Attack on HITA: Visit the town of titans
- Yasmeen Alsinan
- Jan 18
- 7 min read
Updated: Jan 23
Beginning serialization in 2009 and receiving a hit anime adaptation in 2013, Attack on Titan captured the hearts of many fans worldwide, creating a cultural impact and inviting many to enjoy a fantastical world of tragedy and survival. Despite its extremely gruesome setting, the story's roots were born from a location completely different- a scenic countryside famous for its hot springs and traditional craftsmanship. Tucked in the blissful mountains of Japan's southernmost Kyushu islands, the town of Hita in Beppu prefecture is the hometown of Attack on Titan's author, Mr. Isayama Hajime.
Fans of Attack on Titan are invited to explore the same mountains that inspired the colossal giants of the series, visit special exhibits housing never-before seen artworks of the series, and enjoy local delicious cuisine unique to the area. Let us explore the different parts of Attack on Titan in Hita!
Arriving at Hita Station
Visitors arriving at the JR Hita Station can quickly see the influence Attack on Titan had on the town. Visitors are welcomed by a statue of Captain Levi, one of the series’ most popular characters.
The statue was built by fans in a joint crowdfunding effort. Standing in front of the station, Levi seemingly protects visitors, reminding fans of his strength. Rumors state that touching the captain’s shoes brings good luck, so don’t forget to do so!
Nearby the station, visitors can also rent out these special Attack on Titan-themed bicycles to traverse the city.
One of the innovative initiatives launched by Hita is an Attack on Titan augmented reality app. By downloading it, fans are invited to recreate famous scenes from the manga directly in Hita. At the station, the AR app quickly responded to show us the scene of the Beast Titan's arrival in the third season. Seeing it in person put into perspective the sheer size of the titans!
A 10-minute walk from the station will lead you to the Hita Civic Cultural Hall, which dedicates its second floor to an Attack on Titan Cafe and shop. Here, fans can enjoy dining on local food surrounded by memorable scenes from the manga. Visitors can even eat their meal in the company of Eren, Mikasa, and others!
Access Information Address: Oita Pref. Hitashi Sambonmatsu 1-8-11 Opening Hours: 9 AM - 10 PM |
Here as well, don’t forget to take out your phone and enjoy a meal with Levi and Erwin!
Attack On Titan in HITA Museum
Driving up the mountain, you will find the Attack on Titan Museum, one of the main attractions of Hita among fans.
The museum features many dioramas and artworks that showcase the journey of Attack on Titan. One of the rooms houses an accurate recreation of Mr. Isayama’s desk as he drew the monthly series, a rare sight for fans. Another Hita-exclusive exhibit is a section dedicated to original never-before-seen artworks by Mr. Isayama. These commemorative pieces dedicated to the museum cannot be found elsewhere, making the trip to Hita a special treat for fans.
A section of the museum is dedicated to the drawing process of Mr. Isayama, featuring behind the scenes materials of the various characters. Personally, seeing things like Eren wearing the new Survey Corps uniform felt like a treat, as we did not have a chance to view that in the manga series.
The museum shop stocks special Attack on Titan merchandise that can only be bought in Hita. Scenic locations of the town accompanied by illustrations Mr. Isayama drew of the various characters are a perfect souvenir and gift to any Attack on Titan fan.
Across the museum is a yakisoba (fried noodles) restaurant. What makes this place special is that the author of Attack on Titan actually used to work there! However, do be warned that none of the food is halal! In the restaurant, Mr. Isayama drew Sasha and Captain Levi enjoying yakisoba, showing love for his roots.
Rest assured though, right by the museum, you can grab some Attack on Titan themed gelato!
Access Information Address: 4106 Oyamamachi Nishioyama, Hita 877-0201, Oita Prefecture Opening Hours: 9 PM – 4:30 PM / Weekends and Holidays 9:30 PM – 5 PM |
The Oyama Dam
Perhaps one of the most famous locations in Hita is the Oyama dam, where fans can meet the protagonists Eren, Mikasa, and Armin. These statues were also crowdfunded by fans of the series and revealed in a ceremony held back in 2020.
One of the most impressive aspects of seeing the three young heroes in real life is realizing the sheer enormity of the walls and the titans that descended upon Wall Maria in the beginning of the series.
Fans can also enjoy the view above the dam, which is a short drive away. Looking down upon the characters, you come to realize how the world looks from a titan’s point-of-view. In a way, seeing the main trio look so tiny really lends to the feeling of the titans perceiving humans as minuscule ants, a truly fearful sight.
Honestly, the view from above the bridge reminded me of one the most famous scenes in the manga. I am sure you know which one I am referring to!
Close by, the newest Attack on Titan spot can be found. On November 2023, a tree was planted in commemoration of the series finale. Keen fans who have read the ending know the significance of this tree, which makes it all the more emotional seeing it in real life.
A plaque can be found underneath highlighting the date of planting. The tree has definitely grown within the span of a year, so it's absolutely crazy to think how much bigger it could get (perhaps up to the size of a titan?)
Access Information Address: Oyamamachi Nishioyama, Hita, Oita 877-0201 Opening Hours: 24 Hours (Recommended in daylight) |
The Attack on Titan in HITA: Annex Museum
After visiting the tree, a short drive away leads you to the newly established Attack on Hita: Annex Museum.
Visitors of the museum can enjoy going through a special exhibit featuring the author’s favorite manga pages from every volume of the series. Special comments that provide insight into Mr. Isayama’s work process gives fans a never-before-seen look into the creation process of the series. Fans can also look at artworks Mr. Isayama drew in his childhood.
As a fan of Attack on Titan, so many of Mr. Isayama’s comments were surprising. One of the most pivotal moments of the series was apparently drawn quickly before the deadline, something I would have never imagined. Perhaps the emotional impact that Mr. Isayama’s artwork was partly due to the tight deadline he had to work with.
The Annex museum also features a special screening that invites fans into the world of Attack on Titan via a 360 degree movie. The footage goes over different scenes from the manga and are coupled with an original soundtrack. I highly recommend you experience this section of the museum!
Access Information The Attack on Titan in HITA: Annex Museum HITA Address: 6979 Takase, Hita 877-0054 Oita Prefecture Opening Hours: 9 AM - 10 PM |
Hita = Hot Springs!
If there is one thing Hita is known for, is its premiere hot springs. Hot springs, or onsen as they are called in Japanese, are a beautiful cultural experience I recommend everyone to experience. Onsen generally tend to be communal baths, which may be a bit daunting for first-time goers, but once you relax in the natural waters, all the stresses of the day instantly evaporate.
The Kizantei Hotel in Hita is a gorgeous inn overlooking the river. The hotel staff were kind enough to provide traditional Japanese yukata (the summer lighter version of a kimono) to wear and enjoy the view, lending to an authentic and traditional experience.
For dinner, guests are invited to appreciate local cuisine aboard a boat ride in the river. The meat is tenderly cooked at the table using fresh local ingredients, an absolute delicacy.
A fisherman cruises by, a couple of birds in stow. Such a unique sight quickly drew our attention, and he was kind enough to show us how his bird companions, who rely on their keen senses to capture their prey. It was an overall unique experience I could not recommend this dinner experience enough!
For breakfast, the hotel staff were extremely accomodating, providing halal options for me. If you have any dietary restrictions, make sure to let them know! Breakfast is served with a beautiful view of the river.
Access Information Kizantei Hotel Address: 1 Chome-3-10 Kuma, Hita, Oita 877-0044, Japan Website: https://kizantei.com/ |
Mameta-machi, A Trip Down Memory Lane
Of course, Hita provides more than just popular culture to tourists. As a region boasting a long history, the Mameta-machi area preserves many of the historical buildings from Edo Japan. The Edo Period was considered a peaceful era in Japan, spanning from 1603 to1868. Many authentic and traditional Japanese buildings remain in Mameta-machi to this day, carefully tended to by the locals with each generation. Fans of traditional areas such as Kyoto will find a similar vibe, although Hita provides a unique, relaxed, and intimate atmosphere.
Hita prides itself in its woodworks, and one of its most famous exports is the Japanese “Geta”. Geta are traditional Japanese shoes carved by hand. Locally grown trees are used to create Hita’s famous geta, and an array of local stores sell a variety of beautiful designs, both traditional and modern. Each pattern adorning the sandals carries its own special meaning, most inspired from historic Japanese designs often seen in other traditional products, like kimono.
As the sun sets and the street lights begin to shine, the area is enveloped in beautiful serene colors. Strolling across the stores, we stumble upon a unique shop unlike any other in this traditional town: a gachapon store.
“Gachapon” are toy machines that often cost about 300 yen per toy. What makes this specific store unique is how the entirety of the interior is covered from top to bottom with posters of the gachapon toys, something you rarely see, even in Japan.
With its beautiful Edo-era historic landmarks and the more modern locations tucked inbetween, Mameta-Machi is a beautiful blend of what makes Japan unique: a combination of tradition and popular culture.
Access Information Mameta-machi Address: Mameta-machi 877-0005 (A 17 minute walk from JR Hita Station) Opening Hours: Shops close around 4-5 PM |
The Colossal Titan Dinner!
A short walk from Mameta-machi leads you to a traditional soba restaurant named "Shin". Soba are thin buckwheat noodles popular in Japanese cuisine. However, what awaited us there was something much more colossal than we imagined.
As the staff lifted the lid of the bento before us, smoke enveloped the table, and right there we saw....
This Armin-themed bento box is a love letter to fans of the series, as it combines delicious local ingredients with an interactive experience for fans of Attack on Titan.
Access Information Wasshoku Koubou Shin (和食工房親） Address: 4-19 Marunouchimachi, Hita, Oita 877-0007, Japan Opening Hours: 11:30 AM–2 PM, 6–10 PM (Closed on Wednesdays) Link: https://www.wasyokukoubou-shin.com/ |