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Escape the bustle of Beppu and journey back in time with us to the serene castle town of Usuki. This immersive tour offers a deep dive into a world of samurai history, ancient mysteries, and rich culinary traditions.
We will explore the enigmatic Usuki Stone Buddhas, a designated National Treasure of Japan, whose peaceful expressions have captivated visitors for centuries. You will walk the same stone-paved paths as samurai once did in the beautifully preserved Nioza Historical District, and wander the impressive ruins of Usuki Castle. This journey is more than just sightseeing; it’s a chance to feel the authentic, tranquil spirit of a historic Kyushu town.
Primary Area: JR Beppu Station or Beppu Cruise Port.
*Pick-up at your hotel or any preferred location available.
Also Available: We can also arrange pickup from Yufuin. Please inquire when booking.
Return to the same point that the tour starts.
Flexible (between 9:00 AM- 11:00 AM)
English, Japanese
Please note: This is a sample itinerary based on a 9:00 AM start time. As this is your private tour, the start time is fully flexible and we will adjust the schedule accordingly.
Your personal guide will meet you at your hotel lobby or designated pickup point in Beppu. After a friendly introduction, we’ll begin our adventure in a comfortable, private vehicle. *Hotel-pickup is available.
Our journey into the past begins at the elegant former villa of the Inaba clan, the feudal lords who ruled Usuki. We’ll explore the sophisticated architecture and beautiful gardens.
Next, we’ll take a leisurely stroll through the beautifully preserved Nioza Historical Road.
We’ll take a relaxing break for lunch. We can recommend the best local spots to suit your taste. (Please note: The cost of the meal is not included in the tour price.)
Visit to a pottery atelier & workshop next to the stone buddhas.
Visit the awe-inspiring Usuki Stone Buddhas. We will take our time exploring these mysterious figures, appreciating their serene expressions and the peaceful, wooded surroundings.
Your tour concludes as we drop you off at your hotel or another preferred location in Beppu.
Also Available: We can also arrange pickup from Yufuin. Please inquire when booking.
My parents and I went to Usuki with Kei. He picked us up and dropped us off at our lodgings. Unlike the crowded onsen towns Beppu and Yufuin, Usuki was pleasantly peaceful with no tourists to be seen! Kei explained to us that the British samurai of drama Shogun fame actually washed up in Usuki in 1600. He took us to a Buddhist temple that was linked to that history, and introduced us to a Frenchman who works there and resides in the area. It was so interesting to meet a real-life gaijin who fell in love with the city and makes his life there. The Fugu lunch Kei arranged was wonderful too. Apparently, Usuki is a UNESCO city of gastronomy, famous for its soy sauce and miso. The stone Buddhas were impressive and serene in a beautiful countryside setting, and getting to go inside a samurai residence (villa of the Inaba clan that ruled Usuki in the Tokugawa period) was fascinating. I highly recommend taking a detour to Usuki with Kyushu Immersions. Frankly, one day was too short to take in all the history, culture, and gastronomy. Thanks to Kei who thoughtfully accommodated my elderly parents, so we didn’t need to walk too far or take stairs.
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.
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!
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.