First time in Miyazaki? Let us tell you all about the appeals of Miyazaki Prefecture, from classic spots to gourmet food and hot springs!

Aoshima is a small island of just 1.5 kilometers circumference, covered throughout with the abundant nature of dense subtropical flora. It is also surrounded in a mysterious rocky formation called the Devil's Washboard that looks like nothing other than a massive washboard. This formation is the result of countless eons of erosion on the rocky surface by the waves, and is now preserved as an important cultural asset. Mentioned in well known Japanese mythology, the place is famous as a sacred place full of mystical power.
Aoshima Shrine, a shrine known for offering blessings for matchmaking, is located in the center of the island, and the entire island is said to serve as the shrine’s precincts. There are numerous interesting items available at the shrine that promise love fulfilled, such as the heart-shaped Ema votive tablet. It is particularly popular among travelers seeking heart-shaped accessories.
There are also plenty of shops and restaurants, as well as a beach, surrounding the island, and you can enjoy swimming, marine sports, dining, and shopping there, making the Aoshima area a popular tourist destination in Miyazaki. 

Visitors to Horikiri Pass will find scenery that exemplifies the tropical mood of Miyazaki City, with rows of Canary Island date palms and the vibrant blue of the sea and sky. We recommend picking up a serving of soft ice cream at the nearby Michinoeki Phoenix (roadside station Phoenix) while you enjoy the views.

A burial mound is a type of ancient Japanese burial mound. The Saitobaru Burial Mounds consists of over 300 Kofun of various sizes scattered in a vast plateau area stretching 2.6 kilometers east to west and 4.2 kilometers north to south. Designated a special historic site, it holds one of the largest clusters of Kofun in Japan. The round shaped Oni-no-Iwaya is the only Kofun in the clusters with an open entry way on the side, and visitors can tour the inside. Legend has it that this Kofun was built in just one night by an Oni, or demon, that fell in love with the beautiful Konohana Sakuyahime.
The entire area forms a park that attracts numerous visitors as a famous place to view seasonal flowers, with cherry blossoms and flowering canola in the springtime, sunflowers in summer, and cosmos in the fall. Meanwhile, artifacts uncovered during archaeological digs at the site are available on display at the Saitobaru Archaeological Museum of Miyazaki Prefecture, offering a chance to learn about life in ancient Japan (admission free). There is also the Konohana-kan (Guidance Center) with a shop and restaurant featuring local goods and produce, which is worth a visit.
* Note that the Konohana-kan will be closed for renovations from April 1, 2024 through February 28, 2025.

Takachiho Gorge is located in Takachiho Town, a place famous as a home to many myths. This gorge, formed by the eruption of Mount Aso, extends for roughly 7 kilometers, ranging in depth between approximately 80 to 100 meters. One of the leading views in Japan, the area is nationally designated as a special place of scenic beauty and a natural monument.
Visitors can enjoy views of beautiful columnar canyons and waterfalls from along the boardwalk. Manai Falls, with a drop of 17 meters, is particularly designated as one of the top 100 waterfalls in Japan, and symbolizes Takachiho Gorge.
Visitors can view the Manai Waterfall and columnar canyons up close from rental boats. The waterfall seen from a boat is quite impressive, so the boats are a popular attraction, and reservations are recommended. The fresh greenery and autumn leaves here are breathtaking, so there are always many visitors year round. Come enjoy the amazing views from the boardwalk and boats.

Takachiho Shrine is famous as the home of the god of marriage.
The grounds here feature Chichibu-sugi, a roughly 800 year old pine tree, as well as the massive Meoto Sugi, where two Japanese cedar trees have grown together to form a single trunk. It is said that if you walk around the circumference of Meoto Sugi three times while holding hands with your partner, then you will gain happiness, and enjoy blessings for finding a good marriage partner, marital bliss, and prosperity in producing offspring.
Every year, the Yokagura event is held from mid November through early February in each village of Takachiho, where a total of 33 different types of sacred Kagura dances are performed as an offering throughout the night. As part of that, the Takachiho Kagura event is held daily at Takachiho Shrine featuring four of the most important of those Kagura dances. Traditional Japanese Kagura performances can be seen outside the Yokagura season as well, so this shrine is popular with tourists from all over the world (fee and advanced reservations required).

Located in the Nippo Kaigan Quasi-National Park, Cape Hyuga offers visitors vast, spectacular views.
Among them is the rugged Umagase, or “horse back”, rock formation of the cape, so named because it looks like the back of a horse when seen from the sea. The observation spot at the end of a walking path offers a completely uninterrupted panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean, while the glassed-in Skelutcha Viewing Deck on the cliff edge offers visitors a thrill along with the amazing views. 
Visitors can also find the Sea-Cruz just three minutes by car from Umagase. The word “Cruz” comes from the Portuguese word for “cross.” The site gained its name for appearing like a cross when seen from above, stretching roughly 200 meters east to west and 220 meters north to south, a shape resulting from waves striking against a massive stone column over the years.
As the combination of this cross with the rock formation adjacent to it looks much like the Chinese character for wishes coming true, it is believed that the wishes of visitors here do, in fact, come true.

Every year between late October and early December, a fish trap designed specifically for Ayu sweetfish, called the Ayu-yana, is set up in a V-shape to retard the flow of part of the Gokase River in Nobeoka City to catch those fish, taking advantage of their habit of swimming down the river to lay their eggs. A pier has been installed to allow visitors to see the Ayu-yana up close, so we recommend getting a good look at the system designed to withstand the flow of the river.
The Ayu-yana Cafeteria also opens every year while the trap is in place. The cafeteria offers various dishes using ayu, such as freshly caught ayu grilled right before your eyes in salt or miso flavors.
[Ayu-yana installation schedule]
Around late October through the first Sunday of December

Visitors to this vast farm at the foot of the Kirishima mountains can get up close and interact with cows, horses, and sheep. The cow milking workshop is popular with children, and other attractions include tours of the cow barn and horse riding. Visitors can also join workshops to try making their own sausage, ice cream, and butter by hand.
The restaurant and food court offer an abundant assortment of choices such as yakiniku, Genghis Khan (a type of Japanese mutton yakiniku), pizza, and steak, and soft ice cream popular for its rich natural sweetness. If you’re in the market for gifts, we recommend heading over to the shop and its array of original products from Takachiho Farm, including dairy products, bread, ham, sausage, and confections.
A visit to this sprawling farm surrounded by nature will surely be a fun day for the whole family.

* Note: some roads and trails around the Kirishima mountains (Shinmoedake, Mount Io) are closed because of the currently an active volcano. Make sure to check the official website beforehand.

This plateau spreads out at an altitude of 1,200 meters at the foot of Mount Karakuni to the south of Ebino City. It is located within the northern part of Kirishima-Kinkowan National Park on the border with Kagoshima Prefecture. The Ebino Plateau is one of the most popular trekking spots in Miyazaki Prefecture with its rich natural scenery that varies throughout the seasons. Flowers that bloom here from spring through summer include the Kyushu azalea, or Rhododendron Kiusianum, and the Nokaido, or Malus spontanea, a natural treasure that grows nowhere else in the world. The fall features spreads of Chinese silver grass and autumn leaves, while frost-covered trees can be seen in the winter.
The Ebino Eco Museum Center and campground offers information and programs to help you enjoy the nature of the Ebino Plateau even more. The Ashiyu-no-Eki (footbath station) Ebino Kogen offers a tourist information center, gift corner, and free break area in addition to their footbath. Meanwhile, the Ebino Kogen Hotel offers amazing views of Mount Karakuni and an outdoor bath featuring constantly flowing hot spring water. Visitors can use the hot spring without spending the night, so we recommend it as a place to relax after an exhausting trek. An additional attraction is the ice skating rink near the hotel that is open only during the winter. At the southernmost skating rink in Japan, visitors can enjoy Mount Karakuni covered in snow as they skate their hearts out.

This place prospered as the castle town of the Obi domain for roughly 280 years beginning in 1588. Today, many stone walls made with Obi stone and samurai homes made with Obi cedar remain. The beautiful townscape with its historical flavor has been nicknamed the Little Kyoto of Kyushu, and many historical buildings have been preserved. Many samurai residences and shops are located in an area surrounding the Otemon Gate of Obi Castle. Some of them allow visitors inside, and the area is a great place to take walks around the castle town. Visitors can try their hand using the traditional mini archery of Obi, the Shihan-mato, and get a taste of the samurai life at the Shihan-mato archery range. Meanwhile, the Obi Castle History Museum is a must-see destination with displays of swords, armor, weapons, and clothing, and other military implements. There is also a spot known as Iyashi-no-Mori (healing forest) filled with moss and 140 year old Obi cedar at the site of the former Honmaru of Obi Castle. We recommend a visit as it is sure to be relaxing, and you can get some great pictures too.
If you want to dine and walk around the town of Obi, we recommend picking up a copy of the Ayumichan Map that includes tickets to various venues and five vouchers for special and famous local Obi gifts. Enjoy your walk around this historic castle town with echoes of the Edo period as you enjoy delicious local delicacies such as the Obi Senbei that melts in your mouth with elegant sweetness, Obi-Ten with its gentle sweetness of brown sugar, and the Atsuyaki-tamago fried egg that tastes like pudding.

Miyazaki Jingu enshrines Emperor Jinmu, Japan’s first emperor. As the most popular shrine in Miyazaki City, worshippers believe it offers benefits for family safety, marital bliss, pregnancy, and childbirth. Many worshippers also come to pray for victory in competition or success in school, due in part to the founding myth of Japan involving Emperor Jinmu. In the fall of every year, the Miyazaki Jingu Grand Festival is held, featuring a grand procession that evokes a more ancient time. It is the leading festival in Miyazaki, affectionately known as “Jinmu-sama”.
There are many other events throughout the year that bring back echoes of the ancient past, such as the festival to pray for a bountiful harvest and the impressive Yabusame horseback archery performance.

Amanoyasukawara is a large cave located just 10 minutes walk from Amanoiwato Shrine and is the site of a famous Japanese myth. The myth holds that when Amaterasu-Omikami, the sun goddess, hid behind the stone door (the Amanoiwato) of the cave, the world became wrapped in darkness and numerous disasters struck. It is said that the riverbank here is where the other gods gathered to discuss how to bring back the light. It is said that if you pile some stones and make a wish, then the wish will come true, so the cave is filled with countless stacks of stone, making it a spiritual power spot.
The Amano Iwato Shrine enshrines that Amanoiwato door behind which the sun goddess hid. It is said that the gods caused a great commotion outside the cave to lure Amaterasu-Omikami out, thereby bringing back the light. Two shrine buildings, the Nishi Hongu and Higashi Hongu, are located on either bank of the Iwato River, and Amaterasu can be found enshrined in Nishi Hongu. Prayers can be offered guided by the priest 15 times per day. So why not visit this site of the famous Japanese myth, Amanoiwato?

Sano Shrine is said to have been originally built roughly 2,400 years ago at the birthplace of Emperor Jinmu, the first emperor of Japan.
The area where it is located, Sano, is taken from the childhood name of Sano-no-mikoto of Emperor Jinmu, who is also the primary deity of the shrine. The main shrine was originally located in a place called Oujibaru roughly one kilometer from the present site, but it was moved to its present location in 1610 after being burned to the ground during repeated eruptions of Mount Kirishima.
The straight approach to the shrine, said to be the longest in Japan is lined by about ten beautiful Sano cedar pines that are over 400 years old and designated as a national natural monument.
The Sano Kagura sacred dance that is performed on from the night of the first Saturday of December until the sunrise on the following morning has a history of over 500 years, and is designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property by the national government with the title Takaharu-no-Kanme.

Udo Jingu features a beautiful and colorful vermillion-lacquered main shrine building within a cave on the cape that juts into the sea. This is one of the main shrines of southern Kyushu, located on the Nichinan Seacoast in southern Miyazaki. The shrine has long been loved by the locals and is believed to offer blessings for safe childbirth, child rearing, and marriage. Worshippers here can try a famous challenge involving tossing an Undama, or luck ball, to make their wish come true. Men use their left hand and women their right to throw the ball towards a rock called Kameishi, or turtle rock. In this custom called “Undama-nage”, If the ball enters a depression on the rock, then your wish will come true. The approach to the main shrine offers a beautiful view of the Hyuga-nada Sea, while rocks of many forms surround the cape as they accept the powerful beating of the waves. 
 Meanwhile, if you walk for about 20 minutes out the shrine gate from Udo Jingu, you will arrive at Namikiri Shrine. This place is considered a power spot, where the torii gate and tiny shrine, located in a cave right up against the encroaching sea, evoke a fantastic and spiritual atmosphere. We recommend wearing shoes with good grip when visiting, as the rough path to the shrine weaves through rocky terrain and you can slip easily.

This large suspension bridge crosses the Ayagawa Gorge in the Kyushu Chuo Sanchi Quasi-National Park. It is one of the largest pedestrian bridges in Japan at a height of 142 meters and a length of 250 meters. Crossing the bridge offers a thrill as though you are walking on air, and a massive panoramic view of the spacious sky along with one of Japan’s largest laurel forests (a type of subtropical forest) right before your eyes.
Aya Town, where the Teruha Suspension Bridge is located, is registered as a Biosphere Reserve under UNESCO's "Man and Biosphere Program," and approximately two kilometers of nature paths offer visitors a chance to immerse themselves in the forest beyond the bridge. There is also a roughly three hour course where you can observe the valuable flora of the laurel forest on foot, accompanied by a guide (advance reservation required, guidance in Japanese only).  Visitors can also learn about the laurel forest and the creatures living there at the Lucidophyllous Forest Museum, located close to the bridge.

A highlight of this village is the nearly 100 stepped rice terraces along the mountain ridge at an altitude of 450 meters, across from the Oicho Observation Deck. A sight you can only see in Shiiba, they are known as the Sennin Tanada, or “mountain-man rice terraces”, as well as the Machu Picchu of Shiiba, because they seem to float in the sky.

At an altitude of roughly 513 meters, the Kunimigaoka Viewing Platform offers the best views in the Takachiho Basin. Visitors can see Mount Aso to the west (the five peaks of Aso), the Sobo Mountain range to the north, and the Takachiho Basin to the east. This spot actually earned a star for the fantastic views that it offers in the world famous travel guidebook, the Michelin Green Guide Japan.
Here you can see a sea of clouds in the early morning if the conditions are right between late September and early December. The ideal conditions are a chilly, windless morning on a clear day. The sunrise viewed from Kunimigaoka is also beautiful, and worth getting up early for. 
Legend has it that the grandson of Emperor Jinmu, Takeiwatatsu-no-mikoto, viewed the country (“kunimi”) from this spot, and there are several stone statues commemorating this.

Sunmesse Nichinan is symbolized by the seven replica Moai statues found here. These Moai statues are faithful replicas of those at Ahu Akivi, and the first to be officially approved by the elders of Rapa Nui (Easter Island). Visitors are allowed to touch them, so you can experience their impressive presence up close.
The spacious park occupying 20 hectares includes a world insect museum featuring displays of butterflies and insects from around the world, panels of world heritage sites approved by UNESCO, and ground murals of butterflies. Located on a small hill beside the Nichinan Seacoast, the park offers a panoramic view of the ocean, and every corner is a great spot for photos, so why not enjoy the many scenic spots as you walk throughout the park.  The many attractive photo spots include a swing set that swings toward the sea and the colorful “voyeurn” statues (a Japanese play on words based on the French word voyeur) of seated observers.

Cape Toi is situated at the southern tip of Nichinan Kaigan Quasi-national Park. The white Cape Toi lighthouse that stands at the edge of the cape offers amazing views of the rich green mountains and the Hyuga-nada Sea. The lighthouse still serves today as a landmark for ships navigating the nearby waters, and is the only lighthouse in Kyushu that you can see inside.
The area around Cape Toi is also a habitat for the native Japanese Misaki horse, letting you experience the toughness and attractiveness of the wild horses up close. The Misaki horse is designated as a national Natural Monument. Many foals, incidentally, are born between April and May, so if you’re lucky, you may get to see a cute newborn foal. There is also a tour course available, featuring a wild horse guide, letting you view the Misaki horses complete with an explanation of the horses and the flora of Cape Toi.
At the very edge of Cape Toi, jutting roughly 6 kilometers to the south, is Misaki Shrine, located in the middle of a cliff, where the god of the sea is enshrined. Here, you can enjoy the beautiful fabric woven by the marine blue and white-edged waves of the azure Pacific Ocean.

Miyazaki's branded beef has won the Prime Minister’s Award four times consecutively since 2007 at the National Wagyu (Japanese beef) Promotion Competition, also known as the Wagyu Olympics that are held once every five years. Miyazaki beef is highly praised not only in Japan but throughout the world, and has even been selected as part of the official after party menu for the US Academy Awards. So Miyazaki beef is something you absolutely must try if you visit Miyazaki. Enjoy the soft texture and mouth-melting flavor in whatever dish you prefer, whether steak, yakiniku, sukiyaki, or shabushabu.

The popular dish Chicken Nanban originated at two restaurants in Nobeoka City. The restaurant Nao-chan began serving the dish by frying chicken battered in a flour and egg mixture and marinating it in sweetened vinegar. Meanwhile, the restaurant Ogura was the first to add tartar sauce, resulting in the standard style today. The combination of the ample juices of the meat mixed with the sweet and sour flavor of the sauces is irresistible. So make sure to enjoy this delicious dish at its origin.

Local charcoal-grilled chicken is one of the leading gourmet options in Miyazaki. The locally grown chicken is flavored with salt and pepper before quickly grilling it over high temperature charcoal. The result features a delicious savory aroma and tender texture. The chicken goes great with local Miyazaki shochu, and can be found at specialty restaurants and Izakaya bars.

Miyazaki Prefecture is a veritable treasure trove of seafood thanks to its long coast along the Pacific Ocean. Enjoy fresh ingredients in season via local traditional foods and gourmet cuisine throughout the prefecture. The season for Ise ebi, or Japanese spiny lobster, begins in September, and the lobsters reach their most delicious flavor in the autumn.
Nichinan city, where the fishing industry has thrived for ages, features the largest catch of bonito in Japan that is caught individually using a fishing rod. Katsuo Aburi Ju is a popular dish involving bonito flavored with two different sauces and then seared in a small grill called a Shichirin before being placed on rice to eat.

Miyazaki is famous throughout Japan for its mangoes, so much so that it’s the first thing some people think of when they say Miyazaki. The mangoes are ready to eat when the skin takes on a certain elasticity, the fragrance grows stronger, and the surface of the fruit becomes shiny. Miyazaki mangoes are known for their melt-in-your-mouth fruit pulp and their rich sweetness. There is also a variety in Miyazaki called Taiyo-no-Tamago (Egg of the Sun), a luxury item for which only those fruits which meet the strictest standards for flavor, weight, and color are allowed to bear the name. Thanks to the focus on ripeness, the fruit are allowed to ripen on the tree and harvested by catching them in nets when they fall off naturally.

Miyazaki is a land of shochu, boasting the largest volume shipped in Japan. The prefecture possesses an ample supply of high quality natural spring water, an essential ingredient for producing shochu, resulting in delicious, high quality shochu. Shochu in Miyazaki also comes in a wide range of varieties, using different raw ingredients, thanks to the abundant agricultural products grown in the prefecture. There are no less than 38 different breweries throughout the prefecture, each of which produce unique shochu using local sweet potatoes, barley, and rice, the majority of which contain 20% alcohol. Make sure to compare different kinds because some can only be purchased inside Miyazaki, and don’t forget, shochu makes a great gift for anyone who likes alcohol. 

This hot spring located in a resort hotel offers a view toward Aoshima Beach. There are several types of baths, including the stone outdoor bath, the large indoor bath, and a sauna, which are open from 11:00 in the morning. You can also enjoy activities here such as standup paddleboarding and surfing, so we recommended using the hot springs after trying those.

This natural hot spring and inn occupies the renovated former Hinokage Station building on the now defunct Takachiho Railway. Visitors enter from the train platform to find the hot spring on the 2nd floor, including a large bath, outdoor bath, super-jet bath, and sauna. If you try the outdoor bath, you will be greeted by spectacular views including the pure flowing waters of Gokase River, and the surrounding mountains and valleys. The first floor also features a shop selling local goods and a restaurant which is famous for its Chicken Nanban and Special Chanpon. Diners can also try local wild boar, venison, and Ayu sweetfish depending on the season.
But the best part of this inn is the rooms occupying train cars which still retain the original conductor’s chair and control panel. The inn has refurbished old train cars from the former Takachiho Railway to use as the guest rooms, something not found elsewhere, and it is worth staying here if you like railways.

The Kyomachi hot spring resort is famous for its pure, weak alkaline hot spring water that is said to help beautify the skin. The Kyomachi Kanko Hotel offers a large indoor bath and an outdoor bath featuring a wooden frame and a roof built using the Japanese wood joinery technique. Day-trip visitors can use the baths from 7:00 in the morning, while overnight guests can use them 24 hours. The hot spring water flows constantly and is sourced right here at the hotel.

This resort hotel features an outdoor bath offering a 360 degree uninterrupted panorama of the big blue sky, the green mountains, and the star filled sky at night, and there is also a large indoor bath, a sauna, and four types of ganban-yoku rock baths. The facilities open from 10:00 in the morning for day-trip visitors, and they even offer day plans combining lunch with hot spring use.

The Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine in Dazaifu City, Fukuoka Prefecture, enshrines Sugawara no Michizane, the god of learning. It serves as the leading shrine of the roughly 12,000 other shrines in Japan enshrining the same god, and is one of the largest shrines in Kyushu.
In addition to the main shrine, the grounds also contain a variety of other historical buildings, such as a Dazaifu Tenmangu Museum and Kanko Historical Museum.
While visitors can enjoy different flowers throughout the seasons here, such as cherry blossoms and wisteria, there are also 6,000 plum trees on the ground, which were favored by Sugawara no Michizane, and many come to visit when they are in bloom.
Festivals are held here throughout the year, letting you experience the depth of an ongoing history lasting 1,100 years.
This is certainly a must see spot when you plan on traveling from Fukuoka to Miyazaki.
（Photo Provided by Dazaifu Tenmangu）

Yanagawa in Fukuoka Prefecture is a famous tourist destination known as the Mizu-no-machi, or city of water, and once prospered as a castle town. Originally, canals were dug to improve water drainage in the town’s location in wetlands near the sea, but when it was found that water could be obtained via the canals, they ended up spreading throughout the entire village at a massive scale. One seasonal sight one can enjoy in this water town is the custom of Kawa-kudari, or riding a boat down the canals.
The facility called Yanagawa Tachibana-tei Ohana, which originally began as the villa of the Tachibana family, lord of the Yanagawa domain, today contains a restaurant, a type of Japanese restaurant called a ryotei, a hotel, and a western style building, all of which are designated as cultural treasures along with the gardens. Why not come here and enjoy a precious moment in this space of elegant luxury?

This museum, one of the four national museums in Japan, focuses on the history of cultural exchange between Japan and other countries in Asia. Come here to learn how the countries of Asia influenced Japan as Japanese culture blossomed. There are also valuable cultural treasures on display, such as ink paintings and Tachi swords, giving a sense of the depth of history. (Admission required to view. Some exhibits may not be available as the contents are replaced, so please check the official website before visiting.) The free interactive exhibit room uses stalls to introduce traditional dress, implements from daily life, toys, and music from the countries of Asia and Europe that engaged in exchange with Japan throughout history, and visitors can look, touch, and interact with them.
​​​​​（Photo Provided by Fukuoka Prefecture Tourism Association）

The Yufuin hot spring resort town is located in the Yufuin Basin in the center of Oita Prefecture. Situated at the foot of the beautiful Mt. Yufu, it is one of the more popular hot spring resorts in Japan.
There are numerous hot springs in the area. One of them, the Yufuin Hot Springs, has roughly 900 hot spring sources, boasting the second highest number of hot spring water sources and the volume in Japan. There are many hotels and inns in Yufuin, so you can of course stay the night and enjoy the hot springs at your leisure, there are also day-trip hot springs for a less involved trip.
There are plenty of attractive shops, restaurants, and art museums within walking distance of Yufuin Station, making it a perfect place for a leisurely walk and perhaps some shopping. Rickshaws and bicycles are also available for rent if you don’t want to walk. We also recommend taking a ride on the famous horse-drawn carriage available to tourists to better enjoy the bucolic scenery.
The rich natural beauty of Yufuin cannot be missed as well, whether the mystical beauty of Kinrin Lake, the vastness of Mt. Yufu, or the spectacular beauty of each of the four seasons. From fall through winter, a morning mist envelopes the Yufuin Basin. Many people travel to see the amazing scenery offered by observation decks such as the Sagiridai Overlook or the Jakoshi Pass Observatory as they look down on the fantastical mist.
This is one area you cannot miss if you’re traveling through eastern Kyushu, via Fukuoka, Oita, and Miyazaki.

It is said that the name for this lake, “Kinrin”, or “golden scales”, comes from the way that the scales of the fish swimming in it seem to sparkle a golden color when lit by the setting sun. The water temperature of the lake is high year round because hot spring waters flow into it. The contrast of the autumn leaves with their reflection on the lake surface is beautiful in the fall, while the mist rising up over the entire surface of the lake during winter mornings is a mystical sight. We recommend taking a walk around the lake as you take in its fantastical and mystical scenery.

Usa Shrine is the head shrine for the approximately 40,000 Hachiman shrines located throughout Japan. With a history of approximately 1,300 years, the bright red of the main shrine draws in anyone who looks upon it. The spacious grounds, surrounded in ancient primeval forest, are filled with pure refreshing air, and lined with several culturally and historically valuable buildings, such as the three main shrines that are designated as national treasures. Visitors can enjoy different scenery throughout the seasons, such as approximately 100 Yoshino Cherry trees in the springtime and lotus flowers in the summer. 
There is also a nearby retail district where visitors can enjoy shopping. While you’re at it, why not pick up some of the special local “Usa-ame” candy as a souvenir?

The Aso caldera in Kumamoto Prefecture is one of the largest calderas in the world, measuring roughly 25 kilometers north to south, 18 kilometers east to west, and 128 kilometers in circumference. It has been designated a national park, a UNESCO World Geopark, and a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System. Mount Aso (also known as the five peaks of Aso) sits at the center of the caldera, emitting a plume of smoke as one of the main active volcanoes in Japan, and serving as a symbol of Kumamoto. Visitors here are able to see the violent eruptions and dynamic scenes of the still quite active Nakadake Crater at Mount Aso up close (but tours may not be allowed depending on the severity of the eruptions). Yet today, nearly 50,000 people live within the caldera, a rare situation anywhere in the world.
The largest grasslands in Japan is also located around Mount Aso, with cows and horses being raised free range. The Aso area is also blessed with abundant natural resources thanks to the volcano, such as quality hot springs and pure spring water ponds.
Here you will find a plethora of plans allowing you to enjoy that nature, such as paragliding, hot air ballooning, trekking, cycling, and horse riding. There are of course plenty of gourmet options as well, such as local cuisine and the famous Japanese brown beef.
While there are numerous spots that let you gaze down on the Aso caldera, the one we recommend is Daikanbo. You will see a panoramic view of the five peaks of Aso, the grasslands, and the town inside the caldera.
When traveling from Kumamoto to Miyazaki, you absolutely must take a detour to see it.
（​Photo Provided by Kumamoto Prefectural Tourism Federation）

This incredibly scenic spot lets you gaze on the mountains of Aso. The plateau that spreads into the distance wherever you look offers beautiful greenery in the summer and transforms into a mystical world of silvery-white in the winter. Views here include lakes said to have formed by accumulated rainwater over eons and horses allowed to graze freely on the grasslands. Horseback riding is also quite popular here.
（Photo Provided by Kumamoto Prefectural Tourism Federation）

This is another amazing scenic spot where you can enjoy the changing colors of the seasons against the majestic backdrop of Mount Aso. There is a gift shop here that offers fresh local vegetables and a variety of souvenirs.
Meanwhile, the restaurant offers a selection of local delicacies such as yakiniku using the famous Japanese brown beef of the Aso region, Dago-jiru, a miso based soup featuring flour dumplings and seasonal vegetables, and Kugino soba noodles. Feast yourself on Kumamoto cuisine as you relax and take in the vastness of nature.
（Photo Provided by Kumamoto Prefectural Tourism Federation）

Sengan-en was built as a second home by Shimazu Mitsuhisa,19th head of the Shimazu clan, in 1658. The vast Japanese garden, one of the most notable in the country, is one of the top attractions in Japan, and one of the leading attractions in Kagoshima as well.
There are a number of sights to see in the massive 50,000 square meter garden, with flowers blooming throughout the seasons, such as crane lanterns originally used for experiments with gas lighting, and Kyokusui garden where a so-called Kyokusui no En party is held every April. The building where successive generations of lords of the clan spent their time still survives, and visitors can see inside.
The former Shuseikan Machinery Factory, located within Sengan-en, is Japan's oldest Western-style stone machinery factory built in 1865 and has been designated as an important cultural property by the national government.   Currently, the building is called the Shoko Shuseikan Main Building and used as the Shoko Shuseikan Museum that teaches the 800 year history of the Shimazu Clan. The former Shuseikan Machinery Factory, along with a portion of Sengan-en, were registered the Japan's Meiji Industrial Revolution World Heritage Sites in 2015. Incidentally, there is also Satsuma Kiriko cut glass workshop open for tours as well. There is also a facility offering you a chance to experience the traditional culture of Kagoshima by wearing Japanese armor or kimonos, as well as trying your hand at archery.
This is a must see destination when traveling from Kagoshima to Miyazaki.
（Photograph provided by Kagoshima Prefecture Visitors Bure）

Tenmonkan is a shopping district always filled with countless visitors where the streets are lined with gift shops, cafes, and restaurants serving local cuisine. After enjoying some shopping, make sure you get your fill of Kagoshima delicacies, such as the shaved ice topped with fruit known affectionately as Shirokuma, or polar bear, shochu alcohol, and dishes made with the famous Kagoshima Berkshire pork.

This hot spring where you immerse your body in sand warmed by the hot spring waters that flow naturally from the seashore is an experience only to be found in Ibusuki. Popular as a “Japanese sauna”, the bath is said to be effective for detoxing and beautifying your skin. After trying the sand baths, make sure to enjoy the normal hot spring bath at the facility as well.