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A seasonal cold
wind-free, temperate and bright southern country of Japan The Nichinan
Kaigan Coast facing the Pacific Ocean with a beautiful coastline
Situated in the southeastern part of Kyushu, Miyazaki fronts the
Sea of Hyuga in the Pacific Ocean in the east and is surrounded by
mountains on the other three sides. The north-to-west area bordering
Oita and Kumamoto contains the Kiri-shima mountainous district. There
are the Wani-tsuka and Udo mountainous districts in the southern area
contiguous to Kagoshima. These mountains are a barrier to the seasonal
wind in winter to keep the climate of Miyazaki mild, together with the
effect of the warm Pacific current.
The prefecture boasts many shrines involved with the birth-myth of
Japan, such as the Miyazaki-jingu Grand Shrine sacred to the Emperor
Jinmu, supposedly the first Emperor of Japan. They also include the
Amano-iwato-jinja Shrine and the Takachiho-jinja Shrine known for the
Yokagura of Takachiho in which thirty-three numbers of nocturnal
Shinto music and dancing are dedicated every year to the shrine from
November into the following February by way of thanksgiving for the
fall's harvest and praying for the next year's abundant crop.
The Nichinan Kaigan Coast facing the Pacific Ocean with a beautiful
coastline contains places of natural beauty, like Ao-shima and Cape
Toi-misaki. Also, on the Hitotsuba Beach of Miyazaki City are the
Ocean Dome, a 700-hectare all-weather indoor water park, and the
Miyazaki Sea Gaia, a comprehensive resort complex complete with a
wildlife park, golf courses, and a hotel.
Getting there
An hour and 45 minutes to Miyazaki Airport from Tokyo Haneda
Airport, and 1 hour and 5 minute from Osaka Itami Airport. Ten minutes
from Miyzaki Airport to Miyazaki Station by JR Miyazaki Airport Line.
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Ebino-kogen Plateau
The first National Park to be designated Enjoying a view from the
highest peak of the Kirishima Mountains
Ebino-kogen Plateau, situated in the southwestern part of
Miyazaki Prefecture, is a volcanic zone. It is located on the border
between Miyazaki and Kagoshima Prefectures, and belongs to
Kirishima-Yaku National Park, which was the first to be designated
as a national park. On the north of the highland, 1,200 meters above
sea level, surrounded by mountains such as Mt. Karakuni-dake and Mt.
Koshiki-dake, there are crater lakes such as Lake Byakushi-ike and
Lake Fudo-ike, and clouds of steam rise everywhere, which is known
as one of the best hot spring resorts in the prefecture.
The entrance to Ebino-kogen is the starting point for a tour of the
lakes and climbing Mt. Karakuni-dake, and here, too, is the Ebino
Visitor Center, where various materials are displayed such as the
ecology and distribution of alpine animals and plants, and a
miniature display of the Plateau. Mt. Karakuni-dake, 1,700 meters
above sea level, is the highest of the Kiri-shima Mountains. It has
a large crater 900 meters in diameter and 300 meter in depth, and
commands a distant view of South Korea. That is why it was named
Karakuni-dake, because South Korea is called Karakuni in the
vernacular Japanese of this region. Along the mountain trails, you
can enjoy the sight of wild azaleas in early summer, pampas grass in
fall, and snow-covered trees in winter, for each season.
Getting there
Miyazaki Airport is 1 hour 45 minutes from Tokyo Haneda Airport,
and 1 hour 5 minutes from Osaka Itami Airport or Kansai
International Airport. Miyazaki Station is 10 minutes from Miyazaki
Airport by the JR Miyazaki-kuko Line. Kokura Station is 4 hours 35
minutes from Tokyo Station by the JR Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen
Line, and 2 hours 20 minutes from Shin-Osaka Line. Miyazaki Station
is 5 hours 10 minutes from Kokura Station by the JR Nippo Honsen
Line. Kobayashi Station is 1 hour 40 minutes from Miyazaki Station
by the JR Nippo Honsen Kitto Line Limited Express. Then take a bus
from Kobayashi Station to Ebino-kogen, which takes about 50 minutes.
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Cape Toi-misaki
Watching wild horses grazing - The lighthouse commanding a distant
view of the O-sumi-hanto Peninsula
Cape Toi-misaki, located in the south of Miyazaki Prefecture, is
a cape at the east end of Shibushi Bay which is in the southernmost
part of the Nichinan-kaigan Coast. Gentle hills extend, and you can
observe wild horses, called Misaki-uma, living and grazing there. It
is said that Misaki-uma are the descendants of army horses left
grazing and which became wild 300 years ago. They are now designated
as a natural monument of the country. At Horse House in the
Toi-misaki Visitor Center, the ecology and living circumstances of
Misaki-uma are displayed on panels.
On the cliff, 225 meters above sea level, Toi-misaki Lighthouse
stands, which commands a distant view as far as the O-sumi-hanto
Peninsula on a fine day. At the top of the cape, Misaki-jinja Shrine
stands at the end of the cape, which is known as the god of a
talisman against sea disaster and for matchmaking. The cycads grow
wild there.
Toi-misaki-himatsuri Fire Festival is held every summer. A huge pine
tree, 20 meters tall, wound around with straw, symbolizes a big
snake, and torches are thrown from below at the mouth of it. The
scene of the fire of the torches flying about against the night sky
is stirring and attractive.
Getting there
Miyazaki Airport is 1 hour 45 minutes from Tokyo Haneda Airport,
and 1 hour 5 minutes from Osaka Itami Airport or
Kansai-International Airport. Miyazaki Station is 10 minutes from
Miyazaki Airport by the JR Miyazaki kuko Line. Kokura is 4 hours 35
minutes from Tokyo Station by the JR Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen
Line, and 2 hours 20 minutes from Shin-Osaka Station. Miyazaki
Station is 5 hours 30 minutes from Kokura Station by the JR Nippo
Honsen Line. Kushima Station is 2 hours 10 minutes from Miyazaki
Station by the JR Nichinan Line. Toi-misaki Kanko Hotel Mae is 40
minutes from Kushima Station.
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Hyuga
The cape with exposed rocks and natural good harbor - Town with mud
walls and stone pavements remaining
Hyuga is a bay city, located in the northern part of Miyazaki
Prefecture and facing the Hyuga-nada Sea. The city has been thriving
as the gateway in Kyushu to the sea. The whole area along Cape
Hyuga-misaki with its many exposed rocks is designated as the
Nippo-Kaigan Quasi-National Park, on the south of which beach
resorts are spotted, such as Ise-ga-hama and Okura-ga-hama.
Hoso-jima is a natural good harbor, and has been thriving since days
of old.
Umagase at the top of Cape Hyuga-misaki is a precipitous cliff of
pillar-like rocks, towering as high as 70 meters, and commands an
excellent view of the waves below breaking against the rocks on both
sides of the water way and sending up sprays of water, 200 meters
long and 10 meters wide. A pleasure boat is available to enjoy the
sight, and you can get a fine view of beautiful rocks and beaches
from off the coast.
The Mimitsu area in the city is designated a National Important
Preservation District for Groups of Historic Buildings, and there
remain much of the atmosphere of the 19th century, including
buildings of old times, earthen walls, and stone pavements. There
are some points worthy of note you can observe inside, including the
Hyuga City History and Folk Museum (used to be a shipping agency),
the Mimitsu-Machinami (Street) Center (used to be a townspeople's
house), and the Mimitsu Street Center (used to be a shop dealing in
fabrics for kimono). Mimitsu is a port town having an old history,
and also said to be the spot of a legend that Emperor Jinmu, the
first emperor, embarked from here for Nara to unify the nation.
Getting there
Miyazaki Airport is 1 hour 45 minutes from Tokyo Haneda Airport,
and 1 hour 5 minutes from Osaka Itami Airport or Kansai
International Airport. Miyazaki Station is 10 minutes from Miyazaki
Airport by the JR Miyazaki-kuko Line. Kokura Station is 4 hours 35
minutes from Tokyo Station by the JR Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen
Line, and 2 hours 20 minutes from Shin-Osaka Station. Hyuga-shi
Station is 4 hours 25 minutes from Kokura Station by the JR Nippo
Honsen Line Limited Express.
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Miyazaki
Bright town with a southern resort atmosphere - World's biggest
water park
Miyazaki is located in the central part of Miyazaki Prefecture
and is the rail terminal city for southeastern Kyushu as well as the
administrative and economic center of the prefecture. Due to the
mild weather, phoenix trees and palm trees can be seen everywhere,
which gives it the atmosphere of a bright southern resort. The place
to see in the city is Miyazaki-jingu Shrine, built deep in the
woods, with a Torii gate (shrine gate) made from simple, plain wood.
It is a very unique shrine as it is built only with cedar.
Heiwadai-koen Park is to the northwest of the shrine. Sixty meters
above sea level, the park commands a superb view of the city and the
Hyuga-nada Sea.
Tachibana-dori Street on the west side of JR Miyazaki Station is the
city's main street. Prefectural government offices, banks,
department stores and souvenir shops line the street and it is
always crowded with shoppers.
Northeast of the city, on Hitotsuba-kaigan Beach, stands Sea Gaia,
the world's biggest indoor water park that covers an area of 700
hectares. A golf course, tennis courts, Miyazaki City Phoenix Zoo,
and the World Convention Center Summit that provides halls for
international conventions are in the park. Hotels, cottages and
condominiums are also part of the facility. There is a free shuttle
bus between the facilities.
Getting there
From Tokyo Haneda Airport, 1 hour 45 minutes to Miyazaki
Airport. From Osaka Itami Airport or Kansai International Airport, 1
hour 5 minutes. From Miyazaki Airport, 10 minutes to Miyazaki
Station by the JR Miyazaki-kuko Line.
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Nichinan-kaigan Coast
The southernmost saw-toothed coastline in Japan - Roadside phoenixes
and hibiscuses
Nichinan-kaigan Coast, located in the southern part of Miyazaki
Prefecture, is the southernmost saw-toothed coastline in Japan,
extending about 100 kilometers from Ao-shima Island to Cape
Toi-misaki. Besides Oni-no-Sentakuita (the ogre's washboard), which
spreads around Ao-shima Island, and Udo-jingu Shrine, which stands
inserted in a cave with the sea for a background, there are scenic
spots dotted here and there, including the Cactus-Herb Garden and a
recreation park, Kodomo-no-kuni. On the Nichinan coastlines facing
the blue sea of the southern country, Washington robsta and
hibiscuses are planted, which makes the motorway one of the
prettiest in Kyushu.
Ao-shima Island, located in the northernmost part of Nichinan-Kaigan
Quasi-National Park, is a tiny island with a circumference of 1.5
kilometers, with 3,000 betel palm trees and 27 kinds of subtropical
plants growing. Around the island, tens and hundreds of wavy rocks,
called Oni-no-Sentakuita, draw stripe patterns, which show up at low
tide.
Horikiri-toge Pass, one of the best observation spots on the
Nichinan Coast, is a scenic spot commanding the grandeur of Hyuga
Sea, from which you can get a fine view of Oni-no-Sentakuita below
being washed by the water, as well as of the flowers of phoenixes
and hibiscuses.
Getting there
Miyazaki Airport is 1 hour 45 minutes from Tokyo Haneda Airport,
and 1 hour 5 minutes from Osaka Itami Airport or Kansai
International Airport. Miyazaki Station is 10 minutes from Miyazaki
Airport by the JR Miyazaki-kuko Line. Kokura Station is 4 hours 35
minutes from Tokyo Station by the JR Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen
Line, and 2 hours 20 minutes from Shin-Osaka Station. Kokura Station
is 5 hours 10 minutes from Miyazaki Station by the JR Nippo Honsen
Line. Ao-shima Station is 30 minutes, and Aburatsu Station is 1 hour
25 minutes each from Miyazaki Station by the JR Nichinan Line.
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Saitobaru
Scattered kofun, or burial mounds, from around the 4th to 6th
century - Torch parade and fire festival on a huge stage
Saito, located in the central part of Miyazaki, was the center
of the Hyuga-no-kuni province, now Miyazaki Prefecture, through to
the Middle Ages. In the western part of the city is Saitobaru Kofun-gun,
or the burial mounds area, where more than 300 kofun are scattered
about, forming one of the largest group of kofun in Japan. There are
also other historical sites such as Hyuga Kokubun-ji Temple, one of
the oldest temples in Miyazaki, and Tsuma-jinja Shrine.
Saitobaru Kofun-gun was constructed between the 4th and the 6th
century. It is unique for the variety of shapes including round,
keyhole and rectangular, among many others, and was designated a
National Historical Site in 1952. The Kofun-matsuri Festival is held
every fall. A torch parade and fire festival take place around a
group of kofun, and visitors are welcome to join the festival.
Walking paths have been set out among the kofun and the fields where
cherry blossoms, azalea, hagi (Japanese bush clover) and seasonal
flowers greet people. It is a very popular place for those who love
the flowers of the season.
Getting there
From Tokyo Haneda Airport, 1 hour 45 minutes to Miyazaki
Airport. From Osaka Itami Airport or Kansai International Airport, 1
hour 5 minutes. From Miyazaki Airport, 10 minutes to Miyazaki
Station by the JR Miyazaki-kuko Line. From Miyazaki Station, 1 hour
by bus to Saitobaru-eigyo-sho bus stop.
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Takachiho-kyo Gorge
Waterfalls on the precipitous cliff - A village of myth, known for
its yo-kagura, traditional sacred music and dancing
Takachio is located in the northwestern part of Miyazaki
Prefecture, and in the center of the Kyushu mountain areas. The town
borders on Oita and Kumamoto prefectures, through which the
Gokase-gawa River flows. Takachiho-kyo Gorge is a V-shaped gorge,
created by the Gokase-gawa River having eroded the Aso lava. The
precipitous cliffs with their red tint rise up on both sides of the
gorge extending for a long distance. Manai-no-taki Falls, 17 meters
high, is a popular highlight for the clouds of spray that rise up
from the falling water. The gorge is laid out with promenades about
600 meters long alongside, being decorated with mountain cherry
blossoms and the flowers of Japanese azaleas and wisterias from
spring till early summer, and with red and yellow leaves in autumn.
Thus you can enjoy fine views of four seasons.
Takachiho is a spot associated with the myths and legends of the
foundation of the nation. There are many interesting sightseeing
spots in connection with the myths dotted here and there, including
Takachiho-jinja Shrine, Kunimi-ga-oka Hill, and Amano-iwato-jinja
Shrine. At Takachiho-jinja Shrine in the evening, you can enjoy the
yo-kagura which has been handed down from generation to generation
in this district. Kagura is traditional sacred music and dancing
dedicated to the gods. The Chichibu cedar estimated to be 800 years
of the age, towering in the precincts, is splendid. The top of
Kunimi-ga-oka Hill commands an excellent view of Takachiho City and
the mountains surrounding it.
Getting there
Miyazaki Airport is 1 hour 45 minutes from Tokyo Haneda Airport,
and 1 hour 5 minutes from Osaka Itami Airport or Kansai
International Airport. Miyazaki is 10 minutes from Miyazaki Airport
by the JR Miyazaki-kuko Line. Kokura Station is about 4 hours 35
minutes from Tokyo Station by the JR Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen
Line, and 2 hours 20 minutes from Shin-Osaka Station. Nobeoka
Station is 3 hours 40 minutes from Kokura Station by the JR Nippo
Line Limited Express. Takachiho Station is 1 hour 20 minutes from
Nobeoka Station by the Takachiho-Tetsudo Line.
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Information
provided by Japan National Tourist Organization.
