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.

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.

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).

This historic shrine served as the setting for the myth of Amanoiwato, recorded in the oldest extant history book in Japan. The myth describes how Amaterasu-Omikami, the sun goddess, became angered at the rambunctious behavior of her younger brother Susanoo, and hid in a cave behind a stone door called Amanoiwato. That very stone door, the Amanoiwato, is enshrined as the god of this shrine, making this one of the best known power spots in Japan. 

Located just 10 minutes on foot from Amanoiwato Shrine, Amanoyasukawara is a massive cave that served as the setting for 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 Takachiho no YoKagura is a sacred dance carried out between November and February in the villages of the Takachiho region, comprised of 33 different performances based on Japanese mythology. However, the Kagura stage at Takachiho Shrine features the Takachiho Kagura performances year round, featuring four representative performances from among the complete Takachiho no YoKagura starting every night at 8:00 PM.

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.

Omi Shrine, where Amaterasu-Omikami the sun goddess is enshrined, sits atop the columnar rocks of Cape Hyuga, offering an uninterrupted view of the Pacific Ocean. One of the features of the grounds of the shrine is the largest collections in Japan of “Sazare-Ishi” or “sazare stones” that are mentioned in the Japanese national anthem.
Today the shrine is known as being particularly auspicious as the place where the Japan rugby team came to pray during their Miyazaki training camp before achieving their historic victory.

A shrine called Udo Shrine can also be found in a cave located after a short walk towards the east of the grounds. This place is believed to represent a remnant of belief in a dragon god, because when seen from deep within the cave, the entrance presents the shape of a rising dragon, making this place rich with an ancient atmosphere. 

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, so named because it looks like the back of a horse when seen from the sea. The observation spot at the end of the walking path offers a completely uninterrupted panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean. In addition, the glassed-in Skelutcha Viewing deck on the cliff edge offers visitors a thrill along with the amazing views.

This site gained its name of Cruz, or "cross" in Portuguese, 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.

This commercial facility, located adjacent to Kanegahama beach in Hyuga, a famous surf spot, offers a beautiful view of the vast Pacific Ocean. Here you will find tasty hamburgers from Hawaii and exceptional gelato made with local Miyazaki fruits. Enjoy your lunch inside the cafe or out on the lawn terrace while enjoying the view of the sea!

In addition to wine, the Tsuno Winery offers amazing views of the Miyazaki Plains and the Hyuga-nada Sea. The wines made here using only Osuzu grapes harvested in Tsuno Town have received high praise throughout the world, and won many awards both in Japan and overseas. The winery tour, guided by one of the winemakers, lets you see the grape fields and fermenting facilities, and taste some of the wine as well.
The bakery cafe at the winery offers a selection of breads designed to pair well with Tsuno wine, and there are breads that can only be enjoyed here. 
Meanwhile, the Tsuno Wine Harvest Festival is held every year in November, attracting many visitors.

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.

The Saitobaru Archaeological Museum is located within the Saitobaru Burial Mounds park. The museum features exhibits of precious artifacts uncovered in Miyazaki Prefecture, teaching visitors about the culture and lifestyles of the time.
There are many workshops and interactive attractions as well, such as experiencing the world of Saitobaru virtually using a VR headset, and workshops to make pottery and accessories used at the time.
The museum shop offers a selection of archaeology related books and other goods only available at Saitobaru. The museum is a popular spot, especially for families with children. It is free of charge and a great place to spend a rainy day.

This is the largest entertainment district in Miyazaki, located in the center of Miyazaki City, with Nishitachibana Street at the center and encompassing the nearby Chuo, Ebisu, Takamatsu, and Nishi-Ginza streets.
The locals have given the area the affectionate nickname of “Nishitachi”. Both sides of the streets are lined with a number of warm colored Chochin lanterns, and the heart dances with feelings of nostalgia as they sway gently in the breeze.
There are over 1,500 eating and drinking establishments in the Nishitachi area.
The compact streets are literally packed with plenty of places for your barhopping needs, including Izakaya style eateries offering delicious local snacks, stylish bars, standing bars, and restaurants serving everything from yakiniku (Japanese BBQ) to Italian cuisine.
You will find the atmosphere at many establishments welcoming even when you are alone, and you are sure to find one or several that meet your fancy. So if you ever visit Miyazaki on business or as tourist, Nishitachi should be one of your first stops!

Aoshima, a small island of 1.5 kilometers in circumference that is surrounded by the wavy rock formation known as the Devil’s Washboard, is itself believed to be a power spot. The abundant blessing of rich subtropical flora that grows throughout evokes an atmosphere of more southern climes. Meanwhile, the Aoshima Shrine located near the center of the island is popular for offering blessings for marriage and matchmaking. There are many other attractions around the island worth a visit as well, such as the Miyakoh Botanic Garden Aoshima where visitors can enjoy tropical flowers in bloom, and the Aoshima Beach Park that offers a selection of drinks and meals.

Aoshima Shrine is a popular tourist destination in Miyazaki. With the entire Aoshima island considered to be the shrine’s grounds, the main building of Aoshima Shrine is located at the center of the island, and worshippers can visit by traveling across Yayoi Bridge that stretches across to the island.
Aoshima shrine is the location for a famous myth and is said to offer blessings for marriage and matchmaking. If you visit, make sure to write down a wish on the heart shaped wooden plaque called the Ema and submit it as an offering, or pick a random Koi Mikuji that will offer love advice just for you. Another popular activity here among travelers is to seek out the many hidden heart shaped decorations.

Aoshima is a popular tourist destination known for Aoshima Shrine and the Devil’s Washboard. Meanwhile, the Miyako Botanic Garden Aoshima is located across the water from the west coast of Aoshima. In addition to the Chinese fan palms found naturally on the island, the garden features various types of palm tree including the Canary Island date palm, the queen palm, and the date palm. There are also a number of bright and colorful tropical flowering trees and bushes, such as bougainvillea and hibiscus.
Then in the Glasshouse, a variety of tropical plants from around the world are on display. The Tropical fruit glasshouse even features such tropical fruits as pineapple, papaya, and starfruit, while the cafe in the garden offers smoothies, parfaits, and juices made with ripe mangoes grown in Miyazaki Prefecture. 
Incidentally, the Miyakoh Botanic Garden Aoshima established a sister relationship with the Singapore Botanic Gardens in 1965, and a merlion statue commemorating the 50th anniversary of that relationship can be found in the Glasshouse. Produced with permission from the Singapore Tourism Board, the statue faces 88 degrees east, considered an auspicious direction according to feng shui, just like the original in Singapore.

Enjoy some of the delicious cuisine that exemplifies the Nichinan Seacoast, such as seafood rice bowls made with fresh seafood caught at the local ports, and Ebi Fry (fried prawn) made with the extra large Japanese spiny lobster.

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.

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.