Miyazaki Prefecture｜A Land Where Sun and Sea Shape Southern Culture
Miyazaki Prefecture｜A Land Where Sun and Sea Shape Southern Culture
Located in the southeastern part of Kyushu, Miyazaki Prefecture enjoys a warm climate and beautiful coastal scenery.
With some of the longest hours of sunshine in Japan, it lives up to its nickname “Hyuga no Kuni,” or “Land of the Sun.”
The Nichinan Coast, along with landmarks like Aoshima and Udo Shrine, offers dramatic coastal landscapes combined with historical depth. Around Aoshima, visitors are drawn to the unique rock formations known as the “Devil’s Washboard,” a natural wonder that lines the shore.
Miyazaki is also known as a training hub for professional sports teams, especially in the winter months. The region’s mild weather and natural environment make it an ideal location for off-season camps for professional baseball and soccer teams.
Agriculture and livestock farming thrive in this environment, producing top-quality goods such as Miyazaki beef, fully ripened mangoes, and the renowned kumquat variety “Tamatama.” Fertile soil and favorable weather conditions support this agricultural strength.
With the sun, sea, nature, and culture in harmony, Miyazaki embodies the charm of southern Japan and continues to play a vital role in both tourism and industry.
- Miyazaki City
- Miyazaki city
- Miyakonojo city
- Nobeoka city
- Approximately 1 million
- Takachiho Gorge
- Aoshima
- Sunmesse Nichinan
- Ebino Plateau
- Hiyajiru – Chilled miso soup with vegetables and fish, typically poured over rice.
- Chicken Nanban – Fried chicken marinated in sweet vinegar and topped with tartar sauce.
- Hyuga kaya go and shogi boards, crafted from rare Japanese torreya wood prized for its durability and rich grain.
- Takachiho Kagura masks, traditional wooden masks used in sacred Shinto dance performances in Miyazaki Prefecture.
Takachiho Gorge – A stunning mythical landscape of sheer basalt cliffs and crystal-clear river waters.
Udo Shrine – A mystical seaside shrine built inside a cave on a cliff, known for its vivid vermilion main hall.
Takachiho Shrine – An ancient shrine with over 1,900 years of history, located in the mythical land of Takachiho. It preserves traditional culture such as the sacred night Kagura dance.
Horses of Cape Toi – Wild Misaki horses roam freely on this southern cape of Miyazaki, blending beautifully with the coastal grasslands and ocean views.
Aoshima (Miyazaki) – A mystical island surrounded by blue seas, known for its subtropical vegetation, the unique rock formations called “Ogre’s Washboard,” and the sacred Aoshima Shrine.