Usa (宇佐市, Usa-shi) is a city located in Ōita Prefecture, Japan. As of 30 November 2023^[update], the city had an estimated population of 52,808 in 26026 households, and a population density of 120 persons per km². ^[1] The total area of the city is 439.05 km² (169.52 sq mi). It is notable for Usa Jingū, the head shrine of all 40,000 Hachiman shrines across Japan; the city annually attracts as many as 1.8 million worshipers from all over the country on New Year's Day.

Quick Facts 宇佐市, Country ...

Usa 宇佐市
City
Usa City Hall
Flag Seal
Location of Usa in Ōita Prefecture
Usa
Coordinates: 33°31′55″N 131°20′58″E
Country	Japan
Region	Kyushu
Prefecture	Ōita
Government
• Mayor	Shuji Korenaga
Area
• Total	439.05 km2 (169.52 sq mi)
Population  (November 30, 2023)
• Total	52,808
• Density	120/km2 (310/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+9 (Japan Standard Time)
Phone number	0978-32-1111
Address	1-1030 Ōaza-Ueda, Usa-shi, Ōita-ken 879-0492
Climate	Cfa
Website	Official website
Symbols
Flower	Rhododendron
Tree	Quercus gilva

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Usa is located on the northern tip of the Kunisaki Peninsula and faces the Gulf of Suō to the north, Nakatsu City to the west, Kusu Town and Yufu City to the south, and Kitsuki City and Bungotakada City to the east.

Three districts have traditionally been economic and cultural centers: the Usa district (particularly Minami-Usa), which developed as the shrine town associated with Usa Jingū (also known as the Usa Shrine), the Yokkaichi district, which developed as the temple town of Hongan-ji Temple and administrative center, and the Nagasu district, which developed as a port town.

The area of Usa was the southeastern tip of the former Buzen Province and on the border with the former Bungo Province. The name "Usa" appears in the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki and Emperor Jimmu visited Usa prior to departing to the east for his conquest of Yamato. Due to the economic and political power of Usa Jingū, no samurai clan was able to dominate the area until the Sengoku period during which time it became a battleground between the Ōuchi clan and Ōtomo clan and later the Shimazu clan. Under Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Buzen province became the territory of Kuroda Yoshitaka, who constructed Nakatsu Castle. During the Edo period it was mostly tenryō administered directly by the Tokugawa shogunate, with smaller areas under control of Nakatsu Domain, Shimabara Domain and Usa Jingū. After the Meiji restoration, the town of Usa within Usa District, Ōita was established on May 1, 1889 with the creation of the modern municipalities system. On April 1, 1955 Kitsuki merged with the villages of Yasaka, Kita-Kitsuki and, Nakarie and was raised to city status. On October 1, 2005 Kitsuki merged with the town of Yamaka from Hayami District and the village of Ota from Nishikunisaki District, Ōita. On April 1, 1967 Usa merged with the towns of Ekigawa, Yokkaichi, and Nagasu to form the city of Usa. On March 31, 2005, the towns of Ajimu and Innai (both from Usa District) were merged into Usa.

Usa has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 21 members. Usa contributes three members to the Ōita Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of the Ōita 3rd district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

The economy of Usa remains largely agricultural. It has close economic ties with neighboring Nakatsu, and belongs to the urban employment area (10% commuting area) of the Nakatsu metropolitan area.

Usa has 24 public elementary schools and seven public junior high schools operated by the city government and three public high schools operated by the Ōita Prefectural Board of Education. Te city also has one private high school.

• Usa Jingū is situated in the city, and attracts as many as 1.8 million visitors annually.^[5] Nearby is the Ōita Prefectural Museum of History.
• Futaba no Sato, a museum dedicated to sumo wrestler Futabayama Sadaji, is located in the city. There is a statue outside the museum, built by the government in 1999, depicting the names and hand prints of three sumo wrestlers who have won more than 60 competitive bouts. In addition to Futubayama, Tanikaze Kajinosuke and Hakuhō Shō are represented on the statue.^[5]

• Futabayama Sadaji, 35th yokozuna in sumo^[5]