//
Prefecture of Japan
Photo: 663highland, CC BY 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons
Ōita Prefecture (大分県 Ōita-ken) is a prefecture of Kyushu, Japan. Onsens! Onsens! Onsens! are what this prefecture is famous for, but it has a lot more to offer from ancient Buddhist images to theme parks. With a much more laid-back feel compared to the big cities of Honshu this is a good place to dive into the more rural Japan off the beaten track.
By train
Three JR Kyushu train lines run through Oita Station, located downtown: Nippo Honsen, Hohi Honsen and Kyudai Honsen.
By bus
Buses from virtually every major city on Kyushu have service to Oita and Beppu, the main ones being the multiple highway buses that run to and from Fukuoka.
To get to some of the smaller places hiring a car is a very good or only option as public transport can be rare and not particularly convenient. For the cities the train service is the most convenient way to get around.
Read in the guideChoose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Oita · Regional · OIT
Loading places around the airport…
Oita (大分市 Oita-shi) is the capital city of Oita prefecture.
Beppu (別府 Beppu) is a city in Oita prefecture on the island of Kyushu, Japan. Famous for its visually stunning hot springs (the Hells of Beppu), Beppu is one of Japan's Three Great Hot Springs.
Yufu (由布市) is a city in Oita Prefecture. The northwest section of the city contains the Yufuin (湯布院) district, which is famous as one of the best hot spring resorts in Japan.
Hita (日田市 Hita-shi) is a small city in the west of Oita prefecture, Japan. It's closer to Fukuoka than Oita, the prefectural capital.
Saiki (佐伯) is the easternmost city in Kyushu, the island's largest by area, and Ōita Prefecture's fourth-largest by population.
Taketa (竹田市) is a city in Oita, Japan.
Usa (宇佐) is a city and district in Ōita Prefecture.
Articles and travel topics about Oita (prefecture) and Japan.
Travel tipsCheck if you need a visa for Japan in 2026. Discover visa-exempt nationalities, eVisa eligibility, stay durations, and how to use Visit Japan Web QR codes.
7 min read
Travel tipsPlan for Japan's new travel costs in 2026. Learn about the ¥3,000 international departure tax, tiered hotel taxes in Kyoto, and Mt Fuji trail fees.
7 min read
Travel tipsComplete 2026 guide to global tourist taxes and access fees. Compare entry fees in Venice, Bali, Bhutan, Kyoto, and Edinburgh, and learn how to pay them.
8 min read
ItinerariesPlan a trip to Japan with kids in 2026. Discover a family-tested 10-day itinerary with theme parks, bullet trains, and practical parenting tips.
8 min read
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.