Usuki Stone Buddhas

The Usuki Stone Buddhas (臼杵石仏, Usuki Sekibutsu) are a collection of stunning Buddha statues carved into a cliff just five kilometers southwest of Usuki's city center. Unlike most Buddha statues in Japan, which are made of wood or metal, these unique stone statues are the only ones in the country designated as national treasures. Estimated to have been created in the late Heian Period (794-1185), the Buddhas are carved from soft volcanic rock from nearby Mount Aso. The statues are divided into four clusters, all easily reachable by a short walk along a paved trail, making it easy to explore them in about 30 minutes.

While these beautiful sculptures are ancient, their soft volcanic rock material and high moisture levels in the area make them prone to erosion. Therefore, efforts to preserve them include shelters built to protect the statues from natural elements. Near the Stone Buddhas is Mangatsuji Temple, a peaceful spot just a five-minute walk away, where visitors can see more stone sculptures, including one of the Buddhist priest believed to have created the Buddhas.