Oita Prefecture is located in the Kyushu region of Japan and is known for its rich nature, beautiful coastline, and some of the best hot springs in Japan. In this issue, we will introduce 10 driving spots that you must visit when you visit Oita Prefecture.
Chojabaru Visitor Center
The Chojabaru Visitor Center is a tourist base located at the entrance to the Kujyu Mountain Range, which straddles Taketa City and Kokonoe Town in Oita Prefecture, and is equipped with information and facilities for enjoying the beautiful nature of Aso-Kujyu National Park. It is also used as a starting point for mountain climbing, trekking, and nature observation, and is visited by many tourists and nature lovers.
Basic Information
- Location: 255-33 Ooaza Tano, Kokonoe-cho, Kusu-gun, Oita Prefecture
- Access: 30 minutes drive from Kokonoe Interchange on Oita Expressway.
- Opening hours: Normally 9:00-17:00 (subject to seasonal variations)
- Admission: Free (parking is also free)
Yufudake Observatory
Yufudake Observatory is a scenic spot located in the Yufuin area of Oita Prefecture, where visitors can enjoy a close-up view of Mt. Yufudake, nicknamed āBungofuji (Bungo Fuji),ā in a rich natural setting. Yufudake is a 1,583-meter-high volcano, and its beautiful symmetrical mountain shape is one of Oita Prefecture’s most spectacular sights, with a different appearance each season.
Basic Information
- Location: Higashiyama, Beppu City, Oita Prefecture
- Access: 10 minutes drive from Yufuin Interchange on Route 210.
- Parking: Free parking available.
Beppu Jigoku Meguri (Hell Tour)
Beppu Jigoku Meguri is a sightseeing spot in Beppu City, Oita Prefecture, where visitors can experience the diverse hot spring landscapes created by nature. As the name ājigokuā suggests, visitors can enjoy otherworldly sights such as wild fumaroles, steam, and colorful hot spring ponds. With dishes that utilize the geothermal heat of the hot springs and exhibits of unique animals and plants, this is an area where visitors can fully enjoy Beppu’s hot spring culture.
Basic Information
- Location: 559-1 Kannawa, Beppu City, Oita Prefecture
- Number of Hells: 7 in total (each hell exists as an independent tourist attraction)
- Opening hours: 8:00-17:00 (may vary depending on the hell)
- Admission Fees: There is an admission fee for each location, but you can save money by purchasing a common ticket (about 2,200 yen).
Shidaka Lake
Lake Shidaka is located on a plateau 600 meters above sea level between Beppu City and Yufuin Town, Yufu City, Oita Prefecture. The quiet lake, with a circumference of approximately 2 kilometers, is a popular healing spot where visitors can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the four seasons. It is a popular place for families and couples, with a variety of activities such as camping, boating, and walking.
Basic Information
- Location: 4380-1 Shidaka, Beppu City, Oita Prefecture
- Access: Approximately 20 minutes by car from downtown Beppu.
- About 20 minutes by car from downtown Beppu.
- About 30 minutes from Yufuin by car.
- Parking: Free parking available.
- Admission: Free (camping and boating available for a fee)
Kinrin Lake
Kinrin-ko Lake is a symbolic sightseeing spot in Yufuin, located in Yufuin Town, Yufu City, Oita Prefecture, and is known for its scenic beauty. Its name comes from the way the lake’s surface glistens like golden scales in the morning and evening sun. Hot springs gush out around the lake, and the misty scenery is fantastic.
Basic Information
- Location: 1561-1 Kawakami, Yufuin-cho, Yufu City, Oita Prefecture
- Access: Approx. 20 min.
- Approximately 20 minutes walk from JR Yufuin Station.
- If visiting by car, there are several parking lots nearby (often with fees).
- Admission: Free
- Lake Size: Small lake, about 400 meters in circumference.
Kujyu Kogen Gandhi Farm
Kujyu Kogen Gandhi Farm is a sightseeing facility centering on a dairy farm in Taketa City, Oita Prefecture, where visitors can interact with animals, sample dairy products, and enjoy hands-on programs in the vast nature of the Kuju Kogen Plateau. The name comes from the fact that the farm raises āGuernseyā dairy cows, which are native to England. Soft ice cream and cheese made from fresh milk are popular among tourists.
Basic Information
- Location: 4004-56, Kusumi, Kusumi Town, Taketa City, Oita Prefecture
- Access: Approximately 40 minutes by car from the Kokonoe IC of the Oita Expressway.
- Approximately 40 minutes by car from the Kokonoe IC of the Oita Expressway.
- Approximately 30 minutes by car from Bungo Taketa Station on the JR Hohi Main Line.
- Opening hours: 9:00-18:00 (varies according to season)
- Admission: Free (some hands-on programs are charged)
- Parking: Free
Jion-no-taki Waterfall
Jion-no-taki Waterfall is located in Kokonoe-cho, Kusu-gun, Oita Prefecture, Japan. It is a beautiful and powerful waterfall with a height of about 30 meters and a width of about 40 meters. It is famous as a tourist attraction because of its scenery that is in harmony with the surrounding nature. The following is a detailed description of the features of Jion Falls.
Basic Information
- Location: 618 Yamaura, Kusu-machi, Kusu-gun, Oita-ken
- Access: Located along Route 210 for convenient access by car.
- Parking: Yes (free of charge)
Usa Jingu Shrine
Usa Jingu (Usa Shrine) is a very important shrine located in Usa City, Oita Prefecture, Japan, and is widely known especially as a shrine dedicated to Hachiman no Kami. Hachiman-kami is worshipped as a god of war and also as a patron god of agriculture and commerce. Usa Jingu Shrine is the most prestigious of the shrines enshrining Hachiman-kami and is revered by many believers in Japan and abroad.
Basic Information
- Address: 2867 Minami-Usa, Usa City, Oita Prefecture
- Telephone number:. 0978-37-0001 (Usa Jingu Shrine Office)
- Parking: Yes (free of charge)
Bungo Futamigaura
Bungo Futamigaura is a beautiful beach located in Bungo Takada City, Oita Prefecture, and is especially known for āFutamigaura’s Couple Rocksā (Fuuwa). Bungo Futamigaura is an attractive sightseeing spot with its combination of sea and natural beauty, providing visitors with a peaceful and mysterious atmosphere.
Basic Information
- Address: Aza Asamiiura, Kamiura, Saiki City, Oita Prefecture, Japan
- Access:It takes about 30 minutes by car from Usa IC on the Oita Expressway. You can access Futamigaura via Bungotakada City.
- Parking: Yes
Harajiri Waterfall
Harajiri Waterfall is a beautiful waterfall located in Bungo-Ono City, Oita Prefecture, and is especially famous for its spectacular scenery, which has made it one of the ā100 Best Waterfalls in Bungo. The shape of the waterfall and the surrounding natural scenery are very attractive, and it is widely known as a tourist attraction.
Basic Information
- Address: 410 Harajiri, Ogata-cho, Bungo-Ono City, Oita Prefecture
- Access:.
- About 50 minutes drive from Oita IC on the Oita Expressway.
- From within Ogata Town, you can follow the signs to the waterfall. You can enjoy nature along the way.
- Parking: Yes
Summary
In this article, I have introduced some driving spots where you can enjoy spectacular nature, including Jigoku Onsen, a unique Oita Prefecture landmark. I have been to several of these places, and all of them are perfect for enjoying nature and refreshing yourself. How about getting away from the city center and enjoying the nature of Japan?
After your drive, let the onsen and sushi reset your body!
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