mountain regions can accumulate more than of snow. In the Maetsue mountain area the precipitation rate is high. While this helps grow the Japanese cedar and Japanese cypress trees used in the forestry industry, it also causes landslides. Towns and villages Towns and villages of note that lie within Hita's boundaries include: Amagase: Popular hot-spring spa town Maetsue: Mountain village Nakatsue: Mountain village Kamitsue: Home to international racing circuit Autopolis Ōyama: Agricultural town famous for ume and mushrooms Onta: Scenic pottery village producing distinct Japanese pottery called Onta ware (Onta-yaki) For the municipal timeline of Hita, see Hita District (Japanese). Hita has shared borders with the former Hita District since 1889. Demographics Per Japanese census data, the population of Hita in 2020 is 62,657 people. Hita has been conducting censuses since 1920. History In 1593, Hita came under the direct control of the Toyotomi Household as the main city overseeing Kyushu. After the completion of Hinokuma castle and fortification of Nagayama castle, Hita passed from the Toyotomi household to the new daimyō Tokugawa Ieyasu and became a "Tenryo" town, in which the town was under direct control of the Tokugawa Shogunate. After the Meiji period it was known as Hita Prefecture, and after that, it was assimilated into Ōita Prefecture. Economy Traditional crafts Wooden geta, made from the trees surrounding Hita Onta ware, pottery created in the mountain village of Onta Industry Forestry has long flourished in Hita due to the abundant tree supply in the surrounding mountains. Japanese cedar trees called "Hita Cedar" are used to make geta and lacquerware. In recent years the forest industry has declined as a result of the importation of cheap foreign lumber. From the 1960s, after large areas of cultivated land became difficult to obtain, agriculture in Hita has been shifting its focus from rice to crops grown in the mountains, such as ume, Japanese chestnuts, and mushrooms. A fishing industry is present, with ayu and other fish captured in the Mikuma River. Hita is well-known for its high quality water. Hita Tenryosui produces mineral water, and many distilleries produce sake and shōchū. Recently, companies such as TDK, Kyushu Sumidenso, Sapporo Breweries, and Sanwa Shurui have expanded manufacturing in the area. Culture Tourism During the Edo period, Hita was modeled after Kyoto and its merchant culture, and even now is nicknamed "Little Kyoto". Traces of old Kyoto are apparent in the streets of