Hita, Oita

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The area of Hita city in Oita prefecture

Hita (日田市; -shi) is a city located in Oita, Japan.

As of 2003, the city has an estimated population of 61,744 and the density of 229.35 persons per km². The total area is 269.21 km².

The city was founded on December 11, 1940.

Hita is an agricultural and industrial centre, producing lumber, furniture and pottery. It is also a popular tourist destination due to its many attractions and scenic beauty.

Geography

Hita city is located in the far west of Oita prefecture, and borders the neighbouring prefectures of Fukuoka and Kumamoto. Kurume city lies to the west, Nakatsu city to the north and Kusu town to the east.

Hita city itself lies in a plain at the confluence of several rivers, which flow to the west and eventually become the Chikugo River. The city is surrounded by the mountainous landscape typical of Oita prefecture.

Towns and villages

Towns and villages of note that fall within Hita city's boundaries include:

Amagase - Popular hot-spring spa town. Maetsue - Mountain village Nakatsue - Mountain village Kamitsue - Home to international racing circuit Autopolis Oyama - Agricultural town famous for ume and mushrooms. Onta - Scenic pottery village producing distinct Japanese pottery called Onta-yaki.

Sightseeing

An ayuyana fishtrap in Hita

Hita has many places of interest, suitable for a short stay or a day trip. The Gion Festival Centre in Kuma-machi details the history and activities surrounding Hita's annual summer festival, exhibiting six full sized floats.

From July to November bamboo fish traps (ayuyana) are erected in the Mikuma river. The Ayu fish are captured, covered in salt and grilled and can be enjoyed with a cool beer, looking out on the river.

A must-visit attraction for fans of Japanese beer is the Sapporo Beer factory. Located on a hill offering great views of the city, the factory offers visitors a free guided tour of the facilities followed by a 20 minute free drinking session.

The Kusano family Hina Dolls can be viewed at the oldest house in Hita during the tourist season. During the national Doll's Festival in March, up to 200 of the unique collection are displayed at once.

Festivals

Miss Hita at the River Opening Festival

Hita is blessed with many fantastic festivals throughout the year which attract a steady stream of visitors. Some of the more spectacular festivals inlcude:

Hina Dolls Festival - Feb/Mar - 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 enjoy a stroll by the river and a drink or two under the blossom trees. River Opening Festival - First weekend after May 20th - The most spectacular of all Hita's festivals. A two day firework display, launching over 10,000 fireworks over the Mikuma river. Best enjoyed from a restaurant river boat. Gion Festival - First Sunday after July 20th - Huge wooden floats (up to 12m high) from different areas of the city are pushed around the streets by enthusiastic volunteers. The similarity to Kyoto's own Gion Festival is one of the reasons Hita has been dubbed "Kyushu's Little Kyoto". Tenryo Festival - Third weekend in October - This festival celebrates Hita's golden age during the Edo period when the city (then called Tenryo) was the designated capital of Kyushu. The highlight is a procession of 200 people through the city in full Edo-period costume.

External links

• [Hita official website] in English
• [Hita official website] in Japanese
• [American Friendship Dolls at Mikuma Kindergarten in Hita]

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