May has rolled around again folks and that means the Hita River Opening Festival is nearly upon us! Thousands will converge on the city for its biggest festival of the year, the highlight of which is a dazzling display of over 10,000 fireworks taking place on Saturday and Sunday night, May 22nd and 23rd. The fireworks are sponsored by various individuals and corporations in different segments, and the atmosphere was distinctly romantic last year when one local used his segment to propose to his long-term girlfriend.

The festival, which is also known as the Hita Kankousai (Hita Tourism Festival), celebrates the start of the Ayu fishing season. Hita is situated at the confluence of several rivers that flow west, eventually becoming the Chikugo River. The Mikuma River runs through the center of town and is the focus for many of the weekend’s daytime festivities. You can take part in rowing, hop into a big floating wooden tub or pick up the pace with a whiz downriver on the banana boat! For those who prefer to spectate, there will be various music and dance performances and parades in front of the station and in the city center. Over 1,500 students and members of the defense forces will perform in a marching band on the Saturday afternoon. Browse through stalls and the farmers’ market at the station for local produce and crafts.

The festival is ideal for a family outing, with plenty of entertainment organized for kids including a magic show, fishing, games and arts and crafts.　Be sure to drop by the Patria, the town theater, which will host many of the festival’s events, including a karaoke contest. The building itself merits a visit, with its contemporary architecture, bright open spaces and beautiful timberwork using the local cedar.

Hita – The Little Kyoto of Kyushu

The River Opening Festival provides the perfect opportunity to explore Hita City, which, located in the far west of Oita Prefecture, is right on the doorstep of Fukuoka. Although somewhat under the radar when it comes to top tourist destinations, it is steeped in history and has been nicknamed the “Little Kyoto of Kyushu”.

Mameda-machi:
Edo period buildings and culture have been particularly well preserved in the old town, Mameda-machi, which has been designated an important traditional architectural preservation district by the national government. Not to be missed on a tour of Hita’s old town is the Kuncho Sake Brewery Museum which offers free entrance and tasting and is famous for its unusual sake ice-cream. Enjoy fine dining at Tokikoso Restaurant, which is housed in a remodelled sake warehouse dating from the Edo period. Local produce forms the basis of its Asian-fusion menu. Many different courses are available, with the cheapest (the ‘flower course’) starting at ¥2,300.