Miyazaki

Located on the southeastern coast of Kyushu, Miyazaki Prefecture enjoys one of the warmest and sunniest climates in mainland Japan, with a subtropical character that sets it apart from much of the country. Lined with palm-fringed beaches, dramatic coastal cliffs and volcanic mountain ranges, the prefecture blends natural beauty with a depth of mythology unmatched almost anywhere else in Japan.

Miyazaki is often described as the birthplace of Japan — the region is central to the country’s founding myths as recorded in the eighth-century chronicles Kojiki and Nihon Shoki. Takachiho, in the mountainous north of the prefecture, is said to be where the gods descended to earth and where Amaterasu, the sun goddess, was coaxed from the cave in which she had hidden the world’s light. Miyazaki Shrine in the prefectural capital is dedicated to Emperor Jimmu, the legendary first emperor of Japan. The cliffside Udo Jingu shrine further south is dedicated to his father, Yamasachihiko, and is built directly into a sea cave on the Pacific coast.

Beyond its mythological heritage, Miyazaki draws visitors with a remarkably varied natural landscape. Takachiho Gorge — a dramatic canyon carved by volcanic eruptions from Mount Aso — stretches for approximately 7 kilometers and is one of the most photographed natural sites in Kyushu. The subtropical island of Aoshima, surrounded by wave-eroded rock formations known as the “devil’s washboard,” hosts a colorful shrine popular for marriage blessings. The Nichinan coast south of Miyazaki city offers one of Kyushu’s great scenic drives. Inland, the Kirishima mountain range straddles the border with Kagoshima Prefecture and is a center for hiking, hot springs and active volcanic scenery.