Oita Prefecture Citizens' Day

What Is Oita Prefecture Citizens' Day?

November 14th marks the anniversary of "Oita Prefecture Citizens' Day" in Japan. On the 14th day of the 11th lunar month of 1871 (Meiji 4), following the abolition of the han system (haihan-chiken), the prefectures of Hita, Kitsuki, Hiji, Funai, Oka, Mori, Usuki, and Saeki were merged, and the name "Oita Prefecture" was used for the very first time.

The Background Behind Oita's Founding

As haihan-chiken created numerous prefectures across Japan, the area that would become present-day Oita was initially split among several small, separately administered domains.

• Before the merger: Hita, Kitsuki, Hiji, Funai, Oka, Mori, Usuki, and Saeki domains all existed side by side
• The merger: on the 14th day of the 11th lunar month of 1871, these prefectures were combined under the single name "Oita Prefecture"
• A curious coincidence: Saitama Prefecture, in the Kanto region, was also founded on that very same date

A Lesser-Known "Citizens' Day"

Oita's Citizens' Day was originally designated at a general meeting of the "Oita Prefecture Citizens' Movement Council for Building Tomorrow," but that council has since disbanded, and unlike Saitama's, it was never formally established by prefectural ordinance. As a result, it hasn't led to institutional practices like school closures, and public awareness of the day remains limited.

Tips for Marking This Day

• Learn about the founding and history of Oita Prefecture
• Explore sightseeing spots within the prefecture, like Beppu Onsen or Yufuin. Oita is said to rank first in Japan for both the number of hot spring sources and the volume of hot spring water, and promotes itself as "Japan's No. 1 Onsen Prefecture, Oita"
• Try Oita's local cuisine and regional specialties
• Compare Oita's founding with the histories of other prefectures created through haihan-chiken

How Several Small Domains Became One: Oita's Beginning

Oita Prefecture wasn't simply a single domain renamed — it was born from the merger of several smaller domains into one. Let November 14th be a day to reflect on the complexity of that founding, and on the history of many becoming one under a single name.