Things to Do in Taketa (竹田市), Ōita: Sights, Train Access & Travel Guide

Last reviewed: October 27, 2026 · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.

Overview & City Profile

Taketa (竹田市) in Ōita Prefecture (Kyushu, Japan) is anchored by local sights including Nanatsumori Kofun Cluster, National Historic Site., Oka Castle ruins is a famous local National Historic Site., former home of Tanomura Chikuden, National Historic Site. and served by Bungo Taketa Station (豊後竹田駅) (0.8 km) via the regional hub at Beppu, Yufuin & Oita Stations (JR Sonic & Yufu-in-no-Mori Limited Express). Set at 311 m elevation (32.9736°N, 131.3978°E), Taketa offers travelers a base for sampling regional Toriten (citrus-ponzu chicken tempura) & Usa karaage, Jigoku-mushi (vegetables, eggs & seafood steamed over 98°C hot-spring vents in Beppu), Bungo wagyu beef cuisine and exploring neighboring Bungo-Ōno (豊後大野市) (17.4 km), Ubuyama (産山村) (18.4 km), Yufu (由布市) (23.1 km), Takamori (高森町) (23.4 km).

Taketa is located in the southwestern part of Ōita Prefecture. The city center is approximately 55 km southwest of the prefectural capital at Ōita City and approximately 73 km east-northeast of Kumamoto City. The area of Taketa was part of ancient Bungo Province and roughly corresponds to Naoiri District, one of the eight counties of Bungo mentioned in the Nara period Bungo no Kuni Fudoki. During the Edo period it developed as the castle town of Oka Domain and was ruled by the Nakagawa clan until the Meiji restoration. The economy of Taketa is centered around agriculture and forestry. Within Ōita Prefecture, Taketa (竹田市) serves as a city in Ōita Prefecture (municipal incorporation: 1954-03-31) and pairs naturally with wider prefectural highlights such as Beppu's 'Eight Hells' (Jigoku Meguri) & sand/mud baths, boutique foot-of-Mount-Yufu resort town of Yufuin, Usa Jingu Shrine, Kitsuki samurai slopes, and Kunisaki Peninsula stone Buddhas.

What to See & Do in Taketa (竹田市): Landmarks & Sights

Visitors exploring Taketa (竹田市) from Bungo Taketa Station (豊後竹田駅) (0.8 km) at 311 m elevation (32.9736°N, 131.3978°E) can visit these nearby shrines, temples, parks, and geographic landmarks (with straight-line distances from central Taketa):

• Nanatsumori Kofun Cluster, National Historic Site. — local sightseeing landmark near Taketa (竹田市).
• Oka Castle ruins is a famous local National Historic Site. — local sightseeing landmark near Taketa (竹田市).
• former home of Tanomura Chikuden, National Historic Site. — local sightseeing landmark near Taketa (竹田市).
• Shōji-iwa (12.4 km) — local sightseeing landmark near Taketa (竹田市).
• Shiramizuno Taki (15.7 km) — local sightseeing landmark near Taketa (竹田市).
• Primary Rail Gateway for Taketa: Bungo Taketa Station (豊後竹田駅) (0.8 km) (connecting to Beppu, Yufuin & Oita Stations (JR Sonic & Yufu-in-no-Mori Limited Express)).

Closest Neighboring Municipalities to Taketa

When planning a regional rail or driving loop around Taketa (竹田市) and Bungo Taketa Station (豊後竹田駅) (0.8 km), consider pairing your stop with the 5 closest neighboring municipalities across Ōita Prefecture and Kyushu:

• Bungo-Ōno (豊後大野市) — 17.4 km from Taketa (Ōita Prefecture)
• Ubuyama (産山村) — 18.4 km from Taketa (Kumamoto Prefecture)
• Yufu (由布市) — 23.1 km from Taketa (Ōita Prefecture)
• Takamori (高森町) — 23.4 km from Taketa (Kumamoto Prefecture)
• Aso (阿蘇市) — 25.9 km from Taketa (Kumamoto Prefecture)

Getting to Taketa & Getting Around

Train & hub access to Taketa (竹田市) via Bungo Taketa Station (豊後竹田駅) (0.8 km): 2h from Fukuoka (Hakata) or 1h 20m from Kokura on the JR Limited Express Sonic to Beppu/Oita, or 2h 15m on the scenic Yufuin-no-Mori train to Yufuin. From Beppu, Yufuin & Oita Stations (JR Sonic & Yufu-in-no-Mori Limited Express), transfer to local JR or private rail lines serving Bungo Taketa Station (豊後竹田駅) (0.8 km) to reach central Taketa (32.9736°N, 131.3978°E).

• Local rail & IC cards at Bungo Taketa Station (豊後竹田駅) (0.8 km): JR regional trains and private commuter lines link Ōita with Taketa (竹田市) and neighboring Bungo-Ōno, Ubuyama, Yufu. Nationwide IC cards (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA) work at major urban gates; for rural branch stations or local buses around Taketa, carry ¥1,000 bills and ¥100 coins for the onboard fare box.
• Luggage & station coin lockers: Travelers exploring Taketa and continuing toward Bungo-Ōno can store bags at major transfer stations or check suitcase dimensions in our Luggage & Locker Checker and ship large bags ahead via Takkyubin.
• Driving & car rental around Taketa: While Bungo Taketa Station (豊後竹田駅) (0.8 km) anchors public transit for Taketa, picking up a rental car at Beppu, Yufuin & Oita Stations (JR Sonic & Yufu-in-no-Mori Limited Express) makes it easy to link Nanatsumori Kofun Cluster, National Historic Site. and Oka Castle ruins is a famous local National Historic Site. with nearby Bungo-Ōno (豊後大野市) (17.4 km), Ubuyama (産山村) (18.4 km), Yufu (由布市) (23.1 km), Takamori (高森町) (23.4 km). See our Renting a Car in Japan Guide.

What to Eat in Taketa (竹田市) & Ōita

Dining near Bungo Taketa Station (豊後竹田駅) (0.8 km) and across Taketa (竹田市) highlights the regional food culture of Ōita Prefecture and Kyushu. Look for these local specialties at station restaurants, family-run shokudo, and markets in Taketa:

• Local specialty & terroir of Taketa (竹田市): forest-grown shiitake mushrooms, mountain vegetables, and highland farming alongside sustainable cedar and cypress forestry, woodworking, and mountain conservation.
• Toriten (citrus-ponzu chicken tempura) & Usa karaage — regional specialty enjoyed across Taketa (竹田市) and Ōita Prefecture.
• Jigoku-mushi (vegetables, eggs & seafood steamed over 98°C hot-spring vents in Beppu) — regional specialty enjoyed across Taketa (竹田市) and Ōita Prefecture.
• Bungo wagyu beef — regional specialty enjoyed across Taketa (竹田市) and Ōita Prefecture.
• Seki-aji & Seki-saba (wild Bungo Channel mackerel & horse mackerel) — regional specialty enjoyed across Taketa (竹田市) and Ōita Prefecture.
• Dango-jiru soup — regional specialty enjoyed across Taketa (竹田市) and Ōita Prefecture.

If you are dining in Taketa (竹田市) with food allergies or dietary restrictions, use our Japanese Phrasebook & Allergy Show-Cards at restaurants around Bungo Taketa Station (豊後竹田駅) (0.8 km).

Where to Stay in Taketa (竹田市)

Visitors staying overnight in Taketa (竹田市) can look for business hotels, traditional ryokan, or family-run minshuku near Bungo Taketa Station (豊後竹田駅) (0.8 km), or base at major rail hubs in Ōita (Beppu, Yufuin & Oita Stations (JR Sonic & Yufu-in-no-Mori Limited Express)) or neighboring Bungo-Ōno, Ubuyama, Yufu for quick train access into Taketa. Compare hotel tiers and ryokan etiquette in our Japan Accommodation Guide.

Best Time to Visit Taketa & Seasonal Highlights

Seasonal guide for Taketa (竹田市, 311 m elevation at 32.9736°N, 131.3978°E): Year-round for Japan's highest-volume hot springs; October–February for rising steam vistas in Beppu and morning mist over Lake Kinrin in Yufuin.

Wider sightseeing across Ōita Prefecture that pairs well with visiting Nanatsumori Kofun Cluster, National Historic Site. in Taketa (竹田市) includes: Beppu's 'Eight Hells' (Jigoku Meguri) & sand/mud baths, boutique foot-of-Mount-Yufu resort town of Yufuin, Usa Jingu Shrine, Kitsuki samurai slopes, and Kunisaki Peninsula stone Buddhas.

Practical Travel Tips for Taketa (竹田市)

• Tourist information (観光案内所) for Taketa: Stop by the Kankō Annaijo desk at Beppu, Yufuin & Oita Stations (JR Sonic & Yufu-in-no-Mori Limited Express) or Bungo Taketa Station (豊後竹田駅) (0.8 km) for local bus schedules to Nanatsumori Kofun Cluster, National Historic Site. and walking maps of Taketa (竹田市).
• Cash & ATMs in Taketa: Convenience stores and major hotels around Bungo Taketa Station (豊後竹田駅) (0.8 km) accept international cards, while smaller eateries and shrines near Nanatsumori Kofun Cluster, National Historic Site. often prefer yen cash; 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) and Japan Post ATMs in Taketa accept foreign debit cards.
• Local dining hours in Taketa: Around Bungo Taketa Station (豊後竹田駅) (0.8 km) and neighboring Bungo-Ōno, Ubuyama, Yufu, lunch service typically runs 11:30 AM–2:00 PM and dinner spots open around 5:30 PM with last orders between 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM.