Higashiusuki

The country later called Higashiusuki formed part of Usuki district in northern Hyūga. In the late sixteenth century, the Tsuchimochi family's local power was caught between the Ōtomo and Shimazu. Ōtomo Sōrin captured their Matsuo Castle in 1578, but his defeat at the Mimigawa later that year allowed the Shimazu to restore the Tsuchimochi to their old lands. Hideyoshi's conquest in 1587 brought another change of lordship.

Takahashi Mototane built Agata Castle between the Gokase and Ōse rivers in 1603 and laid out three towns on its eastern side. After his removal in 1613, the Arima took over. A bell donated to Imayama Hachiman Shrine in 1656 bears the name Nobeoka, the earliest surviving local record of that name. This castle town became a lasting centre for the surrounding district.