Should you’re staying in Fukuoka or Nagasaki, taking a calming journey to Miyazaki is likely to be precisely what you want. Take a look at this Miyazaki itinerary that can enable you plan the right day on this beautiful metropolis, and absorb the solar in a few of Japan’s most well-known areas.
Nestled between Mt. Kirishima and the ocean of southwestern Kyūshū, Miyazaki gives many distinctive methods to expertise the nice outside. The subtropical climate and constant sunshine make Miyazaki the best place to discover in at some point (or possibly two).
From the scent of scorching wagyu beef to the style of a number of the world’s finest mangoes, you’ll be able to benefit from the spirit of Miyazaki and expertise life as locals do. Catch the following large wave with surfers in Nichinan, ship your needs to the heavens at Udo Jingu Shrine, or calm down beneath the swaying palm bushes of Aoshima.
Miyazaki Metropolis has loads of enjoyable issues to supply, and we hope this itinerary will provide you with some inspiration for issues to do in Miyazaki.
One Day In Miyazaki Itinerary
Right here’s our checklist of all the very best locations to go to in Miyazaki when visiting for at some point:
1. Arrive In Miyazaki
Though it’s generally referred to as “the island inside an island,” taking a day journey to Miyazaki is simpler than you suppose. A flight from Fukuoka is barely 45 minutes; a flight from Osaka is 60 minutes; and a flight from Haneda is slightly below 1.5 hours.
By prepare, the quickest route is from Hakata to Kagoshima by way of the Kyushu Shinkansen (3.5 hours) after which Kagoshima to Miyazaki (one other 2 hours).
There are additionally two ferries obtainable from Kobe to Miyazaki. The whole voyage takes round 12 to 13 hours, and the fundamental fare for one grownup is 12,260 yen. Each ferries have an onsen (public tub) on board and provide non-public rooms in addition to pet-friendly choices. Should you’re not in a rush and are planning to spend extra time in Kyūshū (our 7 day Kyushu itinerary may also help!), an in a single day ferry is a wonderful option to journey.
There are many issues to do in Miyazaki that don’t require entry to a automobile. Nevertheless, if you need to go to a number of the extra distant locations, comparable to Cape Toi and the Takachiho Gorge, renting a automobile can be advisable. For this itinerary, we’ll be focusing totally on locations which can be inside an inexpensive driving distance of Miyazaki Metropolis.
2. Go to Nichinan Coast Highway Park
One of the best place to get pleasure from panoramic views of the ocean in addition to the well-known “Satan’s Washboard” (鬼の洗濯板) is Nichinan Coast Highway Park. Satan’s Washboard (pictured within the picture on the high. of this text) is a pure phenomenon shaped by wave erosion.
From Miyazaki Metropolis, it takes about one hour to the Nichinan Coast Highway Park. It’s paying homage to California’s State Route 1. On the park, there’s a restaurant, bogs and locations to take photographs of the Pacific Ocean. It’s an idyllic place to soak within the ocean views and watch small fishing vessels move by.
Many travellers cease right here on their means all the way down to Nichinan. Should you journey farther south to the underside of the prefecture, you’ll be able to attain the Nichinan Coast Quasi-Nationwide Park positioned in Cape Toi. Within the park, wild horses often called Misaki-Uma (御崎馬) roam free.
You may watch the horses grazing on grass-covered hills that overlook the ocean (it’s a dream-like place that appears prefer it got here straight out of a Studio Ghibli movie!). Getting out of the automobile and going up near the horses is allowed, though the park recommends visitors deal with the horses with respect. It’s finest to not contact them for security causes.
3. Take A Image With The Totoro Bus Cease
Did somebody say, Studio Ghibli? Should you’re accustomed to the works of Hayao Miyazaki, who is known for guiding and animating lots of Japan’s most beloved movies, you could acknowledge this lovable character instantly.
Totoro is the titular character of the kids’s film, “My Neighbor Totoro”. Commissioned as a gift for a member of the family who loves the character of Totoro, the Totoro Bus Stop is a heart-warming attraction positioned within the countryside of Aoshima.
Regardless of its identify, the one option to entry this (and a lot of the different well-known Totoro locations in Miyazaki) is by automobile. If you’re a fan of Studio Ghibli, this beautiful cease alongside the coast is the right addition to your Miyazaki itinerary.
Not removed from the Totoro Bus Cease lies Fuji Seashore. It’s a fantastic place to get away from the crowds and revel in an genuine seashore in Miyazaki.
There are numerous macaque monkeys residing in Aoshima, so it’s potential that you just get to see them hanging from the tree branches. Much like the horses of Cape Toi, interacting with the monkeys will not be suggested, so you’ll want to look out for them and take house trash to maintain their setting and the seashores clear!
4. Discover Udo Shrine
In addition to having world-class browsing spots and scrumptious seafood, comparable to spiny lobster (伊勢海老の刺身), the city of Nichinan can also be house to Udo Shrine.
Tucked away in a sea cave, Udo Shrine gives breathtaking views of the ocean and perception into the mythology of Japan. Established in 1711, legend says that the daddy of Japan’s first emperor, Ugayafukiaezu, was born right here.
After Princess Toyotama, daughter of Ryujin, a dragon-like god of the ocean, gave delivery to Ugayafukiaezu, she deserted him after her true kind was revealed. To offer nourishment for the new child, legend has it that she precipitated breast-shaped rocks to provide milk to feed him. These rocks are nonetheless seen to at the present time.
You could discover that there are statues and pictures of rabbits in all places at Udo Shrine. This is likely to be a little bit of a tongue-in-cheek allusion to Udo Shrine’s institution as a spot to hope for fertility and blessings with childbirth. It more than likely originated within the story of Princess Toyotama and Ugayafukiaezu.
Close to the shrine, you can even discover a sacred rock referred to as Kame-ishi. It’s stated to grants needs to those that can throw their clay “fortunate balls” into the shimenawa. Historically, ladies are anticipated to throw the balls with their proper hand and males with their left. There isn’t a restrict to what number of balls you should buy, however for round 100 Yen you’ll be able to throw 5 balls.
The final time I visited Udo Shrine, components of the cliffside had been underneath development on account of severe erosion on account of current typhoons. Whereas this didn’t have an effect on our entry to Udo Shrine (moreover the closest parking zone being closed), it did make me surprise how for much longer we will entry this wonderful shrine that’s hidden in a cliff by the ocean.
5. Loosen up At Aoshima Seashore Park
It’s time to make our means again to civilization and shut the curtain in your excellent day journey in Miyazaki. One of the best place to observe the sundown behind the mountains is none aside from Aoshima Seashore Park.
Right here, you’ll be able to calm down underneath the shade of a cabana and revel in your drink of alternative as you hearken to the sound of the tide coming in. Aoshima is a well-liked place for vacationers to remain, because of its shut proximity to the seashore.
Relying in your funds, lodging vary out of your typical back-packer haunts like hostels and AirBnB’s, to the newly accomplished Not A Hotel, which appears to be like prefer it might be the following location of Miyazaki’s very personal Terrace Home.
Should you’re excited about taking browsing or yoga classes, there are lessons obtainable at Surf Metropolis, Miyazaki. You will discover extra details about their costs here.
For a really Aoshima expertise, there are eating places I like to recommend that cater to 2 very various kinds of clients:
- Noosa Heads is a surfer’s delight and is a brief drive from the seashore.
- Sky Café Zeal has vegan choices and makes use of substances which can be harvested from an on-sight greenhouse.
6. Go to Aoshima Shrine
Inside view of Aoshima Seashore Park is an island that homes Aoshima Shrine. That is the final vacation spot on our at some point itinerary in Miyazaki.
You may attain Aoshima by crossing the Yayoi Bridge on foot or by three-wheeled rickshaw, often known as a tuk-tuk. On random days, the tuk-tuk is accessible freed from cost to shuttle vacationers throughout the small island, which has a circumference of about 1.5 km in whole.
Based on legend, Princess Toyotama, the daughter of the ocean god, and Prince Yamasachi, the god of searching, had been married on this island. Inside the shrine’s precinct is a pathway surrounded by lush tropical greenery.
You may cross underneath the ema or needs of individuals written on a picket plaque, and enterprise into the island’s seemingly impenetrable forest to a different shrine often called “Inori-no-kodo“. A competition is held on the second Monday of January yearly to commemorate the assembly of Princess Toyotama and Prince Yamasachi.
On Coming Of Age Day, the Aoshima Bare Man Competition is held in Aoshima. Throughout the competition, males in loincloths and tabi socks bear the frigid waters to pay homage to an historical ceremony during which a person and lady are stated to have visited Aoshima Shrine yearly, while bare. Girls are additionally allowed to take part on this occasion.
You probably have some further time earlier than or after visiting Aoshima Shrine, the Aoshima Subtropical Botanical Backyard, which boasts fruits and flowers from all around the globe, is one other nice possibility for guests to take a look at.
Is Miyazaki Price A Go to?
Sure, Miyazaki is unquestionably price a go to if you happen to’re travelling round Kyūshū.
From the sun-soaked coast of Nichinan to the Totoro Bus Cease, there are such a lot of fantastic issues to do this this itinerary doesn’t even cowl half of them. Miyazaki is unquestionably price a go to and it’s a kind of particular locations in Japan that can maintain you wanting to come back again once more for extra.
How Many Days Do You Want In Miyazaki?
Visiting the locations on this itinerary can be a good way to spend at some point in Miyazaki. Many vacationers go for spending an evening in Takachiho, seeing the annual Kagura competition (November 22 and 23), and waking up early to catch the dawn mild up the gorge.
On July 14, 2023, the Toiglam Solasita was opened and travellers will have the ability to expertise luxurious glamping in Cape Toi. For others, doing a little sightseeing round Miyazaki Metropolis can also be a superb possibility. You probably have cash to splurge on luxurious lodging, the Sheraton Grande Ocean Resort is the place many well-known golfers and athletes keep when visiting Miyazaki for a sporting occasion.
Whilst you can see loads in Miyazaki in at some point, there are sufficient choices to spend extra time right here. All of it is determined by the stuff you’d prefer to see and do.
Conclusion – One Day In Miyazaki Itinerary
Should you’re contemplating taking a full tour of Kyūshū, all of those areas would make an thrilling addition to your Miyazaki itinerary. Due to its comparatively distant location, Miyazaki usually flies underneath the radar for many vacationers exterior of Japan. Though Miyazaki is nearer to Okinawa than it’s to Tokyo, there are unforgettable sights to be discovered alongside the Nichinan Coast.
You probably have a day to spend on this wonderful prefecture, come and see for your self the entire fantastic issues Miyazaki has to supply!