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Located in southeastern Kyushu, Miyazaki Prefecture is a charming destination where you can enjoy a warm climate with a tropical atmosphere, settings from Japanese mythology, and a unique food culture.
Miyazaki Prefecture is home to many popular tourist attractions known throughout Japan. Shrines floating on the sea, shrines nestled in cliffside caves, gorges that served as the stage for myths, and cuisines you can only taste here—the more you learn about it, the more you’ll want to visit.
In this article, we introduce the attractions of three popular areas for Miyazaki sightseeing: Miyazaki City, Nichinan City, and Takachiho Town. Once you understand the characteristics of each area, you’re sure to find the perfect Miyazaki trip for you.
Miyazaki Prefecture is located in southeastern Kyushu, with its eastern side facing the Pacific Ocean. The climate is warm year-round, and the atmosphere resembles a tropical resort with phoenix palm trees planted throughout the city.
The starting point for Miyazaki sightseeing is Miyazaki Airport (Miyazaki Bougainvillea Airport). Located within Miyazaki City, access to the city center takes only about 10 minutes by train.
In this article, we’ll introduce three particularly popular areas in Miyazaki Prefecture.
As you can see from the map, with Miyazaki City at the center, Nichinan City lies to the south and Takachiho Town to the north. Miyazaki City and Nichinan City are relatively close, making it possible to visit both areas in a 2-day, 1-night trip. On the other hand, Takachiho Town is located in the mountains at a greater distance, so we recommend visiting on a separate trip.
Renting a car is essential for Miyazaki sightseeing. If you rent a car at the airport or near Miyazaki Station, you can easily access each area. While trains and buses are available, service is limited, so a car is more convenient if you want to move around freely.
Miyazaki City is the prefectural capital of Miyazaki Prefecture and serves as the gateway for tourism with Miyazaki Airport.
From the spiritual power spot Aoshima Shrine floating on the sea, to the entrance of the scenic Nichinan Coast drive overlooking the Pacific, local cuisine including Chicken Nanban and Jidori chicken, and the entertainment district Nishitachi—there’s an abundance of diverse attractions.
Aoshima is a small island floating in the sea off Miyazaki City. Aoshima Shrine, located at its center, is popular as a spiritual power spot for matchmaking.
The unique rock formations called “Devil’s Washboard” surrounding the island, subtropical plants covering the entire island, and the vermilion main hall create a distinctive atmosphere unmatched anywhere else in Japan. Visitors from across the country come to pray for success in love and good relationships.
Read more about Aoshima Shrine
The Nichinan Coast, stretching from Miyazaki City to Nichinan City, is popular as a scenic driving route overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
Located at its entrance is Horikiri Pass, a viewing spot where you can see the ocean and Devil’s Washboard spread out below. Nearby is Roadside Station Phoenix, where you can enjoy spectacular views while taking a break.
Read more about Horikiri Pass
Read more about Roadside Station Phoenix
Miyazaki has a distinctive food culture of its own.
Chicken Nanban is a local specialty that originated in Miyazaki. It consists of fried chicken coated in sweet vinegar and topped with tartar sauce. You can enjoy the authentic taste at long-established restaurants, including “Ogura,” known as the birthplace of this dish.
Karamen is a Miyazaki specialty that originated in Nobeoka. Characterized by chili peppers, garlic, Chinese chives, ground meat, egg, and a secret soup, it has a spicy yet delicious, addictive flavor. "Karamenya Masumoto" is known as the originating restaurant, with multiple locations in Miyazaki City.
For the best Karamen experience, we recommend getting it with garlic. However, since it contains a lot of garlic, those concerned about the smell may want to order it without garlic or consider when to eat it.
Charcoal-grilled Jidori chicken is another signature Miyazaki dish. The local chicken grilled heartily over charcoal is known for its fragrant aroma and firm texture. It pairs perfectly with Miyazaki shochu. “Maruman” is a long-established restaurant known for its charcoal-grilled Jidori chicken, beloved by both locals and tourists.
Read more about Maruman
Toyokichi Udon is a local favorite loved by Miyazaki residents. You can enjoy hearty udon at reasonable prices at this go-to spot for Miyazaki City locals.
Read more about Toyokichi Udon
Nishitachi is Miyazaki City’s largest entertainment district. Centered around Nishi-Tachibana Street, this area is packed with restaurants and is said to have the most snack bars in Japan.
Enjoy charcoal-grilled Jidori chicken with Miyazaki shochu—this is the quintessential Miyazaki nighttime experience. From casual izakaya pubs to established restaurants, you can choose according to your preference.
Read more about Nishitachi
Here’s a recommended plan for exploring Miyazaki City Area in one day.
The key to this course is efficiently covering both the city center and suburban areas. Since Aoshima Shrine and Horikiri Pass are in the southern suburbs of Miyazaki City, visiting them together in the afternoon and returning to the city center in the evening creates a smooth flow. Enjoy gourmet food in the city for lunch, then wrap up at Nishitachi at night to fully experience Miyazaki City’s charms in one day.
About 40-50 minutes south of Miyazaki City by car, Nichinan City offers two contrasting attractions: scenic spots along the Pacific coast and a historic inland castle town.
Udo Jingu Shrine sits perched on the sheer cliffs facing Hyuga-nada Sea in Nichinan City.
Its most distinctive feature is the “Kudari-miya” structure—unlike typical shrines where you ascend to worship, here you descend stairs to reach the sanctuary, making it one of Japan’s Three Great Descending Shrines. The main hall is nestled within a wave-carved cave, creating a mystical scene.
Additionally, the spectacular approach overlooking the Pacific, the vermilion main hall inside the cave, and “Undama Nage” (lucky ball throwing) where you throw clay balls while making a wish—these are unique experiences you can’t find at other shrines.
Read more about Udo Jingu Shrine
Sun Messe Nichinan is a tourist spot with contemporary art scattered across a hill overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
The seven Moai statues are particularly special—they are the only officially authorized replicas in the world, permitted by the Easter Island Council of Elders. With numerous photo spots including the contemporary art installations, the park also features the Butterfly Paradise and Lovers’ Hill.
Read more about Sun Messe Nichinan
Obi, located in the inland area of Nichinan City, Miyazaki Prefecture, was designated in 1977 as the first Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings in Kyushu—a historic castle town.
Samurai residences, merchant houses, and colorful koi swimming in the waterways—you can stroll through the townscape that retains the atmosphere of the Edo period while enjoying local gourmet food walking.
Local specialties include “Obi-ten” (fried tofu) and “Atsuyaki Tamago” (thick-grilled egg) with a pudding-like texture different from regular rolled omelets. Be sure to try them while strolling through the town.
Read more about Obi Castle Town Sightseeing
Obi Castle, the centerpiece of the castle town sightseeing, is also a must-visit spot. The defensive structures ingeniously designed by predecessors remain intact today, and the mystical forest at the main bailey ruins is also popular as a spiritual spot.
Read more about Obi Castle
Here’s a recommended plan for efficiently exploring Nichinan City Area.
The key to this course is the flow from the coast to inland. Sun Messe Nichinan and Udo Jingu Shrine are along coastal Route 220, allowing you to visit them together in the morning. From noon, head to inland Obi Castle Town. Food walking while strolling can also serve as lunch. With this plan, you can finish your itinerary before evening, making it a good option to stay at a hotel in Obi or combine with Miyazaki City Area for a 2-day, 1-night trip.
Located in the mountainous area of northern Miyazaki Prefecture, Takachiho Town is known as the land where the gods descended from heaven—the stage of Japanese mythology.
About 2 to 2.5 hours by car from Miyazaki Airport, or about 1.5 hours from Kumamoto Airport. Despite the distance, a mystical world awaits that you can’t experience anywhere else.
Takachiho Gorge is a ravine formed when pyroclastic flows from major eruptions of Mount Aso about 120,000 and 90,000 years ago cooled and solidified. Cliffs 80-100 meters high continue for about 7 kilometers, showcasing the beautiful columnar jointing.
The symbol is “Manai Falls.” Selected as one of Japan’s Top 100 Waterfalls, this approximately 17-meter waterfall creates a mystical scene as it quietly cascades into the gorge. You can even get close by rental boat.
Walking paths are well-maintained, allowing you to enjoy the columnar jointing cliffs and lush green scenery while walking along the gorge.
Read more about Takachiho Gorge
Throughout Takachiho Town, you’ll find shrines connected to Japanese mythology.
Takachiho Shrine is an ancient shrine with approximately 1,900 years of history. Within the grounds are two cedar trees called “Meoto-sugi” (Married Couple Cedars)—it’s said that walking around them three times hand-in-hand brings good relationships. Additionally, “Takachiho Kagura” is performed every night at 20:00 at the Kagura Hall on the grounds.
Read more about Takachiho Shrine
Amanoiwato Shrine enshrines “Ama-no-Iwato” (the heavenly rock cave) where the sun goddess Amaterasu is said to have hidden. The “Amanoiwato Worship” guided by shrine priests is highly recommended. Nearby “Amano Yasukawara” is the place where eight million gods gathered to discuss—a mystical space with countless stacked stones.
Read more about Amanoiwato Shrine
If you visit Takachiho, we recommend staying overnight to enjoy the evening.
“Takachiho Kagura” is held every night at 20:00 at Takachiho Shrine. Originally an all-night ritual dance, the highlights are condensed into approximately one hour. Experience the world of mythology in a mystical atmosphere.
Enjoy dinner at your hotel or a local izakaya pub. Takachiho beef, mountain vegetables, and Takachiho shochu—savor flavors unique to this land. The standard way to spend your evening is to have dinner before enjoying Kagura from 20:00.
Read more about Takachiho Town Evening Model Plan
Read more about Takachiho Town Evening Dining
Here’s a recommended plan for exploring Takachiho Town with an overnight stay.
The key to this course is experiencing Takachiho’s different charms during day and night. In the morning, enjoy the gorge’s spectacular scenery at Takachiho Gorge. In the afternoon, visit the mythological stage of Amanoiwato Shrine. Then in the evening, enjoy local flavors before immersing yourself in the world of mythology through Takachiho Kagura. This plan allows you to experience the profound appeal of Takachiho that you can’t get from a day trip.
Shrines floating on the sea, shrines nestled in cliffside caves.
Castle towns that still remain, gorges where myths live on, and diverse local cuisine.
Miyazaki Prefecture is filled with scenery and attractions you can only find here.
Miyazaki City Area serves as the gateway for tourism, a convenient base with a tropical resort atmosphere, local gourmet food, and an entertainment district.
Nichinan City Area is where spectacular scenery and history intersect—featuring Udo Jingu Shrine perched on cliffs, Moai statues at Sun Messe Nichinan, and Obi Castle Town, the Little Kyoto of Kyushu.
Takachiho Town Area is a special place where you can immerse yourself in gorges and shrines from the world of mythology, and experience Yokagura.
Take your time exploring one area, or combine multiple areas—enjoy the charms of Miyazaki in your own travel style.
