Bungo, the home of the Otomo clan, is a moderately fertile province located on the north-western end of Kyushu. Bungo's coastal position, combined with its daimyo's advocacy of foreign exchange, made Bungo an important centre for foreign trade. The daimyo also admired European culture, and converted to Christianity. He invited Jesuit missionary Francis Xavier to Bungo to promote his religious beliefs and to help strengthen relations with Europe.