Miyazaki Hidden Gems
A sunny Pacific coast of surf beaches and palm trees, backed by mythic gorges and shrines tied to Japan's founding legends.
10 spots
Climate & Best Season
Warm, sunny and typhoon-exposed, with the most sunshine hours in Japan and very mild winters. Good year-round.
Famous For (Food)
- Chicken nanban
- Miyazaki beef
- Hiyajiru
- Mango
Signature Sights
- Takachiho Gorge
- Udo Shrine
- Aoshima's 'devil's washboard'
- Nichinan coast
Takachiho Gorge
Takachiho Gorge is one of Japan's most dramatic natural landscapes, carved by the Gokase River through ancient volcanic…
Cape Toi (Misaki Horses)
Cape Toi (Toi Misaki) is famous for its free-roaming Misaki horses — one of Japan's eight native horse breeds. Around 10…
Udo Jingu Shrine — Cliffside Cave Sanctuary
Udo Jingu is one of Japan's most dramatically sited shrines — built inside a seaside cave carved into volcanic cliffs, w…
Sun Messe Nichinan — Moai Statues Overlooking Pacific
Sun Messe Nichinan is a hillside park featuring seven full-scale Moai statues — officially licensed replicas of Easter I…
Omi Shrine — Sunrise Power Spot
Omi Shrine (大御神社) is a coastal Shinto shrine perched on rocks directly facing the Pacific Ocean, famous as one of Japan'…
Aoshima Island — Tropical Island Shrine
Aoshima is a small island (1.5km circumference) connected to the mainland by a walking bridge, famous for two features:…
Takachiho Amaterasu Railway — Abandoned Rail Ride
The Takachiho Railway line was permanently closed after a typhoon in 2005 destroyed sections of track. Rather than resto…
Miyazaki Jingu — Grand Shrine in the Forest
Miyazaki Jingu is one of Kyushu's most important shrines, dedicated to Emperor Jimmu — Japan's legendary first emperor w…
Miyazaki City Phoenix Zoo — Flamingo Paradise
Miyazaki City Phoenix Zoo is set on a hillside overlooking the Pacific Ocean, housing 1,200 animals with particular focu…
Amano Yasukawara Cave — Mythological Gathering Site
Amano Yasukawara (天安河原) is a large riverside cave along the Iwato River, believed to be the site where 8 million kami (g…