Discover Usuki: A Journey Through History and Culture from Beppu
Joined 2025
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?
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
Joined 2025
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
Johnene H.
“Fantastic day in Beppu”
Our guide Kei was wonderful.. from booking through to making sure we were back at Port on time he showed such generousity and professionalism.2 couples were met at the port and taken to the comfortable car..our itinerary was perfect for a one day overview of Beppu..we saw so much and Kei explained so well what we were experiencing..Yufuin was good to vist..many tourists (as were we) enjoying local food and drinks at the market ..the croquettes are a must try as is the fresh strawberry juice..and we even had time to enjoy a warm footbath and some snacks cooked in steam at one of the 3 Hell ponds we visited.We thank Kei so very much and highly recommend you book a great Beppu experience with him.
Kei H.
I appreciate your kind support and cooperation to make a wonderful day. I'm more than happy to travel with a big & fun party!
Hayley W.
“Usuki Tour! ”
Kei is fantastic. He worked with us to map out our day according to our interests and introduced to the slower side of life in Japan. He is so knowledgeable about the areas we visited, but also allowed us to get to know him a little as a person. We really enjoyed our tour and left only wishing we had more time to explore. We'll be talking about this day for a long time, and we're so thankful Kei provided us the opportunity. Highly recommend!
Kei H.
Hi Hayley, thank you for being part of the wonderful day. Hope you are coming back to Oita someday in the future, exploring the areas in depth. Safe way back to the U.S.
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.
$403/ per group
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