Japan Drive Route Guide

Area

Kyushu

Travel Period

4D3N

Route

4507

Overview

Start

Miyazaki

Goal

Miyazaki

Way

return_trip

Travel Pace

normal

Distance

400 km

Rank

Highway fee

¥ 1,500

About this route

This is a 4 days and 3 nights route which covers both Nishimera and Shiiba village, deep in the mountain area, and Takachiho town which is filled with amazing sightseeing spots. The driving distance is about 400km. You can drive through the mountain from Nishimera village to Shiiba village. You can experience what the real and savage Japan truly is. This route includes special hidden spots which are not known by most of Japanese people themselves, like an observatory where you can observe hidden rice terrace and majestic waterfalls. You also have a chance to experience local traditional sacred music and dance which has continued for centuries. The biggest highlight is the Takachiho Gorge that is one of the most popular sightseeing spots in whole Kyushu. You should visit there in the morning to avoid the crowds. If you are lucky, it is possible to see the ‘sea of clouds’ at Kunimigaoka Observatory. It is a highly attractive route. However, you need to drive through very narrow and winding roads in deep mountains for 80km. It is recommended for travelers who have enough confidence about driving.

Bookmark Route

Day. 1Miyazaki to Nishimera village

This day heads from Miyazaki city to Nishimera village. The driving distance is about 130km only, but you will drive in a mountain area, so it is recommended to depart by 9:00. The first destination is the impressive "Ayano Teruha Suspension Bridge(綾の照葉大吊橋)". It is 250m suspension pedestrian bridge in the deep mountains. You can have lunch at the Soba restaurant near the bridge and then head to "Saitobaru Kofungun(西都原古墳群)". It is a sacred place where three hundred kofuns or tombs which were built around the 3-7 century are present. It is also a famous place to see the wonderful cherry blossoms which makes it highly recommended in spring. Then, you can drive more deeply into the mountain area. At "Ogawasakugoya Village(おがわ作小谷村)", you can enjoy local food and also observe more than 1000 old agricultural equipments and items displayed in the museum. Then, you can drive to the next destination: The Nishimera village. It is located deeply in the mountain. The road is very narrow and winding. To reach the Nishimera village before sunset, it is recommended to leave Ogawasakugoya village by 4 o'clock.

Rent a car at Miyazaki

Rent and return a car at Miyazaki Each driving route in Miyazaki prefecture starts and ends at Miyazaki city. Then, we recommend you to rent a car from either rental car branch stated bellow. ①Miyazaki Airport Branch : For customers who take flight. ②Miyazaki Station Branch : For customers who stay in Miyazaki city. Please refuel before returning your car. For travelers taking a flight from the airport. It is highly recommended to reach rental car shop 3 hours before your departure. You can search for an accommodation in Miyazaki city from the link bellow. https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&cid=1813587&hl=en&city=13561

High light

Ayano Teruha Suspension Bridge

Saitobaru kofungun

Ogawasakugoya Village

Stay at Nishimera village

On this day you will stay at "Nishimera village(高千穂町)". This is a small village which is located aside the river, deep in the mountain. We recommend you not to stay at normal accommodation, but rather to opt for Glamping. Glamping is like a luxury camp. The staff already prepares tents and all other camping facilities. You can book it from the link bellow. https://stella-sports.jp (They don't have an English page. Please use the online translation of your browser. You can pay by credit card)

Day. 2Nishimera village to Shiiba village

This day heads from Nishimera village to Shiiba village, known to be « the land of mystery ». The driving distance is only 70km so there is no need to rush. However, we, at Drive Japan, really need to inform you about the road condition. These locations are located the deepest mountain areas, so the roads are very narrow and winding for 55km. There are no sightseeing spots, restaurant, shops and even vending machines there. Please prepare drinks and snacks in Nishimera village before your departure. All the highlights for this day are in Shiiba village. First destination is the delightful "Large ginkgo observation deck(大イチョウ展望台)". You can look down at small rice terrace on the opposite side mountain from here and can understand why this village is called the land of mystery. After that, you can head to "Ten root river Traditional District(十根川伝建地区)" where are preserved traditional old houses. At last, you can visit both the "Tsurutomiyashiki House(鶴富屋敷)" and the "Shiiba Folk Entertainment Museum(椎葉民俗芸能博物館)" in order to learn the historical background about this hidden small village.

High light

Ten root river Traditional District

Hinoki tree of Okubo

Shiiba Folk Entertainment Museum

Stay at Shiiba village

On this day you will stay at "Shiiba village(椎葉村)". Shiiba village is a very small and unkown village, deep in the mountain. There is no luxuary Ryokan but you can stay at very local inn with warming local staff. Their local food will also be an unforgettable memory. Unfortunately, most of the accommodation there don't have online booking. We recommend you to ask your hotel staff in Miyazaki to make reservation. Bellow is an inn list in Shiiba village. https://www.shiibakanko.jp.e.aek.hp.transer.com/stay

Day. 3Shiiba village to Takachiho town

This day heads from Shiiba village to Takachiho town. The driving distance is only 70km but there are many highlights. The first half, you need to drive through a narrow mountain road for 35km. You should prepare some drinks and snacks in Shiiba village before your departure. First, you can drop by the "Relation tower Valley (Nakato Vallay)(仲塔渓谷)" and then heads to the "Urokonotaki Falls(うろこの滝)". The falls are not famous and most of Japanese people don't know about this place, but it is really worth visiting. After the waterfalls, you can reach Takachiho town. Both a Soba restaurant and a steak restaurant which serve the famous Miyazaki beef are recommended. Then, you can go to the "Amanoiwato Shrine(天岩戸神社)". You can visit not only a splendid shrine, but also a short walking pass beside the river called Amanoyasukawara(天安河原) and find a big cave with a unique Torii gate. The last destination is the "Kunimigaoka observatory(国見ヶ丘展望台)". It is also not famous, but you will be amazed by the 360-degree mountain view there. At night, you should experience the "Takachiho Kagura(高千穂神楽)". It is a sacred music and dance which has continued in the Takachiho area for many centuries. Only tourists staying at Takachiho town have the opportunity to watch it. Reservation is not required.

High light

Unokonotaki Falls

Kunimigaoka Observatory

Amanoiwato Shrine

Stay at Takachiho town

On this day you will stay at "Takachiho Town(高千穂町)". Although it is a very small town, there is a variety of accommodation, from cheap B&B to luxuary Ryokan with Onsen facilities. The town itself is rather small and most of restaurants and shops in the city close early in the evening so you better book a plan with dinner and breakfast included. You can find accommodations in Takachiho town from the link bellow. https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&cid=1813587&hl=en&city=107611 If you would like to see the "Takachiho Kagura(高千穂神楽)", the sacred music and dance paformance, it is convenient to choose an accommodation near Takachiho Shrine.

Day. 4Takachiho town to Miyazaki

This day heads from Takachiho town to Miyazaki city. The driving distance is about 160km and there are many highlights. If you would like to visit as many spots as possible, it is recommended to depart early. If you travel in between middle of September and end of November, you have the chance to observe the sea of clouds at "Kunimigaoka observatory(国見ヶ丘展望台)". Please check possibility with staff members at your inn. The biggest highlight on this day is of course the famous "Takachiho Gorge(高千穂峡)". It is recommended to visit in the morning when it isn’t too crowded yet so that you can enjoy boating easily. It is better to have lunch in Takachiho town too. Then let's move to "Umagase(馬ヶ背)" a beautiful cape where you can see a panoramic ocean view. If you still have time before heading to Miyazaki, you can stop by the "Mimitsu Town(美々津)". It is a not well-known small fisherman's village which is listed as a preserved district of traditional buildings. We recommend you to take the highway from Takachiho gorge to Umagase and Umagase to Miyazaki due to no sightseeing spots in between. In addition, there are amazing cherry blossom places during spring. If you travel in that period, our daily driving map will guide you to these spots. It is really worth seeing so you should make it your priority.

Return a car at Miyazaki

High light

Takachiho Gorge

Umagase

Mimitsu Historical District

Back to Miyazaki Route List

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