Outline of the Climate |
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| Oita Prefecture is located facing the
Setonaikai (Seto Inland Sea) and has a mild climate with comparatively
few natural disasters. At the coast of the Bungo Channel in
the southern area, it is influenced by the Kuroshio Current
and is warm and humid, with sub-tropical plants growing. The
northern area from Suo Channel to Beppu Bay enjoys good weather
in summer with relatively few showers. In the inland mountains
area, there are lower temperatures and more precipitation due
to the altitude. |
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Climate Classification |
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The climate of Oita Prefecture is classified
into 4 categories according to the annual precipitation and
the weather in winter. (Figure right)
(1) Setouchi (Type1) :
In the northern area (from the Nakatsu Plain to the Kunisaki
Peninsula), there is little precipitation and good weather in
summer. In winter, it is cloudy and rainy (orsnowy), influenced
by the northwest seasonal wind.
(2) Setouchi (Type2) :
In the area around Oita City, that is the lower reaches of the
Oita River and the Ono River, there is little precipitation
and good weather even in winter.
(3) Pacific Shoreline Type :
In the southern area of the Minamiamabe District south of Tsukumi,
there is much rainfall caused tropi-cal by typhoons. There is
good weather in winter and it is warm along the coast.
(4) Inland mountains Type :
In the west, in the mountainous area around the Kuju Mountain
Ranges,there is much precipitation and showers in summer. In
winter, it is mostly cloudy and snowy. |
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Natural Environment |
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| Oita Prefecture has abundant natural assets
such as mountains, seas, forests, plains and valleys. There
is a much rainfall at the riverheads in the mountainous regions,
and pure natural water springs from the ground to freshen the
forests. |
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Spring |
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| Wild cherry blossoms and fresh greenery
- a breath of spring begins at the foot of the mountains and
reaches to the top of the mountains in early summer. |
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Summer |
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The Kuju Mountain Ranges attract tourists
with wild azaleas and rhododendrons in early summer.
In midsummer, it is cool in the mountain forests while it becomes
hotter in town. The air is particularly cool along the mountain
streams in the deep forest and makes the summer heat more bearable.
People come here all the way from across the prefecture seeking
the pure water that springs out from the foot of the mountains.
A cool breeze also blows across the sea. This is the best time
for fishing, and the temperature is never above 30 in
the sea.
Oita has limestone caves of Inazumi, Fuhren and Onagara. There
is a mysterious atmosphere and scenery in the caves and the
air is too cold for summer clothing. |
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Autumn |
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In this season, the view of the mountain
with its autumnal leaves is at its best.
There are many good places for colored leaves in the prefecture,
especially in Yabakei. In the prefecture, there are many places
in Yabakei noted for colored leaves.
A special scenery of late autumn is the morning mist over the
valleys of Yufuin and Kusu. In the clear night, the air cooled
off by radiation gathers at the bottom of the valleys and creates
mist. The early morning view seen from the observatory resembles
a masterpiece painting. |
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Winter |
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The seasonal wind from the north sometimes
brings snow on the mountainous region in the northwestern part
of the prefecture. You can enjoy the beauty of frost at Mt.
Tsurumi in Beppu. The icy branches of the trees invite visitors
to a world of fantasy.
A ski slope was opened in the mountains in Kuju, and it has
been gaining popularity among skiers. |
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Climate
Classification in Oita Prefecture=>
Distribution
of Annual Average Precipitation in Oita Prefecture (mm)=>
Nippo Coast (Oita City)
Sensui Spring (Taketa City)
Morning Mist over Yufuin Basin
Silvery Frosted Foliage in Mt.Tsurumi (Beppu City)
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