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.

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.

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.

Approximately a ten-minute drive from the Saito Interchange, these burial mounds are scattered around Chigogaike Park. Over 300 burial mounds remain over a very large area 2.6 kilometers from east to west and 4.2 kilometers north to south, and preservation activities are being conducted as a special historic park from its academic value. In the park, besides the burial mounds such as the Oni no Iwaya Kofun that can be seen, there is also the Saitobaru Archaeological Museum of Miyazaki Prefecture. In addition, it is a popular flower spot with cherry blossoms and rape blossoms in the spring, and cosmos in the autumn.

This highland area 1,200 meters above sea level is also known as the first place in Japan to be designated a national park. Visitors can enjoy the area's seasonal scenery. Highlights include Mt. Karakuni, the highest peak on Kirishima volcano group; beautiful cobalt blue Fudo Pond; and Susukigahara, a field ofreddish brown Japanese pampas grass from which the city of Ebino gets its name.

This riverbed is about a 10-minute walk up along the Iwato River from Amanoiwato-jinja Shrine. It is said that when Amaterasu Omikami, the Sun Goddess, shut herself inside this cave behind a rock door, eight million gods gathered here and held a ceremony. If you stack rocks and make a wish, it will supposedly come true—which is why countless piles of rocks can be seen in the area, creating a mysterious sight indeed.

This chicken cuisine restaurant is located in Nobeoka City. The simple taste of chicken nanban, made with Miyazaki grown chicken breast and an original sweet and sour sauce, is popular. Rice cooked freshly in a pressure cooker pot, dried anchovy from Kitaura and miso soup made with Mukabaki dried shiitake mushrooms are also popular. Enjoy chicken cuisine using carefully selected local and prefectural produce.

This is a lighthouse which was constructed in 1929 and lies at the southernmost tip of Miyazaki Prefecture, which leaves a strong impression amid the blue sea with its white chalk walls. There are splendid views to be had from atop the 255-meter-high cliff, and tours inside are also available.

This long-standing Western restaurant opened in 1956, in Miyazaki City, Miyazaki Prefecture. It is one of the restaurants said to have devised the Miyazaki’s specialty Chicken Nanban. The restaurant prides itself on its Chicken Nanban, made with tender chicken breast meat, cooked and immediately covered in sweet vinegar and a homemade tartar sauce. Locals and tourists alike line up to buy it. The old-fashioned interior, styled like a Western town restaurant, is also quite appealing.

This hot spring accommodation is located in Miyazaki City. The hot spring sits beside the Oyodo River and visitors are able to spend a relaxing time at the natural hot spring in the center of the city. The spring consists of a large public bath and an open-air bath. The water quality is “slightly alkaline sodium chloride” which is said to be good for promoting beautiful skin and also effective in treating symptoms such as muscle soreness, nerve pain and recovery from fatigue. The facility is also available for day use.

This shrine stands on the columnar rocks Isegahama beach. It enshrines the deity of Amaterasu sume Omikami, and has long been affectionately called “Hyuga-no- oise-sama”. The famous “Tensho Lion Dance”, performed by locals, is exhibited on the eve of the annual Great Festival held every October each year, and is visited by many worshippers.

A coastline area stretching from southern Miyazaki Prefecture to the mouth of Kimotsuki River on the west side of Shibushi Bay in Kagoshima Prefecture. Officially designated Nichinan Kaigan Quasi-National Park, the area is known for the beautiful, picturesque scenery of its coastline and ocean. Rich in variation, the coastline was a top honeymoon destination from the mid-60s to the mid-70s. The coast is also a popular scenic driving destination.

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.

This sports park contains a range of sporting facilities such as a baseball stadium, “Ivy Stadium”, a multipurpose ground, tennis courts, an athletics stadium, and a gymnasium with basketball and volleyball courts. It is also used as a training camp for professional baseball and soccer teams.

"A natural park in the hills in the western part of Miyakonojo City. From the Mochio Shrine at the top of the mountain, you can see a panoramic view of the entire surrounding area. Approximately 2,600 cherry trees bloom in the park, and the two-km path lined with cherry trees leading to the Mochio Shrine has been selected as one of the ""100 Best Cherry Blossoms in Japan"". The ""Miyakonojo Mochio Cherry Blossom Festival"" held from late March to early April attracts tens of thousands of visitors every year."

A precipice located on Cape Hyuga in Nippo Kaigan Quasi-National Park. The cliff was formed when lava from a volcanic eruption cooled and hardened, and the name is thought to have come from the fact that the rocks resemble a horseback. With 200 meters in length, the geological feature has been designated a National Natural Monument. A popular destination due to its picturesque scenery, it is visited by large numbers of tourists.

This product shop is directly managed by the fishing co-op in “Meitsu Port” in Nichinan City, Miyazaki Prefecture. Visitors can purchase seasonal fresh seafood caught in the port famous for pole-fished bonito as well as processed products. There is also a restaurant offering seafood cuisine such as pan seared Nichinan pole-fished bonito on a box of rice which visitors can taste as they sear the fresh bonito fish.

This park is located a five-minute drive from the Miyakonojo Interchange on the Miyazaki Expressway in Miyakonojo City. Miyazaki Prefecture. Here visitors can enjoy boating, a Ferris wheel, and a golf putting course, as well as exciting playground equipment and go-carts. The park also has a caravan campground and bungalows for camping. The adjoining Kannon Sakuranosato offers a natural stone outdoor hot spring bath and pottery classes and has a restaurant serving dishes made with Miyazaki beef and Kannonike pork.

This bridge was constructed two years after the opening of Kyushu Sanchi Quasi-National Park in 1982. It is a suspension bridge 250 meters long and 142 meters high, and it will make you feel like you’re walking among the treetops of the laurel forest. On the other side of the bridge is a two-kilometer-long nature trail, the perfect opportunity to enjoy a walk in the woods.

This is a lounge in the Sheraton Grande Ocean Resort with a large fish tank. Visitors can relax here while enjoying a cocktail. It is popular as a spot for some adult downtime where visitors can enjoy live piano music and performances.

“Cruz” is the Portuguese word for “cross.” From the “Sea of Cruz” viewing platform, the distant rocks seem to form the Japanese character for “kanau” (“to grant”), and as such it is said that visitors will get their wishes granted. A bell was installed here for visitors to purify their hearts and announce to the heavens their wishes. The shape of the bell represents two people looking after and caring for one another.

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.

At this freshwater fish aquarium visitors can see about 100 types of freshwater fish, including fish from the Gokase River basin and tropical freshwater fish from Africa. The lights in the building are dim, making the fish in the tanks easy to view. There is also an enclosed fishing area at the facility where you can catch rainbow trout. Many tourists drop in while visiting “Takachiho Gorge”.

The Manai Waterfalls are a symbol of Takachiho Gorge and have been chosen as one of Japan’s top 100 waterfalls. The highlight is the sight of the white sheets of spray rising and falling gently as they flow down from pillar joints of the cliff. After renting a boat and going near to the falls for a closer look, they become even more impressive. In the summer there is a limited time illumination, where one can enjoy some magnificent scenery.