Usuki Stone Buddhas

What to know

The Usuki Stone Buddhas (臼杵石仏, Usuki Sekibutsu) are a group of Buddha statues carved into a cliff about five kilometers southwest of central Usuki. While most Japanese Buddha statues are made of wood or metal, stone carvings are rare, and these are the only stone Buddhas in Japan designated as national treasures.

The statues are spread across four clusters, each just a short walk apart. A paved trail loops past all of them in about 30 minutes, making for an easy and pleasant stroll.

Created around the late Heian Period (794–1185), the Buddhas are carved from soft volcanic rock from nearby Mount Aso. This soft stone, combined with the area's high humidity, makes the carvings vulnerable to erosion. Protective shelters have been built to shield them from the elements.

A five-minute walk across the field from the stone Buddhas is Mangatsuji Temple, a simple temple in a quiet neighborhood. Stone Nio guardians with expressive faces stand at the entrance, and the grounds also feature a statue of the Buddhist priest said to have created the stone Buddhas.

Buses run from Usuki Station to the Usuki Sekibutsu bus stop (20 minutes, 200 yen one way), but they operate only once every one to three hours. A taxi or rental car is more convenient. A one-way taxi fare is about 2,200 yen from Usuki Station or 1,700 yen from Kami-Usuki Station. A Toyota rental car outlet is near Kami-Usuki Station, with more options in Beppu, Oita, and Oita Airport.