If you’re staying in Fukuoka or Nagasaki, taking a relaxing trip to Miyazaki might be exactly what you need. Check out this Miyazaki itinerary that will help you plan the perfect day in this lovely city, and soak up the sun in some of Japan’s most famous locations.
Nestled between Mt. Kirishima and the sea of southwestern Kyūshū, Miyazaki offers many unique ways to experience the great outdoors. The subtropical weather and consistent sunshine make Miyazaki the ideal place to explore in one day (or maybe two).
From the smell of sizzling wagyu beef to the taste of some of the world’s best mangoes, you can enjoy the spirit of Miyazaki and experience life as locals do. Catch the next big wave with surfers in Nichinan, send your wishes to the heavens at Udo Jingu Shrine, or relax underneath the swaying palm trees of Aoshima.
Miyazaki City has plenty of fun things to offer, and we hope this itinerary will give you some inspiration for things to do in Miyazaki.
One Day In Miyazaki Itinerary
Here’s our list of all the best places to visit in Miyazaki when visiting for one day:
1. Arrive In Miyazaki
Although it is sometimes called “the island within an island,” taking a day trip to Miyazaki is easier than you think. A flight from Fukuoka is only 45 minutes; a flight from Osaka is 60 minutes; and a flight from Haneda is just under 1.5 hours.
By train, the fastest route is from Hakata to Kagoshima via the Kyushu Shinkansen (3.5 hours) and then Kagoshima to Miyazaki (another 2 hours).
There are also two ferries available from Kobe to Miyazaki. The total voyage takes around 12 to 13 hours, and the basic fare for one adult is 12,260 yen. Both ferries have an onsen (public bath) on board and offer private rooms as well as pet-friendly options. If you’re not in a hurry and are planning to spend more time in Kyūshū (our 7 day Kyushu itinerary can help!), an overnight ferry is an excellent way to travel.
There are lots of things to do in Miyazaki that don’t require access to a car. However, if you would like to visit some of the more remote destinations, such as Cape Toi and the Takachiho Gorge, renting a car would be advisable. For this itinerary, we’ll be focusing mostly on destinations that are within a reasonable driving distance of Miyazaki City.
2. Visit Nichinan Coast Road Park
The best place to enjoy panoramic views of the sea as well as the famous “Devil’s Washboard” (鬼の洗濯板) is Nichinan Coast Road Park. Devil’s Washboard (pictured in the image at the top. of this article) is a natural phenomenon formed by wave erosion.
From Miyazaki City, it takes about one hour to the Nichinan Coast Road Park. It’s reminiscent of California’s State Route 1. At the park, there is a restaurant, bathrooms and places to take photos of the Pacific Ocean. It’s an idyllic place to soak in the ocean views and watch small fishing vessels pass by.
Many travellers stop here on their way down to Nichinan. If you travel farther south to the bottom of the prefecture, you can reach the Nichinan Coast Quasi-National Park located in Cape Toi. In the park, wild horses known as Misaki-Uma (御崎馬) roam free.
You can watch the horses grazing on grass-covered hills that overlook the sea (it is a dream-like place that looks like it came straight out of a Studio Ghibli film!). Getting out of the car and going up close to the horses is allowed, although the park recommends guests treat the horses with respect. It’s best not to touch them for safety reasons.
3. Take A Picture With The Totoro Bus Stop
Did someone say, Studio Ghibli? If you’re familiar with the works of Hayao Miyazaki, who is famous for directing and animating many of Japan’s most beloved films, you may recognize this lovable character right away.
Totoro is the titular character of the children’s movie, “My Neighbor Totoro”. Commissioned as a present for a family member who loves the character of Totoro, the Totoro Bus Stop is a heart-warming attraction located in the countryside of Aoshima.
In spite of its name, the only way to access this (and most of the other famous Totoro locations in Miyazaki) is by car. If you are a fan of Studio Ghibli, this lovely stop along the coast is the perfect addition to your Miyazaki itinerary.
Not far from the Totoro Bus Stop lies Fuji Beach. It’s a great place to get away from the crowds and enjoy an authentic beach in Miyazaki.
There are many macaque monkeys living in Aoshima, so it’s possible that you get to see them hanging from the tree branches. Similar to the horses of Cape Toi, interacting with the monkeys is not advised, so be sure to look out for them and take home trash to keep their environment and the beaches clean!
4. Explore Udo Shrine
Besides having world-class surfing spots and delicious seafood, such as spiny lobster (伊勢海老の刺身), the town of Nichinan is also home to Udo Shrine.
Tucked away in a sea cave, Udo Shrine offers breathtaking views of the sea and insight into the mythology of Japan. Established in 1711, legend says that the father of Japan’s first emperor, Ugayafukiaezu, was born here.
After Princess Toyotama, daughter of Ryujin, a dragon-like god of the sea, gave birth to Ugayafukiaezu, she abandoned him after her true form was revealed. To provide nourishment for the newborn, legend has it that she caused breast-shaped rocks to produce milk to feed him. These rocks are still visible to this day.
You may find that there are statues and images of rabbits everywhere at Udo Shrine. This might be a bit of a tongue-in-cheek allusion to Udo Shrine’s establishment as a place to pray for fertility and blessings with childbirth. It most likely originated in the story of Princess Toyotama and Ugayafukiaezu.
Near the shrine, you can also find a sacred rock called Kame-ishi. It’s said to grants wishes to those who can throw their clay “lucky balls” into the shimenawa. Traditionally, women are expected to throw the balls with their right hand and men with their left. There is no limit to how many balls you can buy, but for around 100 Yen you can throw five balls.
The last time I visited Udo Shrine, parts of the cliffside were under construction due to serious erosion as a result of recent typhoons. While this did not affect our access to Udo Shrine (besides the closest parking lot being closed), it did make me wonder how much longer we will be able to access this amazing shrine that’s hidden in a cliff by the sea.
5. Relax At Aoshima Beach Park
It’s time to make our way back to civilization and close the curtain on your perfect day trip in Miyazaki. The best place to watch the sunset behind the mountains is none other than Aoshima Beach Park.
Here, you can relax under the shade of a cabana and enjoy your drink of choice as you listen to the sound of the tide coming in. Aoshima is a popular place for tourists to stay, thanks to its close proximity to the beach.
Depending on your budget, accommodations range from your typical back-packer haunts like hostels and AirBnB’s, to the newly completed Not A Hotel, which looks like it could be the next location of Miyazaki’s very own Terrace House.
If you’re interested in taking surfing or yoga lessons, there are classes available at Surf City, Miyazaki. You can find more information about their prices here.
For a truly Aoshima experience, there are restaurants I recommend that cater to two very different types of customers:
- Noosa Heads is a surfer’s delight and is a short drive from the beach.
- Sky Café Zeal has vegan options and uses ingredients that are harvested from an on-sight greenhouse.
6. Visit Aoshima Shrine
Within view of Aoshima Beach Park is an island that houses Aoshima Shrine. This is the last destination on our one day itinerary in Miyazaki.
You can reach Aoshima by crossing the Yayoi Bridge on foot or by three-wheeled rickshaw, also known as a tuk-tuk. On random days, the tuk-tuk is available free of charge to shuttle tourists across the small island, which has a circumference of about 1.5 km in total.
According to legend, Princess Toyotama, the daughter of the sea god, and Prince Yamasachi, the god of hunting, were married on this island. Within the shrine’s precinct is a pathway surrounded by lush tropical greenery.
You can cross under the ema or wishes of people written on a wooden plaque, and venture into the island’s seemingly impenetrable forest to another shrine known as “Inori-no-kodo“. A festival is held on the second Monday of January every year to commemorate the meeting of Princess Toyotama and Prince Yamasachi.
On Coming Of Age Day, the Aoshima Naked Man Festival is held in Aoshima. During the festival, men in loincloths and tabi socks bear the frigid waters to pay homage to an ancient ceremony in which a man and woman are said to have visited Aoshima Shrine every year, whilst naked. Women are also allowed to participate in this event.
If you have some extra time before or after visiting Aoshima Shrine, the Aoshima Subtropical Botanical Garden, which boasts fruits and flowers from all around the world, is another great option for visitors to check out.
Is Miyazaki Worth A Visit?
Yes, Miyazaki is definitely worth a visit if you’re travelling around Kyūshū.
From the sun-soaked coast of Nichinan to the Totoro Bus Stop, there are so many wonderful things to do that this itinerary doesn’t even cover half of them. Miyazaki is definitely worth a visit and it is one of those special places in Japan that will keep you wanting to come back again for more.
How Many Days Do You Need In Miyazaki?
Visiting the places on this itinerary would be a great way to spend one day in Miyazaki. Many tourists opt for spending a night in Takachiho, seeing the annual Kagura festival (November 22 and 23), and waking up early to catch the sunrise light up the gorge.
On July 14, 2023, the Toiglam Solasita was opened and travellers will be able to experience luxury glamping in Cape Toi. For others, doing some sightseeing around Miyazaki City is also a good option. If you have money to splurge on luxury accommodation, the Sheraton Grande Ocean Resort is where many famous golfers and athletes stay when visiting Miyazaki for a sporting event.
While you can see a lot in Miyazaki in one day, there are enough options to spend more time here. It all depends on the things you’d like to see and do.
Conclusion – One Day In Miyazaki Itinerary
If you’re considering taking a full tour of Kyūshū, all of these locations would make an exciting addition to your Miyazaki itinerary. Because of its relatively remote location, Miyazaki often flies under the radar for most tourists outside of Japan. Although Miyazaki is closer to Okinawa than it is to Tokyo, there are unforgettable sights to be found along the Nichinan Coast.
If you have a day to spend in this amazing prefecture, come and see for yourself all of the wonderful things Miyazaki has to offer! We also have a Fukuoka itinerary and a Nagasaki itinerary for more wonderful trips in Kyushu.
