Three days in Miyazaki: the city, the Nichinan coast and Takachiho

Miyazaki’s highlights are spread out, so a little planning goes a long way. This three-day plan covers the city, the coast and the mountains, and it works best with a hire car. It starts and ends in Miyazaki city, which has the airport and the trains.

Day 1: Miyazaki city and Aoshima

• Morning: walk through the quiet forest to Miyazaki Shrine, then climb to Heiwadai Park to see the Haniwa Garden, with its copies of ancient clay figures.
• Afternoon: take the train or drive 30 minutes south to Aoshima. Cross the bridge to the island shrine and look for the rock ridges of the Devil’s Washboard. Check the tide times: they are best at low tide.
• Evening: back in Miyazaki city, head to Nishi-Tachibana for chicken nanban or charcoal-grilled jidori chicken. Our guide to what to eat in Miyazaki has more ideas.

Day 2: the Nichinan coast

• Morning: drive south on Route 220, stopping at the Horikiri Pass viewpoint and the roadside station Michi-no-Eki Phoenix, then continue to Udo Jingu, the vermilion shrine in a sea cave. Try your luck with the undama clay balls.
• Lunch: stop at Sun Messe Nichinan to see its seven moai, or carry on to Obi for lunch.
• Afternoon: walk the samurai lanes and castle walls of Obi, snacking on Obi-ten fish cakes as you go.
• Evening: drive back to Miyazaki city, about an hour, or stay the night in Obi.

See our full guide to driving the Nichinan coast.

Day 3: Takachiho

• Morning: leave early for the 2–2½-hour drive north to Takachiho. Walk the path along Takachiho Gorge and, if you have booked one, take a rowboat to Manai Falls.
• Afternoon: visit Amano Iwato Shrine and the cave of stone cairns at Amanoyasukawara, about 15 minutes’ drive from the gorge.
• Evening: watch the hour-long night kagura at Takachiho Shrine, and stay the night in town.

With more time

Add a day for Cape Toi and its wild horses, or head west into the volcanic mountains with our guide to Kirishima and the Ebino Plateau. Surfers can spend a morning in the waves near Aoshima.

Tips

• Book the boats: the rowboats at Takachiho Gorge sell out on busy days. Book online as soon as bookings open for your date.
• Without a car: days 1 and 2 work by train as far as Aoshima and Obi, but you will need a tour or a long bus ride for Udo Jingu and Takachiho. Read our guide to getting around Miyazaki.
• Check the weather: in typhoon season, keep a spare day in case roads and boats close.