Off the beaten path
Takachiho Gorge, in Miyazaki-prefecture
The narrow chasm cut through the rock by the Gokase River. The nearly sheer cliffs lining
the gorge are made of slow forming volcanic basalt columns which resemble the scales of
a dragon where the stone twisted and flowed as it formed. There are two perspectives from
which to enjoy the gorge. The first is from below which is done by rowing down the river.
Rental boats are available at the south end of the gorge, and the water is calm and easy to
navigate.
There are two perspectives from which to enjoy the gorge. The first is from below which is
done by rowing down the river. Rental boats are available at the south end of the gorge,
and the water is calm and easy to navigate. This highly recommended route offers a close
up view of the cliffs and waterfall.
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Toi Cape, in Miyazaki-prefecture
Wild horses are living here. Cape Toi, located in the south of Miyazaki Prefecture, is a cape
at the east end of Shibushi Bay, which is in the southernmost part of the Nichinan kaigan
Coast. Gentle hills extend, and you can observe wild horses, called Misaki-uma, living and
grazing there.
It is said that the Misaki-uma are the descendants of army horses left grazing and which became
wild 300 years ago.
They are now designated as a natural monument. At the Horse House in the Toi-misaki Visitor
Centre, information about the ecology and living circumstances of the Misaki-uma is displayed
on panels.
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Udo Shrine, in Miyazaki-prefecture
Beautiful and exciting Shine. Udo Shrine is a Shinto shrine in the cave of the cliff side
facing the Pacific Ocean. It is located about 35 km south of Miyazaki city. In legend,
a goddess of sea built a hut to give birth to a great god here. Then it is said that Empress
Suiko (554-628) built the shrine there.
The priest of Tendai Buddhism built a Buddhist temple in 782, on the order of Emperor Kanmu.
In the middle ages, this area had been the training place for mountain priests because of the
steep rocky cliffs.
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Cruz Sea, in Miyazaki-prefecture
Your wishes come true here. The Cruz Sea is an area of ocean that appears to have a
cross in it when viewed from an observatory.
This cape is known as a ria coast; the “cross shape” was created by the narrow terrain
here being eroded by rivers, resulting in a cross-shaped sea route.
Because the cross-shape looks similar to the Japanese kanji character 叶 (meaning “to
grant a wish”) it is commonly said that if you make a wish here it will be granted.
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Umagase, in Miyazaki-prefecture
Exciting scenery created by raging wave of Hyuga Sea. The coastline here is a ria coastline,
marked by intricate waterways sandwiched between cliffs. The cliffs here are 70m high and
the waves’ splashing against them is an enchanting sight.
The bare rock faces of the cliffs have given way to columnar joints, which are formed when
magma from a volcanic eruption cools and hardens. The source of the name “Umagase” is
thought to come from the fact that the rocks here are similar in colour to horses.
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