The City of Usa
The city of Usa is located directly west of Bungotakada and was formed in 2005 through the merger of the towns of Ajimu and Innai. The JR Usa Station is the closest train station to Bungotakada, and is a ten-minute drive or bus ride away from Bungotakada’s city center. Along with Usa, the Kunisaki Peninsula municipalities of Bungotakada, Kitsuki, Hiji, and Kunisaki share a culture influenced by Rokugo Manzan, a local religion that combines mountain worship, Shintoism and Buddhism.
The prestigious Usa Jingu Shrine is located in Usa. The shrine was founded in the Nara Period (710–794) and now has branches throughout Japan, all of which are dedicated to Hachiman, the god of warriors. The shrine’s main hall and a Buddhist ritual gong featuring a peacock relief (kujaku monkei), are designated National Treasures. The gong is displayed along with hundreds of other cultural artifacts at the Homotsukan, or Treasure House, located at the shrine.