NATURE COOL OITA | COOL Experiences
It's so cool! Oita Prefecture
Oita Prefecture is often mentioned in the news as being a hotspot in the height of summer. However, Oita has many of the coolest spots in all of Kyushu!
In this edition, featuring waterfalls, highlands, and valleys, we’ll introduce cascading waterfalls shrouded in cool mist, breezy highlands swept by refreshing winds, and serene valleys where the shade of trees and the soothing sound of flowing water create a peaceful retreat.
* Please note that the text shown on this page includes machine translations.
Contents
COOL Spots, Experiences & Gourmet Delights in Oita Prefecture
In the height of summer, Oita Prefecture sometimes makes the news for its high temperatures. But did you know that Oita is also home to many refreshing cool spots?
This guide introduces places where you can feel the coolness of nature, including misty waterfalls, breezy highlands, and valleys surrounded by shade and the sound of flowing water. It also features refreshing experiences such as dolphin swimming, cycling, and cold springs at -14°C.
You’ll also find information on fireworks festivals, summer events, chilled and photogenic sweets, recommended model courses, and much more.
Cool mist surrounds you Waterfalls
The overwhelming power of the cascade roars down. The cool mist rising from the falls is soothing in the baking summer heat.
Sakura Falls
This is a powerful, cascading waterfall that is 15m wide with a drop of approximately 25m. Beloved by writers and artists since the Edo period, it is said to have been named "Sakura Falls" because the spray of the falling water resembles falling cherry blossom petals. It is located behind JR Amagase Station, so it's easily accessible while still offering a sense of secluded beauty. It attracts many local visitors and tourists, including waterfall enthusiasts.
- Shiramizu Falls
- This famous waterfall is said to have been visited by Lord Nakagawa of the Oka Domain, who built a teahouse there so he could admire it. Many cultural figures composed poems praising the falls. The 600m walking path from the parking lot makes it easily accessible for viewing. Its white appearance is enhanced by the contrasting green trees and rock faces that surround the falls.
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- Ameushi Falls
- These falls are approximately 20 minutes by car from central Taketa City. After passing through rice paddies and fields, you'll find a small sign. From there, walk along a concrete path and stairs towards the valley. The waterfall will suddenly appear in a white, shimmering eruption. This is the “Ameushi” or“Yellow Ox” waterfall, named after the legend of an amber-colored calf’s head thrown into the pool to appease a dragon. The abundant waters drop approximately 20 meters in a powerful and impressive cascade, charging the air with cleansing and calming negative ions.
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- Harajiri Falls
- This one-of-a-kind, magnificent waterfall boasts a width of 120m and a drop of 20m. This immense size has given it the nickname, "Niagara of the East". Its appearance changes daily depending on the water volume. A suspension bridge for viewing the falls is located downstream, and a sunken-post bridge is located upstream, allowing visitors to walk around the falls and even descend to the bank near its base.
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- Higashi-Shiiya Falls
- Nicknamed “Kyushu’s Kegon Falls”after the famous Kegon Falls of Nikko, the water cascading down this 85m cliff is breathtaking! The waterfall plunges straight from an overhanging cliff creating a magnificent sight and the view from the approach is like a painting. It’s about a 10-minute walk from the parking lot to the waterfall.
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- Jion Falls
- A two-tiered waterfall located on the border between Kusu Town in the Kusu District and Amagase Town of Hita City. With an upper tier of 20m and a lower tier of 10m, and a total drop of approximately 30m, this well-known cool spot is easily accessible from National Route 210. The powerful spray of water will make you forget about the summer heat.
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Refreshing breezes Highlands
The highlands of Oita offer a coolness comparable to Japan's leading summer resorts such as Karuizawa and the Tateshina and Nasu highlands.
Kuju Highlands
A vast grassland spreads across the foot of the Kuju mountain range, at an altitude of approximately 700-900m. You can experience magnificent natural scenery, from green pastures to winding drives through the highlands to stargazing. On clear days, you can enjoy spectacular views of the five peaks of Aso. Even in summer, a refreshing breeze blows through, so you can fully feel the openness of the clear air and vast sky.
- Handa Highlands
- This plateau area is located within Aso-Kuju National Park. The landscape is a tapestry of grasslands and wetlands. It is beautiful in every season, with various activities such as guided tours and hands-on experiences available throughout the year. There are also hot springs and a visitor center around Chojabaru at the base of the Kuju mountains, where you can relax and enjoy nature.
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- Tsukahara Plateau
- This area is about 30 minutes by car from downtown Yufuin. It is a plateau resort offering scenery distinctly different from the bustling tourist areas, with unique experiences such as galleries, cafes, and outdoor activities.
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- Kijima Plateau
- This area is centered around the long-running and popular "Kijima Kogen Park", one of the prefecture's leading amusement parks. It also features a hotel and a golf course. You can enjoy stunning views and activities together in this wide-open space where the plateau breezes blow through.
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Enveloped by leafy trees and the sound of water Valleys
Valleys are natural air conditioners where you cool down with each step.
Takkiri Valley
This unusual valley, where clear water flows over a large single shelf of rock, is approximately 2 km one way to the waterfall at its end. You can walk while listening to the murmur of the river and sounds of nature. Stream walking is popular in summer, where dipping your feet in the sparkling water provides a refreshing coolness, making you forget the summer heat. A campsite is also available nearby.
- Kawakami Valley
- This valley is located at the headwaters of the Okutake River, close to the site of the former Obira Mine. It is one of the highlights of the Sobo-KatamukiOkue UNESCO Eco-Park, and is home to rare plants designated as endangered species. The suspension bridge over the river is the perfect photo spot for capturing the water, bridge, and surrounding greenery in a single shot.
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- Yufugawa Gorge
- Yufugawa Gorge has countless streams of water, bathed in light, quietly flowing down the cliffs carved into the earth over a span of 600,000 years. It is the perfect spot to encounter the overwhelming beauty of the Earth that sparks a sense of adventure in both children and adults. Packrafting and gorge trekking tours with professional guides are also available so you can fully immerse yourself in nature.
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- Fuji-gawachi Valley
- This valley is located within the Sobo-Katamuki Quasi-National Park, which is covered in ancient forests and stretches approximately 8 km starting from Kannon Falls upstream. Enjoy the changing seasons, with the fresh greenery of spring, the cool stream water of summer, the autumn foliage, and the picturesque landscape of winter. In the summer, it attracts tourists seeking the physical adventure of canyoning.
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