Miyazaki Shrine is the oldest and most important shrine in the city. Dedicated to Emperor Jimmu, the mythical first emperor of Japan, it is said to have been established over 2600 years ago.     The shrine’s buildings, constructed of simple, unpainted cedar, sit in the center of a large, quiet forest.  Festivals and other events such as horseback archery competitions (yabusame) are held during the year on the wide path under the trees.    

Miyazaki Shrine…の続きを読む

  Japan’s own replica of Moai Statues. Enjoy a breath taking panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean, the Sun Messe Nichinan has replicas of the Moai statues from the Easter Island placed here and there in the area.     The Sun Messe Nichinan is the only place all over the world that has been permitted to replicate the Moai statues. There are restaurants and also tourist viewing areas inside the park.    

Sun Messe Nichinan…の続きを読む

  The moss-covered stone walls, broad stone steps in front of the Ote-mon main gate, moat ruin, and old samurai residences all bring back the past. The Matsuo-no-Maru residence and Ote-mon have been reconstructed using the treasured Obi cedar wood.     The land centering around the Obi Castle is designated as one of the nation’s Preservation Districts for Groups of Historic Buildings.      

Obi Castle Ruin…の続きを読む

  The suggested sightseeing spot in Nichinan. Horikiri is located along Japan National Route 220, and the road going through the mountain pass involves an extremely sharp turn that you cannot see beyond before you go around it.     The 60m altitude pass allows you to look down at a beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean. The coastline here is lined with rocks that have been worn away by the waves splashing against them, as well as beautiful phoenix palm trees.     About 1km further down the road from Horikiri Pass you will find the Horikiri Pass Phoenix Road Station. At the road station you will find fast food and restaurants as well as souvenir shops, making this the ideal location for a break.    

Horikiri Pass…の続きを読む

  Wild horses are living here. Cape Toi, located in the south of Miyazaki Prefecture, is a cape at the east end of Shibushi Bay, which is in the southernmost part of the Nichinan kaigan Coast. Gentle hills extend, and you can observe wild horses, called Misaki-uma, living and grazing there.     It is said that the Misaki-uma are the descendants of army horses left grazing and which became wild 300 years ago.     They are now designated as a natural monument. At the Horse House in the Toi-misaki Visitor Centre, information about the ecology and living circumstances of the Misaki-uma is displayed on panels.               Visitor Centre               Souvenir shop                Misaki-uma    

Toi Cape…の続きを読む

  Beautiful and exciting Shine. Udo Shrine is a Shinto shrine in the cave of the cliff side facing the Pacific Ocean. It is located about 35 km south of Miyazaki city. In legend, a goddess of sea built a hut to give birth to a great god here. Then it is said that Empress Suiko (554-628) built the shrine there.           Entrance of Shrine          Shrine in the Cave             Pacific Ocean   The priest of Tendai Buddhism built a Buddhist temple in 782, on the order of Emperor Kanmu. In the middle ages, this area had been the training place for mountain priests because of the steep rocky cliffs.                 Shrine Gate      Chrysanthemum pattern               To the Shrine           Down to the Shrine            Shrine entrance                Rocky cliffs        Main Shrine in the Cave         Shrines in the Cave           Shrine in the Cave    

Udo Shrine…の続きを読む

  Enjoy Somen noodle nagashi.  The unique Somen noodle nagashi in Tosenkyo ravine in Kaimon open throughout the year serving cold Somen noodle that swim in the revolving container.           Tosenkyo Entrance                 Restaurant                  Somen noodle             Tosenkyo Shrine                         Menu         Serve the Somen noodle  

Somen noodle nagashi…の続きを読む

  Enjoy tasting Shochu at the most famous Shochu brewery in Kagoshima. Meiji-gura is Satsuma Shuzo’s Shochu factory and museum. Satsuma Shuzo is producing traditional handmade Shochu “Tezukuri Meijigura”and other traditional making style Shochu like “Banshokou”, “Satsuma Shiranami Kametsubo Jikomi”, and “Meiji no Shochu” etc.     The name Meijigura is a Japanese word made up of the words Meiji, from the Meiji Era, and the word Gura, for distillery. We use this name Meiji because we use the traditional methods from the Meiji Era for making our handmade Shochu brands.          

Meiji-gura…の続きを読む

  Those Samurai Houses were built about 250 years ago. Their gardens are beautiful designed, with Mt. Hahaga-dake as the background.     Other natural elements are also incorporated, making the whole area resemble a series of miniature of Japanese gardens housed in boxes. Seven of the gardens are designated as natural scenic spots.      

Chiran Samurai Residence…の続きを読む

  This museum exhibits precious materials such as pictures, letters, wills, articles and mementos of the 1,036 Kamikaze pilots based in Chiran who participated in the Battle for Okinawa towards the end of World War 2. It also houses a No.3 type fighter aircraft, Hien.                  Museum             Fighter aircraft       Kamikaze Pilot statue      Mother for World Peace               Zero-sen       Pray for World Peace  

Chiran Peace Museum for the Kamikaze Pil…の続きを読む