Miyazaki City is the capital of Miyazaki Prefecture, located on the southeastern coast of Kyushu Island, Japan. Situated at the southern end of the Miyazaki Plain, the city is traversed by the Ōyodo River and bordered by the Hyūga Sea to the east. Known for having one of the warmest climates among Japan's main islands, Miyazaki boasts various beaches, resorts, and sports facilities, making it a popular tourist destination.
Miyazaki City is renowned as the Sunshine Capital of Japan. It features numerous tourist destinations with spectacular seaside views. Aoshima Island is a prominent attraction in Miyazaki, where you can admire beautiful palm trees, surf at Aoshima Beach, or visit Aoshima Shrine, which is believed to bring good fortune to married couples.
For those who enjoy physical activities, consider cycling along the Ōyodo River. The riverside has dedicated bike lanes, allowing for a leisurely bike ride in the evening while enjoying the beauty of Miyazaki City. Bicycles can be rented at the Tourist Information Centre in Miyazaki Station or Giant Store Miyazaki on Tachibana-dori Nishi 4-chome.
Miyazaki City has a city park known as "Florante Miyazaki," which hosts various events during specific seasons, such as Miyazaki Gourmet and Lantern Night in the summer, winter illuminations, and special flower beds featuring locomotive designs made from flowers during the spring and autumn seasons.
You can utilize bus services to get around Miyazaki City. However, it's important to note that bus services are infrequent. If you prefer using the bus, there is a one-day pass available on weekends and holidays, priced at 700 yen.
Your visit to Miyazaki City wouldn't be complete without exploring Heiwadai Park (Peace Tower Park). This park was built to celebrate the 2,600th anniversary of Emperor Jimmu's ascension. Peace Tower, or Heiwadainoto, is a renowned Miyazaki landmark in the form of a stone tower sent across Asia. Additionally, at the park's end lies Haniwa Garden, featuring hundreds of haniwa (funeral statue) replicas depicting animals, dancers, and warriors arranged along the pathway.
You can also visit Miyazaki Shrine, the city's oldest and most significant shrine, dedicated to Emperor Jimmu. This shrine is the venue for horseback archery competitions (yabusame). Within the same area, you'll find the Miyazaki Prefectural Museum of Nature and History (Miyazaki-ken Sōgō Hakubutsukan), showcasing exhibits on the natural and cultural history of Miyazaki Prefecture. Additionally, you'll come across Minkaen, a small open-air museum featuring four traditional farmhouses.
Another museum owned by Miyazaki City is the Miyazaki Science Center (Miyazaki Kagakugijutsukan), also known as Cosmoland. This museum features interactive exhibitions focusing on physics and space.
Phoenix Seagaia Resort is a must-visit destination in Miyazaki City. Located nearly 10 kilometers from the northern coastline of downtown Miyazaki, this resort offers more than just accommodations. You can soak in hot springs, relax at the spa, savor their best cuisine at restaurants, and engage in various sports activities at the popular Phoenix Country Club.
The distance from Osaka to Miyazaki is approximately 490 kilometers, with a road distance of 840 kilometers. For travel from Osaka to Miyazaki City, you can take a flight departing from Itami Airport and Kansai Airport to Miyazaki Airport, with a journey lasting about 3 hours. The regular one-way fare is around 27,000 yen. However, discounted tickets are usually available, ranging from 10,000 yen to 20,000 yen.
If you prefer a more affordable option, you can use the train, specifically the JR Sanyo or Kyushu Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka Station to Kagoshima-Chuo Station, followed by JR Kirishima to Miyazaki. Taking this train will take approximately 6-7 hours, with a cost of around 24,000 yen.
When visiting Miyazaki, you should definitely try the most popular local dish, Chicken Nanban. This dish features fried chicken thighs topped with sweet and sour sauce and tartar sauce. The crispy exterior and juicy interior of the chicken will leave you wanting to return for more. Ise-ebi is another must-try specialty in Miyazaki. This dish features Japanese spiny lobster with sweet and tender meat. You can enjoy it served as sashimi, steamed, or grilled.
Miyazaki is also known for its unique beef, Miyazaki beef or Miyazaki-gyu, considered one of the finest brands of beef. Produced from cattle in the mountains of Miyazaki Prefecture, it boasts a distinctive flavor, delightful aroma, and tender meat. Additionally, Miyazaki Jidori or Miyazaki Jitokko is a specific breed of chicken that is exclusively raised and approved by the Miyazaki Jitokko Cooperative Association. This chicken is typically served grilled over charcoal, resulting in a tender and juicy texture.
One of Miyazaki's traditional dishes, Hiyajiru, meaning "cold soup," is a must-try when in Miyazaki City. This dish typically consists of cold miso with fish broth, shiso, myoga, tofu, and cucumber poured over steamed rice, making it ideal for a summer dish.
Miyazaki is one of the hottest places in Japan, characterized by warm weather almost throughout the year. If you plan to visit Miyazaki City, the best time would be from July to September, when the temperature hovers around 30 degrees Celsius with minimal rainfall, which is perfect for enjoying various tourist destinations in the city.
For those planning a holiday in Miyazaki City, 1-2 days would be ideal to explore the various tourist attractions in the city.
Travel Tips for Miyazaki-shi