Practical
Getting around Miyazaki: trains, buses, car hire and tours
How to get around Miyazaki Prefecture: the JR Nichinan and Nippo lines, buses, hiring a car and driving in Japan, reaching Takachiho, rail passes and when a tour makes sense.
Stories & guides
The Miyazaki travel blog
Takachiho Gorge and its night kagura, the Nichinan coast, Obi, surfing, food, the Kirishima mountains, an itinerary and practical tips for Miyazaki.
Latest posts
Practical
Nature
Kirishima and the Ebino Plateau: volcanoes, crater lakes and hot springs
A guide to the Miyazaki side of the Kirishima mountains: the Ebino Plateau, crater lake walks, volcano alerts and trail closures, hot springs and Kirishima Jingu.
Culture
A day in Obi: walking the castle town of Nichinan
A day trip to Obi, the castle town of Nichinan: Obi Castle and its museum, the samurai houses, the walking and eating map, Obi-ten fish cakes and how to get there from Miyazaki.
Outdoors
Surfing in Miyazaki: the best beaches, seasons and lessons
A guide to surfing in Miyazaki: the beach breaks around Aoshima and Kisakihama, Okuragahama in Hyuga, the best seasons, lessons for beginners, rentals and safety.
Food and drink
What to eat in Miyazaki: chicken nanban, jidori and mangoes
A guide to Miyazaki food: chicken nanban, charcoal-grilled jidori, Miyazaki beef, hiyajiru cold soup, mangoes, Obi-ten, cheese manju and shochu, and where to try them.
Day trips
Driving the Nichinan coast: Aoshima to Cape Toi
A road trip down the Nichinan coast from Miyazaki: Aoshima, Horikiri Pass, Udo Jingu, the moai of Sun Messe Nichinan, Obi castle town and the wild horses of Cape Toi.
Culture
The Takachiho night kagura: seeing the gods dance
What to expect at the Takachiho night kagura: the nightly show at Takachiho Shrine, the myth of the sun goddess, the all-night village kagura in winter, and tips for visitors.
Nature
Visiting Takachiho Gorge: rowboats, Manai Falls and how to get there
How to visit Takachiho Gorge: booking the rowboats to Manai Falls, the walking path, the best time of day, how to get there by bus or car, and what else to see in Takachiho.
Practical
The best time to visit Miyazaki: a season-by-season guide
When to visit Miyazaki: cherry blossom and spring warmth, the rainy season and mangoes, summer surf and typhoons, autumn colours in Takachiho and mild, sunny winters.
Itineraries
Three days in Miyazaki: the city, the Nichinan coast and Takachiho
A three-day plan for Miyazaki: the city and Aoshima, a drive down the Nichinan coast to Udo Jingu and Obi, and a night in Takachiho for the gorge and the kagura.