Spring in Usuki: Discover Japan’s Hidden Gems – National Treasures & Castle Ruins 国宝と城跡の町

Spring in Usuki: Discover Japan’s Hidden Gems – National Treasures & Castle Ruins 国宝と城跡の町

Good morning! I’m here where I can see the cherry blossoms, so I think I’ll have a coffee. I got a lot of sleep last night. I slept for about 12 hours! But for some reason, I still feel sluggish. I came here from Kagawa Prefecture in Shikoku. From Shikoku, I took an express train, then from a place called Yawatahama, I caught a ferry. There’s a ferry from Yawatahama Port to Usuki Town, where I am now. So I took that to get here. The ferry ride took about three hours. But I couldn’t really do anything at all. Why? Because… The boat was rocking so much! I live in Takamatsu, Kagawa, which is right on the Seto Inland Sea. So I never expected the ferry to be this rough. So honestly, all I could do was sleep. Even now, I still feel like I’m swaying. Since I usually only get around by bike or on foot, I guess I get motion sickness easily when I take transportation after a long time. Well, no point in complaining! I’m going to enjoy the cherry blossoms with a cup of coffee. Oh! There are ducks! I’ve come to a restaurant known for its roast beef rice bowls. Let’s eat! Time for dessert! Checking the map to decide where to go next. I’m renting a bicycle and heading to the Usuki Stone Buddhas, a National Treasure. I’m getting close to the statues now. The cherry blossoms are absolutely stunning. So beautiful! Seriously gorgeous! This is my bike for today. I was supposed to rent an electric bike, but… An error popped up… so now it’s just a really heavy regular bike. But the scenery is so nice, I’m not even mad. It’s fine! I’m walking from here. It’s about 800 meters, and they say it’s a pretty steep slope. It should take around 30 minutes. It’s peak cherry blossom season right now, so I feel like I came at the perfect time. It’s Sunday today, but there aren’t too many tourists. Makes for an easy walk! That’s pretty rare. These are called “sekibutsu”—stone-carved Buddhas. Since they’re Buddha statues made of stone, they’re called “sekibutsu.” Wow… incredible. This stone is part of the ruins of a building from the Kamakura period. One of the historical remains. It feels amazing here. This is exactly what I imagine when I think of the Japanese countryside. Kyushu is really nice. Heading back to town and then to Usuki Castle Ruins. I love these flowers. It feels like Kyoto! They’re playing badminton! Looks fun! These lanterns are a traditional type of Japanese lighting, often seen at hanami and festivals. They’re called “bonbori.” Seeing them lined up like this really brings out the festival atmosphere! If you look closely, they have company and shop names written on them. Local businesses sponsor them. It’s nice how the whole community comes together for hanami. So many people are having hanami! And if you look this way, there’s the ocean. Nice.

Step into Usuki (臼杵), a hidden gem in Japan’s countryside where ancient history and breathtaking nature come together. 🌸🏯

Located in Oita Prefecture, this charming town is home to National Treasure Usuki Stone Buddhas, stunning cherry blossoms, and the ruins of Usuki Castle. 🚴‍♀️ Join me as I explore its peaceful streets, cycle through scenic landscapes, and enjoy some delicious local food—including a famous roast beef rice bowl!
Along the way, I run into some unexpected bike troubles… but that’s all part of the adventure, right? 😆

📍 Places I visited:
✅ Usuki Stone Buddhas (National Treasure)
✅ Usuki Castle Ruins
✅ A famous roast beef rice bowl restaurant
✅ Scenic riverside cherry blossom spots

📅 Filmed on: March 27, 2022
If you love hidden gems, Japanese history, and off-the-beaten-path travel, this vlog is for you! 🌿✨ Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more Japan travel content!

#JapanTravel #Usuki #HiddenGem #CherryBlossoms #NationalTreasure #SoloTravel #JapaneseCountryside #CyclingVlog