Hita

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.



Tourist information site
The local tourist association has a multilingual guide site.

By bus
Highway buses to Fukuoka (Tenjin and Hakata) leave approximately every 20 minutes from Hita Bus Centre (1½ hours, ¥1750) Some buses stop at the airport which adds on about 15 minutes to the journey. You can buy a book of 4 tickets (a Super Joshaken) for ¥5600. Buses to Oita City leave from the highway stop every 1-2 hours.

By train
Although Hita does have a station, the train is not as convenient as the bus, being more expensive, irregular and less frequent. Services run east to Yufuin (74 min, ¥1080) and Oita (130 min, ¥2070), and west to Kurume (75 min, ¥1080).

By car
The Oita Expressway has an exit here. Driving northwest it takes about 1 hour to drive to Fukuoka (¥1650). Going east it takes about 1 hour to get to Beppu (¥2000) and about 1 hour 20 minutes to get all the way to Oita (¥2350).

Get around
Hita is small enough to get around on by bike alone and you should never really need to use the local buses. A car is useful to get out of town on the weekends but not essential.

See



 * Gion Festival Centre, Kuma-2-chome (隈2-丁目) 7-10, +81 973-24-6453. 9AM-5PM, closed Wednesday. This small museum details the history and activities surrounding Hita's annual summer Gion festival, exhibiting six full sized floats. ¥310 entry.
 * Bamboo Fish Traps, Takedashin-machi (竹田新町) (next to the Mikuma river), +81 973-24-0420. End of July to the beginning of November, 10:00-21:00 (10:00-17:00 from mid-September). Bamboo fish traps (鮎簗 ayuyana) are erected in the Mikuma river in late summer. Hapless sweetfish (鮎 ayu) are captured, covered in salt and grilled and can be enjoyed with a cool beer, looking out on the river.
 * Onta Pottery Village (小鹿田焼村). A small mountain village based around production of distinctive Onta-yaki style pottery. The pottery is still made via the traditional method, introduced to the area by Korean potters in the 16th century. Water driven, see-saw pounders grind down the local clay for moulding into plates, pots, cups and other ceramics. The sound of the see-saws and running water combined with the scenic mountainside create a tranquil atmosphere.
 * Amagase Spa Town, Amagase-machi (天ヶ瀬町). A popular hot-spring resort town about 30 minutes drive from Hita. There are many different types of hot spring overlooking the Mikuma river. These even include a rose petal bath!
 * Amagase Spa Town, Amagase-machi (天ヶ瀬町). A popular hot-spring resort town about 30 minutes drive from Hita. There are many different types of hot spring overlooking the Mikuma river. These even include a rose petal bath!

Festivals

 * Hina Dolls Festival (February/March): During the national Doll's Festival the museums and old houses of Mameda-machi and Kuma-machi open their doors to the public and display their collection of dolls.
 * Cherry Blossom Festival (First Sunday in April): Kizan Park hosts Hita's Cherry Blossom-viewing (hanami) event, where people can enjoy a stroll by the river and a drink under the blossom.
 * River Opening Festival (First weekend after May 20th): A two-day firework display that launches more than 10,000 fireworks over the Mikuma river. If you book well in advance you can watch the display from a river boat!
 * Gion Festival (First Sunday after July 20th): Huge wooden floats (up to 12 m high) from different areas of the city are pushed around the streets by volunteers. Foreigners have been known to be invited.
 * Tenryo Festival (Third weekend in October): This festival celebrates Hita's Edo period, when the city (then called Tenryo) was the capital of Kyushu. The highlight is a procession of 200 people through the city in full Edo-period costume.

Buy

 * Onta Pottery - Various types of ceramic produced in the distinctive Onta-yaki style can be purchased in Hita. Pottery can be purchased from the workshops in Onta village or from shops in Mameda-machi.
 * Woodcraft - Hita is famous for its quality bamboo and cedar timbers. Wood-carving has been ongoing since the Meiji period. Beautifully grained wooden clogs (下駄 geta) are the local speciality. Many products can be purchased in Mameda-machi.

Eat




Drink

 * Xi Amazing Bar, This is a sports bar/flare cocktail bar. The bar staff are very friendly and will put on a show of their cocktail spinning skills if you ask. Great drinks, great fun.
 * If, This tiny cocktail bar with under ten seats but over 400 bottles of spirit lining the walls is run by the English-speaking Kohda-san. He is a former cocktail-making champion and he will make you any cocktail you can name, or tailor one to your liking. Intimate and chilled.

Sleep

 * Hotel Socia (ホテルソシア), Moto-machi (元町) 17-3 (100 m south of Hita station), +81 973-24-6000 (Fax: +81 973-24-3020). Open 24/7. This is the largest hotel in Hita; it's close to the station and centre of town. The manager Umeyama-san speaks good English and is very helpful. Rooms ¥7500-20000. Ladies rooms and Japanese style also available. 20% discount if booked online.

Go next

 * Kusu
 * Kokonoe
 * Yufu
 * Oita
 * Ukiha
 * Kurume
 * Nakatsu
 * Toho
 * Tagawa