Embark on a captivating journey through the historical city of Usuki and experience the rich tapestry of Japanese culture. Once a thriving castle town, Usuki offers a unique blend of ancient history and natural beauty.
Explore the samurai district and wander through the samurai residences and stroll along the historical path The tour highlights a venture to the Usuki Stone Buddhas, colossal statues carved into the cliffs. These ancient sculptures offer a glimpse into Japan's rich heritage.
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
JR Beppu Station West Exit
- *Other pick-up points outside Beppu available with additional charges & tour duration on request.
Old Samurai Residence (Inaba clan)
First visit to a former residence of the Inaba family, the former feudal lord of Usuki Domain. Built in 1902, it was constructed as a place for the family to return to after relocating to Tokyo following the abolition of the han system. The residence showcases the elegant architecture of a high-ranking samurai family, featuring a formal entrance with a raised platform, a traditional Japanese-style living room, and high-quality materials such as cedar and cypress.
Nioza Historical Path & Shopping Street
Nestled near Usuki Castle, the Nijoza Historic Path is a unique and captivating destination. Formed from solidified volcanic ash from a volcano, the path winds through a rugged landscape of carved rock formations.
As you wander through the narrow streets, you'll be transported back in time to the Edo period. The area retains its historic charm, with towering stone walls, heavy tiled roofs, whitewashed buildings, and numerous temples lining the sloping streets.
Usuki Stone Buddhas
Nestled amidst the serene natural landscape, the Usuki Stone Buddhas stand as a testament to the deep spiritual beliefs and artistic mastery of ancient Japan. These monumental sculptures, carved directly into a cliff face, are a rare and invaluable treasure. Unlike most Buddhist statues crafted from wood or metal, the Usuki Stone Buddhas are hewn from solid rock, making them a unique and enduring testament to human creativity. The buddha statues earns its significance as a national treasure of Japan.
Usuki Pottery Gallery
Visit to a pottery atelier & workshop next to the stone buddhas.
Ending Point
JR Beppu Station
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Drive & Guide fee
Transportation by a private car (Nissan "Serena")
Fuel, parking fees, toll fees
Admission- Stone Buddha: JPY550 per person
Admission- Samurai Residence: JPY330 per person
Meals (guide & members)
* This tour includes a walking up slopes/steps, and not recommended for those with severe back/knee problems.
* Visit to the workshop & gallery is subject to their availability. If the workshop is not available, the visit to local breweries, soy sauce factory
offered optionally.
Draft itineraries and tour options are the starting point to have more insightful conversation. I'm always welcome to discuss further, catering to your particular travel needs!
Hi, I'm Keita (KEI)! Your friendly local guide ready to show you the real Japan.
I've been working in tourism for years and love sharing my passion for this beautiful country with visitors.From bustling cities to hidden gems, I'll create a personalized itinerary that suits your interests.
Whether you're a foodie, history buff, or nature lover, I can help you experience the best of Japan.Let's create unforgettable memories together!
Kyushu, the southern island of Japan, is well-known for rich nature & hot springs.
Anthony G.
“If there is one thing that you must do in Beppu is book Kei for your guide.”
The first thing you must do when visiting Beppu is book Kei to be your guide. We had a fantastic day out with Kei, he escorted us to all the sites we want to see and also modified his tour to accommodate our requests. His knowledge of all the places we visited was exceptional. I don’t think we could have seen so much without his expertise. He knew all the spots for photos of all the main attractions, most of them we would not have found without him. Thank you for a wonderful day it was a pleasure to meet you and an unforgettable day in Beppu, all the best for the future, Anthony and Janet.
Kei H.
Hi Anthony-san, I'm very glad to go on our venture with multi-multinational gangs. It's so funny how it was Day 1 for each of us, making the day such a special. Thank you for being talkative, easy-going and cooperative, which helped the tour going very effectively. Hope you have a pleasant trip in Japan & Korea.
Kelly C.
“Didn't know there is so much to see in Usuki”
We were so glad we hired Kei to be our tour. He was very thoughtful from the very beginning. There was a closure on the highway and he was willing to provide the flexibility to suggest an earlier departure. He was very thoughtful to go with an easier path knowing my dad has a bad knee. Usuki is very different from other popular tourist attractions. We did not feel this place was heavily commercialized, so we could submerge ourselves in its history and the locals' daily lives. Kei introduced us to Usuki more like a friend who is passionate about his home prefecture. He could tell you a lot about Oita. Kei did not end his work day by simply dropping us off at the hotel; he even made great suggestions for what we could do in the afternoon on our own and shared some dinner recommendations with us. Thank you, Kei.
Kei H.
I greatly appreciate that you chose Oita again to travel. In person I'm very excited to explore the off-the-beaten place, and having the immersion into the local area together with you and your dad. What a Lovely family! Have a pleasant trip.
Roxanne R.
“Fun day packed with activities”
We had a great 6h tour with Kei in Beppu. He met us at our hotel with his van for a driving tour. We started with a great lunch at a local spot by the traditional bath salt production area and saw 3 of the most beautiful hot spring hells. He also accommodated a visit to the monkey park even though that wasn't in our original agenda. Then we finished with a stop at an amazing observation tower that overlooked all of Beppu. Kei's English was very good and easy to understand as Americans. We had opportunities for souvenir shopping as well. I thought the value was great especially to include him driving the four of us around.
Kei H.
Hi Roxanne ('Rokusanu')-san and friends! I was thrilled to record the most number of visits within 6 hours, and we actually made it! Thank you for being so nice and thoughtful every moment we had. It's an absolutely fun moment with your party friends. Have a wonderful holiday in Japan.
$416/ per group