Hita

Hita 日田市
City
Hita Gion Festival, held in July.
Flag
Location of Hita in Ōita Prefecture
Hita Location in Japan
Coordinates: 33°19′N 130°56′E / 33.317°N 130.933°E / 33.317; 130.933Coordinates: 33°19′N 130°56′E / 33.317°N 130.933°E / 33.317; 130.933
Country	Japan
Region	Kyushu
Prefecture	Ōita Prefecture
Government
• Mayor	Yōichi Satō
Area
• Total	666.19 km2 (257.22 sq mi)
Population (December 31, 2011)
• Total	71,537
• Density	107.38/km2 (278.1/sq mi)
Symbols
• Tree	Camellia sasanqua
• Flower	Iris
• Bird	Sekirei (Motacillidae)
Time zone	Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
City hall address	2-6-1, Tajima, Hita-shi, Ōita-ken 877-8601
Website	www.city.hita.oita.jp

Hita (日田市, Hita-shi^?) is a city located in Ōita Prefecture, Japan, that was founded on December 11, 1940. It is an agricultural and industrial centre that primarily produces lumber, furniture, and pottery. Its attractions and scenic beauty also make it a popular tourist destination.

On March 22, 2005, the towns of Amagase and Ōyama, and the villages of Kamitsue, Maetsue and Nakatsue (all from Hita District) were merged into Hita.

As of December 31, 2011, the city has an estimated population of 71,537, with 26,846 households, and a population density of 107.38 persons per km². However, the estimated population of central Hita is about 5,000 people. The total area of the city is 666.19 km².

Hita is located in the far west of Ōita Prefecture, and borders the neighbouring prefectures of Fukuoka, and Kumamoto. Surrounding cities include Kurume to its west, Nakatsu to the north, and Kusu to the east. Hita itself lies in a plain at the confluence of several rivers that flow west, eventually becoming the Chikugo River. The surrounding landscape is mountainous, typical of Ōita Prefecture. Due to this connection, although Hita is placed within Ōita Prefecture, it shared a deeper historical connection with Fukuoka Prefecture. The dialect used in Hita has the same characteristic to the Hichiku dialect, used in Fukuoka, Nagasaki and Saga Prefecture.