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 shrine has been situated at the foot of the Mount Aso over a history spanning more than 2,000 years. The shrine has been blended with the ancient worship of volcanos, in which the Mount Aso crater itself is revered as a deity, and has long been revered by the local people. The Romon gate at the shrine, one of the largest in Kyushu and considered one of the three great gates of this type in Japan, is designated as an important cultural property by the national government.

The view from the mountain peak here, at an altitude of 935 meters, is amazing! Before you, a vast and beautiful grassland spreads forth in a gradation of greenery. The observation deck offers you a panoramic view encompassing the city of Aso, the five peaks of Aso, and the Kuju mountain range. You can even see a mystical sea of clouds if your timing is just right. The sea of clouds phenomenon is most likely to occur early in the morning from fall to winter. Keep your eye on the weather and see if you can experience this mystical vision yourself.

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.

 

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.

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.

​​​​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.

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.

This is the ideal spot to experience the beautiful sights of Sakurajima. Located midway along a walking path of a total of one kilometer in length, it is a great place to refresh yourself while enjoying nature and the plethora of local flora.
Along the way is the notable “Lion Rock”, so named because it looks a bit like a lion, which makes a great place to snap photographs.

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.

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）

Sogi Falls is known as the Niagara of the East, at approximately 12 meters high over a width of approximately 210 meters. The roar of the waters as they crash down the rock face, seeming to carve it as they go, is breathtaking.
The entire area is managed as a nature park, colored by cherry blossoms and azaleas in the springtime and gingko trees and other autumn leaves in the fall, and their reflection on the waters charm the many visitors throughout the seasons. Why not spend a moment here and let the sounds of the falls bring calm to your heart?

This port facility serves as a hub for receiving international cruise ships and also has Kumamon Park, a park themed after Kumamon, a popular character of Kumamoto Prefecture, on the grounds. Visitors here can meet Kumamon in a variety of forms, such as the giant six meter high Kumamon and the Kumamon chorus comprised of a total of 54 individual Kumamon.

This bustling shopping area spreads over the central part of Kumamoto City, featuring a diverse array of department stores, boutiques, and restaurants lined up one after the other. There is a particularly abundant collection of restaurants serving gourmet local cuisines, such as Basashi raw horsemeat or Karashi Renkon spicy lotus root, as well chic cafes offering a variety of sweets, making the arcade a treasure trove of delicious foods

Kumamoto Castle is said to be one of the three most famous castles in Japan, featuring massive stone walls and a beautiful main keep. Also known as Ginnanjo, it was built over a period of approximately seven years starting in 1601. Visitors can learn about the history of the castle and the town surrounding it from the large scale diorama and theater located in the main keep. The observation floor at the top also offers a panoramic view of the streets of Kumamoto.
It is also famous as a place to see cherry blossoms in the springtime, and the beauty of those blossoms against the backdrop of the castle is breathtaking. So why not come experience the history together with the amazing scenery?

* While the castle suffered some damage during the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake, it is gradually being repaired. (See below for information on progress.)

This tourist facility is located at the foot of Kumamoto Castle. It offers a variety of attractions, such as Kumamoto Castle Museum Wakuwakuza, featuring interactive and virtual reality displays that let you experience the history of Kumamoto, and Sakura-no-koji, a street that recreates the castle town from approximately 300 years ago and features over 20 restaurants and shops that offer gifts and foods of Kumamoto. There is also a general tourist information center on the grounds where you will always find tourism volunteers ready to help you.

This shopping center boasts the largest area in Kyushu and features approximately 200 shops including fashion brands and restaurants. Enjoy a bit of shopping to close out your trip.