Saiki

Saiki is an administrative city in Oita Prefecture on Kyushu and covers 903 square kilometers (349 square miles), making it the largest city by area in the region. The city hugs the coastline and is hemmed in by mountains inland, giving it a long, irregular shape.

The city began as a castle town during the Edo period under the control of the Mori clan, who governed the area until the Meiji Restoration. After feudal rule ended, it evolved into a modern administrative center with schools and public facilities.

The Ise Shrimp Festival runs from September through November and brings locals together over shared meals prepared with freshly caught seafood. The coastal setting shapes everyday routines, with many families keeping old fishing traditions alive through generations.

The city operates 21 elementary schools, 12 junior high schools, and two public high schools scattered across its territory. Many facilities sit in smaller communities that spread along coastal roads and inland valleys.

Fishers offer guided night expeditions into deep water where visitors can watch age-old catching techniques up close. These nighttime trips give a direct window into the working lives of coastal residents who pass their knowledge down through families.

Location: Oita Prefecture

Inception: April 1, 1889

Reference: 442054

Shares border with: Usuki, Tsukumi, Bungoono, Nobeoka, Hinokage

Website: https://city.saiki.oita.jp

GPS coordinates: 32.95972,131.90000

Latest update: December 13, 2025 18:50