Things to Do in Kusu (玖珠町), Ōita: Sights, Train Access & Travel Guide

Last reviewed: October 27, 2026 · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.

Overview & City Profile

Kusu (玖珠町) in Ōita Prefecture (Kyushu, Japan) is anchored by local sights including Bungo-Mori Roundhouse, Tsunomure Castle ruins, Kuenohira Yama (崩平山) and served by BungoMori Station (豊後森駅) (2.5 km) via the regional hub at Beppu, Yufuin & Oita Stations (JR Sonic & Yufu-in-no-Mori Limited Express). Set at 348 m elevation (33.3044°N, 131.1614°E), Kusu offers travelers a base for sampling regional Toriten (citrus-ponzu chicken tempura) & Usa karaage, Jigoku-mushi (vegetables, eggs & seafood steamed over 98°C hot-spring vents in Beppu), Bungo wagyu beef cuisine and exploring neighboring Kokonoe (九重町) (13.3 km), Yufuin (由布院温泉) (18.5 km), Oguni (小国町) (19.9 km), Hita (日田市) (20.6 km).

Kusu is located in midwestern Ōita Prefecture, approximately 60 kilometers west of the prefectural capital at Ōita City, and slightly borders Kumamoto Prefecture in the south. The town area is in the Kyushu Mountains, and much of the town area is within the borders of the Yaba-Hita-Hikosan Quasi-National Park. The area of Kusu was part of ancient Bungo Province. During the Edo period the area was mostly part of the holdings of Mori Domain. The economy of Kusu is centered on agriculture and forestry. Within Ōita Prefecture, Kusu (玖珠町) serves as a town (町) in Ōita Prefecture (municipal incorporation: 1889-04-01) and pairs naturally with wider prefectural highlights such as Beppu's 'Eight Hells' (Jigoku Meguri) & sand/mud baths, boutique foot-of-Mount-Yufu resort town of Yufuin, Usa Jingu Shrine, Kitsuki samurai slopes, and Kunisaki Peninsula stone Buddhas.

What to See & Do in Kusu (玖珠町): Landmarks & Sights

Visitors exploring Kusu (玖珠町) from BungoMori Station (豊後森駅) (2.5 km) at 348 m elevation (33.3044°N, 131.1614°E) can visit these nearby shrines, temples, parks, and geographic landmarks (with straight-line distances from central Kusu):

• Bungo-Mori Roundhouse — local sightseeing landmark near Kusu (玖珠町).
• Tsunomure Castle ruins — local sightseeing landmark near Kusu (玖珠町).
• Kuenohira Yama (崩平山) — local sightseeing landmark near Kusu (玖珠町).
• Garan Dake (伽藍岳) — local sightseeing landmark near Kusu (玖珠町).
• Jōga Dake (城ヶ岳) — local sightseeing landmark near Kusu (玖珠町).
• Primary Rail Gateway for Kusu: BungoMori Station (豊後森駅) (2.5 km) (connecting to Beppu, Yufuin & Oita Stations (JR Sonic & Yufu-in-no-Mori Limited Express)).

Closest Neighboring Municipalities to Kusu

When planning a regional rail or driving loop around Kusu (玖珠町) and BungoMori Station (豊後森駅) (2.5 km), consider pairing your stop with the 5 closest neighboring municipalities across Ōita Prefecture and Kyushu:

• Kokonoe (九重町) — 13.3 km from Kusu (Ōita Prefecture)
• Yufuin (由布院温泉) — 18.5 km from Kusu (Ōita Prefecture)
• Oguni (小国町) — 19.9 km from Kusu (Kumamoto Prefecture)
• Hita (日田市) — 20.6 km from Kusu (Ōita Prefecture)
• Kurokawa Onsen (黒川温泉（南小国町）) — 24.4 km from Kusu (Kumamoto Prefecture)

Getting to Kusu & Getting Around

Train & hub access to Kusu (玖珠町) via BungoMori Station (豊後森駅) (2.5 km): 2h from Fukuoka (Hakata) or 1h 20m from Kokura on the JR Limited Express Sonic to Beppu/Oita, or 2h 15m on the scenic Yufuin-no-Mori train to Yufuin. From Beppu, Yufuin & Oita Stations (JR Sonic & Yufu-in-no-Mori Limited Express), transfer to local JR or private rail lines serving BungoMori Station (豊後森駅) (2.5 km) to reach central Kusu (33.3044°N, 131.1614°E).

• Local rail & IC cards at BungoMori Station (豊後森駅) (2.5 km): JR regional trains and private commuter lines link Ōita with Kusu (玖珠町) and neighboring Kokonoe, Yufuin, Oguni. Nationwide IC cards (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA) work at major urban gates; for rural branch stations or local buses around Kusu, carry ¥1,000 bills and ¥100 coins for the onboard fare box.
• Luggage & station coin lockers: Travelers exploring Kusu and continuing toward Kokonoe can store bags at major transfer stations or check suitcase dimensions in our Luggage & Locker Checker and ship large bags ahead via Takkyubin.
• Driving & car rental around Kusu: While BungoMori Station (豊後森駅) (2.5 km) anchors public transit for Kusu, picking up a rental car at Beppu, Yufuin & Oita Stations (JR Sonic & Yufu-in-no-Mori Limited Express) makes it easy to link Bungo-Mori Roundhouse and Tsunomure Castle ruins with nearby Kokonoe (九重町) (13.3 km), Yufuin (由布院温泉) (18.5 km), Oguni (小国町) (19.9 km), Hita (日田市) (20.6 km). See our Renting a Car in Japan Guide.

What to Eat in Kusu (玖珠町) & Ōita

Dining near BungoMori Station (豊後森駅) (2.5 km) and across Kusu (玖珠町) highlights the regional food culture of Ōita Prefecture and Kyushu. Look for these local specialties at station restaurants, family-run shokudo, and markets in Kusu:

• Local specialty & terroir of Kusu (玖珠町): sustainable cedar and cypress forestry, woodworking, and mountain conservation alongside regional agriculture, seasonal produce, and traditional local craftsmanship.
• Toriten (citrus-ponzu chicken tempura) & Usa karaage — regional specialty enjoyed across Kusu (玖珠町) and Ōita Prefecture.
• Jigoku-mushi (vegetables, eggs & seafood steamed over 98°C hot-spring vents in Beppu) — regional specialty enjoyed across Kusu (玖珠町) and Ōita Prefecture.
• Bungo wagyu beef — regional specialty enjoyed across Kusu (玖珠町) and Ōita Prefecture.
• Seki-aji & Seki-saba (wild Bungo Channel mackerel & horse mackerel) — regional specialty enjoyed across Kusu (玖珠町) and Ōita Prefecture.
• Dango-jiru soup — regional specialty enjoyed across Kusu (玖珠町) and Ōita Prefecture.

If you are dining in Kusu (玖珠町) with food allergies or dietary restrictions, use our Japanese Phrasebook & Allergy Show-Cards at restaurants around BungoMori Station (豊後森駅) (2.5 km).

Where to Stay in Kusu (玖珠町)

Visitors staying overnight in Kusu (玖珠町) can look for business hotels, traditional ryokan, or family-run minshuku near BungoMori Station (豊後森駅) (2.5 km), or base at major rail hubs in Ōita (Beppu, Yufuin & Oita Stations (JR Sonic & Yufu-in-no-Mori Limited Express)) or neighboring Kokonoe, Yufuin, Oguni for quick train access into Kusu. Compare hotel tiers and ryokan etiquette in our Japan Accommodation Guide.

Best Time to Visit Kusu & Seasonal Highlights

Seasonal guide for Kusu (玖珠町, 348 m elevation at 33.3044°N, 131.1614°E): Year-round for Japan's highest-volume hot springs; October–February for rising steam vistas in Beppu and morning mist over Lake Kinrin in Yufuin.

Wider sightseeing across Ōita Prefecture that pairs well with visiting Bungo-Mori Roundhouse in Kusu (玖珠町) includes: Beppu's 'Eight Hells' (Jigoku Meguri) & sand/mud baths, boutique foot-of-Mount-Yufu resort town of Yufuin, Usa Jingu Shrine, Kitsuki samurai slopes, and Kunisaki Peninsula stone Buddhas.

Practical Travel Tips for Kusu (玖珠町)

• Tourist information (観光案内所) for Kusu: Stop by the Kankō Annaijo desk at Beppu, Yufuin & Oita Stations (JR Sonic & Yufu-in-no-Mori Limited Express) or BungoMori Station (豊後森駅) (2.5 km) for local bus schedules to Bungo-Mori Roundhouse and walking maps of Kusu (玖珠町).
• Cash & ATMs in Kusu: Convenience stores and major hotels around BungoMori Station (豊後森駅) (2.5 km) accept international cards, while smaller eateries and shrines near Bungo-Mori Roundhouse often prefer yen cash; 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) and Japan Post ATMs in Kusu accept foreign debit cards.
• Local dining hours in Kusu: Around BungoMori Station (豊後森駅) (2.5 km) and neighboring Kokonoe, Yufuin, Oguni, lunch service typically runs 11:30 AM–2:00 PM and dinner spots open around 5:30 PM with last orders between 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM.