About Oita City

• Overview
• Oita City Declaration of Peace
• Citizen's Pledge
• Official City Flower and Tree
• Download City of Oita Pamphlet in English and Japanese here
• Oita City Tourism Website

Overview

Oita City is situated in the middle of Oita Prefecture and faces Beppu Bay. It is blessed with a warm climate, lush greenery, and an abundance of natural resources. Its history dates back to the 4th century when it was called the Land of Bungo. From the end of the 12th century, the Otomo clan ruled Bungo for about 400 years. During the time of Sorin, the 21st Otomo feudal lord, foreign trade was promoted, and Bungo flourished as the center of Western culture in Kyushu.
In the 16th century, the Otomo clan was overthrown and Bungo was broken up into many feudal domains. It was not until the Meiji Restoration in 1871, when the fief system was abolished, that Oita City became the central seat of government for Oita Prefecture.
During World War II, the central part of the city was burned to the ground, and postwar reconstruction transformed Oita into a modern city. In March 1963, Oita merged with five neighboring municipalities including Tsurusaki city, Dainan town, Oita town, Ozai village and Sakanoichi town to create a new and larger city. Oita was chosen to become a new industrial city by the Japanese Government in January 1964, and designated as a core city in April 1997. Oita has gained influence in accordance with its role as a major city. In January 2005,Oita merged with Saganoseki town and Notsuharu town.
The current population is 470,000. It continues to progress rapidly as the heart of Eastern Kyushu.

Oita City Declaration of Peace

On December 24, 1984, Oita City made a declaration of peace, seeking the abolishment of all nuclear weapons, and hoping for everlasting world peace.

Oita City Declaration of Peace Text
Everlasting world peace is the universal desire of all mankind.

However, in recent years development of nuclear armaments has continued, and they now pose a serious threat to both world peace and human survival.

Our country was the first victim of a nuclear attack, and in order to ensure the calamities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki never occur again, we must continue to tell of the horror of nuclear weapons, and to seek their complete abolishment.

True to Japan’s constitutional idea of everlasting peace, Oita City hereby makes a declaration of peace, and vows to uphold the Three Non-Nuclear Principles, and do its utmost to protect the peace and safety of its citizens.

Oita City Citizen’s Pledge

Oita is a city with beautiful skies and clear water, and has the unique status of being the origin of Western culture in Japan. It is our aspiration to be a Bountiful City of both People and Nature.

We, the citizens of Oita, have boundless love and pride in this city, and in order to foster its development, we hereby pledge the following:

1. To love nature, and to make our city green.
2. To feel joy in working, and to make our city full of energy.
3. To support each other, and to build a caring, compassionate community for all.
4. To love our hometown, and to make our city warm and hospitable.
5. To open our eyes to the world, and to create a cultural city of the future.

Established on July 14, 1983.

Official City Flower

Camellia sasanqua
The sasanqua camellia is one of Japan’s representative flowers, with a clean and trim beauty that appeals to everyone. It is the perfect flower to represent Oita City.

Established on September 1, 1973.

Official City Tree

Woodland elaeocarpus (Elaeocarpus sylvestris)

This tall, hardy tree is representative of the city’s continuing development.

Established on September 1, 1973.