Sightseeing Guide 1. HISTORY (1) Kunimigaoka Hill (Takachiho Town) This is the place where people said the Gods coming down from watched everyday life of ordinary people. The view of the sea of clouds, which can be seen, is mysterious and fantasic, only when the conditions are right in the early morning of early spring or late autumn. (2) Amanoyasugawara (Takachiho Town) It is said to be the place where gods and goddesses gathered to confer with each other when -Omikami (the Sun-Goddess) hid herself in Amano- Iwaya (Heavenly Rock Cave). This cave is also known as Gyoboga-Iwaya, where visitors pile up numerous stones to express their prayers and worship to gods.

(1) Kunimigaoka . (2) Amanoyasugawara. (3) Ama-no-Sakahoko (Takachiho-no-Mine, Takaharu Town) It is about a 1.3 m long sword pointing to the sky on the top of the mountain called Takachiho-no-Mine where according to the legend the Ninigi-no-Mikoto God came down. It is in “Kirishima Kinkowan Island national park” the first being specified in . (4) Aoshima/Aoshima Shrine (Miyazaki City) Aoshima Shrine located on the center of the island is dedicated to Hiko- hohodenomikoto, a legendary figure appearing in the tale of Uminosachi and Yamanosachi (products of the sea and gifts from the mountain). The shrine is also known for the power of answering prayers for happy marriage.

(3) Ama-no-Sakahoko. (4) Aoshima/Aoshima Shrine. (5) Udo Jingu (Shrine) (Nichinan City) In the big cave on the precipitous cliff, there is a vermilion-lacquered main hall dedicated to Ugayafukiae-zu-no-Mikoto, father of the first Emperor of Japan Jimmu. It has been popular as a god of easy childbirth, marriage and happy married life from a long time ago. (6) Miyazaki Jingu (Shrine) (Miyazaki City) The old-line shrine was dedicated to the Emperor Jimmu and his parents. The pavilions were made by Sugino cedars. The festival so-called friendly “Jimmu- sama” takes place every autumn.

(5) Udo Jingu (Shrine). (6) Miyazaki Jingu (Shrine). (7) Saitobaru Ancient Burial Mounds (Saito City) The Saitobaru group is the biggest special historic site of about 300 burial mounds in Japan. The rape flowers and the cherry blossoms in the spring, the cosmos in the autumn cover around of the ground. (8) Nishi-no-Shosoin (Misato Town) It was built exactly like the Nara Shosoin to introduce the history and legend of the Korean Kingdom of Paekche, and also to display a copper miller which seems inheritance from the royalty of Paekche.

(7) Saitobaru Ancient Burial Mounds. (8) Nishi-no-Shosoin. (9) Tsurutomi House (Shiiba Village) It is said that Tsurutomi-hime, Princess of the Heike clan, once lived according to the legend, and a warrior of Genji, named Nasu Daihachiro, who associated with the defeated warriors of Heike. (10) Castle town Obi (Nichinan City) Obi was a town of flourishing castle of Ito han. There are the old stone walls, the samurai residences, ruins of the castle, the Historical Museum, and the Komura Memorial Hall International Information Center.

(9) Tsurutomi House. (10) Castle town Obi. 2. LOOK (1) Takachiho Gorge (Takachiho Town) This was the result of the abrasion of lava from Aso Mountain. Enjoy the unusual scenery of escarpments of columnar structure and Manai Falls from a boat. They are especially gorgeous in spring and autumn colors. (2) Umagase (Hyuga City) Umagase is located at the end of the Hyuga Cape with over 70m high escarpments of columnar structure.

(1) Takachiho Gorge. (2) Umagase. (3) Aya Teruha Suspension Bridge (Aya Town) This is the second biggest pedestrian suspension bridge in Japan. Its panoramic view of the laurel forest is wonderful. (4) Horikiri Pass (Miyazaki City) With phoenix bordering the road and Hyuganada Ocean at your feet, the pass provides the best view of the Nichinan coastline.

(3) Aya Teruha Suspension Bridge. (4) Horikiri Pass. (5) Sun-Messe Nichinan (Nichinan City) The seven moais of Afu Akivi are the symbol of the Sunmesse. They are the first perfect reprinted editions in the world. Panels of UNESCO World Heritage are displayed outside. (6) Cape Toi (Kushima City) The Cape Toi is located at the southern tip of the prefecture. Traveler’s hearts melt at the sight of gazing wild horses in the vast landscape.

(5) Sun-Messe Nichinan. (6) Cape Toi. (7) Sekinoo Falls (Miyakonojo City) The 40m wide, 18m high falls including Otaki (Grand Falls), Otaki (Male Falls) and Metaki (Female Falls) show you an overwhelming power of nature. (8) Ikoma Plateau (Kobayashi City) From the Plateau, you can look over the great mountains of Kirishima and the Kyushu. It is popular as a flower plateau, in the spring for rape flowers and lceland poppy blossoms, and in the fall for cosmos.

(7) Sekinoo Falls. (8) Ikoma Plateau. 3. WATCH (1) Sports Training Camps (various locations in ) Miyazaki is famous as a campground of various sports. In particular, professional baseball teams and J-League soccer teams hold their spring and autumn training camps in the prefecture. (The end of January-the beginning of March and the end of October-the end of November) (2) Miyazaki International Music Festival (Miyazaki City) The best Japanese and foreign musicians play in a hall with excellent acoustics. (The end of April-the middle of May)

(1) Sports Training Camps. (2) Miyazaki International Music Festival. (3) Moku O Keawe International Hula Festival in Miyazaki, Japan (Miyazaki City) Through enriching, and educating the practice and development of hula and its associated arts, the Moku O Keawe International Hula Festival will build, strengthen, and inspire the living cultural traditions of Hawaii. The qualifier of this festival in Japan is held every year in Seagaia Convention Center. (The beginning of July) (4) Miyazaki Firework Display in the Cool of a Summer Evening (Miyazaki City) Japanese beautiful firework display is one of the highlights of the summer in Japan. There are many fireworks in Miyazaki, but the firework display of Miyazaki City in particular is famous. Approximately 10,000 fireworks are launched by this fireworks display. (The beginning of August)

(3) Moku O Keawe International Hula Festival. (4) Miyazaki Firework Display. (5) Hyuga Hyottoko Summer Festivfal (Hyuga City) An amusing festival in which masked participants (droll fellows and fat-faced women) dance to the simple rhythms of flutes, bells, and drums. (The beginning of August) (6) Nobeoka Tenkaichi Takigi Noh (Nobeoka City) Noh actors perform with masks that are considered national treasures, from the Naito family in the old Nobeoka domain. They are illuminated by bonfires that create a fantastic atmosphere. (The beginning of October)

(5) Hyuga Hyottoko Summer Festivfal. (6) Nobeoka Tenkaichi Takigi Noh. (7) Obi Castle Town Festival (Nichinan City) People dressed in old warrior costumes and dancing the Taiheiodori dance parade through the streets around Obi Castle. Local performing arts are also presented. (The middle of October) (8) Miyazaki-jingu Shrine Festival (Miyazaki City) A large festival that enlivens Hyuga Road. After a long ceremony welcoming the shrine god, the most popular event is a parade of beautiful women dressed in Japanese wedding kimonos riding “shan shan” horses. (The beginning of November)

(7) Obi Castle Town Festival. (8) Miyazaki-jingu Shrine Festival. (9) Takachiho Shrine Yokagura (Takachiho Town) Designated a National Intangible Cultural Asset the Takachiho no Yokagura (Takachiho Night Dances) are performed as a prayer for a rich harvest. The sequence of 33 dances lasts throughout the night. (The middle of November-the beginning of February) (10) Illuminations Flower Garden (Florante Miyazaki, Miyazaki City) The climate is warm in Miyazaki, but the winter illuminations are beautiful like Hawaii. Particularly, various illuminations of the Florante Miyazaki are very wonderful. (The beginning of December-the beginning of January)

(9) Takachiho Shrine Yokagura. (10) Illuminations Flower Garden. 4. PLAY It is warm in Miyazaki through one year and there are many fine days. Therefore Miyazaki is the place very suitable for various sports.

(1) Golf. (2) Surfing.

(3) Beach. (4) Scuba Diving.

(5) Sailing/Fishing. (6) Horseback Riding.

(7) Marathon. (8) Ski. 5. RELAX Miyazaki is the best sightseeing resort. There are a lot of hotels and hot springs where we can have a very relaxing and comfortable time.

(1) Sheraton Grande Ocean Resort. (2) ANA Holiday Inn Resort Miyazaki.

(3) Hot spring. (4) Spa. 6. TASTE Miyazaki is famous for agriculture. So, there is much fresh delicious food.

(1) Ripe Mango. (2) Hyuga-natsu.

(3) Ripe Kumquat. (4) Miyazaki Beef.

(5) Chicken Namban. (6) Charcoal-broiled Chicken.

(7) Japanese Spiny Lobster. (8) Sashimi (Raw Sliced Fish).

(9) Obiten (Deep-fried Minced Fish and Vegetables). (10) Sweetfish Dishes.

(11) Iwagaki Oyster. (12) Lettuce-maki (Sushi Roll).

(13) Hiyajiru (Cold Soup). (14) Kama-age Udon (Straight-from-the-pot Udon).

(15) Cheese Manju. (16) Uiro (Sweet Rice Jelly).

(17) Japanese Green Tea. (18) Tropical Juice.

(19) Shochu (Distilled Beverage). (20) Wine and Beer.

7. MAP

(1) Map of Kyushu.

(2) Route to Seagaia.

(3) Map of Seagaia.

(4) Transportation (Airplane).

(5) Transportation (Railway).

(6) Transportation (Ferry).