Takachiho travel guide
Located south of Aso, Takachiho offers breathtaking natural beauty, best
represented by the dynamic Takachiho Gorge. Formed by volcanic activity
from Mount Aso, this narrow, V-shaped chasm features dramatic columnar
joints sculpted by the Gokase River over thousands of years.
Takachiho is also famous as the cradle of Japanese mythology. Legend has
it that the Sun Goddess, Amaterasu, once hid in a local cave here to escape
her brother’s pranks, leading the other gods to devise a plan to lure her out
and restore light to the world.
 |
A narrow chasm cut through the rock by the Gokase River,
the gorge is lined with nearly sheer cliffs of volcanic basalt.
These slow-forming columnar joints resemble the scales
of a dragon, tracing the twisted paths where the molten
stone once flowed and took shape.
|
Takachiho Gorge boat riding
 |
The most recommended activity at Takachiho Gorge is renting
a boat to experience the river from the very base of the canyon.
The view from the water—where you can witness cascading
waterfalls and dramatic columnar cliffs simultaneously—is a
rare spectacle found in few other places in the world.
|
|
Looking to ride the boats?
As part of our Customized Private Tours, we handle the entire boat reservation
process for our guests.
|
Takachiho shrine
 |
Located just west of the town center, Takachiho Shrine is
nestled in a grove of tall cedars. During the day, the shrine’s
modest, unpainted buildings blend naturally with the
surrounding forest. In the evening, visitors can experience
the traditional Takachiho-no-Yokagura.
|
Takachiho-no-Yokagura
 |
Takachiho-no-Yokagura is a sacred Shinto ritual that has been
dedicated to Ujigami (the local guardian deity) from November
to February in each settlement for centuries. For those unable
to attend the seasonal festivals, four highlight episodes are
performed nightly from 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM at the Takachiho
Shrine Kagura-den Hall throughout the year.
|
|
Complete Your Spiritual Night in Takachiho
For our Customized Private Tour guests, we are happy to assist with your
Takachiho-no-Yokagura ticket reservations.
|
Amaterasu Railway
 |
This attraction utilizes the facilities of the discontinued
Takachiho Railway. The 5.1 km course from Takachiho
Station to the Takachiho Railway Bridge takes
approximately 30 minutes to complete.
The rail car seats 30 people and is pulled by two power
vehicles — one at the front and one at the rear—each
equipped with a 2,500cc diesel engine.
|
 |
Takachiho is the birthplace of Shinto, Japan’s indigenous
religion. It is the setting for one of the most famous legends
in Japanese mythology. According to the tale, Amaterasu,
the Sun Goddess, was so outraged by her brother’s cruel
pranks that she hid herself in a cave, depriving the world of
her life-giving light.
|
Local cuisine , Somen nagashi
 |
Somen are thin wheat noodles typically eaten cold with a
savory dipping sauce. “Somen Nagashi” is a traditional way
of enjoying these noodles, where they are slid down a
water-filled bamboo flume, as seen in the video below.
“Nagashi” literally means “flowing.”
|
Takachiho


Miyazaki & Nichinan travel guide
Miyazaki & Nichinan are facing the Pacific Ocean with a beautiful coastline contains placed
of natural beauty, like Aoshima and Toi-misaki Cape. Also, on the Hitotsuba Beach of Miyazaki
city are Ocean Dome, 700 hectare all-weather indoor water park, and Miyazaki Sea Gaia, a
comprehensive resort complex complete with a wildlife park, golf courses and hotels.
Phoenix Seagaia Resort
 |
Phoenix Seagia Resort is Located in the center of a vast resort area and
the Hotel building is 154 meters above ground and all rooms have an
east-facing ocean view.
There are two Golf courses, Phoenix Country Club and Tom Watson
Golf Course.
|
Udo Shrine
 |
Beautiful and exciting Shine, located the cave of the cliff side facing
the Pacific Ocean. 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.
|
Horikiri Pass
 |
The suggested sightseeing spot in Nichinan. 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.
|
Toi Cape
 |
Wild horses are living here. 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.
|
Obi Castle Ruin
 |
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.
|
Sun Messe Nichinan
 |
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.
|
Miyazaki Shrine
 |
Miyazaki Shrine is the oldest and most important shrine in the city.
Dedicated to Emperor Jinmu, the mythical first emperor of Japan, it is said
to have been established over 2600 years ago.
|
Miyazaki & Nichinan

Hyuga travel guide
Spectacle art collection of exposed Rocks created by raging wave. Hyuga is a bay city,
facing the Hyuga nada Sea. The whole area along Cape Hyuga- misaki with its many
exposed rocks is designated as the Nippo-Kaigan Quasi-National Park. Umagase at the
top of Cape Hyuga-misaki is a precipitous cliff of pillar-like rock, towering as high as 70m.
Cruz Sea
 |
Your dream come true here. The Cruz Sea is an area of ocean
that appears to have a cross in it when viewed from an observatory.
This cape is known as a ria coast; the “cross shape” was created
by the narrow terrain here being eroded by rivers, resulting in a
cross-shaped sea route.
|
Umagase
 |
Exciting scenery created by raging wave of Hyuga Sea. The coastline
here is a ria coastline, marked by intricate waterways sandwiched
between cliffs. The cliffs here are 70m high and the waves’ splashing
against them is an enchanting sight.
|
Mimitsu
 |
Let’s meet the old days of Japan. The area in the city is designated
a National Important Preservation District for Groups of Historic
buildings, and there remain much of the atmosphere of the 19th
century, including buildings of old times, earthen walls, and stone
pavements.
|
Hyuga Sun Park
 |
Recreation facilities facing to Hyuga Sea. It is located along national
road 10 in the southern part of Hyuga. It is a complex leisure facility
with hot spring facilities and road stations Hyuga, restaurants and
camping grounds.
|