Ōita Prefecture

Coordinates: 33°14′17.47″N 131°36′45.38″E / 33.2381861°N 131.6126056°E / 33.2381861; 131.6126056
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Ōita
大分県
Japanese transcription(s)
 • RomajiŌita-ken
Flag of Ōita
Official seal of Ōita
Location of Ōita in Japan
Location of Ōita in Japan
Coordinates: 33°14′17.47″N 131°36′45.38″E / 33.2381861°N 131.6126056°E / 33.2381861; 131.6126056
Country Japan
RegionKyūshū
IslandKyūshū
CapitalŌita
Government
 • GovernorKatsusada Hirose
Area
 • Total6,338.82 km2 (2,447.43 sq mi)
 • Rank24th
Population
 (Oct 1, 2005)
 • Total1,209,587
 • Rank34th
 • Density190/km2 (490/sq mi)
ISO 3166 codeJP-44
Prefectural flowerBungo-ume blossom (Prunus mume var. bungo)
Prefectural treeBungo-ume tree (Prunus mume var. bungo)
Prefectural birdJapanese white-eye (Zosterops japonica)
Number of districts3
Number of municipalities18
Websitewww.pref.oita.jp/english/

Ōita Prefecture (大分県, Ōita-ken) is a prefecture in the Kyūshū region of Japan on the island of Kyūshū.[1] The capital city is Ōita.[2] Ōita is well known in Japan for its many hot springs.

History[change | change source]

In the 6th century, one of the regions of Kyushu was divided into Bungo Province and Buzen Province.

After the Meiji Restoration, districts from Bungo and Buzen provinces were combined to form Ōita Prefecture.[3]

Timeline[change | change source]

Geography[change | change source]

Ōita Prefecture is on the north-eastern section of the island of Kyūshū.

Ōita is faces the Suo Channel and Honshū Island to the north. The prefecture looks towards the Iyo Channel and Shikoku Island to the east. It is bordered by Miyazaki Prefecture to the south. Fukuoka Prefecture and Kumamoto Prefecture are to the west.

Cities[change | change source]

Towns and villages[change | change source]

National Parks[change | change source]

National Parks are established in about 28% of the total land area of the prefecture.[7]

Shrines and Temples[change | change source]

Sasamuta-jinja, Usa-jinjū and Yusuhara Hachiman-gū are the chief Shinto shrines (ichinomiya) in the prefecture.[8]

Fukiji Temple has the oldest wooden structure in Kyushu.

The Usuki Buddhas include 60+ cliff carvings from Heian period.

Related pages[change | change source]

References[change | change source]

  1. Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric. (2002). "Ōita-ken" in Japan Encyclopedia, p. 742; Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), Oita Prefecture, Regional Information[permanent dead link]; retrieved 2012-4-6.
  2. Nussbaum, "Ōita" at p. 742.
  3. Nussbaum, "Provinces and prefectures" at p. 780.
  4. 4.0 4.1 Oita Municipal Guide Book, History of Ōita Archived 2012-03-09 at the Wayback Machine; retrieved 2012-2-9.
  5. Davis, Paul K. (2001). 100 decisive battles: from ancient times to the present, pp. 145-147; History of Ōita Archived 2012-03-09 at the Wayback Machine; the noun "Bun'ei" means the Japanese era name (nengō) for a time period started in February 1264 and ended in April 1275
  6. Davis, p. 147; History of Ōita Archived 2012-03-09 at the Wayback Machine; the noun "Kōan" means the Japanese era name for a time period which started in February 1278 and ended in April 1288.
  7. Japan Ministry of the Environment, "General overview of area figures for Natural Parks by prefecture"; retrieved 2012-3-13.
  8. "Nationwide List of Ichinomiya," p. 3 Archived 2013-05-17 at the Wayback Machine; retrieved 2012-2-9.

Other websites[change | change source]

Media related to Ōita prefecture at Wikimedia Commons