Ōtomo no Tabito (大伴 旅人, 665 - 31 August 731) was a Japanese court noble, military leader and poet.

During Empress Genmei's New Year's Day celebration of 710, he led the cavalry, Hayato, Emishi, and others as the Shogun of the Left with his deputy, Hozumi no Oyu, in a march along the Suzaku Avenue.

Around 728, Ōtomo was transferred to Dazaifu with his wife, Ōtomo no Iratsume, as Governor of Dazaifu, the second time he was sent to Kyushu after his 60th birthday, and this appointment could have been a strategic demotion by the four Fujiwara brothers, Muchimaro, Fusasaki, Umakai and Maro, to oust Prince Nagaya, the Minister of the Left in power at the time.

[2] However, it has also been theorized that Ōtomo was transferred because of his excellent skills in diplomacy and defense in light of the international situation at the time.

While serving as Governor-General of Dazaifu, the military procuracy in northern Kyushu from 728-730, Tabito hosted a plum-blossom party, encouraging the composition of poetry among his subordinates in imitation of Chinese style elegance.