Getting Around Oita: Walkability, Public Transit & Biking

Oita City offers a highly walkable environment for travelers, with a compact layout and a lively area around Oita Station filled with shops, restaurants, and bars. Its pedestrian-friendly streets make it easy to engage with local culture and history as you can explore temples, shrines, and other historical sites on foot. While some attractions might lie beyond walking distance, the city center is conducive to enjoying daily activities without needing a vehicle.

Oita provides a decent public transportation network, ideal for travelers wishing to explore both the city and surrounding areas. The train and bus services are notably efficient, with buses connecting major towns and tourist spots. Though lacking a Shinkansen stop, the region benefits from express train services, and there is a convenient airport limousine bus. However, navigating beyond city limits might require additional planning.

Cycling in Oita presents an interesting option for travelers, with select infrastructure accommodating bikes and some rental opportunities available at Oita Station. Scenic routes around the Beppu Bay and exploratory rides along the Kunisaki Peninsula provide picturesque cycling experiences. Nonetheless, the lack of extensive bike lanes and strong everyday cycling culture might pose challenges for those relying solely on biking as their primary mode of transport.