Want to experience Japan's coastal culture? Head over to Oita, Japan to see its various tourist attractions.

 

Oita is located in the eastern part of Kyushu Island. Known for its many onsen (hot springs) towns, Oita Prefecture is the best place to visit in Japan for the ultimate relaxation getaway.

 

 

• Yufuin Floral Village, for a taste of medieval English towns in the heart of Oita
• Yunotsubo Kaido, Yufuin's main road
• Jigokumushi, a traditional cooking method dating back to the Edo Period
• Beppu Onsen, one of the most popular hot spring resorts in Japan
• Oita Marine Palace Aquarium Umitamago, where dolphins and walruses show off their talents

 

Yufuin Floral Village

 

©JNTO

 

• A shopping town designed to replicate England's Cotswold villages
• Offers unique experiences such as cat restaurants and a forest where you can meet owls

 

If you're a fan of the Harry Potter books, Yufuin Floral Village is a must-see tourist attraction in Oita. It's a shopping town in Yufu City inspired by the Cotswolds villages in England that were also the inspiration for the books’ setting. There, you'll feel like you’ve been whisked away to medieval England as you walk along the cobblestone streets.

 

Marvel at the thatched stone houses adorned with flowers and lamps. These buildings also house dainty shops that sell merchandise from famous works like Harry Potter, Studio Ghibli, Moomin, Pokemon and Heidi, Girl of the Alps. There’s even an Alice in Wonderland-themed cat cafe and an owl photo studio where you can dress like one of the Hogwarts students and hang out with some very cute owls!

 

Yufuin Floral Village Address: 1503-3 Kawakami, Yufuincho, Yufu City, Oita Prefecture Website: http://floral-village.com/

 

Yunotsubo Kaido

 

 

• Backdropped by Mt. Yufu, a.k.a. The Mt. Fuji of Oita

 

Yunotsubo Kaido, located on the way to stroll from JR Yufuin Station to Lake Kinrin, offers a close view of Mount Yufu. The approximately 1-kilometer street is a busy street lined with souvenir shops and general merchandise stores.

 

Yunotsubo Kaido Address: Yunotsubo, Kawakami, Yufuincho, Yufu City, Oita Prefecture

 

Jigoku-Mushi

 

 

• A traditional steamed cooking method that dates back to the Edo Period
• Uses volcanic steam produced by the area's volcanic activity

 

While you're in Oita, do not miss out on experiencing jigoku-mushi, which literally translates to "hell cooking". It involves steaming your food using volcanic steam. This culinary technique dates back to the Edo Period (1603-1867) and is widely used in Beppu, where steam — measuring around 100℃ — naturally comes from the volcanic activity in the area. Since Oita is located on the coast of Japan, fresh seafood is one of the common dishes cooked with this method. It's also used to make soft-boiled eggs and baked pudding.

 

You can experience this traditional cooking method at Jigokumushi Kobo Kannawa, among other places in Oita, which offers a hands-on workshop that allows you to cook all kinds of ingredients in boiling hot steam!

 

Jigokumushi Kobo Kannawa Address: 5 Furonomoto, Beppu-shi, Oita Prefecture Website: https://jigokumushi.com/

 

Beppu Onsen

 

 

• Located in Beppu City, Japan's capital city of hot springs
• Experience different types of onsens that offer varying health benefits

 

Located 45 minutes away from Oita City, Beppu City is known as Japan's capital city of hot springs since it's home to around 2,300 hot spring sources. That accounts for almost 10% of the onsen sources in Japan! One of the most popular hot springs in the area is called Beppu Onsen. You can experience different kinds of onsens here, including sand, mud, and of course,  the usual hot springs. Each onsen has a different set of benefits, so you definitely have to try as many of the hot springs as you can while you're in Oita!

 

Oita Marine Palace Aquarium Umitamago

 

©Oita Marine Palace Aquarium Umitamago

 

• A modern aquarium facing Beppu Bay
• Home to dolphins, walruses, and other sea animals

 

Get up close and personal with Oita's dolphins, walruses, and other sea animals at the Oita Marine Palace Aquarium Umitamago. There, you can find a giant 1,250-ton circular water tank, which houses the 90 kinds of fish that are naturally found in the nearby Bungo Channel.

 

The aquarium hosts several performances, where the dolphins, walruses, and fish do acrobatics and other tricks with the guidance of their trainers. Visitors of all ages can also enjoy observing up close with these intelligent creatures at the popular dolphin pool, which is designed to replicate a white sand beach.

 

Oita Marine Palace Aquarium Address: 3078-22 Kanzaki, Oita City, Oita Prefecture Website: https://www.umitamago.jp/index-en/

 

After visiting these top tourist attractions, remember to explore the other cultural, historical, and entertainment-filled locations in Oita Prefecture too!