History / Culture / Tour Spots in Miyazaki Area

  • Takachiho-jinja Shrine
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    4.0
    474 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    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.

    This place is so peaceful, clam, shady and respectful. Japanese tradition architecture was show around this shrine.

  • Amanoiwato Jinja
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    4.5
    402 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    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.

    This simple shrine honors the sun goddess, Amasterasu & the cave she hides in during the winter months. In each shrine is a beautiful silver-blue disc representing her power. Every 30 minutes, one of...

  • Miyazaki-jingu Shrine
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    4.0
    279 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    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.

    境内を歩くと、『明治神宮や熱田神宮などのような日本を代表する典型的な神宮』という印象を受けますが、大都市に鎮座する神社でない分人もそれほど多くなく、日本人がこれまで大切にしてきた『神の坐す場所』のような雰囲気を感じられる神社です。境内には豊かな森が広がっており、観光客を呼び込むようないわゆる奇を衒った施設もありません。日々の喧噪から離れ、静かな環境の中で散策するだけでもいいでしょう。 境内はほとん...

  • Omi Shrine
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    4.5
    81 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Miyazaki Pref. Hyugashi Hichiya 1
    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 beautiful place, with gorgeous scenery and rock formations. Nearby is a traditional fishing village which is lovely to saunter around. One gets a real feeling of days gone by. Very relaxing.

  • Udo-jingu Shrine
    Travel / Tourism
    Miyazaki Pref. Nichinanshi Miyaura 3232
    This shrine is inside a cave in the side of a cliff facing Hyuganada. It is dedicated to Ugayafukiaezu no Mikoto, the father of Emperor Jimmu, and it is believed to bring people together in romance. The main shrine contains a “reiseki kameishi” (magical turtle stone), and it is said that if you can successfully toss an “undama” (lucky stone) into one of its holes, your wish will come true.
  • Eda Shrine
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    4.5
    69 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Miyazaki Pref. Miyazakishi Awakigaharachou Birth mother 127
    "This is a shrine known as “the birthplace of misogi (purification)” and ""the birthplace of norito (ritual prayer)”. Many worshipers visit the shrine as a place of healing. The deities of Izanami-no-mikoto and Izanagi-no-mikoto are enshrined here, and the shrine is also known as the mother of the two pillars of Daimyojin and because of this, local residents call the shrine “Yabo-sama”. Eda Kagura (Shinto music and dancing) are performed in dedication every year during the spring and autumn festivals."

    地元の方に聞いて行きました。伊邪那岐命、伊邪那美命という有名な方をお祀りした松林の中にある由緒正しい神社ですが、意外と地味な感じがしました。でもパワーはかなり強そうに思えます。

  • Miyazaki General Museum
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    4.5
    61 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Miyazaki Miyazaki-shi Jingu 2-4-4

    I meant to pop in here for a few minutes on my way to Heiwadai Park and I never actually made it to the park! I spent over three hours here using the English language audio guide for all the exhibit...

  • Aoshima Jinja
    Travel / Tourism
    Miyazaki Pref. Miyazakishi Aoshima 2-13-1
    Located in the center of Aoshima Island, this Shinto shrine is dedicated to Hori no mikoto, Toyotama-hime no mikoto, and Shiozutsu no ookami, known in widely in Japan through the Japanese myth called “Yamasachihiko, Umisahihiko.” The shrine’s grounds are the entire island of Aoshima, a designated Special Natural Monument; in ancient times, the general public was prohibited from setting foot on the sacred grounds of the island. Worshippers were freely allowed to visit the island starting in the Meiji period, and today it is visited by many asking for luck in love and marriage, easy childbirth, safe travels, and safety while driving. The grounds are lush with tropical plants and a distinct, equatorial pervades the island. A 10-minute walk from Aoshima Station.
  • Miyazaki Science Center
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    4.0
    64 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Miyazaki Pref. Miyazakishi Miyazakiekihigashi 1-2-2
    This science museum has one of the world's largest planetariums. Outside is a 40-meter-tall full-scale mockup of an H1 rocket and inside is a replica of the Apollo 11 Lunar Lander Module. The planetarium shows three shows per day, each approximately 50 minutes long. The shows explore that evening's night sky with explanations from popular characters from space-themed anime. There's also hand on exhibitions, including a simulation where you can try controlling a spaceship, making this a great place to bring kids to. The museum is a two-minute walk from JR Miyazaki Station.

    We visited just the museum, not the observatory. As we knew the ground floor of the museum was devoted to space, we went hoping to learn about the past and current Japanese space programme. We...

  • Tsumakirishima Shrine
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    4.5
    31 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Miyazaki Pref. Miyakonojoushi Takazakichoutsumagirishima 1560
    This shrine, located in Miyakonojo City, Miyazaki Prefecture, is famous as one of “Kirishima Rokusha Gongen” and enshrines the deity of “Izanagi-no-mikoto”. It is believed that your wishes will come true if you climb the “Oni Iwa Stairs” that continue after going through the torii gate without looking back. It is also said that the large approximately 1,000-year old camphor tree is a spiritually healing spot and is visited by many worshippers.

    正月は、にぎわいます。普段は、あまり人気がなく、特に夜は暗くて怖いです。でも、正月の昼間でしたら、臨時の巫女さんもいるし、人も多くて活気があります。 コロナが流行する前でしたので、早くコロナが収束して安心して来年の正月は初詣できると良いと思います。

  • Miyazaki Prefectural Art Museum
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    3.5
    34 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Miyazaki Pref. Miyazakishi Funatsuka 3-210
    This museum is located on the premises of the Miyazaki Prefecture General Culture Park known for its collection of Ei-Kyu, an artist from Miyazaki Prefecture. In addition to artists connected to Miyazaki, the museum also has a collection of famous overseas artists such as Picasso and Signac, and holds related events.

    無機質な外観とは裏腹に、内部は開放的な造りになっている美術館です。宮崎県出身、あるいは宮崎県にゆかりのある作家の絵画や彫刻が展示され、敷居を高くせず身近にアートを感じられる展示様式の、所謂地域密着型の美術館です。そのため、あまり肩肘張らず、気を楽にしてアートを楽しむには最適の施設だと思います。 拝観料が無料で楽しめるスペースと有料のスペースがあり、無料のスペースの一部では撮影も可能です(但し個人で...

  • Obi Castle Ruins
    Travel / Tourism
    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.
  • Aya International Craft Castle
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    3.5
    30 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Miyazaki Higashimorokata-gun Ayacho Kitamata 1012
    This traditional crafts facility is located in Aya Town, a town known for its handmade crafts. The facility displays handmade crafts from the town and also holds craft making activities such as fabric dying and pottery making. Aya Town continues to preserve and maintain a culture of traditional crafts, and this facility was built with the aim of passing on traditional crafts, made by the hands of experienced craftspeople, to future generations. The facility consists of an all-wood crafts display hall standing in a corner of the grounds, and two crafts buildings, and these are used to display and sell crafts and hold pottery making and fabric dyeing classes. The facility also serves as a gallery and is used for solo exhibitions and design research and development.

    綾城(あやじょう)は宮崎県東諸県郡綾町北俣(みやざきけんひがしもろかたぐんあやちょうきたまた)にある城址だ。足利尊氏の家臣であった細川小四郎義門が築いたと言われ、伊東四十八城の一つ。伊東四十八城といえば、前日に行った日知屋城も、そのひとつとされる。 築城は1331年-1334年で、別名「竜尾城」とも呼ばれる。1615年の一国一城令により、廃城となった。 2022年4月5日、この日はファミリーロッ...

  • Tsuma Shrine
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    4.0
    22 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Miyazaki Saito-shi Tsuma 1
    "A 10-minute drive or three kilometers from the Saito Interchange on the Higashi-Kyushu Expressway. Dedicated to the princess goddess Konohanasakuya-hime-no-Mikoto, the shrine's name appears in ancient ""Shoku Nihon Koki"" Japanese history text, as well as in the register of shrines in the ancient ""Engishiki"" law book. According to legend, Ninigi-no-Mikoto fell in love with the princess at first site and held a wedding ceremony, thus becoming known as a god of love and marriage, while the princess safely gave birth to triplets and in turn became known as a goddess of safe childbirth and childrearing. During the Koisai Festival held on July 7th, the wedding ceremony is recreated in an unusual ritual which has been conducted continuously for around five hundred years."

    天照大神は孫のニニギノミコトを高天原から地上に遣わし(天孫降臨)、乱れた国を治めました。その妻が絶世の美女とされるコノハナサクヤヒメで、二人は日本で初めて結婚式を挙げたとされています。都萬神社にはこの神様が祀られているので、幸せを求める女性から篤く信仰されています。 境内には縁結びを求めてハート形の絵馬が奉納されていました。

  • Miyakonojo Shimazu Residence
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    4.0
    12 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Miyazaki Pref. Miyakonojoushi Hayasuzuchou 18-5
    "This is a historical building located in Miyakonojo City, Miyazaki Prefecture and is designated as a ""registered tangible cultural property"" of Japan. In the park is the “Miyakonojo Shimazu Denshokan Museum” which exhibits historical material regarding the Shimazu family. Visitors can also inspect inside the house. Nearby is “Sekino Onotaki Waterfall” and hot spring facilities. The area is popular with many tourists."

    This was a very memorable experience! The history of Miyakonojo and the Shimazu clan is extremely interesting. The staff were all very helpful in trying to explain various historical artefacts with...

  • Tsuru Tomi Yashiki
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    4.0
    12 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Miyazaki Higashiusuki-gun Shiibason Shimofukura 1818-1

    We stayed here with family of 4 and enjoyed every minute of it. The most impressive experience was the dinner (see photo attached). Bath is shared so if you don’t like it better stay somewhere else...

  • Miyazaki Art Center
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    3.0
    5 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Miyazaki Pref. Miyazakishi Tachibanadorinishi 3-3-27
    About 20 minutes from the Miyazaki Interchange on the Miyazaki Expressway, is an activity center provided with exhibition space and small-scale halls made available to the residents of Miyazaki. The three art spaces can be interchangeable arranged according to the size and needs of an event. There is also a creativity studio, an exchange lounge, and a library stocked with art and culture literature for perusing. The Sun Square, Taiyo-no-hiroba, along the east side walkway of the ground floor can be used for commercial use such as sale of exhibit items. The Art Center is constructed as an inner city roof-top park with a grassy area and garden.

    宮崎市の中心部にある芸術的なイベントなどを行う施設です。一階には飲食店なども入っています。屋上には庭園もあり。

  • Minkaen
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    4.0
    8 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Miyazaki Pref. Miyazakishi Jingu 2-4-4
    A part of the Miyazaki Prefectural Museum of Nature and History, the Minkaen, a collection of historic private homes, is the location of Important Cultural Properties such as the Former Fujita Residence and the Former Kuroki Residence. The buildings show what Japan’s ancient thatched roof houses looked like and were moved here from Gokase-cho in the northwestern area of Miyazaki Prefecture.

    宮崎神宮に隣接する総合博物館の屋外エリアにある復元された民家で、特色のある4棟である旧藤田家住宅、旧黒木家住宅、椎葉の民家、米良の民家が並んでいます。総合博物館自体が無料ですのでこちらも無料です。よく整備もされ解説もわかりやすかったです。

  • Hososhima Minato Museum
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    4.0
    6 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Miyazaki Hyuga-shi Hososhima 803-1
    This museum operates out of the remodeled Takanabeya Ryokan, an inn built in 1921. Making use of the former inn's guestrooms, the wooden, three-story museum contains exhibits on the history of Hososhima, a port town which has bustled since ancient times as an excellent port on the southern east coast of Kyushu. The building unusually features a carriage porch capped by a bowed karahafu gabled roof, and because of its rarity has been designated a Tangible Cultural Property by the city.

    大正時代に建てられた「高鍋屋旅館」を修理復元した木造三階建ての建物で、現在は細島の歴史についての資料館になっています。入館料は210円、建物などについての解説も聞くことができました。実に良いアトモスフィアを感じさせる建物です。

  • Mimitsu General Hall
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    4.0
    6 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Miyazaki Hyuga-shi Mimitsumachi 3328
    This building is an early Meiji period merchant home called the Yanoya which has been restored and remodeled. Situated in the Mimitsu Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings, where an old-fashioned townscape and the area's traditional culture can still be found, the building still looks as it did when first built as a merchant home and is open to the general public. The building incorporates Kyoto and Osaka merchant home-style architecture, such as mushikomado fine-latticed windows, Kyoto-style latticework, and a living room which extends all the way from the entrance to the rear garden. Today, the building is used to host lectures and courses as the New Himuka Urban Development School, and as a training facility and space for interactive history activities.

    nce place tobuy traditional japanese gift! dolls clothes. this town its impressive, very well mantain

Miyazaki Areas

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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.

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