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Capital city of Miyazaki Prefecture in Japan
Photo: そらみみ, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Miyazaki (宮崎) is the prefectural capital of Miyazaki prefecture on the island of Kyushu, Japan.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
青島神社
The shrine is on an island accessible by bridge. It was once considered so sacred that people were forbidden to even step foot on the island. It was not open to the public until 1737. Aoshima Shrine is dedicated to wedded gods so is unsurprisingly a shrine for marriage. The rock layers pointing dramatically up from the sea along the island by the shrine's torii gate are unique and interesting attractions in their own right.
宮交ボタニックガーデン青島
Also known as Aoshima Subtropical Botanical Garden (青島亜熱帯植物園), it's a pleasant and surprisingly free garden that is nice for strolling around and relaxing. There is a greenhouse within the garden that visitors may also enter.
宮崎県庁
A local icon built prior to World War II in a European style. It's lit up at night.
宮崎神宮
A shrine in the city's center, sacred to Japan's first emperor, Jinmu. There are two shrines in the place: one is the main shrine on the east side, and the other one is the Miyazaki Gokoku Shrine (宮崎縣護國神社) on the west side. The Miyazaki Gokoku Shrine, sacred soldiers who died in World War II, is much smaller than the main one. A path between the two shrines can lead visitors to the Miyazaki Prefectural Museum of Nature and History.
宮崎県立美術館
Has a permanent collection but is best visited for its special exhibitions, so it's best to check what will be featured during your visit.
宮崎県総合博物館
Features dynamic exhibits about the prefecture's flora and fauna, along with historic and cultural exhibits. Behind the museum are a handful of preserved buildings moved here from villages in Miyazaki Prefecture's interior. The buildings called minka-en (民家園) by locals.
平和台公園
A park said to be the site where the capital of legendary Emperor Jimmu used to stand. The park is known for Heiwadai Tower (平和の塔) or Peace Tower (also known as the Hakkō ichiu monument) built as a symbol of world peace. It's also home to the famous Haniwa Garden with hundreds of haniwa, which were once placed around ancient burial mounds, scattered around.
佐土原城、佐土原城跡
It is not known when or who built the original castle, but it was expanded by Yoshisuke Ito and used as his residence. One of the palace buildings has been rebuilt as the Sadowara History and Folk Museum (also free). The rest of the former castle can be seen via walking trails on and around the hill.
天ヶ城
The keep has been rebuilt and there is also a museum around the site about the castle and local history.
宮崎科学技術館
Has a variety of interactive science exhibits and a planetarium.
フェニックス自然動物園
Created by Tom Watson, an American professional golfer. This has become a famous golfing destination for Japanese golfers, and there are a lot of prominent Golf events here. It is somewhat analogous to Pebble Beach golf course in America in that, while the course is very good, it is more famous for the beautiful location than the course itself.
Popular surfing spots in Miyazaki city.
平家の郷
Serves smooth Miyazaki beef (宮崎牛). Other branches around Miyazaki city, as well as in Tokyo and Saitama.
An Indian restaurant with a decent selection of curry.
グリル爛漫
A Chicken Nanban restaurant that uses a white sauce base instead of the traditional tartar sauce.
どんどんじゅ
A popular restaurant serving a variety of local delicacies, such as Miyazaki beef and Chicken Nanban.
フルーツ大野
A popular place to get fruit parfaits. When in season, it's among the best places to try Miyazaki's famous mangoes in their mango parfait.
ザ・バー
Fun bar with locals and expats. Has a pool table. Expect to meet some Japanese surfers.
An atmospheric bar serving a variety of drinks and cocktails, including seasonal originals. They have darts for ¥100 per game and gun shooting for ¥300 per game.
リッチモンドホテル宮崎駅前
フェニックス・シーガイア・リゾート
Formerly one of the most famous honeymoon resorts for domestic travelers, it remains a popular place for those who really want the hotel to add to the fun of their vacation. They offer a pool, golfing, onsen, etc. along with a variety of events throughout the year.
ホテルクレイン橘
コンフォートホテル宮崎
エアラインホテル
JR九州ホテル宮崎
みやざき物産館KONNE
Has a wide variety of souvenirs from throughout the prefecture from foodstuffs and wines to handcrafts, lacquerware, and other original goods. Has a branch near the Shinjuku Station in Tokyo.
青島屋
A large souvenir shop with a variety of Miyazaki goods and products.
By train
Most people will take the Kirishima limited express which makes multiple daily runs from Kagoshima (2-2½ hours, ¥4100).
By bus
Hourly buses run from Fukuoka to Miyazaki in about 4½ hours at a cost of ¥6000. Buses also run hourly from Kumamoto.
By ferry
Miyazaki Car Ferry runs an overnight ferry service from Kobe to Miyazaki. The ferry departs at 19:10 on Monday to Saturday and 18:00 on Sunday, arrives at Miyazaki at 08:40.
The attractions in Miyazaki are rather spread out. Trains can help you reach some of the city's sites.
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Miyazaki · International · KMI
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