Discover Usuki: A Journey Through History and Culture from Beppu
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.
Itinerary
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
Want to personalize this tour?
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This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
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)
Tour Important Information
* 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.
Important message from the supplier
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!
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
About Tour Guide Kei H.
Hi, I'm KEI! Your friendly local guide ready to show you the real Japan.
With expertise in Oita area (Beppu, Yufuin etc), I'm passionate about guiding my guests around various aspects from commonly known attractions to off-the-beaten tracks, those in the know, know places.
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!
Reviews
Patrick S.
“As a group of four, we hired Kei to take us to the historical city of Usuki to experience the some of the history of Japanese culture.”
We arrived in Beppu via a cruise ship, but planned on going to the city of Usuki to explore the samurai district and then venture on to see the Usuki stone Buddhas. We arranged a tour with Kei who had his own van that readily accommodated four of us for the ride from Beppu to Usuki, thus avoiding the need for public transport. Kei walked us through the samurai district highlighting the history of the area ending in a little shop with a wonderful unique blend of ice-cream. We then went on to see the Usuki stone Buddhas with Kei giving us a great historical overview. Kei then took us to a small pottery factory before taking us back to Beppu. When we got back to Beppu, Kei took us up to a great lookout high in the hills, where we got a wonderful view of the city and water below. Kei was an excellent guide, very hospitable and knowledgeable with a very good command of the English language, which made our trip a wonderful experience. Pat and Alida
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Kei H.
Thank you very much for choosing Usuki tour, which is one of my most favorite programs to have a real-life taste of Japan. Hope you enjoyed miso ice cream.
Audrey L.
“Best Tour Ever!!”
100% worth the cost. Traveling around Hita via the busses and taxis would have been impossible for all that ai wanted to see. Kei not only customized the itinerary, he was also great company and friendly! I included Attack on Titan stops as well as local geta store and yakisoba. Every single stop was memorable and the city is so beautiful. Kei communicated very well before the trip so I knew exact schedule for the day in advance. I didn't feel rushed at all.
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Kei H.
Thank you for joining the tour with a wonderful cosplay uniform! I enjoyed lots being immersive into the AoT world!
Joann H.
“Wonderful 2 days with Kei!”
We hired Kei for 2 days for the Beppu day tour and the Discover Usuki tour. Kei arranged the days so that we would be touring the areas during the less crowded times and it worked perfectly. He picked us up at the ferry terminal with some local snacks to try (delicious!) to start the day. Being a Sunday, we headed to Usuki for the first day since the Beppu Hells would likely be more crowded. It was so quiet and peaceful walking through the old Samurai town. It was quite fascinating and beautiful. Highly recommend this tour to immerse yourself in an area where it feels like going back in time in Japan. Upon our request, Kei arranged for us to have a fugu meal at a local restaurant. One bucket list item completed! He then drove us to see the carved Buddhas, then monkey mountain. Both stops were well worth the visit! Kei was very informative and considerate to make sure we were enjoying our tour. The next day we went to see highlights of the Beppu Hell pools. He had more local snacks for us to try…Yummm! Another fantastic day seeing three of the pools. We also had a walking tour of the back streets of Beppu and leaned how all the geothermal activity was being used. Very interesting…you had the option of even steaming your feet! We asked to eat udon for lunch and we stopped at a delicious udon place, that even my picky raised-in-Japan mother loved. Afterwards, we went up to a fantastic view of Beppu that tourists are not likely to see. And with some extra time, my boyfriend wanted to buy tools and Kei was able accommodate us. Kei had been communicating with me before the trip to ensure the tour was catered to our interests. The biggest concern was that my mother was in a wheelchair. He made sure that everywhere we went, it was wheelchair accessible. He had a little stool for her to help her step into the vehicle too. That was perfect. Thank you Kei for a wonderful time!
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Kei H.
Thank you very much!! It wi
$387/ per group
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