A student asked me recently, "What do you like about Oita?"
I love this question!
I love this question because I LOVE Oita!
I 
Oita!!!
To be honest, I didn't love Oita at first sight (一目惚れ).
My love for this city grew slowly, year by year.
My 3 children were born and raised here. 99% of my adult life has been lived in Oita. I experienced most of the highs and lows of life here.
I have watched the city of Oita grow, little by little, year by year.
I remember the old train station. I remember the old landscape and cityscape, even though many places look very different now.
Many years ago, if I saw another foreigner in Oita, I thought, A fellow foreiner! Let's be friends! When I see foreigners in Oita now, I automatically think, I wonder what they are doing in my city?
Also, I love the people I have met in Oita.
I've met so many wonderful, interesting, friendly people. I've been shown so much kindness--more than I could ever catalog (目録を作れない
ほど). So, so much kindness.
Of course, Oita has beautiful nature, delicious food, hot springs, etc.
But the biggest reasons I love Oita are the people. My own children, and all of the many, many wonderful people I have had the blessing to know here.
Thank you Oita!
What do you like about Oita