Usuki Stone Buddhas

The Usuki Stone Buddhas are a group of cliff-carved Buddhist statues carved into tuff rock walls from the late Heian period through the Kamakura period, with over 60 statues designated as National Treasures. The Dainichi Nyorai statue at Koen Sekibutsu displays a gentle smile and is beloved as the 'Usuki Smile.' The walking path that circles the four groups of stone statues takes about 30 minutes, and the time spent facing these statues in silence seems to purify the soul. The surrounding area retains the charming streetscape of Usuki Castle Town and is also known as a premier destination for fugu.