Usa (宇佐市) Travel Guide & City Profile

Laatst gecontroleerd · Prijzen in Yen (¥) zijn ter indicatie.October 24, 2026 · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.

Overview & City Profile

Usa (宇佐市, Usa-shi; Japanese pronunciation: [ɯ̈́.sä̀, ɯ̈̀.sä́.ɕì]) is a city located in Ōita Prefecture, Japan. As of 30 November 2023, the city had an estimated population of 52,808 in 26026 households, and a population density of 120 persons per km2. The total area of the city is 439.05 km2 (169.52 sq mi). It is notable for Usa Jingū, the head shrine of all 40,000 Hachiman shrines across Japan.

Within Ōita Prefecture (Kyushu region), Usa (宇佐市) serves as a city in ōita prefecture. Travelers exploring Ōita often combine a stop in Usa with regional highlights such as Beppu's 'Eight Hells' (Jigoku Meguri) & sand/mud baths, boutique foot-of-Mount-Yufu resort town of Yufuin, Usa Jingu Shrine, Kitsuki samurai slopes, and Kunisaki Peninsula stone Buddhas.

Getting to Usa & Getting Around

Via the regional hub (Beppu, Yufuin & Oita Stations (JR Sonic & Yufu-in-no-Mori Limited Express)): 2h from Fukuoka (Hakata) or 1h 20m from Kokura on the JR Limited Express Sonic to Beppu/Oita, or 2h 15m on the scenic Yufuin-no-Mori train to Yufuin.

• Local rail & IC cards: Once in Ōita Prefecture, JR regional lines and local private railways connect Ōita with Usa. Nationwide IC cards (Suica, Pasmo, Icoca) work on major urban and JR commuter gates; for rural branch lines or local buses, keep ¥1,000 bills and ¥100 coins handy for the onboard fare box.
• Luggage & station lockers: Main stations in Ōita have coin lockers for day-trippers. If you are stopping in Usa en route between larger bases, check your suitcase dimensions in our Luggage & Locker Checker or forward big bags ahead with Takkyubin.
• Driving & car rental: While city centers around Usa are accessible by train and taxi, renting a car from a major Shinkansen station or airport in Ōita can be rewarding for reaching mountain gorges, coastal viewpoints, and countryside onsen. Read our Renting a Car in Japan Guide.

Wat te Eten in Usa & Ōita: Lokale Specialiteiten

Usa deelt de culinaire tradities van de prefectuur Ōita en de regio Kyushu. Mis deze lokale specialiteiten niet tijdens je bezoek:

• Toriten (citrus-ponzu chicken tempura) & Usa karaage — a signature specialty across Ōita Prefecture.
• Jigoku-mushi (vegetables, eggs & seafood steamed over 98°C hot-spring vents in Beppu) — a signature specialty across Ōita Prefecture.
• Bungo wagyu beef — a signature specialty across Ōita Prefecture.
• Seki-aji & Seki-saba (wild Bungo Channel mackerel & horse mackerel) — a signature specialty across Ōita Prefecture.
• Dango-jiru soup — a signature specialty across Ōita Prefecture.

For dietary restrictions or food allergies, open our Japanese Phrasebook & Show-to-Staff Cards to display clear Japanese dietary explanations at restaurants in Usa.

Best Time to Visit & Seasonal Highlights

Year-round for Japan's highest-volume hot springs; October–February for rising steam vistas in Beppu and morning mist over Lake Kinrin in Yufuin.

Regional highlights across Ōita Prefecture that pair well with a visit to Usa include: Beppu's 'Eight Hells' (Jigoku Meguri) & sand/mud baths, boutique foot-of-Mount-Yufu resort town of Yufuin, Usa Jingu Shrine, Kitsuki samurai slopes, and Kunisaki Peninsula stone Buddhas.

Praktische Reistips voor Usa

• Tourist information center (観光案内所): Look for the Kankō Annaijo counter at the regional hub (Beppu, Yufuin & Oita Stations (JR Sonic & Yufu-in-no-Mori Limited Express)) or major stations in Ōita Prefecture for free walking maps, bus timetables, and festival calendars.
• Cash & ATMs: While hotels, chain stores, and convenience stores in Usa accept international cards and IC payment, smaller family-run restaurants, shrines, and rural buses often prefer cash. 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) and Japan Post ATMs accept foreign debit cards reliably.
• Dining hours: Outside major metropolitan hubs, lunch typically runs 11:30 AM–2:00 PM and dinner spots open around 5:30 PM, with earlier last orders (around 8:00–9:00 PM) in smaller cities.