Located in the southeastern part of Kyushu, Miyazaki is a place where the cheerful atmosphere of a tropical resort beautifully blends with the mystical charm of ancient Japanese mythology.
Actually, Miyazaki has a fascinating history. During the 1960s and 1970s, before overseas travel became common, Miyazaki boasted overwhelming popularity as Japan’s undisputed number one “holy ground for honeymoons.” At that time, “one in three” newlywed couples across Japan visited this palm-tree-lined tropical resort. For international travelers touring Kyushu, Miyazaki—where you can experience remnants of Japan’s retro resort culture while enjoying majestic nature and unique culinary traditions—is an absolute highlight to add to your itinerary.
However, to make your “once-in-a-lifetime” trip truly perfect, it is important to know the realistic downsides and points of caution in advance. Here are the “three honest truths” you need to know before visiting Miyazaki.
⚠️ 3 Things to Know Before You Go (The Honest Truth)
- Limited Public Transportation & The Reality of “Rental Cars Recommended”: Do not expect trains and buses to arrive every few minutes like they do in Tokyo or Osaka. Miyazaki is incredibly vast, and major tourist spots (such as Takachiho and the Nichinan Coast) are located far from the city center. Because buses and trains are infrequent, the most reliable way to sightsee efficiently without wasting time is to get an international driving permit and rent a car.
- No Shinkansen (Bullet Train)! (Long Travel Times): Unlike Kumamoto or Kagoshima, Miyazaki does not have a Shinkansen line. If you are traveling from Fukuoka by train or highway bus, it will take longer than you might expect (about 4 hours). For access, you need to either take a domestic flight to Miyazaki Airport or plan a schedule with plenty of extra time for travel.
- Typhoon and Heavy Rain Risks: Miyazaki is one of the regions in Japan with the highest rainfall, and from summer to autumn (especially August to October), it frequently lies in the path of typhoons. If you plan to visit during this season, always be prepared for potential schedule changes due to weather (such as flight delays or the suspension of boat rentals at Takachiho Gorge).
Despite these facts, Miyazaki is an absolutely wonderful place that is well worth visiting! Below are Miyazaki’s best attractions and the local gourmet foods you absolutely must try.
🌴 Must-See Spots
From breathtaking nature to unique shrines, Miyazaki offers scenery you won’t find anywhere else.
- Takachiho Gorge: This is Miyazaki’s most famous scenic spot. Formed by the volcanic activity of Mount Aso, it is a mystical gorge featuring sheer cliffs and an emerald green river. Renting a rowboat and looking straight up at Manai Falls from below is an experience you will remember for a lifetime.
- Aoshima and the “Devil’s Washboard”: Aoshima is a small island, about 1.5 km in circumference, that is an entire “power spot” in itself. As the former center of Japan’s honeymoon boom, this is the area that attracted the most couples. While the Aoshima Shrine surrounded by subtropical plants is beautiful, the true must-see is the corrugated rock formation surrounding the island, known as the “Devil’s Washboard.” You will be overwhelmed by this strange, massive, washboard-like landscape created by nature.
- Udo Jingu (Udo Shrine): This is a rare shrine whose main hall is built inside a cave on the sheer cliffs of the Nichinan Coast, where the rough waves of the Pacific Ocean crash. It is said that if you throw a small, unglazed clay ball called an “Undama” (lucky ball) at a depression in a turtle-shaped rock below the cliff and it goes in, your wish will come true.
🍽️ Must-Try Local Gourmet
Before leaving Miyazaki, you absolutely must taste these unique local specialties.
- Chicken Nanban: The ultimate soul food that originated in Miyazaki. It features juicily fried chicken quickly dipped in sweet vinegar, then generously topped with a special tartar sauce. While you can eat it all over Japan, the authentic taste here in Miyazaki is exceptional.
- Miyazaki Beef (Miyazaki-gyu): This is a top-tier brand of beef that has repeatedly won first place at the “Wagyu Olympics” in Japan. It is characterized by a melt-in-your-mouth tenderness and the rich flavor of high-quality, non-greasy fat. Enjoy it luxuriously as a teppanyaki steak or yakiniku (Japanese BBQ).
- Charcoal-Grilled Premium Chicken (Jidori no Sumibiyaki): This is the dish you must order with a beer on a night out in Miyazaki. Bite-sized pieces of premium local chicken (jidori) are rapidly grilled over a powerful charcoal fire until they turn pitch black. The more you chew, the more the meat juices overflow, and the intense, savory charcoal aroma is completely addictive.
Conclusion
Miyazaki has its “real” side—from the necessity of a rental car to the long travel times without a bullet train. However, it is a beautiful coastal region full of surprises where you can feel the ancient Japanese mythology, step back into a retro honeymoon resort culture, be overwhelmed by epic nature, and indulge in world-class local cuisine. Definitely consider adding Miyazaki to your next Japan trip!
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