Usuki

Usuki is a city in Ōita Prefecture, on the eastern coast of Kyushu, Japan. It sits along the coast of the Bungo Channel and is part of the wider Oita metropolitan area. The city acts as a regional center for fishing, commerce, and transportation within the prefecture.

Usuki has a historical core that includes the ruins of Usuki Castle, a hilltop fortress from Japan's Sengoku period. The surrounding town retains traditional streets and older merchant houses that reflect its coastal trading heritage.

A major cultural landmark is the Usuki Stone Buddhas, a collection of medieval stone-carved Buddhist figures set into cliff faces at several sites in the area. Dating to the late Heian through Kamakura periods, the sculptures are regarded as important cultural properties of Japan and draw scholars and visitors interested in medieval Buddhist art.

Economically, Usuki relies on fishing, agriculture, and light manufacturing. It is served by JR Kyushu's Nippō Main Line, with Usuki Station providing rail access, and by national highways and local roads that connect it to other parts of Ōita Prefecture.

Local attractions also include museums and cultural events that showcase the region's history and coastal heritage.