About 200 old Christian graves have been discovered by the Rev. Mario Marega, historian and research worker. in the village of Meiji, near Oita, while about 180 others have been discovered in the nearby village of Yufuin.
Oitta, formerly Funai, the last city evangelised by St. Francis Xavier before his departure from Japan was for decades the headquarters of all the Catholic misminers. It was also the centre of the first diocese ever erected in Japan. It is expected that the international pilgrimage in honour of St. Francis Xavier will make a brief visit to this city. too.