Exploring the hidden charm of Oita Prefecture, Japan
Oita Prefecture is a region located in the southwest of Japan on the island of Kyushu and home to the city of Oita. The prefecture consists of endless countryside and farmland, and you will also find the world famous onsen towns and scenic trains there. The scenery in the region is breathtaking.
Within this blog post I share my own experience during a recent 3-day visit to Japan. I hope you’ll enjoy the read and will find the information useful.
Let’s explore the Japanese prefecture of Oita.
Usuki town
First stop from Oita city is Usuki which has a charming old town worth walking around and exploring.
Here you can find much history around the castle and delightful old shops selling handmade items and fresh fruits and vegetables.
Be sure to try the extremely tasty local produce here and stop off for a bowl of ramen if you get hungry.
Usuki Stone Buddhas
Usuki Stone Buddhas are located in the countryside around a 10 minutes’ drive from the town of Usuki. The area is a wonderful place to walk around and explore.
The Usuki Stone Buddhas are a collection of stone sculptures of Buddhas. You can follow a mapped path which will take you around the forest and rice fields which are all a part of the attraction.
Grab a hiking stick and explore this area for a while and make sure you don’t miss out on the tasty ginger ice cream which is served at the local shop.
Family farm stay in Usuki
Why not try a unique homestay experience in Japan and stay with a local family on a farm in Usuki?
Your host will pick you up and give you a look into the day of local Japanese farm life.
Be sure to pack your own bed pyjamas and toothbrush as you come stay in the guest room. The rest you can leave up to the hosts who will make you feel right at home.
Here you can explore the local farm garden and pick some fruits and vegetables.
Be sure to take in an idyllic sunset walk before dinner as the area is covered by bamboo forests and farmland which creates a stunning view from above.
A homestay is a great way to have a look into the friendly local life in Japan as well as a unique experience. I can highly recommend it to everyone.
Take a peek into my family farm stay here as I made a YouTube video:
Yufuin no Mori scenic train
Why not upgrade your train journey to Usuki and jump on board the Yufuin no Mori scenic train?
The scenic train will cost you an additional ticket but if you can try a scenic train route in Japan, I would highly recommend it.
The scenic train experience takes train travel to another level as the trains are specially designed to enjoy the scenic views with additional windows, spacious compartments and comfortable seats. You can just sit back, relax, and enjoy the journey to your next destination whilst taking in the stunning countryside views of Oita Prefecture.
You can also try an exclusive bento box that has been created for this train journey, and you have to try a bento lunch on any train journey in Japan – it’s a wonderful experience.
Oita Bank Dome will host the Rugby World Cup in 2019
Oita city in Oita Prefecture will host the Rugby World Cup in 2019 at the Oita Bank Dome.
Oita will be hosting a fan zone during the games. There will also be a bus transfer service for fans to use: the bus will leave from Oita train station and take you directly to the stadium, the heart of all the action.
It’s exciting that Oita will be hosting some of the games for the RWC 2019 and I hope you enjoy visiting this city during the tournament.
Usa Jingu shrine
Usa (not the country of United States of America) is a town located in the prefecture of Oita and home to the unique Usa Jingu shrine which is worth a visit if you have some free time and you’re passing by the area.
Usa Jingu shrine located in the Oita Prefecture in Japan is thought to be the first Hachiman Shrine-Temple of its kind.
With its mixture of Shintoism and Buddhism, Usa Jingu shrine is a popular spiritual location for people to heal the mind.
Wonderful location to walk around, take in the nature and spend a day in the area.
Thank you for reading all about Oita
Thank you for exploring the hidden charm of Oita Prefecture with me. I hope this blog post was useful with your own travel planning to this unique part of Japan. Have a lot of fun exploring Oita Prefecture.
Want to see more of Oita? Check out my Instagram:
Watch my YouTube video from
Travelling the world, one adventure at a time. Follow Dave Brett, a solo adventure travel blogger on his travels around the world. A globe-trotting adventure travel blog featuring travel tips and advice, travel stories, travel videos and travel photography that will inspire your next trip abroad, and help you plan it too. To read more, please visit: