Miyazaki Travel Guide
Miyazaki is a strong Japan travel destination for coastal drives, shrines, mythology, beaches, gorges, and warm-weather Kyushu scenery.
Quick facts
- Best for: coastal drives, shrines, mythology, beaches
- Recommended stay: 1 to 3 days
- Best season: Spring, autumn, and key local festival seasons
- Main bases: Aoshima, Takachiho Gorge, Udo Shrine, Nichinan Coast
Why visit Miyazaki
Miyazaki is the sunny Pacific side of Kyushu and the heartland of Japan’s founding myths. Takachiho Gorge is a narrow chasm of columnar basalt with a waterfall falling into it, seen from rental rowing boats on the water below — the boats are limited and book up, so reserve rather than arrive hoping. The town is also where kagura, the sacred dance, is still performed nightly for visitors. On the coast, Aoshima Shrine sits on a small island ringed by wave-cut rock shelves, Udo Shrine is built inside a sea cave in a cliff, and Sun Messe Nichinan has full-size moai replicas above the ocean.
Getting to Miyazaki
Miyazaki has an airport close to the city with flights from Tokyo and Osaka, which is how most visitors arrive — the rail routes around or across Kyushu are long. Takachiho is the awkward one: it is well inland in the mountains, has no passenger railway, and takes a bus from Kumamoto or Nobeoka, so it needs its own night rather than a day trip. The coast south of Miyazaki city is an easy and scenic drive.
Top Attractions in Miyazaki
Takachiho Gorge
Takachiho Gorge is a narrow volcanic ravine in northern Miyazaki where the Gokase River cuts between columnar basalt cliffs and the Manai Falls drops straight into the water, and it is the signature nature stop for this part of Kyushu whether you approach from Miyazaki or from neighboring Oita.
Price Free to walk the gorge footpathTime needed 1 to 2 hours for the walking path and viewpoints; add waiting time in peak season if you want a boat
Aoshima Shrine
Aoshima Shrine sits on a small subtropical island just off the Miyazaki coast, reached by a footbridge across a striking natural rock shelf known as the Devil's Washboard, and it works well as a half-day beach-and-shrine stop south of Miyazaki city.
Price Free to enter the shrine and walk the islandTime needed 1 to 2 hours, more if you linger on the beach or walk further along the Devil's Washboard
Udo Shrine
Udo Shrine is one of the few shrines in Japan built directly inside a sea cave, tucked into a cliff on the Nichinan coast south of Miyazaki city, with a vivid red-lacquered main hall and ocean views that make it one of the prefecture's most photographed sights.
Price Free to enter the shrine groundsTime needed 45 minutes to 1.5 hours, including the walk down to the cave and back up
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Sun Messe Nichinan
Sun Messe Nichinan is a hillside coastal park on the Nichinan coast best known for its row of officially authorized Moai replica statues facing the Pacific, paired with wide ocean views that make it an easy, slightly offbeat stop south of Udo Shrine.
Price Paid. Around yen 800 for adults, yen 500 for teens, and yen 350 for children, with young children freeTime needed 1 to 1.5 hours to walk the park and see the Moai and viewpoints
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Where to stay
- Use Miyazaki City, Takachiho, Nichinan as practical bases depending on your route.
- Stay near the main station for transport-heavy trips.
- Choose an onsen, coastal, or historic area for a slower overnight stay.
Sample itinerary
- Day 1: Start with the main city, food area, and easiest signature sights.
- Day 2: Visit the top nature, shrine, castle, or cultural area.
- Day 3: Add a day trip, onsen, coast, island, or rural stop if your schedule allows.
Food to try
- Chicken nanban
- Mango
- Beef
- Local shochu
Common questions
Should you book the Takachiho boats?
Yes. The rental rowing boats on the gorge are limited and book up, so reserve rather than arrive hoping.
Is Takachiho a day trip?
No. It is well inland in the mountains with no passenger railway, and takes a bus from Kumamoto or Nobeoka, so it needs its own night.
How do most visitors arrive in Miyazaki?
By air. The airport is close to the city with flights from Tokyo and Osaka, since the rail routes around or across Kyushu are long.
What is there to see on the Miyazaki coast?
Aoshima Shrine on its island ringed by wave-cut rock shelves, and Udo Shrine built inside a sea cave. The drive south of the city is easy and scenic.
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