Usa is a small city that also contains the towns of Ajimu and Innai with a total population of around 50,000 people. Usa is located between Nakatsu and Bungo-takada with the city itself being fairly spread out with most shops and restaurants being situated along route 10. With the towns of Ajimu and Innai being located in the south.
Usa is most famous for Usa-jingu - built between 708-714 it is the head of all Hachiman shrines in Japan and it main hall and Kujaku Monkei are National Treasures. There is also a museum dedicated to the sumo wrestler Futabayama Sadaji who was the 35th yokozuna (the highest rank in sumo wrestling) from 1937-1945.
The town of Ajimu is famous for its grapes and wine as well as a local delicacy Suppon - turtle soup. While Innai is famous for its historic stone bridges and Yuzu - a citrus fruit.
JET LIFE IN USA
Currently 5 JET's live in Usa City, 4 based out of the City Board of Education, as well as 1 Prefectural High School JET. Two other high school JET's travel into Usa to assist in teaching at all of the High Schools. Usa City JET's teach at a mix of elementary and junior high schools, with a few teachers also teaching at kindergartens. Teaching at a total of 8 or 9 schools. While the Usa City High School JET teaches at 2 schools.
Usa city doesn't provide subsidised accommodation.
Transport
It is essential that Usa JET's have a car. The city itself is spread out and the train stations in Usa are not in the main part of the city. Public transport options within the city are limited however the only paid parking in the city is at the train station itself.
By train, it is about 1.5 hours to Fukuoka by Sonic (a high speed, limited express train) and either 1.5 hours local train or 45 minutes express train to Oita city.
By car, it's a 30 minute drive to Nakatsu or Bungo-takada. Further afield its about 45 minutes to 1 hour to Kitsuki or Beppu and 1.5 hours to Oita when avoiding toll roads.
Eating, Shopping and Entertainment
Airstream Transmitter Cafe This cafe has both a lunch and dinner menu and sells a small variety of western food. It is most well-known for its pancakes.
Cotton Field Cotton Field is an restaurant and bar inspired by the American south. It is best known for its burgers and occasionally hosts live music events. It is also a favourite place for meet-ups with the Nakatsu, Usa and Bungo-takada JET's.
Golden Spoon This Indian restaurant offers a range of Indian dishes as well as some fusion dishes such as curry pizzas. It also has a drive-through option.
Kin no Buta The "Gold Pig" sells tonkatsu (a Japanese dish involving a breaded pork cutlet that has been deep fried) as well as some other similarly deep fried dishes.
People Station This cafe offers great coffee, delicious cake cake and great omurice.