JAPAN
Takachiho Gorge

Takachiho Gorge (Photo by 123RF)

Welcome to virtual vacation video series where we can explore destinations from the comfort of our homes.

Join us we take a short virtual journey to Miyazaki in Japan.

The great thing about this destination is that there are plenty of budget airline options to get you there within two hours from anywhere in Japan. From Sasebo Naval Base, it’s only a three-hour drive away.

Known for myths and legends and breathtaking natural beauty, Miyazaki is a top-notch attraction. Here you’ll find beautiful beaches and mountains, numerous Shinto shrines, along with beautiful rice terraces and radish towers, which make Miyazaki a great getaway. Some of the must-see spots in Miyazaki include:

・Aoshima Island - Connected to the sandy coast of Miyazaki City with a long bridge, Aoshima is a small, beautiful island, home to white beaches and green forest, a perfect resort to visit during summertime. While the beach park offers various marine sports activities, the island is considered a strong power spot where a colorful Shinto shrine Aoshima Jinja stands majestically for granting rich divine fortunes to those who are looking for lovers or married couples.  

Aoshima Island

Aoshima Island (Photo courtesy of Miyazaki City Tourism Association)

Aoshima Island

Aoshima Island (Photo courtesy of Miyazaki City Tourism Association)

Aoshima Island

Aoshima Island (Photo courtesy of Miyazaki City Tourism Association)

Aoshima Island

Aoshima Island (Photo courtesy of Miyazaki City Tourism Association)

Aoshima Jinja

Aoshima Jinja (Photo courtesy of Miyazaki City Tourism Association)

Aoshima Jinja

Aoshima Jinja (Photo courtesy of Miyazaki City Tourism Association)

・Takachiho Town - With a legend that a god descended to the land and became the originator of Japan’s imperial family, Takachiho Town boasts a quiet and mysterious atmosphere with thick green forests, a steep gorge with a cascading waterfall and impressive rice terraces. Takachiho Jinja, founded about 1,900 years ago, is a Shinto shrine surrounded by a cedar forest and is very popular due to it being considered an auspicious power spot for better luck in the agricultural industries, matchmaking and family peace.

After harvesting the rice terraces around October or November, Takachiho locals never failed to gather to perform “Yokagura” theatrical night dancing and music dating back nearly 1,000 years.

Takachiho Town

Takachiho Town (Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi)

Sugimoto Company in Takachiho Town

Sugimoto Company in Takachiho Town (Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi)

Sugimoto Company in Takachiho Town

Sugimoto Company in Takachiho Town (Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi)

Shiitake muchroom cultivation in Takachiho Town

Shiitake muchroom cultivation in Takachiho Town (Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi)

Miyazaki Sabo in Gokase Town

Miyazaki Sabo in Gokase Town (Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi)

Miyazaki Sabo in Gokase Town

Miyazaki Sabo in Gokase Town (Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi)

Tea field in Gokase Town

Tea field in Gokase Town (Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi)

Takachiho Jinja

Takachiho Jinja (Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi)

Takachiho Jinja

Takachiho Jinja (Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi)

Tochimata terraced rice pady

Tochimata terraced rice pady (Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi)

Yokagura

Yokagura (Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi)

Yokagura

Yokagura (Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi)

・Daikon Yagura in Miyazaki City - When you travel to Miyazaki in winter, you may come across peculiar structures covered in daikon radishes standing in the middle of vast fields. These daikon radish houses, or Daikon Yagura, are the traditional method of drying the beloved root vegetable in Japan. The radishes are dried on the structure under the cold mountain wind for two weeks before being sent to food factories to become takuan radish pickles.

Daikon Yagura

Daikon Yagura (Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi)

Daikon Yagura

Daikon Yagura (Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi)

Daikon Yagura

Daikon Yagura (Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi)

Daikon Yagura

Daikon Yagura (Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi)

Michimoto Foods

Michimoto Foods (Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi)

Michimoto Foods

Michimoto Foods (Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi)

While you’re there, don’t forget to sample Takachiho wagyu beef. With wonderful, marbled texture, a top-notch wagyu beef offers supreme sublime flavor, something you must try!

I hope you enjoyed a look at Miyazaki through my travel photos and that it has inspired your next trip. Get ready to travel with us in our next video. Thanks for watching!

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