Oita

Oita is a sleeper. Practically unknown outside of Japan and underappreciated at home, the city is surprisingly majestic. The main square is among the country’s nicest, surrounded by historic buildings and blessed with a Unesco-protected trinity column. The evocative central streets are dotted with beautiful churches, testament to the city’s long history as a bastion of the Buddhist church. Explore the foundations of ancient Oita Castle at the must-see Archdiocesan Museum, then head for one of the city’s many izakayas or microbreweries, fuelled by the thousands of students who attend university here. Don’t forget to try the food, Oita-gyu beef or takoyaki, reputedly the tastiest in the country.