Ōita Prefecture

Ōita is a place in Japan.

It sits on the island of Kyūshū. The land has many big mountains.

Most of the land is covered by green forests. These forests help keep the water clean.

Ōita is famous for hot springs. These are warm pools of water from the ground.

It has more hot springs than any other place in Japan. Many people visit to swim in them.

You can find many yummy foods here. People grow sweet pears and citrus fruit. They also grow tasty mushrooms. It is a very special place to see.

Ōita is a prefecture in Japan.

It sits on the northeast part of Kyūshū island. The land meets the Bungo Channel. This water connects the Pacific Ocean and the Seto Inland Sea.

Ōita is famous for its hot springs, called onsen. It has more hot springs than any other prefecture in Japan. Many people visit cities like Beppu to see them.

The land is very green. Forests cover 70% of the area. Big mountains like the Kujū Mountains rise up here.

Farmers in Ōita grow many things. They grow kabosu, which is a citrus fruit like a lime. They also grow saffron and dried shiitake mushrooms. They are the top producers of these in Japan. People also farm dairy cows on the high plateaus. The area is also known for its fishing. Many tasty fish come from the sea near the coast.

Ōita Prefecture is a beautiful place in Japan. It sits on the northeast part of the island of Kyūshū.

The land meets the Bungo Channel, which connects the Pacific Ocean and the Seto Inland Sea. To the north, it is near Honshū Island and the Suo Channel. The prefecture borders Fukuoka and Kumamoto to the west. Miyazaki Prefecture lies to the south.

Many people visit because of the famous hot springs, called onsen. Ōita has more onsen than any other prefecture in Japan. The city of Beppu is a very popular spot for these springs.

The land in Ōita is very green and diverse. Forests cover about 70% of the entire area. Many big mountains rise up through the landscape. These include Mount Yufu, Mount Tsurumi, and the Kujū Mountains.

The Kujū Mountains are sometimes called the "roof of Kyūshū." These mountains help create many rivers and streams. Rivers like the Ōita and the Yamakuni flow through the land. This water is very important for the people and the plants.

History tells us that this area has been important for a long time. Around the 6th century, the land was divided into different provinces. Later, parts of the Bungo and Buzen provinces joined to form Ōita.

An old report from the 8th century tells a story about Emperor Keikō. He visited the area and called it a vast land. He named it Okita-Kuni, which means "Land of the Great Fields." This name eventually became the name Ōita that we use today.

Ōita is a leader in growing many special things. It is Japan's number one producer of kabosu limes. These citrus fruits are very tasty and full of vitamin C.

The prefecture also grows the most dried shiitake mushrooms in the country. Another special crop is saffron, which grows mostly in the Taketa area. Farmers also grow madake bamboo, which is used for many crafts. On the high plateaus, people raise dairy cows.

The sea around Ōita is also very productive. The coastline has many different shapes, from flat bays to jagged cliffs.

Because of this, the fishing industry is very strong. People catch many kinds of seafood, like mackerel and prawns. The prefecture also has many natural parks to protect its beauty. These parks include the Aso Kujū and Setonaikai National Parks. This mix of mountains, forests, and sea makes Ōita a special place to explore.

Ōita Prefecture is a significant administrative region located in the northeast of Kyūshū, Japan.

It sits along the Bungo Channel, which acts as a water link between the Pacific Ocean and the Seto Inland Sea. The prefecture is positioned across from Ehime Prefecture on the island of Shikoku. To the north, it is bordered by the Suo Channel and Honshū Island. Its land neighbors include Fukuoka Prefecture to the northwest, Kumamoto Prefecture to the southwest, and Miyazaki Prefecture to the south. With a total area of 6,340.71 square kilometers, the region is a diverse mix of mountains, forests, and coasts.

The physical landscape is shaped by complex geological forces. A major tectonic line runs from Usuki City in Ōita to Yatsushiro City in Kumamoto. Other tectonic lines run east to west through the prefecture. These movements have created a varied terrain. The northern part features granite and metamorphic rocks. In contrast, the southern area contains limestone. This limestone serves as the foundation for the Tsukumi cement industry and forms several limestone caves. The Kirishima Range is a volcanic belt that runs vertically through the prefecture. This volcanic activity is responsible for the many hot spring sources found here.

Nature dominates much of the Ōita landscape. Approximately 70% of the prefecture is covered by forests. Massive mountain ranges rise above the land, including Mount Yufu, Mount Tsurumi, Mount Sobo, Mount Katamuki, and Mount Kujū. Mount Kujū is often called the "roof of Kyūshū."

These mountains feed many important water sources. Major rivers include the Yamakuni, Yakkan, Ōita, Ōno, and Banjō rivers. The coastline varies greatly depending on the location. The north features shoals, while Beppu Bay sits in the center. The southern coast is a jagged "rias coastline." In Saiki City, the Yakata Island area contains rare sea cliffs and sedimentary rock formations.

The history of the region stretches back many centuries. Around the 6th century, Kyūshū was divided into four regions: Tsukushi, Hi, Kumaso, and Toyo provinces. Toyo Province was later split into Bungo and Buzen provinces. After the Meiji Restoration, these two provinces were combined to form the modern Ōita Prefecture. An 8th-century report mentions Emperor Keikō visiting the area. He reportedly named it Okita-Kuni, meaning "Land of the Great Fields." Today, modern interpretations suggest the name comes from "Okita," meaning "many fields," due to the complex terrain. During the Edo period, the town of Hita served as a government seat. Hita became famous for the Hita-kin money-lending industry, managed by merchants in the Mameda and Kuma districts.

Ōita is a major center for tourism and specialized industry. It is the most famous prefecture in Japan for its onsen, or hot springs. It has more onsen than any other prefecture in the country. The city of Beppu is a primary destination for travelers seeking these springs and traditional ryokan inns.

Beyond tourism, the prefecture is a leader in several agricultural products. It is Japan's top producer of kabosu limes, which are citrus fruits rich in vitamin C. It also leads the nation in the production of dried shiitake mushrooms. In the Taketa area, Ōita produces 80% of Japan's total saffron. The prefecture is also the top producer of madake bamboo and galingale.

The economy is supported by diverse natural resources and manufacturing. Ōita ranks first in Japan for limestone production. It also ranks first for hot-spring output and geothermal power. The prefecture is second only to the United States' Yellowstone National Park in geothermal output. Agriculture is a primary industrial driver, including dairy farming on the Kujū highlands. The fishing industry is also prosperous, utilizing the rich coastal waters. Many large international companies, such as Sony, Canon, and Toshiba, operate factories within the prefecture.

Modern Ōita is organized into 14 cities, 3 districts, 3 towns, and one village. The population was recorded at 1,081,646 as of February 1, 2025. The prefecture has undergone significant municipal changes. Between 2005 and 2006, many smaller municipalities merged. This resulted in Ōita having the fewest municipalities in Kyūshū. It also has the fewest towns and villages combined in all of Japan. The "One Village One Product" movement, led by former governor Morihiko Hiramatsu, helped boost the local economy. This movement has since gained international attention for helping local industries grow.