Taketa, Kokonoe & Bungo-Ono

Nishinokubo
Nishinokubo is beautifully sited in a hamlet overlooking idyllic rural scenery of stepped rice paddies. The husband and wife owners have opened their home up as a minpaku home-stay…

Read More

At a glance

Idyllic accommmodation in an idyllic location.

Japan, Oita, Taketa, Kujumachi Oaza Kuju, 7586, nishinokubo
Tajimaya Roho
Not only does Tajimaya produce the best wagashi confectionary in Oita, its delicious products undoubtedly count amongst the best in Japan. After learning his trade at Fushimi near…

Read More

At a glance

An elegant, traditional Japanese shop that has been making and selling delightful wagashi Japanese sweets since 1804.

竹田市 但馬や
Oita’s onsen: A Hot Spring Heaven
Onsen are a feature found throughout the length and breadth of Japan. Oita, however, boasts the largest concentration of hot springs and they in turn are fed by the greatest volume…

Read More

At a glance

The onsen hot spring capital of the world.

Japan, 大分県
Kengo Kuma
Kuma is the architect of the New National Stadium built for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. An ardent proponent of reinterpreting traditional Japanese construction methods, Kuma is…

Read More

At a glance

One of Japan's architectural elite.

COMICO ART MUSEUM YUFUIN, 2995-1 Yufuincho Kawakami, Yufu, Oita, Japan
Fumio Asakura Museum of Sculpture
This lovely, cosy museum in park setting is dedicated to local son Fumio Asakura, who is regarded as Japan’s leading exponent of natural-realism western-style sculpture, so much so…

Read More

At a glance

A charming museum to the 'Rodin' of Japan.

Japan, Oita, Bungoono, Asajimachi Ikeda, 1587-11 朝倉文夫記念館
Golfing in Oita
Golf has a long history in Japan with the first golf course established in Kobe in 1903 by a British expatriate yearning to play his favourite sport. Ever since the game’s…

Read More

At a glance

Enjoy Oita's natural scenic attractions from the fairways of 23 courses spread throughout the prefecture. An unrushed day's play for beginners and experienced players alike.

Japan, 大分県
Tomoshu
Being established for over 130 years is a good sign that the fundamentals of any business are sound. The owner-chef, however, is not resting on his predecessors’ nor his own…

Read More

At a glance

A lively and tasty restaurant popular with locals and visitors alike.

Japan, Oita, Taketa, Taketamachi, 284 友修
Nagayu & Lamune Onsen
Nagayu is one of the most charming onsen resorts anywhere in Japan. A small town aside a river, it has a lovely and particularly unspoilt charm. While most visitors bathe in the…

Read More

At a glance

One of the nicest onsen resorts, which is really a village, in Japan. Here, a wonderful example of contemprary Japanese architecture houses a carbonated hot spring.

Japan, Oita, Taketa, Naoirimachi Oaza Nagayu, 長湯温泉
Spa Naoiri Motorbike and Cycle Circuit
The sister circuit to Autopolis, Spa Naoiri specialises in two wheels, both motorised and human-powered.

Read More

At a glance

A racing circuit for budding and veteran sportsbikers and cyclists alike.

SPA Naoiri, 510-15 Naoirimachi Oaza Kamitagita, Taketa, Oita, Japan
Taketa History & Culture Museum
The Taketa History & Culture Museum is a must visit for anyone interested in the history of Oka-jo, Taketa’s fascinating castle, the city’s vibrant culture and art, or…

Read More

At a glance

Taketa's history and cultural museum created by Kengo Kuma, architect of Japan's 2020 Olympic stadium.

The Hall of Taketa City Historical Culture (English page https://okajou.jp/en/culturalhall/), 2083 Taketa, Oita, Japan
Mizushi-no-Mori
Everything about Mizushi-no-Mori exudes a quiet dignity and subtle elegance, a sense of nature and man in harmony. The realisation of a long-held dream, the proprietors, a husband…

Read More

At a glance

A beautifully located serene cafe and gallery.

Japan, Oita, Taketa, Kujumachi Oaza Ariuji, 久住高原cafe&galleryみずしの森
Taketa
Taketa developed at the foot of Oka-jo, to serve the castle and its samurai inhabitants, and the charm of an older time is apparent in the townscape to this day. However, Taketa,…

Read More

At a glance

An old castle town that is well-worth a visit.

Japan, Oita, 竹田市
Magma Glass Studio
Magma Glass Studio has been established in a delightful, period wooden building in a peaceful setting in panoramic countryside on the outskirts of Bungo Taketa. The husband and…

Read More

At a glance

The rural surroundings inspire the work of the Magama's talented glassblowers.

Japan, Oita, Taketa, Kujumachi Oaza Kuju, 吹きガラス工房MagmaGlassStudio(マグマ グラス スタジオ)
Doshinkaiki Farm
For a whimsically playful time head to the high foothills of the Kuju mountains and the expansive rolling grasslands of Doshinkaiki Farm. While organic vegetables, blueberries,…

Read More

At a glance

Open-air adventure for the young and young at heart in the highlands of Taketa.

Japan, Oita, 竹田市
Oka-jo Castle
Only the ramparts of Oka-jo remain, but their scale and impressiveness allude to the power that this hill-top citadel once held over Taketa and the surrounding region. There is a…

Read More

At a glance

The grounds of this old castle are delightful to vist at any time of the year but especially for the sakura cherry blossom and autumn colours.

Japan, Oita, Taketa, 2889, 岡城跡
Cycling in Nagayu Onsen
Electric-assist cycles, available to rent at Nagayu’s information centre, are an ideal way to explore this charming onsen town

Read More

At a glance

Ideal village and countryside to explore gently on a bicycle, enjoy the scenery and relax in the many onsen hot springs found here.

Japan, Oita, Taketa, Naoirimachi Oaza Nagayu, 長湯温泉
Terunobu Fujimori
Fujimori is probably the least well-known overseas of Japan’s acclaimed architects. However, his portfolio of eccentric, whimsical and very humane structures certainly deserves…

Read More

At a glance

A Japanese architect who has created some of Japan's most organically-inspired buildings including Lamune Onsen in Nagayu Onsen.

Japan, Oita, Taketa, Naoirimachi Oaza Nagayu, 7676-2 ラムネ温泉
Fuko-ji
Fuko-ji temple is found at the end of a quiet country lane in Asaji, Bungo-Ono. Even though its imposing gate is significant for such a remote, rural temple it provides no…

Read More

At a glance

A wonderful temple far from the beaten track.

Fukoji Temple, 1225 Asajimachi Kamiotsuka, Bungoono, Oita, Japan
Cafe & Studio Hi! Yoriyo
An unusual name for an unusually eclectic space. Hi! Yoriyo, which is beautifully located in a small hamlet betwixt Taketa city centre and the Kuju Highlands, has been conceived by…

Read More

At a glance

An intriguingly pleasant cafe and gallery space found unexpectedly in Taketa's countryside.

Japan, Oita, 竹田市
Izumiya
Izumiya’s modest presence and diminutive size belies its outsized popularity. Queues of customers frequently form at its door to savour lushly delicious home-made ice cream in the…

Read More

At a glance

Exquisitely tasty hand-made ice cream.

Japan, Oita, Taketa, Kujumachi Oaza Kuju, 4048-15 久住高原菓房いずみや
Kuju-Renzan Massif
Kuju Renzan is a 13km-long massif consisting of more than ten volcanic peaks including Mt. Naka-dake, which at 1,791m is the highest mountain in Kyushu. Each peak is dormant except…

Read More

At a glance

Volcanoes atop Kyushu. A variety of trails open around the year for the beginner and seasoned hiker.

Japan, Oita, Taketa, Kujumachi Oaza Ariuji, 九重山
Resonate Club Kuju
Resonate Club Kuju, an onsen hot spring resort hotel, has a coveted location cocooned in the natural wonders of the Aso-Kuju National Park. Here, the mountains of the Kuju Renzan…

Read More

At a glance

A luxury hotel in a spectacular National Park location.

Resonate Club Kuju, 1773 Kujumachi Oaza Ariuji, Taketa, Oita, Japan
Toriya
Customers flock to Toriya, a restaurant specialising in shamo. These stauresque gamefowl were originally bred for fighting - the written characters for shamo in Japanese literally…

Read More

At a glance

 A farm-to-shop restaurant specialising in shamo poultry dishes.

Japan, Oita, Taketa, Kujumachi Oaza Kuju, 2338-2 鶏家 しゃも料理
Accommodation in Abundance & Variety
Oita has long been a popular destination for Japanese visitors and, as a consequence, the choice of accommodation found around the prefecture is plentiful and varied. These include…

Read More

Japan, Oita, Yufu, Yufuincho Kawaminami, 108-1 ゆふいん山水館
Michi-no-eki Wayside Stations
Michi-no-eki wayside stations are a popular institution in Japan and, with 24 of them, Oita Prefecture has more than its fair share. Locals proudly run these shops, akin to…

Read More

At a glance

Locals and visitors alike flock to these wayside stations for local good-value produce and meals.

Japan, 大分県
Fumio Asakura
A prolific artist, Asakura (1883-1964) is often referred to in Japan as Asia’s Rodin and considered the father of western-style sculpture in the country. He was especially…

Read More

At a glance

Japan's father of sculptural realism.

Japan, Oita, Bungoono, Asajimachi Ikeda, 1587-11 朝倉文夫記念館
Glanz Taketa Multi-purpose Cultural Centre
Taketa is a popular with visitors and people looking for a life in the countryside. Taketa is replete with history, appealing townscape and verdant hilly countryside, great food,…

Read More

At a glance

An impressive piece of community architect and cultural hall.

Glanz Taketa, Tamarai, Taketa, Oita, Japan
TAO no Oka
TAO no Oka is the dazzling entertainment facility created by the dazzlingly entertaining Drum TAO. Set high in the Aso-Kuju National Park, it is certainly one of the world’s most…

Read More

At a glance

Drum TAO's new performance and art centre, which has one of the world's most dramatically located outdoor theatres in the world.

Japan, Oita, Taketa, Kujumachi Oaza Shirani, 7571-2 野外劇場『TAOの丘』
Drum TAO
Drum TAO, a flamboyantly, dynamic drum and dance troupe that has been lauded overseas as ‘Supernaturally fit and superbly trained… Stunning… Fully deserving of the standing ovation…

Read More

At a glance

One of Japan's most powerful and dynamic entertainments.

Kuju Flower Park, 久住町 Taketa, Oita, Japan
Kana’s Kitchen at RecaD
For a restaurant that has a long and complicated name, the dishes here are a celebration of their constituent ingredients brought together in a subtle and uncomplicated fashion.…

Read More

At a glance

Deliciously simple and tasty Italian-style cuisine with a Japanese artistic twist.

Japan, Oita, Taketa, Taketamachi, 498 Kana’s kitchen at RecaD(カナズキッチン アット リカド)
Kokopelli Western Riding
Kokopelli riding stables are enviably located in Taketa’s Kuju Kogen, a highland National Park with some of the grandest scenery in Japan. To one side are the towering mountains of…

Read More

At a glance

Western-style horse riding in some of Japan's best scenery.

Japan, Oita, Taketa, Kujumachi Oaza Kuju, 4048−県道669号線 ココペリ ウエスタン ライディング
Shiitake: Oita's heirloom mushrooms
Japan's original home of shiitake mushrooms.

Read More

At a glance

Kunisaki Peninsula, Musashimachi Maruono, Kunisaki, Oita, Japan
Road Trip: Oita’s sake, shochu & wine country
There are many producers of alcoholic beverages dotted throughout Oita Prefecture, a result of the qualities of spring and well waters found here. Its is particularly famed for its…

Read More

Korechika Anan
A contemporary of Mamoru Shigemitsu, Korechi Anan (1887-1945), who was born in Taketa, was a military man throughout his adult life and rose to the rank of general in the Japanese…

Read More

At a glance

A Japanese patriot whose last action quelled a rebellion against the Japanese surrender in 1945.

Japan, Oita, 竹田市Taketa, 広瀬神社