Usuki is a small city on the eastern coast of Kyushu, Japan.
Kyushu is the southernmost of Japan's four main islands, and Oita Prefecture is on its eastern side. Usuki faces the Bungo Channel, the stretch of sea between Kyushu and Shikoku. Across the channel is Ehime Prefecture on Shikoku, and a regular ferry connects Usuki with Yawatahama.
Usuki is also surprisingly close to some of Oita's best-known destinations. Beppu and Yufuin are both roughly an hour away by car, making Usuki easy to include in a trip around Oita.
Nioza, one of Usuki's historic neighborhoods. Photo: SORECCHA.
A Historic Castle Town
Usuki has a long and fascinating history.
The city grew around Usuki Castle, built in 1562 by Otomo Sorin, one of the most influential lords in 16th-century Kyushu. At the time, Usuki was an important center of trade and international exchange.
Later, the Inaba family ruled the Usuki domain for more than 270 years during the Edo period. Many streets, temples, stone walls, and other traces of the old castle town can still be found today.
The Usuki Stone Buddhas
Usuki is perhaps best known for the Usuki Stone Buddhas, a remarkable collection of Buddhist statues carved directly into rock.
There are 61 National Treasure statues, making Usuki home to one of the most important collections of stone Buddhist sculptures in Japan.
Their exact origins remain uncertain. Even today, there are questions about when, why, and by whom some of the statues were made.
The Usuki Stone Buddhas, carved into a massive rock face. Photo: SORECCHA.
Food, Fermentation and the Sea
Usuki has a rich food culture shaped by its land, water, and the sea.
Fermentation and brewing have a particularly long history here. Miso, soy sauce, sake, and shochu have been produced in Usuki for generations, supported by the area's water and local traditions.
The sea is another important part of Usuki's food culture. Seafood is part of everyday life here, and fugu (pufferfish) is one of the foods for which Usuki is especially known.
Usuki is well known for fugu (pufferfish). Photo: SORECCHA.
In 2021, Usuki joined the UNESCO Creative Cities Network as a City of Gastronomy, recognizing the city's long food traditions and culture.
Want to Know More?
For more information about Usuki, these websites are useful:
Usuki City – Official Website (Japanese)
Usuki Tourism Association – English
And if you want to discover some of the stories behind this small city, explore SORECCHA Stories.