Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Oita is a coastal city located on the island of Kyushu, Japan, known for its natural hot springs and beautiful scenery. |
| 👥 Population | approximately 480,000 |
| 💻 Internet Speed | average internet download speeds of 100 Mbps |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 JPY ≈ 0.0065 USD; major banks include MUFG and Mizuho Bank |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable and meets safety standards |
| 🔌 Power | 100V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets |
| 📶 SIM Card | Major mobile providers include SoftBank, NTT Docomo, and AU |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Cash, credit cards (Visa, MasterCard) widely accepted; some international banks available |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include Airbnb, guesthouses, and traditional ryokan inns. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, many places accept credit cards and mobile payments (LINE Pay, Apple Pay) |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and local rental companies provide various choices |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel Oita and Guesthouse Kizuna are popular budget options. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | Oita City Center and Beppu for hot springs. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | Oita City near the river for a good mix of work and leisure activities. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Hive Oita offers a vibrant space for remote workers with good internet. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Cafe de Flore is known for its quiet atmosphere and strong wi-fi. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Local meetups can be found through platforms like Meetup.com and Facebook groups. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | The Oita International Association hosts regular expat meetups. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | DiDi is a widely used ride-hailing app in Oita. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Rent a bike from Oita city rental services for affordable commuting. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Usa Beach is a popular destination, approximately 30 minutes from the city. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Oita Airport serves local flights, mainly to Tokyo and Osaka. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | All Nippon Airways (ANA) offers international flights primarily to major Japanese cities. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Access to the Oita Expressway connecting to surrounding regions. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Oita Station serves as the main railway station in the city. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | IC cards (Suica, ICOCA) are available for convenient travel on public transport. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Buses and trains connect Oita to nearby cities like Beppu and Yufuin. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Oita University Hospital provides comprehensive medical services. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yogaka is a well-known yoga studio in the city. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Fitness First and Anytime Fitness have locations within Oita. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Coin laundries are widely available throughout the city. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | UberEats and Demae-can are popular food delivery services. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Try 'Bungo beef,' renowned for its unique flavor. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Plant-based restaurants include Cafe Slow and Kicha. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Try fruit tarts at Mikan Pudding House. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Oita City Market offers affordable and fresh local produce. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Rakuten and Amazon Japan are widely used online shopping platforms. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Seiyu and Aeon offer grocery delivery services. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Karaoke bars and izakayas in the Funai district are popular nightlife spots. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Try local craft beers from Oita Beer Brewery. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Grapevine offers a cozy atmosphere and curated wines. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Visit the street market for yakitori and ramen. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Pasta and Pizza is a popular Italian restaurant. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Visit the Oita Marine Palace and Takasakiyama Natural Zoo. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Visit the Oita Prefectural Art Museum for local art exhibits. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Usuki Stone Buddhas, a designated national treasure. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Visit the Oita Sannō Shrine, dedicated to the Shinto deity. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Oita's Hot Spring Festival takes place every April. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Hita City is known for its traditional crafts and historic streets. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | The Oita Arts Theater hosts various performances and community events. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Shops at Tori Bridge market offer local artisanal products. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Live music venues like COLOR provide local music performances. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Various murals are found in the downtown area. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Oita Cooking School offers classes on local cuisine. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Gallery Hito offers contemporary art exhibitions. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The Old Oita Bank Building is a historical architectural site. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Oita is known for its hot springs, with a rich heritage in onsen culture. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Visit Yufuin for scenic views and hiking trails. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Aso Kuju National Park offers hiking and camping. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Eitaibashi Bridge walking path is popular among locals. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Take in views at Hells of Beppu, unique hot spring sites. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Yoshino Hotspring's natural surroundings attract birdwatchers. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Designated fire sites are available at Oita Bay. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Japan Post offers reliable delivery services across Japan. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Yamada Denki provides tech repair services for gadgets. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Community centers around Oita have table tennis facilities. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Many language schools offer Japanese classes for expats. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Oita Prefectural Library is a quiet place for study. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Local cultural centers hold workshops and events. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Cyber cafes around the city cater to gamers. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | The area does not have major casinos, but local game centers exist. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. ¥300,000 per m² (e.g., 30 m² = ¥9,000,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. ¥180,000 per m² (e.g., 30 m² = ¥5,400,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. ¥280,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = ¥16,800,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. ¥160,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = ¥9,600,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. ¥270,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = ¥21,600,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. ¥150,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = ¥12,000,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 23.2% |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 15% |
| 🏦 Tax System | Japanese residents are taxed based on worldwide income. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 45% |
| 🧾 VAT | 10% |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, Japan has CFC rules for taxation of foreign subsidiaries. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Annual property taxes are based on assessed value. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | 3% for standard property transactions. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | No specific incentives, but relatively low housing costs and a good quality of life are attractive. |