Nichinan offers a range of themes for exploring the area: the historic district of Obi, the construction history of the Horikawa Canal, and coastal spots with sea views or powerful surf. In the surrounding area, activities on and beneath the water add to the options. You can focus on cultural heritage, coastal scenery or water sports.

Obi: Historic Buildings and Old Houses

Obi was the first area in Kyūshū to be designated an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings. Numerous cultural heritage sites have been preserved in and around Obi Castle and its castle town, including samurai residences, stone walls and large trees. Obi is also known as the “Little Kyoto of Kyūshū.”

The area also has accommodations and restaurants in converted old houses. When planning your trip, Obi therefore brings together specific cultural heritage sites with places to stay and eat in repurposed buildings.

Waterworks, Bridges and Harbor

The 1,450-meter-long Horikawa Canal was built by the Obi domain to make transporting Obi cedar more efficient. Its history makes the transportation of timber in the past a distinct theme for your trip.

Horikawa Bridge was completed in August 1903 as an arched stone bridge and also serves as an approach to Airaizu Shrine, also called Otome Shrine. Yume-mi Bridge offers a different architectural feature: it was built from 120-year-old Obi cedar and Obi stone. Its traditional wooden joinery uses no nails or other metal parts.

The Oil Red Brick Hall, a two-story brick warehouse built in 1922, also stands beside the Horikawa Canal. The stone arch, nail-free wooden joinery and brick warehouse showcase different construction styles in the municipality.

The harbor town of Aburatsu, with its fishing port, is part of the area’s harbor history. In the early Shōwa period, Aburatsu Fishing Port was known as “Japan’s number one tuna base.” This historical reputation adds another perspective on the maritime past to the area’s architectural and transportation history.

Coastal Views and Activities on the Water

The approach to the main shrine of Udo Jingu offers views of the Hyūga-nada Sea. Rocks of various shapes around the cape at Udo Jingu are exposed to powerful surf. Sea views and an exposed rocky landscape define this stretch of coast.

Umegahama, near the mouth of the Hiroto River, is a surf spot with relatively high waves and is suitable for experienced surfers. Conditions depend on the weather and swell; check both when planning a visit to the surf spot.

Sakaematsu Beach in the Nango district is nearby. You can kayak there and view coral and tropical fish on the seabed. There are also places to dive and snorkel in the area. These activities nearby offer an alternative to Umegahama’s relatively high waves.

Public rides on restored Choro boats are also among the experiences on offer: they operate about twice a year at events in Nichinan. The rides are tied to events; check the specific dates if you are interested.

Discover more destinations: Saito, Kobayashi, Gokase, Nobeoka, Hyūga, Ebino, Miyazaki, Sankasho

For the main travel overview: Miyazaki Prefecture.