OITA PREFECTURE

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OITA MAIN CITIES and TOWNS

Beppu is a city on the island of Kyushu which is famous for its traditional Japanese bath houses, onsen built around natural hot springs.

Oita is the capital city of Oita Prefecture on the Kyushu island of Japan. Oita is famous for their puffer fish (fugu). Outside Oita city, nearby scenery includes seaside fishing villages, Takasaki-yama mountain inhabited by monkeys, towns renowned for onsen (geothermal hot springs), and mountain plateaus. This area also includes the nearby town of Beppu which is considered Japan's capital of Onsen.

Yufuin is a town located near the center of Oita Prefecture, on the island of Kyushu. Yufuin is a famous Onsen (spa) town, which also features many art museums, galleries, restaurants and coffee shops.

OITA CASTLES

Funai Castle, also known as Oita Castle, is a flat land style Japanese Castle located in Oita Oita Prefecture. Otomo Sorin, who controlled most of Kyushu, ordered the construction of Funai Castle and it was completed in 1562. Funai Castle featured a three story donjon (tower) and several turrets (yagura), however these were all destroyed by fire in 1743. Today there are modern reconstructions of several turrets and a covered bridge over the moat along with some original sections of wall and moat.

Hiji Castle was a hilltop style Japanese Castle located along the coastline of Beppu Bay in Hiji Oita Prefecture. In 1601 Kinoshita Nobutoshi ordered the construction of Hiji Castle and it was designed by Nobutoshi's brother in law, Hosokawa Tadaoki. Today all that remains of Hiji Castle is the Sumi turret and the stone walls.

Kitsuki Castle was a hilltop style Japanese Castle located on a 30m high rock platform along the coastline of Morie Bay in Kitsuki Oita Prefecture. Yorinao Kizuki ordered the construction of Kitsuki Castle and it was completed in 1394. The Shimizu clan besieged Kitsuki Castle, but failed to capture it, leading to the nickname Katsuyamajo (the castle of victory). The Matsudaira clan took control of the castle in the 17th century and gave it the current title of Kitsuki Castle. In 1970 a modern reconstruction of the three story donjon (tower) was completed.

Nakatsu Castle is a flat land style Japanese Castle located in Nakatsu Oita Prefecture. In 1587 Kuroda Yoshitaka ordered the construction of Nakatsu Castle, however it was still not completed by 1600, when Kuroda was awarded a new domain by Toyotomi Hideyoshi for his actions in the Battle of Sekigahara. Control of Nakatsu Castle then passed to Hosokawa Tadaoki, who then completed it and nearby Kokura Castle. Control of Nakatsu Castle and the area then passed to the Ogasawara clan in 1717 who remained in control until the Meiji Restoration in 1868. The five story donjon (tower) of Nakatsu Castle was then destroyed by fire during the failed Satsuma Rebellion in 1877. In 1964 a modern reconstruction of Nakatsu Castle was completed.

Oka Castle was a mountain top style Japanese Castle located in Taketa Oita Prefecture. Oka Castle was originally constructed in 1185, with many improvements and repairs completed around 1332. After 1594 more improvements were made including the addition of a donjon and palace. The donjon was later destroyed in an earthquake in the Edo period and the remaining buildings were dismantled in the Meiji Restoration (1874). Today only some of the walls remain.

Saiki Castle, also known as Tsuruya Castle, was a hill top style Japanese Castle located in Saiki Oita Prefecture. Mori Takamasa ordered the construction of Saiki Castle and it was completed in 1606. Saiki Castle was a large castle featuring a three story donjon, five double story turrets, a single story turret and seven gates. In 1617 the donjon was destroyed by fire, but the Mori clan continued to use Saiki Castle until the Meiji Restoration. Today only one gate and some of the stone walls remain.

Usuki Castle, also known as Niyuujima Castle, is a hill top style Japanese Castle located on the island of Niyuujima in Usuki Bay Oita Prefecture. Otomo Sorin ordered the construction of Usuki Castle and it was completed in 1562. During the 1560's Sorin controlled a large part of Kyushu, however he was defeated in the Battle of Mimikawa in 1578, which lead to the capture of Usuki Castle by Shimazu Yoshihiro in 1586. Toyotomi Hideyoshi later gained control of Usuki Castle. Today to Edo period turrets remain, plus there is a reconstructed Daimon turret.

OITA GARDENS and PARKS

Oka Castle Park, located in Taketa Oita Prefecture, is famous for its cherry blossom being considered one of Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots. Oka Castle Park also features the ruins of Oka Castle which includes some walls.

OITA AMUSEMENT PARKS

Harmonyland is a theme park featuring Hello Kitty, My Melody, Cinnamoroll, Jewelpet and more characters created by the Sanrio company. Harmonyland is located in Hayami-gun of Oita Prefecture on the island of Kyushu.