Hot spring trips are especially popular among mature travelers in Japan,
and Oita Prefecture is one of the country’s best-known onsen destinations.
So this time,
we traveled to Oita and began our trip with an ANA flight from Tokyo.
In this article,
we share our firsthand experience flying from Haneda Airport to Oita Airport,
exploring the adorable OITA HELLO KITTY AIRPORT,
and taking the unique hovercraft from Oita Airport to the city.
Flying ANA from Haneda Airport to Oita
For our outbound flight,
we flew with
ANA
from Haneda Airport to Oita Airport.
When I originally booked the flight,
I was not able to get my preferred seat.
So before departure,
I checked the ANA app again to see whether any better seats had become available.
A cancellation had opened up a seat with an empty seat next to it,
so I changed my reservation.
Seats can open up shortly before departure,
so if you do not get the seat you want at first,
it can be worth checking again later.
For solo travelers,
having an empty seat next to you can make a big difference in comfort.
Some exit-row seats also offer extra legroom,
although eligibility and seating conditions apply.
ANA’s Consommé Soup During the Flight
The flight to Oita takes only around
1 hour and 40 minutes,
so we bought some fruit and rice balls before boarding
and ate them during the flight.
For the drink service,
I chose ANA’s popular consommé soup.
It is one of those small things I always associate with flying ANA.
The flight to Oita was quiet and comfortable,
and it was an easy way to begin our trip.
▶Search for ANA flights on Rakuten Travel
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OITA HELLO KITTY AIRPORT Was Adorable
We arrived at
OITA HELLO KITTY AIRPORT.
Oita Airport is currently decorated with Hello Kitty and other Sanrio characters,
creating a fun and colorful atmosphere throughout the terminal.
The special decorations have been extended until
March 31, 2027.
There are also photo spots around the airport,
so even the arrival area feels like part of the sightseeing experience.
Relax at Oita Airport’s Free Footbath
Right next to one of the photo spots,
there is a footbath.
Anyone can use the footbath free of charge.
The footbath uses hot spring water associated with Beppu,
one of Oita’s most famous onsen areas.
I tried it myself.
The water temperature felt very comfortable,
and after sitting there for a short time,
my whole body felt warm and relaxed.
It was especially nice after sitting on the plane.
Original Footbath Towels Are Also Available
If you want to use the footbath but do not have a towel,
original Oita Airport footbath towels are sold nearby.
When we visited,
they were
¥400
and came with a plastic bag.
They also make a small and practical souvenir.
Oita Airport to Oita City: Bus or Hovercraft
Oita Airport is located some distance from central Oita City,
so most travelers use either
an airport bus or the hovercraft.
The hovercraft service between
Oita Airport and Nishi-Oita
resumed in July 2025 after a long absence.
As of 2026,
it continues to operate as a regular airport access option.
The current journey takes approximately
35 minutes
between Oita Airport and Nishi-Oita.
It is also a particularly unusual experience,
because this type of commercial hovercraft service is extremely rare in Japan.
When we traveled,
we booked the hovercraft in advance online.
Fares and booking methods may change,
so it is best to check the latest schedule and price before traveling.
▶Check the latest hovercraft information on the Oita Airport website
Allow Extra Time to Reach the Hovercraft Terminal
After leaving the airport terminal,
we headed toward the hovercraft boarding area.
It takes a few minutes to walk there,
so
I recommend allowing a little extra time before departure.
We arrived at the hovercraft terminal.
The building looked very new
and was clean and modern.
We waited here until boarding time.
It was quiet and comfortable.
Because we traveled on a weekday,
there were not many other passengers.
Boarding the Rare Oita Hovercraft
When it was time to board,
we walked out to the hovercraft.
A staff member kindly took a photo for us.
And somehow,
they even managed to make us look taller and slimmer in the photo（笑）.
The inside of the hovercraft was also very clean,
with comfortable seats.
The hovercraft can carry around
80 passengers.
From the windows,
you can enjoy views of Oita’s sea and mountains.
For around 30 to 35 minutes, the scenery is almost entirely water and coastline.
It was cloudy on the day we traveled,
but I could imagine how beautiful the views would be on a clear day.
For anyone who loves the ocean,
it is a very enjoyable ride.
My Experience with Motion on the Hovercraft
A hovercraft travels by creating a cushion of air beneath the vessel,
allowing it to move above the water surface.
During our trip,
I personally felt very little movement.
For me,
the sensation was closer to riding a train than being on a conventional boat.
I did not feel seasick at all.
Of course,
motion sensitivity varies from person to person,
and sea conditions can also affect the ride.
But for me,
the trip felt surprisingly smooth and comfortable.
Even after getting off the hovercraft,
we could still enjoy beautiful views of the sea and mountains.
Hovercraft Souvenirs at Nishi-Oita
After getting off the hovercraft,
we walked to a building called the
Hover Gallery.
The space was modern and stylish,
just like the waiting area at the airport side.
We found a miniature hovercraft toy
and bought one for my nephew.
At the time of our visit,
this hovercraft Choro-Q style toy was sold at only a limited number of locations,
which made it feel like a fun and unusual Oita souvenir.
Nishi-Oita to Oita Station by Taxi
After arriving in Nishi-Oita,
we discovered that the easiest options for reaching Oita Station
were bus or taxi.
The bus is cheaper,
but
a taxi took us only around 10 minutes to reach Oita Station.
When we traveled,
the fare was around
¥1,200.
Because the bus makes several stops,
it naturally takes longer.
For us,
the combination of
hovercraft + taxi
made the journey from Oita Airport to Oita Station very efficient.
Depending on connections,
the total travel time can be around
45 to 50 minutes.
For travelers who value time and want to reduce the amount of walking, this can be a convenient option.
Our taxi driver was also very friendly
and told us more about Oita along the way.
If you are traveling to Oita,
the hovercraft is worth considering not only as transportation,
but also as part of the travel experience itself.
For travelers in their 60s and beyond,
being able to sit comfortably for most of the journey
can also make the transfer easier.
It is a rare experience that makes arriving in Oita feel like part of the trip.
