This small city in Oita Prefecture is home to the 8th-century Usa Jingu shrine, Japan's first Hachiman shrine. Local artisans still craft traditional bamboo products.
Located in northern Kyushu, Usa is known for the Usa Jingū shrine, which welcomes 1.8 million visitors annually. You can walk through the shrine's vermillion gates, feed lions at the Kyushu Natural Animal Park African Safari, or taste local specialties like rice jelly (ame) and fresh mandarin oranges. Throughout the year, you'll find festivals and ceremonies that bring the city's streets to life.
Wildlife at African Safari
At the Kyushu Natural Animal Park African Safari, you can drive through open areas where lions, zebras, and giraffes roam freely. Take a guided bus tour or drive your own car, and purchase special food to feed some of the animals under staff guidance. The park spans 115 hectares and houses over 70 species of animals.
Local Agriculture and Food
Farmers in and around Usa grow rice, vegetables, and mandarin oranges in the fertile soil. Small family-run shops sell ame (rice jelly), a sweet treat made from local rice. The nearby Gulf of Suō supplies fresh seafood to local markets and restaurants, where you can taste regional dishes prepared with local ingredients.
Three City Districts
Walk through Minami-Usa to see shops and houses that grew around Usa Jingū shrine. In the Yokkaichi district, you'll find the Buddhist Hongan-ji Temple surrounded by traditional buildings. The Nagasu district near the coast still maintains its character as a former trading port, with old warehouses and merchant houses.
Usa Jingū Shrine
Built between 717-724, Usa Jingū leads all 40,000 Hachiman shrines in Japan. The shrine holds two major annual events: a ceremonial ritual on March 18, and the Shinkōsai festival from July 31 to August 2. During Shinkōsai, you can watch as participants carry mikoshi (portable shrines) through the city streets.
Sumo at Futaba no Sato
Visit the Futaba no Sato museum to learn about sumo wrestler Futabayama Sadaji. Outside the museum stands a monument with handprints and signatures of three champions who won more than 60 matches in a row. Inside, you'll find photographs, equipment, and documents that tell the story of Japan's national sport.
![An overview of Hiroshima, Japan, and the Hiroshima Memorial Peace Park - commemorating the 1945 atomic bombing of the city - as seen from a hotel rooftop on April 11, 2016, as U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry visited the city to attend the G7 Ministerial Meetings. [State Department photo/ Public Domain] | Hiroshima in Japan](https://humbo.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/place-photo/5ff8b36b9a7cce494339cc9b/ldnAp_Ep6I_thumb.jpeg)
