Travel Plans
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- Experience the mythical world of Takachiho Gorge and night kagura
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- Takachiho in Miyazaki is a mysterious place. There are shrines dotting the area dating from mythical times, creating a mysterious atmosphere that cannot be experienced anywhere else. Here, you can fully enjoy the extraordinary in a one-day trip. In the evening, you can experience an enjoyable evening of kagura: sacred music and dance!
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- Scenery and spiritual hot spots in Miyazaki—Make your dreams come true!
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- Along the coastline facing the Pacific Ocean, between the cities of Hyuga and Nichinan in Miyazaki Prefecture, are several spiritual hot spots reputed to make wishes come true, popular as a tourist destination. Enjoy this drive course of spectacular scenery and delicious cuisine, visit a spiritual place and increase your good luck.
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Top Things to do
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- Takachiho-jinja Shrine
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4.0460 Reviews
- Miyazaki Pref. Nishiusukiguntakachihochou Mitai 1037
- The head shrine of the 88 Shrines of Takachiho Village, it is believed to have been erected around 1900 years ago. The shrine’s principle deities are Takachiho-sumegami and Jisshya-daimyojin and the shrine is believed to answer prayers in particular connected with the agricultural industry, the exorcism of evil, and luck in marriage and love. The shrine’s main building and guardian iron lion-dogs are designated Important Cultural Properties. The shrine is famous for the Yokagura, a ritual involving music and dance dedicated to the gods conducted from mid-November to early February the following year. The Takachiho Kagura, however, a similar dance conducted by performers wearing masks depicting the gods of Japanese myth, is held in the shrine’s kagura hall every night throughout the year at 8 pm; visitors can view this performance by paying a small fee.
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- Amanoiwato Jinja
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4.5385 Reviews
- Miyazaki Prefecture Nishiusuki-gun, Takachiho-cho, amano-iwato 1073-1
- This Shinto shrine is dedicated to the myth of Ama-no-Iwato, the cave to be where the sun goddess Amaterasu once hid herself from the world according to the Kojiki, the oldest existing chronicle of Japan. The shrine’s western and eastern main shrine buildings are dedicated to Amaterasu and straddle the Iwato River. After requesting to do so at the shrine office in the western shrine building, visitors can be purified and are then allowed to worship directly before the Ama-no-Iwato cave. In addition, the river bed (Amano-yasugawara) and cave where the innumerable gods and goddesses gathered and discussed what to do after Amaterasu went into hiding, is a 10-minute walk from the Western shrine building along the Iwato River.
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- Miyazaki-jingu Shrine
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4.0269 Reviews
- Miyazaki Pref. Miyazakishi Jingu 2-4-1
- A Shinto shrine dedicated to Japan’s first emperor, Emperor Jinmu. Many of the shrine’s buildings are registered as Tangible Cultural Properties, including the main shrine building, which is unusually made with whole cedar logs. The Shinko Festival, a 140 year old festival in which the god of the shrine is paraded outside, is held on a Saturday and a Sunday at the end of October and is one of Miyazaki Prefecture’s top festivals. Oshirafuji, the largest wisteria tree in the country and a designated Natural Monument, stands on the shrine grounds; mid-April is the best time to see it in bloom. A 10-minute walk from JR Miyazaki-Jingu Station.
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- Obi Castle Ruins
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4.0206 Reviews
- Miyazaki Pref. Nichinanshi Obi 10-1-2
- These are the ruins of Obi Castle, which served as the residence of the Ito family, lords of the Obi Domain, for the 280 years from 1588 to the early Meiji period. Currently, you can see many things that have been reconstructed and restored in the Showa period (1926-1989) such as the Ote-mon gate and the Edo period (1603-1868) Matsuo-no-Maru residence. In addition, the Obi Castle History Museum is on the premises and exhibits many items and historical materials related to successive lords and their retainers. Besides the Komura Memorial Hall and Merchant Museum, it offers common tickets that can also be used for other paid facilities nearby the castle. It is free to explore the castle ruins.
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- Horikiri Pass
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4.0203 Reviews
- Miyazaki Pref. Miyazakishi Oriuzako
- A spot along the Nichinan Coast from which you can view the Devil’s Washboard (a Natural Monument) and the grandeur of the Pacific Ocean. The green of the phoenix trees and the blue of the ocean create a beautiful contrast in this picturesque expanse reminiscent of the south seas.
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- Takachiho Farm
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4.0116 Reviews
- Miyazaki Pref. Miyakonojoushi Yoshinomotochou 5265-103
- This is a tourist ranch where visitors can pet small Jersey cows and sheep, milk cows, ride horses, and make sausages. In the wide green fields one can spend a relaxing time with the animals, and the Hitsujigaoka observation deck offers stunning views from the summit of Takachiho to Sakurajima. One can also try fresh milk and delicious mutton and vegetable dishes, making it a popular spot to bring the family.
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- Miyazaki City Phoenix Zoo
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4.0110 Reviews
- Miyazaki Pref. Miyazakishi Shioji Hamayama 3083 - 42
- This zoo opened in 1971 and houses 1,600 animals of 80 different kinds. Inside there is an Asian elephant exhibition, African park, camel park, ape house and children’s animal village, and with the various exhibitions, amusement park, restaurants and shops available, one can certainly enjoy the whole day here. During summer the entrance fee also allows visitors to use the 200-meter-long water-slide equipped pool, which is crowded with children every year.
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- Phoenix Seagaia Resort
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4.0160 Reviews
- Miyazaki Pref. Miyazakishi Yamasakichou Hamayama
- A sprawling resort area facing the Pacific Ocean and surrounded by the natural beauty of a 700 hectare black pine forest extending north and south for 11 kilometers along the east coast of Miyazaki City. There are three hotels at the resort, including the Sheraton Grande Ocean Resort, as well as a world class convention center capable of accommodating up to 5,000 people. The resort offers the ultimate resort experience, including an array of activities which make the most of the beautiful natural environment. Sports facilities include a tennis club and the Phoenix Country Club, a renowned golf course considered one of the three best in Japan and 100 best in the world and which has been the venue for the Dunlop Phoenix Tournament since 1974. The resort's greatest ever renovation project since it first opened was completed in October 2017, and the renewed Seagaia offers value and experiences you'll find no place else, in every aspect from vast, beautiful locations; to facilities and touches which enhance your enjoyment of the same; to stunning hospitality.
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- Takachiho Gorge
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- Miyazaki Pref. Nishiusukiguntakachihochou Mitai Please Shioi
- This gorge owes its roots to pyroclastic flow that was discharged from the Aso caldera due to volcanic activity and flowed down along the Gokasegawa River. These pyroclastic deposits rapidly cooled and formed cliffs of columnar joints, which then experienced years of erosion from the Gokasegawa River, resulting in a V-shaped gorge. The approximately 100-meter high cliffs extend for seven kilometers, and the sunlight that filters through the tall cliffs and various trees above pours down into the clear streams of the river to create a mysterious atmosphere. One of the sights in the area is Manai Falls, a magnificent waterfall with a 17-meter cascade of water which has been selected as one of Japan’s top 100 waterfalls. Visitors can rent a rowboat and look up at the beautiful gradation of light.
Areas

What is Miyazaki?
An unmissable highlight of Kyushu, Miyazaki prefecture satisfies nature lovers with its dramatic gorges cut out of rugged cliffs, leading into waterfalls and beaches of green-blue water popular among surfers. Takachiho Gorge in the north of the prefecture tells a tale of centuries-old Japanese mythology in a fantastic setting, allowing visitors to explore the waters by boat before heading up to the cave at the Awano Iwato Shrine, where the sun goddess was said to have hidden, plunging the world into darkness.
Miyazaki Overviews
Climate
What to Wear
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Getting Around
Located in the southeastern corner of Kyushu, Miyazaki requires a little more dedication to visit than other parts of the country. For those on a tight schedule, flying into Miyazaki Airport is the best option, with affordable 1.5-hour flights available from both Haneda Airport at least once an hour every day. Not particularly well-connected by train, buses are the best way to travel into and around Miyazaki prefecture, though these are infrequent and travel directly between main cities.
Access
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How to get to Miyazaki Airport