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.

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. 

This ropeway, with a capacity of 101 passengers per car, reaches the peak at 1,300 meters in just about 10 minutes. But the best feature here is the abundance of changing scenery throughout the seasons, with cherry blossoms in the springtime, night views in summer, the gradation of autumn leaves stretching from the top to the bottom of the mountains in fall, and the silvery white world of the ice covered trees in winter.

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.

For lunch, head toward the large monument that looks like a Kagura dance mask. Located in the middle of Takachiho, a place of myth and legend, this breathtakingly scenic location offers a panoramic view of the Shinto Takachiho Bridge and the Takachiho Gorge. You will also find plenty of local Takachiho items for sale, including fresh local vegetables, processed foods, and wood and bamboo crafts such as Yoru Kagura masks. The attached restaurant offers regional cuisine made with local ingredients and dishes using Japan's No.1 Takachiho beef, which won the Prime Minister’s Award at the National Wagyu (Japanese Beef) Promotion Competition, also known as the Wagyu Olympics.

 

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 is one of the largest AEON Malls in Kyushu boasting approximately 250 shops. In addition to a wide selection of fashion brands, entertainment, and specialty stores, the mall also features a food court and restaurant area where you can feast yourself on local cuisine.

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!

Highlights:A tour of the best restaurants to enjoy in Nishitachi, the largest entertainment district in Miyazaki | Highlights | Visit MIYAZAKI -Official Tourism Website of Miyazaki Prefecture-

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.

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 Roadside Station Phoenix while you enjoy the views.

The observation deck here, situated 50 meters above sea level, offers a panoramic view that includes the beautiful Pacific Ocean and wide blue sky, as well as the strange rock formation known as the Devil’s Washboard. Visitors here can also enjoy the tropical resort atmosphere evoked by the many beautiful flowers that bloom throughout the four seasons. Soft ice cream is available here in flavors that exemplify Miyazaki, such as mango and hyuganatsu, a type of mandarin orange, making it a great place to stop for a break during your trip.

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.

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.

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 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.

Kirishima Onsenkyo, or the Kirishima Hot Springs Villages, is the collective name for the many hot springs spread to the southwest along the Kirishima mountain range. Long popular as a therapeutic hot springs resort, the area is famous as place where you can enjoy a wide variety of water, including sulfur and carbonic acid springs. Why not come and enjoy a special moment to heal and relax your mind and body as you steep yourselves in the hot spring waters and gaze on the beautiful changing scenery of the seasons?

Here you will immerse yourself in a sacred atmosphere, surrounded by the abundant nature of the Kirishima mountains. The prestigious and impressive vermilion-lacquered shrine pavilions are built on a slope in the middle of a forest, and each is designated as both a national treasure and an important cultural property. Visitors are sure to discover something new no matter what season they visit, because each season offers spectacular views such as cherry blossoms or autumn leaves. After paying your respects at the shrine, we recommend taking a walk around the grounds and getting your fill of the beautiful nature of Kirishima.

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）

Located at the top of the small mountain at an altitude of 107 meters, this park offers a view encompassing the streets of Kagoshima City, the beautiful Kinko Bay, and Sakurajima. The spot is famous for its nighttime views as well. Access here is also quite convenient because it is a selected destination for tour buses and taxis.

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.

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.

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.

This hot spring is considered one of the top three hot springs in Japan for making your skin beautiful, with the content of the hot spring water being particularly good for that purpose, the other two being the Hinokami Hot Spring in Shimane Prefecture and the Kitsuregawa Hot Spring in Tochigi Prefecture. After your bath, you will experience just how silky and smooth your skin has become. While you’re there, don’t forget to try the local famous delicacy, Ureshino’s onsen yudofu.

This is the most popular power spot in Saga Prefecture, visited by approximately three million people each year in search of blessings for success in business, family safety, and matchmaking. Located on the slope of a mountainside 18 meters above ground, the main shrine offers a view of the surrounding nature and scenery which is particularly beautiful when azaleas and cherry blossoms are in season.

This outlet center was built in the Spanish Colonial style after the beautiful townscapes found in California. With approximately 170 shops from Japanese and international brands, visitors here can enjoy great discount shopping.

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 10,000 other shrines in Japan enshrining the same god, and is one of the largest shrines in Kyushu.
In addition to the main shrine（the temporary shrine）, the grounds also contain a variety of other historical buildings, such as a Dazaifu Tenmangu Museum and Kanko Historical Museum.
※The main shrine is currently undergoing renovation, and a temporary shrine has been set up.

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）

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.

This major commercial facility houses a number of attractions for your enjoyment, including fashion stores, dining, and entertainment options. It also features a total of nine indoor and outdoor parks. A life-sized Gundam figure stands at the entrance to command the attention of visitors.

This appealing area is a great place to enjoy shopping, gourmet dining, and cafes. There is also a 590 meter long underground shopping mall stretching below the main street, allowing you to enjoy your time there regardless of the weather. There are many other spots situated nearby where you can enjoy a walk while taking in the nature and history, such as Ohori Park and the Fukuoka Castle Ruins.