo and Buzen. After the Meiji Restoration, districts from both provinces were combined to form Ōita Prefecture.

The earlier provinces were divided among many local daimyōs. Since power was spread across numerous rulers, a large castle town did not form in Ōita. The wider area became known as Toyo-no-Kuni, meaning the Land of Abundance. Even the name Ōita reaches far back, with its origins recorded in a report called the Chronicles of Bungo.

This history is distributed across the prefecture rather than concentrated in one single story. Religious sites, traditional buildings and local museums each preserve part of the region’s past.

Visit Usa Jingū

Usa Jingū, in Usa, is the head shrine of more than 40,000 Hachiman shrines. Its importance places it among the key religious sites to seek out when exploring Ōita’s cultural heritage.

The shrine is part of a wider network of traditions that connect the prefecture’s modern destinations with the older history of Kyūshū. It also shows how religious places remain woven into the identity of Ōita.

Explore the Buddhist heritage of the Kunisaki Peninsula

The Kunisaki Peninsula is known for the number of Buddhist statues and temples found across its landscape. The area has been called Buddha’s Village, a name that reflects the density and importance of its religious heritage.

For travellers interested in temples, sculpture and the relationship between spirituality and landscape, the peninsula offers a different side of Ōita from the hot-spring towns. Its traditions form part of the many local histories held across the prefecture.

Visit Hita

Hita is one of the three Ōita cities covered by Neywo. The city guide includes four narrated places: Tenryo Hita Whisky Museum, Roadside station Taio-kinzan, Kusano Honke and Hita Gion Yamahoko Kaikan.

Together, these places introduce different aspects of Hita, from local collections and heritage buildings to the city’s festival culture. Explore the dedicated Hita guide to plan which narrated places to include in a visit.

Explore Yufu

Yufu is another useful base for discovering a different part of Ōita. Neywo’s guide includes five narrated places, among them Sagiridai, Yufuin Floral Village, Unaguhime Shrine and Watakushi Art Museum.

The selection combines viewpoints, a distinctive village-style attraction, a shrine and an art museum. For the full list of narrated places, visit the Yufu city guide.

Explore Oita with Neywo

Neywo has free audio guides for three cities in Oita, with 20 narrated places in total and two walking tours. Narration is available in 11 languages. Each story plays as you reach the place, at your own pace: there is no group and no schedule.

Download Neywo and explore Oita while the app tells the story of each place as you arrive. It is a simple way to discover Beppu, Hita and Yufu independently, while connecting the prefecture’s hot springs, religious heritage and local history. You can also continue planning your trip with the wider Japan guide.