Visit Oita

Hotojima Island, located in southeastern Oita Prefecture, is a small island about 4 kilometers in circumference, reachable via a 25-minute ferry ride from Tsukumi Port. With little flat land, the houses are densely packed along the steep slopes rising from the coastline, creating a unique landscape reminiscent of a Mediterranean port town. The island is crisscrossed by narrow paths, including what is said to be Japan's narrowest prefectural road, Route 612, offering the charm of wandering through maze-like alleyways.
Hotojima Island is renowned as a base for deep-sea tuna fishing. A must-try local dish is the Hyuga-don rice bowl, which features tuna slices marinated in a soy sauce and sesame dressing, served over hot rice. Other specialties include dishes made with kurome, a seaweed similar to kombu, and traditional sweets like kazumaki.
In early July, the island comes alive during the summer festival of Kamo Shrine, the "Hoto Island Summer Festival,"a two-day event filled with festivities that draws both locals and visitors.