Day tour
Season: Year-roundTakachiho Gorge day tour
- Walk the gorge path to Manai Falls between basalt cliffs
- Many tours add Amano Iwato Shrine; the rowboats are usually extra
The essentials
| Location | South-east Kyushu, Japan, on the Pacific coast |
|---|---|
| Capital | Miyazaki city, with about 400,000 people |
| Population | About 1 million in the whole prefecture |
| Time zone | Japan Standard Time (UTC+9), with no daylight saving |
| Currency | Japanese yen (JPY) |
| Plugs | Type A (and B), 100 volts |
| Emergency numbers | 110 for police, 119 for fire and ambulance |
When to visit
Miyazaki is one of the warmest and sunniest parts of mainland Japan, but it also gets heavy rain in early summer and typhoons in late summer and autumn.
| Months | What to expect |
|---|---|
| March to May | Warm and pleasant, with cherry blossoms in late March and early April. Busy in Golden Week. |
| Late May to mid-July | The rainy season, with grey skies and heavy rain at times. Mangoes are in season. |
| Mid-July to September | Hot and humid, with highs above 30°C. The best beach and surf season, and the start of typhoon season. |
| October and November | Warm days and clear skies. Autumn colours in Takachiho in mid to late November. |
| December to February | Mild, dry and sunny days, with cold nights. The night kagura season in Takachiho villages. |
Read more about the best time to visit.
What to pack
- Light, breathable clothes for summer, and layers for spring, autumn and winter evenings
- A compact umbrella or rain jacket, especially from late May to October
- Sun cream, sunglasses and a hat for the coast
- Comfortable shoes that are easy to take off, for temples, shrines and ryokan
- Shoes with a good grip for the gorge path and the steps at Udo Jingu
- A small towel and a bag for your rubbish, as public bins are rare
Money and costs
Cards and mobile payments are accepted in hotels, chain stores and many restaurants, but small restaurants, shrines, rural buses and countryside shops may take cash only. Convenience store ATMs accept most foreign cards. Tipping is not expected in Japan.
Driving
A car is the easiest way to see Miyazaki. You need an International Driving Permit under the 1949 Geneva Convention, or an official translation of your licence for some countries. Japan drives on the left, and mountain roads to Takachiho and Kirishima are narrow and winding. Read our guide to getting around Miyazaki.
Health
- Heat: drink plenty of water and rest in the shade in summer. Heatstroke is common.
- The sea: swim only at beaches with lifeguards in summer, and watch for rip currents.
- Insurance: take out travel insurance that covers medical treatment.
Safety and natural hazards
- Typhoons: from August to October, typhoons can bring very strong winds and heavy rain. Follow the forecast, and expect transport to stop while one passes.
- Earthquakes and tsunamis: the coast faces the Nankai Trough. Learn the blue tsunami evacuation signs, and move to high ground at once if a tsunami warning sounds.
- Volcanoes: the Kirishima mountains are active. Check the Japan Meteorological Agency’s alert levels before you hike, and obey trail closures.
- Crime: very low, but take normal care of your belongings.
Local customs
- At a shrine, bow at the torii gate, rinse your hands at the water basin and walk to the side of the central path.
- Take your shoes off when you enter a home, a ryokan room or a temple hall.
- Wash before you get into a hot spring bath, and keep your towel out of the water.
- Do not eat while walking along busy streets, and take your rubbish with you.
