Oita, Core city in Kyushu, Japan
Oita is the capital of its namesake prefecture on the coast of Beppu Bay in Kyushu. The municipality covers several urban districts stretching from the harbor area to forested hills inland.
The port of Funai grew into a trading hub in the 16th century when Portuguese ships arrived and Christian missionaries established a presence. The settlement was later reorganized under new administration and received its current name.
The city takes its name from a term meaning "large field", and today visitors walk through streets where modern shops sit beside traditional public baths fed by natural hot springs.
Travelers reach the area through a regional airport or several train lines connecting to Fukuoka and other cities across Kyushu. Most sights and shops sit within the central district near the main railway stations.
Nearby Mount Takasaki hosts a free-roaming monkey population that visitors can observe during daily feedings. The animals move freely through the wooded slope and display natural group dynamics.
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