Hita is enclosed by mountains, with the main river Mikuma flowing through. These come together to provide the town its idyllic backdrop as well as a source of livelihood. From the start, the bus ride into Hita shows off pastoral farmland and mountain tops looking like upright, serrated knife edges.

‍

This bounty of natural greenery spills over into Hita where trees grow everywhere. No wonder its nickname “City In The Mountains”. The mountains don’t just look good. They have been contributing to Hita’s economy since the 1600’s when Hita caught the eye of the Tokugawa Shogunate. Today there’s a decline in the lumber industry due the usual influx of cheap stuff. But Hita’s special cedar, known as Hita Cedar, is still the wood of choice in the production of geta, the Japanese wooden sandals, furniture, wooden square sake cups, and Hita’s exclusive lacquerware.