HITA ONSEN / Hita City

Located in Hita City, Oita Prefecture, Hita Onsen (Hita Hot Springs) resides in a charming town where traditional Japanese–style inns (ryokan) line the Mikuma River, and the hot springs and river weave together to form an atmospheric townscape. A key attraction of this hot spring resort is the traditional ukai (cormorant fishing) and yakatabune (houseboats) on the rich waters of the Mikuma River. Ukai is a traditional fishing method that uses cormorants (a type of bird) to catch freshwater fish like ayu sweetfish.

It was about 400 years ago when ukai was first practised on the Mikuma River. According to legend, the origins trace back to when Hideyoshi Toyotomi’s vassal, who ruled Hita, invited cormorant fishing masters from Gifu to perform cormorant fishing on the Mikuma River. In Hita, ukai fishing takes place annually from the 20th of May until the end of October. The sight of skilled cormorant fishermen at nighttime expertly guiding their birds on the flame torch–lit Mikuma River to catch ayu sweetfish creates a charming and unique ambience.

It is said that in the Edo period, when the area was directly controlled by the Tokugawa Shogunate, river boating to watch ukai from a yakatabune (houseboats) became a popular summer tradition. Today, yakatabune boats vary in size between those which can accommodate just a few passengers to larger ones for groups. On board, you can savour local delicacies such as grilled sweetfish and toriten (tempura chicken), and watch live performances. Furthermore, in late May, the ‘Hita River Opening Sightseeing Festival’ is held along the Mikuma River, featuring around 10,000 fireworks, illuminating the night sky over two days.