Miyazaki City offers a wide range of themes for a stay: the small island of Aoshima in the southeast, shrines and gardens, seasonal park scenery, wildlife, coastal activities and restaurants. When planning your trip, you can first decide whether to focus on scenery, culture, leisure activities or cuisine. The following places illustrate these contrasts through specific attractions and offerings.
Aoshima: Island, Shrine and Garden
Aoshima is a small island in the southeast of Miyazaki City, with a circumference of 1.5 kilometers. The Miyakoh Botanic Garden Aoshima is on its west coast. Its outdoor garden features native Aoshima fan palms, as well as Phoenix, royal and date palms; tropical plants such as bougainvillea and hibiscus also grow there. The garden offers a botanical highlight, while Aoshima Shrine showcases religious customs and an annual festival tradition.
Aoshima Shrine is regarded as a place where prayers for marriage are answered. Visitors can pray for good fortune by tying differently colored cords according to their wishes or throwing earthenware vessels at a designated spot. The annual winter festival takes place on the second Monday in January and reenacts Yamasachi-hiko’s return from the palace of the sea god. The deity is said to have ridden ashore on a shark and been welcomed by a joyful crowd.
Food is also part of the Aoshima experience: Palo Borracho Cafe in the botanical garden serves smoothies, parfaits and fruit juices made with fully ripened Miyazaki mangoes. AOSHIMA BEACH PARK has parasols and benches, and Uminoie Coffee Stand serves coffee, refreshments and light meals.
Seasons and Haniwa at Heiwadai Park
Seasonal scenery and notable cultural features come together at Heiwadai Park. The park has cherry blossoms in spring and vibrant autumn foliage in fall. The Haniwa Garden features around 400 ancient clay figures known as haniwa. The Tower of Peace in the same park is 37 meters tall. The park therefore brings seasonal features, clay figures and a landmark tower into focus.
Wildlife, Coast and Activities
Miyazaki City Phoenix Zoo offers a different focus: it is home to around 1,200 animals from 100 species, including Asian elephants, chimpanzees and lions. The zoo also has an amusement park with 15 types of rides.
At Miyazaki Seaside Park, maritime facilities and sports activities go hand in hand. Yachts and cruise ships are moored at Marina Sun Marina Miyazaki. The park also includes Sun Beach Hitotsuba, considered the only artificial beach in Miyazaki Prefecture. Water sports include SUP and BIGSUP; beach tennis and beach volleyball are also available. Barbecuing is free year-round on the north beach at Sun Beach Hitotsuba, but advance registration is required. Check the current operating and registration conditions beforehand.
Facilities and offerings may change; check the latest information before visiting Miyazaki City Phoenix Zoo, AOSHIMA BEACH PARK, Palo Borracho Cafe or Uminoie Coffee Stand.
Food and City Life in Nishitachi
Nishitachi is considered Miyazaki City’s largest entertainment district. It has more than 1,500 restaurants, and numerous lanterns hang along both sides of the streets. The number of restaurants may change.
Discover more destinations: Nichinan, Sankasho, Miyakonojo, Nobeoka, Kobayashi, Takachiho, Ebino, Hyūga
For the full travel overview: Miyazaki Prefecture.
