Resort Glamping.com
Nationwide (Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, Koshinetsu, Kansai, Tokai, Chugoku, Shikoku, Kyushu, Okinawa)
Resort Glamping.com
Nationwide (Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, Koshinetsu, Kansai, Tokai, Chugoku, Shikoku, Kyushu, Okinawa)
September 15, 2026
Oita Prefecture, located in the northeastern part of Kyushu, Japan, is known as a "hot spring prefecture" boasting the largest volume of hot spring water in Japan. In particular, the Usa, Kuju, and Nakatsu areas of Oita Prefecture have many luxury resort facilities where you can enjoy private open-air baths. On the other hand, Beppu's Hell Tour and Lake Kinrin in Yufuin are popular tourist spots familiar to many travelers. In this article, we will compare three popular tourist areas in Oita Prefecture and introduce everything from access methods, sightseeing spots, gourmet food, to recommended luxury accommodations.
table of contents
| transportation | Route | Acitivity Time |
|---|---|---|
| Oita Airport Limousine Bus | Oita Airport → Beppu/Oita Station | Approx. 40 to 55 minutes |
| JR Limited Express Sonic | Hakata Station → Oita Station | Approx. 2 hour |
| JR Limited Express Yufu/Yufuin no Mori | Hakata Station → Yufuin Station | about 2 hour 10 minutes |
| Kyushu Expressway Bus | Fukuoka Tenjin/Hakata → Beppu Kitahama/Yufuin Station | Approx. 2 to 2.5 hours |
| Rental cars / Private cars | Oita Airport → Tourist destinations in Kuju, Usa, and Nakatsu | Approx. 45 to 90 minutes |
| Area | Characteristics | How to enjoy | Travel time from Oita Airport |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beppu | A type of hot spring resort located in an urban area. The eight hot spring areas are collectively called "Beppu Hatto" (Eight Hot Springs of Beppu). | Takegawara Onsen, ropeway, hot spring sightseeing | Approximately 40 minutes (airport bus) |
| Yufuin | A hot spring town nestled in the mountains. It also boasts many stylish shops and art museums. | A stroll around Kinrin Lake, Mount Yufu, and Yunotsubo Street. | Approximately 55 minutes (airport bus) |
| Kokonoe, Usa, Nakatsu | An area where you can enjoy abundant nature and hot springs. Luxury resorts are also abundant. | Kokonoe "Dream" Suspension Bridge, autumn foliage of Yabakei, private open-air bath | Approximately 1 to 1.5 hours (rental car or chartered vehicle recommended) |
This is one of Oita Prefecture's signature soul foods. Chicken seasoned with soy sauce and garlic is coated in tempura batter and deep-fried, resulting in a dish that is crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. It is typically enjoyed with a dipping sauce made with soy sauce and vinegar or kabosu, a citrus fruit unique to Oita.
Store: Kitchen Maruyama
Address: 1-6-15 Kentoku-cho, Oita City, Oita Prefecture
Phone: 097-537-5538
Hours: 11:00-14:30, 17:30-21:00
Closed on: Sundays, Mondays, and public holidays
These are premium brand fish landed around Saganoseki Fishing Port, which faces the Bungo Channel. The horse mackerel and mackerel, carefully caught using the single-line fishing method, are known for their firm flesh and rich fat content. Fresh Seki horse mackerel and Seki mackerel are a seafood delicacy you should definitely try when visiting Oita.
Store: Amabe no Sato Seki Aji Seki Saba Kan
Address: 949 Shiraki, Oita City, Oita Prefecture
Phone: 097-575-2338
https://sekiajisekisabakan.com/
Bungo beef is a representative brand of Wagyu beef from Oita Prefecture. It is characterized by its fine texture and beautiful marbling, and can be enjoyed at yakiniku restaurants and hot spring inns throughout Oita Prefecture. You can also enjoy BBQ menus using Bungo beef at luxury resorts such as "GLAMPING CABIN AJIMU" and "GRANXIA Beppu Kannawa," which we will introduce here.
Located in Ajimu, a region known for its wine production in Oita Prefecture, this luxury glamping facility is surrounded by vineyards. Guests can enjoy a relaxing time while taking in the rich natural scenery and vineyard views often shrouded in mist. Each unit has its own private garden, a completely private semi-open-air bath, a private dining space, and a toilet. For dinner, guests can enjoy luxurious gourmet dishes such as Italian-style bouillabaisse (available only in winter), Bungo beef steak, and braised veal shank.
Located within Aso-Kuju National Park and overlooking the Yamanami Highway, this is a luxurious cottage-style glamping facility. In a spacious setting surrounded by magnificent nature, you can relax both mind and body. You can also enjoy a variety of outdoor activities amidst the great outdoors. For meals, you can savor dishes made with local ingredients, such as herb-fed chicken from Oita Prefecture and foil-baked salmon.
Oita Prefecture is located in the northeastern part of Kyushu. Beppu and Yufuin are both famous hot spring resorts representing Oita Prefecture. Beppu is a coastal hot spring resort located northeast of Oita City, while Yufuin is a hot spring town spread out in the mountainous inland area. The distance between Beppu and Yufuin is about an hour by car.
If you take a limousine bus from Oita Airport, it takes about 55 minutes to Oita Station and about 40 minutes to Beppu. If you are going to Yufuin, you can transfer to JR or other trains in Beppu or Oita, and the whole trip will take about 1.5 to 2 hours.
In Oita Prefecture, luxury glamping facilities are increasing, particularly in areas such as Usa, Kuju, and Nakatsu. For example, at "GLAMPING CABIN AJIMU" and "GRANXIA Beppu Kannawa," guests can enjoy a relaxing stay in rooms equipped with private hot springs and en-suite bathrooms.
Bungo beef, Seki horse mackerel, Seki mackerel, and Oita's famous toriten (chicken tempura) are some of the representative local delicacies that you should definitely try.
Oita Prefecture boasts numerous attractive tourist spots, including Beppu's Hells, Yufuin's Kinrin Lake, Kokonoe's "Dream" Suspension Bridge, and Yabakei Gorge. Combining these attractions allows you to create a fulfilling travel plan of 3 days or more. If you're planning a trip to Kyushu, we recommend not only sightseeing but also staying at a luxury resort or glamping facility surrounded by nature at night. Enjoying a private open-air bath, hot springs, or a bonfire will help you end your day's travels in a relaxed atmosphere, making your Oita trip an even more special memory.
He is an editor at Resort Glamping.com, a glamping-focused media outlet visited by approximately 100 million people a month. He has written over 150 articles introducing glamping facilities and experience reports, and is involved in a wide range of glamping facility services, from planning and development to operation and customer acquisition consulting.
