On this day, I visited Usa Jingu (Usa Shrine) in the early morning. Following the designated path, I started from the main shrine building, which is designated as a National Treasure, and made my way to the shrine pavilion at the furthest point. The trip took about an hour, but I enjoyed a refreshing morning walk in a pleasant space surrounded by trees.
The vermilion-lacquered shrine pavilions, both in the main shrine and at the far end, are beautiful, and the unusual roofed “Kurehashi” bridge is also impressive. This wooden bridge is one of the 100 most famous bridges in Japan, and its doors are only opened once every 10 years.

We were also very satisfied to visit various sacred sites within the shrine grounds, including a sacred tree said to be 800 years old and a “married couple stone” that is believed to bring good luck.

It is said that the cultivation of gourds flourished in the Usa area because of a legend that a goddess gave Mother’s milk in gourds to drink in order to nurture her baby.

At the shopping street in front of the shrine, we bought souvenirs and enjoyed Oita’s local foods, “Dango Jiru” and “Ganjiru” and ‘Usa Karaage（fried chicken）were so good!

It became my favorite sightseeing spot that I want to visit again.

Usa Jingu (Usa Shrine)　https://www.city.usa.oita.jp/tourist/selectlanguage/English/touristspotenglish/13569.html