Miyazaki Prefecture: Coast, Kagura and Regional Cuisine

Miyazaki Prefecture offers a range of travel experiences: a gorge with a waterfall and Kagura, a long coastline with surfing, hiking trails and a distinctive food culture. Which of these appeals to you most can help guide your choice of destination within the prefecture. For current travel planning, Miyazaki Prefecture and the Miyazaki Prefecture Tourism Association jointly operate the official multilingual portal VISIT MIYAZAKI. As the website and its information structure may change, check the current official portal before your trip.

Takachiho: Gorge, Waterfall and Kagura

Takachiho Gorge stretches for about seven kilometers between steep cliffs that rise around 80 to 100 meters. Its emerald-green waters can be explored by boat. One of its striking natural features is Manai Falls, counted among Japan’s 100 most notable waterfalls. Together, the gorge, water and cliffs shape the impression of the landscape here.

Takachiho’s culture offers another distinct focus. Takachiho Kagura can be experienced year-round, outside the seasonal period of overnight Kagura performances. A one-hour performance is held daily at 8 p.m. in the Kagura Hall on the grounds of Takachiho Shrine. It features four representative dances from a total of 33 Kagura pieces. As performance schedules may change, check the current program before your trip.

Nichinan Coast and Surfing

The Nichinan Coast stretches for about 100 kilometers from the south of Miyazaki City to Cape Toi. It runs through the cities of Miyazaki, Nichinan and Kushima, providing an extensive stretch of coastline to consider when planning your trip. The coast is also a major surfing area: its varied waves attract surfers from Japan and around the world. Conditions at sea may vary.

Based in Aoshima, Miyazaki Surf Guide offers surfing experiences for beginners, intermediate lessons and private surf guides tailored to Miyazaki’s waves. Surfboards and wetsuits are also available. If surfing is an important part of your trip, you can take these different lesson and guide formats into account when planning. Offerings and booking conditions may change; check the latest information in advance.

Shrines and Traditional Experiences

Udo Shrine is located in a sea cave on a cliff jutting out into the ocean in southern Miyazaki Prefecture. The area, including the shrine, is part of a national scenic and viewing site designated in 2017 under the name Udo. A local tradition invites visitors to take part: undama stones are thrown toward a rock known as Kameishi, about twelve meters away.

In Obi, visitors can also try Shihamato, a traditional short-bow archery technique. This offers a different experience from the prefecture’s natural and coastal attractions. Check locally to see whether this activity is available. When deciding which experiences you want to shape your trip, you can weigh a coastal religious site against a traditional activity in Obi.

Hiking Between Crater Lakes and a Gorge

On the Ebino Plateau, a trekking route of about two hours connects three crater lakes: Shiromizuike, Rokukannonmiike and Fudōike. The approximate duration gives you an idea of how much time to allow for this hike; trail conditions may change. Check the current route conditions before setting out.

The trail along Kaeida Gorge offers opportunities for forest bathing and birdwatching. Its history gives it a distinctive route: it once followed an almost level track used by a narrow-gauge railway. The two hiking options described here therefore differ both in their landscapes and in the information provided about their routes. At Kaeida Gorge, the former railway track provides historical context; trail conditions may change.

Regional Cuisine from Miyazaki

Miyazaki Prefecture is one of Japan’s leading shochu-producing regions. Ingredients used include sweet potatoes, koji rice and wheat. These different ingredients offer a concrete way into the region’s drink culture: if you are interested in shochu, you will find several base ingredients here rather than just one type.

Miyazaki Beef is also closely associated with the region. It comes from Japanese Black cattle raised in Miyazaki and is known for its pronounced marbling, rich flavor and pleasant aroma when grilled. Mangoes are another regional specialty. The subtropical climate is well suited to growing them; the fruit is kept in nets on the trees as it ripens, protecting it from pressure marks.

Hiyajiru is a dish associated with Miyazaki. The cold soup is made with dried fish and miso, poured over cooked rice and eaten with refreshing summer vegetables such as cucumber. Shochu, Miyazaki Beef, mangoes and hiyajiru show different sides of the regional cuisine—from a drink made with various base ingredients to a cold soup with a specific preparation method.

Discover Destinations in the Prefecture

Discover more destinations: Miyazaki, Kobayashi, Sankasho, Ebino, Saito, Gokase, Nobeoka, Takachiho, Nichinan, Hyūga, Miyakonojo.

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