Ōita Prefecture Hiji has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) characterized by warm summers and cool winters with light to no snowfall.

on March 31, 1954 Hiji expanded through a merger with the town of Toyooka and villages of Ogami, Kawasaki, and Fujiwara in Hayami District.

In terms of national politics, the town is part of the Ōita 3rd district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

The economy of Hiji has traditionally been centered on agriculture and commercial fishing, with flounder from Beppu Bay a notable local speciality.

JR Kyushu - Nippō Main Line The town has a trappist monastery and is also the home of Sanrio's Harmonyland theme park.