Oyama Dam gives this day trip its big opening scene: the Colossal Titan appears to peer over the concrete wall, with Eren, Mikasa and Armin waiting later at Hita Station. It is an unusual way to connect a popular anime with the real town that inspired its creator.
I like two things in particular: the dam is hard to reach by public transport, and the route pairs anime stops with very different places, from Mameda-machi’s old merchant streets to Yufuin’s lake and shops. Guides Yura and Xiao Liu have been praised for sharing local and anime context, helping with photos, and leaving time to explore.
One point to check before you pay is the guide-language arrangement. The tour lists English, Mandarin and Cantonese service, but one participant found there was no guide and the driver did not speak English. Confirm what language support is planned for your date, especially if it matters to your day.
- At a glance
- From Fukuoka to Hita, a day built around anime
- Oyama Dam: the Colossal Titan’s most dramatic setting
- Hita Station and Mameda-machi: statues, then old-town streets
- Yufuin: two hours for lunch, Yunotsubo Street and Kinrin Lake
- Bungo Mori Roundhouse: railway history to end the route
- Guide service, transport and the real value of the fare
- Practical details before you set out
- Should you book this Hita day trip?
- FAQ
- Where does the tour leave from?
- What time does the tour return to Fukuoka?
- Is lunch included?
- Which languages are available?
- Is the Attack on Titan Museum included?
- Are child seats available?
- More Tours in Hita
- More Tour Reviews in Hita
- Not for you? Here's more nearby things to do in Hita we have reviewed
At a glance
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9 / 9- Oyama Dam’s Titan scene: See the bronze figure set against the dam, a striking photo stop and the tour’s main anime draw.
- Hita Station statues: Eren, Mikasa and Armin stand in the station plaza, making an easy second stop for fans.
- Mameda-machi’s merchant streets: Browse an Edo-era district of white-walled storehouses, old townhouses and specialty shops.
- Two hours in Yufuin: Set your own pace on Yunotsubo Street, find lunch at your own expense, then walk to Kinrin Lake.
- Bungo Mori’s roundhouse: Finish at a preserved circular locomotive shed with an appealing Showa-era railway feel.
- A full day from Fukuoka: Transport, tolls, parking, fuel and insurance are included in the price, which starts at $126.15.
From Fukuoka to Hita, a day built around anime
This is a long-distance day out, not a quick city excursion. You leave Fukuoka at 8:00 and are due back around 18:00, travelling by road to several stops in Oita Prefecture. The operator says highways are used throughout to cut journey time, a practical choice when the itinerary links places that are spread out.
The route works best if you want more than one kind of day. Attack on Titan fans get two official Hita statue stops, while the old streets, Yufuin’s hot-spring-town atmosphere and a railway site offer variety for anyone travelling with them. The trade-off is that you see each place briefly, apart from the two-hour Yufuin visit.
The vehicle is shared, and its size depends on the day’s group. Seats are assigned on a first-come basis, so tell the operator ahead of time about seating needs. Luggage storage is not provided, and all children, including infants, count as passengers. Japanese rules require a child seat for each child; only one seat is listed as free, so ask about arrangements when booking.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Hita.
Oyama Dam: the Colossal Titan’s most dramatic setting
The first scheduled stop is Oyama Dam, reached at about 9:45 for roughly 40 minutes of self-guided time. The statue’s design evokes the Colossal Titan peering over the dam wall, using the scale of the structure to make the scene feel larger than a standard roadside photo stop.
This is the tour’s strongest practical argument. The dam is difficult to reach by train or public bus, and the included road transfer removes the need to piece together local transport. You can focus on the view, take pictures and enjoy the contrast between the imposing concrete wall and the anime figure.
Forty minutes is enough for the statue and a look around, but not a long visit. Conditions also matter: this is an outdoor stop, and the operator may adjust plans for bad weather, road closures or other safety concerns. Wear shoes you can manage on uneven ground, and bring a light jacket if the forecast suggests a cool day.
Hita Station and Mameda-machi: statues, then old-town streets
At around 10:45, the tour moves to the plaza outside Hita Station. The Eren, Mikasa and Armin statues make this an easy stop to enjoy even if you are not following every detail of the series. For fans, the figures are described as a symbolic starting point for the story, set in the hometown of creator Hajime Isayama.
The visit lasts about 30 minutes. It is a compact stop, not a museum visit, and the itinerary does not include the Attack on Titan Museum. If the museum or other anime locations are high priorities, treat this tour as a sampler rather than a complete pilgrimage. One participant suggested adding the museum or the Ano Oka no Ki spot, which is useful context when deciding how much anime-focused time you want.
Mameda-machi follows at about 11:15, with another 30 minutes to walk. This preserved merchant district offers a change of pace: white-walled storehouses, traditional townhouses and stone-paved lanes, plus shops selling items such as soy sauce, sake, Japanese sweets and wooden crafts. I would use the short visit to stroll and look in a shop or two, rather than expect time for an extended meal or serious shopping.
The contrast is part of the route’s appeal. Hita’s anime sites connect a contemporary global hit with its creator’s home region, while Mameda-machi gives you a glimpse of a much older commercial town. The schedule is brisk, so keep your camera and wallet easy to reach.
Yufuin: two hours for lunch, Yunotsubo Street and Kinrin Lake
The longest stop is Yufuin, scheduled from about 12:45 for two hours of free time. That is enough to get lunch, browse Yunotsubo Street and walk to Kinrin Lake, though you will need to keep an eye on the clock if you want to do all three at a relaxed pace.
Yunotsubo Street is lined with restaurants, dessert shops and souvenir stores. Lunch is not included, so you can choose what appeals to you and pay directly. Bring some cash: the operator warns that not every shop or area may accept cards or electronic payments. A busy stretch of browsing and eating can use up time quickly, so decide whether lunch or the lake is your main priority before setting off.
Kinrin Lake offers a quieter change from the shopping street, with water, mountain views and seasonal reflections. The visit is self-guided, so you choose how long to linger and how far to walk. If the weather is poor, outdoor plans may change, and the operator may adjust the stop times according to road and site conditions.
Two hours is generous compared with the other stops, but it is not a full Yufuin visit. You will not have time to see everything the town offers. I would treat this as a pleasant introduction: enjoy a meal, sample the main street and make the lake your final stop before returning to the vehicle.
Bungo Mori Roundhouse: railway history to end the route
At about 15:20, the tour reaches the former Bungo Mori Roundhouse in Kusu Town for around 35 minutes. The circular steam locomotive shed is one of Japan’s few well-preserved examples of its kind, and its old railway equipment and weathered setting give the stop a strong Showa-era character.
This final visit adds something the other stops do not: railway heritage. It is particularly appealing if you enjoy trains, industrial structures or photography. The site is also associated with anime and film fans, including interest in Suzume and Galaxy Express 999, but it is best to think of it as a railway location with pop-culture connections, not a dedicated film exhibit.
Thirty-five minutes is enough for a look and some photographs, not a long railway history lesson. The tour includes guided commentary, but the amount and language of that commentary may depend on the guide assigned to your group. The return to Fukuoka is scheduled for around 18:00, though traffic and weather can shift the timing.
Guide service, transport and the real value of the fare
The advertised price starts at $126.15 per person. For a full day from Fukuoka, that covers return transfers, tolls, parking, fuel and insurance, as well as guide service. You still pay for meals, drinks and personal purchases. Since the Oyama Dam is awkward to reach independently, the transport is a meaningful part of the value, not just a way to sit between attractions.
Guide quality can shape this trip. Yura was praised for explaining Attack on Titan and Suzume, answering questions and helping with photos. Xiao Liu was also singled out for friendly explanations and time to explore. Other positive feedback described a driver who shared local stories and food suggestions, planned around holiday traffic and drove smoothly.
But language coverage deserves a clear check. The experience advertises Cantonese, Mandarin and English, and the included services also refer to Japanese. At the same time, the operating notes say Cantonese or English guides can be arranged for groups of more than 13, while one person reported having no guide and a driver who did not speak English. These details do not guarantee the same arrangement for every departure. Contact the operator before booking and ask which language your group will receive, and whether the person providing it will guide at the stops or only communicate during the drive.
The tour uses legally licensed commercial vehicles, which is a useful safety detail for a long road trip. Commercial driving is limited to 10 hours a day, so the order of stops or time at each one can change. A minimum of 10 participants is also required; if it is not met, the tour may be rescheduled or refunded. Avoid booking another timed activity in Fukuoka for the evening, since traffic delays are outside the operator’s control.
Practical details before you set out
Meet at 7:45 outside the LAWSON at the Fukuoka Oriental Hotel branch, a two-minute walk from Hakata Station’s Chikushi Exit. Look for the JB Travel sign. The vehicle leaves promptly at 8:00, and late arrivals or no-shows are not refunded, so allow extra time to find the meeting point.
The operator sends contact details by WhatsApp, LINE or email one to two days before departure. Check your inbox and spam folder, and read the latest message if more than one arrives. The schedule can change with traffic, weather, road closures or site conditions; follow the guide’s instructions and keep the day clear of other plans.
Wear clothes suited to the forecast, and bring a light jacket for the temperature shifts between areas. Some stops have stairs or uneven surfaces, so consider your comfort and mobility before booking. Let the operator know in advance about food allergies, health conditions, child seats or other special needs. Smoking and drinking are not allowed in the vehicle.
Should you book this Hita day trip?
Book it if you want to see Oyama Dam without arranging difficult local transport, enjoy Attack on Titan locations and still have time for Yufuin and a railway site. It is especially useful for first-time visitors to Kyushu who want several Oita highlights in one day without planning each connection themselves.
Think twice if you want a slow visit, a full anime pilgrimage or guaranteed English commentary without checking first. The stops are short outside Yufuin, and the guide arrangement is worth confirming directly. If those limits suit you, this is a practical way to turn a long drive from Fukuoka into a varied day of anime, old streets, hot-spring-town wandering and railway history.
Cantonese, Mandarin, and English tour guide, Attack on Titan/Oyama Dam bronze statue & Hita Station/Mameda-machi nostalgic old town & Yufuin/Yunotsubo Street + Kinrin Lake & Former Bungo Mori Roundhouse Anime Spot Day Tour
“Although our group wasn't large enough to warrant a tour guide, our driver was incredibly enthusiastic, sharing stories, unique characteristics, an…”
FAQ
Where does the tour leave from?
Meet at the LAWSON at the Fukuoka Oriental Hotel branch, about a two-minute walk from Hakata Station’s Chikushi Exit. Arrive at 7:45 for the 8:00 departure and look for the JB Travel sign.
What time does the tour return to Fukuoka?
The scheduled return is around 18:00. Traffic, weather and changes to the order or length of stops can affect the timing.
Is lunch included?
No. Lunch and drinks are at your own expense. Yufuin has restaurants and food shops along Yunotsubo Street, and carrying some cash is recommended.
Which languages are available?
The tour lists English, Mandarin, Cantonese and Japanese guide services. Arrangements may vary by group, so confirm the language and type of guide service for your date before booking.
Is the Attack on Titan Museum included?
No. The listed stops are Oyama Dam, Hita Station, Mameda-machi, Yufuin and the former Bungo Mori Roundhouse. The Attack on Titan Museum is not part of this itinerary.
Are child seats available?
Child seats are available on request, with only one seat listed as free. All infants and children must be included in the passenger count, so tell the operator about children under six when booking.
