Facing the Pacific Ocean on Kyushu's east coast, Miyazaki Prefecture is home to beaches and forests, and is famous for its chicken dishes.
Browse & Book a hotel in Miyazaki
1. Aoshima
With a circumference of only 1.5 kilometers, Aoshima is a small island connected to the mainland at Aoshima Swimming Beach by the 'Yayoi Bridge.'
Unique rock formations known as the 'Devil's Washboard' encircle the island, while the interior is covered in lush sub-tropical vegetation, with 226 species of flora to be found, including various kinds of spermatophyta (seed plants) and ferns.
Aoshima
2 Chome Aoshima, Miyazaki, 889-2162
2. Eda Shrine
A popular healing spot, Eda Shrine was written about in the Engishiki as long ago as the 10th century and is noted as the place where two gods, Izanagi-no-Mikoto and Izanami-no-Mikoto, are enshrined.
It is also mentioned in the Norito chant, heard at shrines nationwide.
Izanami-no-Mikoto fled Yomi (the underworld) whilst being pursued by Izanaki-no-Miko, then washed in the pure waters here while reciting the chant. Thus, the impurities of the underworld were washed away, and the area became known as the 'birthplace of purification' and the 'birthplace of Norito.'
Eda Shrine
Yabo-127 Awakigaharacho, Miyazaki, 880-0835
3. Miyazaki Shrine
A neat and rustic-looking shrine with flowing natural lines, mostly constructed from Sano cedar.
The deities worshipped here are Emperor Jimmu, his father Ugayafukiaezu-no-Mikoto, and his mother, Tamayori-hime.
The buildings sit in a large peaceful forest. In the shrine's Toshin Garden, there is a great wisteria estimated to be over 400 years old and is designated a national treasure. At the northern edge of the forest, you can find a prefectural museum, an archaeological center, and old-style housing that has been carefully preserved and reconstructed.
Miyazaki Shrine
2 Chome-4-1 Shrine, Miyazaki, 880-0053
4. Saitobaru Burial Mounds
This group of over 300 burial mounds on the elevated ground is designated as a special historic park.
Other attractions include the Prefectural Saitobaru Archaeological Museum, the Saitobaru Ancient Life Experience Museum, and the Oninoiwaya burial mound, which is restored in mostly its original form.
Saitobaru Burial Mounds
Miyake, Saito, Miyazaki 881-0005
5. Udo Shrine
Located on the Udozaki headland in a cliff cave facing the sea, the colorful Udo Shrine is dedicated to the god of marriage and has connections to Emperor Jimmu, the first emperor of Japan.
Udo Shrine
3232 Miyaura, Nichinan, Miyazaki 887-0101
6. The Evergreen Forest of Aya River
Known as Japan's largest evergreen forest area, this extensive forest comprises oak, castanopsis, and beech trees and spreads across the landscape northwest of Aya Town.
At the upper end of the Ayaminami River in the Aya River valley is the Teruha Suspension Bridge. This impressive pedes…
