Usuki Tourism Association

The Usuki Stone Buddhas (Cliff Buddhas), represented by the Dainichi Nyorai statue in the Furuzono Cluster, are said to have been carved sometime between the late Heian (794-1185) and Kamakura (1185-1333) periods.
The scale, quantity, and quality of the sculptures make them a collection of stone Buddhas that represent Japan, and in June 1995 they were designated as a National Treasure, the first for cliff Buddhas in Japan and the first for sculptures in Kyushu. The entire collection of stone Buddhas, a total of 61 among four clusters (Furuzono, Sannosan, Hoki First, and Hoki Second clusters), has been designated as a national treasure.

Nioza is a hill formed by tuff, hardened volcanic ash from Mt. Aso, with roads cut through the rocks in multiple locations.
In particular, the area in front of Former Shinko-ji Temple is known as “Kiridoshi” (“cut-through”), which is one of the most well-known sights of Usuki and was selected as one of the 100 Best Townscapes in Japan in November 1993. The houses of high-ranking samurai families line the streets, and there are also many temples gathered in the area.

"This castle was the residence of Otomo Sorin, a famous Christian feudal lord, with a prayer room inside the castle and a Christian training center in the castle town. When the castle was built, it was located on an isolated island called Niujima, boasting solid defense with the surrounding sea serving as natural protection.
Today, portions such as two Yagura (turrets), a portion of the drawing room’s garden, and stone walls still remain, and the rest of the space is known as Usuki Park, where local residents come to relax. In the spring, it is also a very popular spot for cherry blossom viewing."

"Inaba Sadamichi, the first-generation head of the Inaba family, was transferred from Gujo-Hachiman in Mino Province (present-day Gifu Prefecture) to Usuki Castle in 1600 as a reward for his military service in the Battle of Sekigahara.
The Inaba Family Villa was built in 1902 as a residence for the Inaba family, the lords of the former Usuki Domain, who relocated to Tokyo after Japan’s feudal system was abolished. Although the residence was built in the modern era, the building itself retains the style of a samurai residence.
The former Hirai Family Residence, adjacent to the Inaba Family Villa, is the residence of a high-ranking samurai family that also retains the architectural style of the Edo Period (1603-1867)."

Yaeko Nogami was born in 1885 as the eldest daughter of the second generation of Shiroya Sake Brewery (present-day Kotegawa Sake Brewery) in Usuki City. She moved to Tokyo at the age of 14 to pursue her studies, and after graduating from Meiji Girls’ School, she married Toyoichiro Nogami, also a native of Usuki, at the age of 21. She began writing novels in the literary environment of her husband, whose mentor was Soseki Natsume, and remained active for many years, publishing a vast number of works until the age of 99. In 1964, she won the Women’s Literature Prize for “Hideyoshi and Rikyu”, and in 1971 she was awarded the Order of Culture. As a memorial for Yaeko and to honor her legacy, a portion of her birthplace, the Kotegawa Sake Brewery, was renovated to establish the Nogami Yaeko Literature Museum.

"Kazumasa Yoshimaru was born and raised in Usuki. After graduating from high school, he became a teacher at Tokyo Prefectural Dai-San Junior High School, and then a professor at Tokyo Music School (present-day Tokyo University of the Arts). He then became a member of the Ministry of Education's Shoka (school music) Textbook Editorial Committee, contributing lyrics to a number of songs, including “Soshunfu” (“Ode to Early Spring”), “Konoha” (“Tree Leaves”), and “Kokyo wo Hanaruru Uta” (“Song of Leaving My Hometown”, based on a German folk song).
He worked as a lyricist on many innovative nursery rhymes and other songs for the Ministry of Education until he passed away at the young age of 43. This museum, housed in what used to be his wife’s family home, exhibits items such as sheet music and other various artifacts relating to Yoshimaru."

The Furen Stalactite Grotto was discovered on February 14, 1926, by a local youth group, and was designated a National Natural Monument on April 4, 1927.
The original entrance to the cave has been preserved as an entrance for deep exploration, maintaining its appearance at the time of its discovery.
Because it is a closed cave, the stalactites have grown robustly in beautiful, well-proportioned shapes, and there is a wide variety of stalactites, making it one of the most well-known caves in Japan.
The inside of the cave is very cool even in the summer, and visitors can enjoy the unique shapes of the stalactites.