NISHIMERA VILLAGE Nishimera, Miyazaki Nishimera Village is a collection of seven picturesque hamlets scattered along the Hitotsuse River in the Ichifusa Mountain Range. The 272 km² (105 mi²) area is made up of forests, streams, rice paddies and vineyards. It’s a quiet, peaceful place. The main hamlet, Murasho, is home to just over 600 people […]
TAKANABE SUNFLOWER FESTIVAL Takanabe, Miyazaki In 2010, the town of Takanabe suffered a devastating foot-and-mouth outbreak. At a loss for what to grow without the usual compost from his cows and pigs, a local cabbage farmer began to experiment and found that the land was suitable for growing sunflowers. Although not traditionally a companion plant […]
I recently moved back to Australia, and am already planning my next trip to Miyazaki (no surprises there!). I mentioned in one of my previous articles how to get to Miyazaki from other parts of Japan, but this time I would like to give some advice for traveling from Australia. While living in Miyazaki, I […]
Despite the absolute plethora of amazing Japanese restaurants located throughout Miyazaki, sometimes you really just need a good slice of pizza. Remarkably affordable and downright delicious, Pizza Bar Pecco is here to satisfy your craving. The restaurant is located in the heart of Miyazaki City, tucked just outside the hurried bustle of the popular Ichibangai […]
Nestled in the Kyushu Mountains in the north-west of the prefecture, Takachiho Gorge is one of Miyazaki’s best kept secrets. The v-shaped ravine, carved out by lava flow from the nearby Mount Aso volcano, forms part of Takachiho Town where it is believed the gods descended to earth. The area attracts thousands of visitors who […]
Miyazaki is a coastal prefecture nestled along the south-eastern coast of Kyushu. It therefore goes without saying that there will be a lot of places that serve ridiculously good sea food, right? Well, one of these places is COAST LIFE OYSTER & BEEF. Located 5 minutes by car from central Aoshima, COAST LIFE is known […]
Miyazaki is famous, amongst other things, for its great surfing conditions. Our sunny prefecture is blessed with good waves and relatively warm water all year around. Surfing is great for body, mind, and soul and it’s a great outdoor activity you can do regardless of the weather. If you always have admired the sport but […]
With a single case of COVID-19 being diagnosed in Miyazaki Prefecture during the season of going-away and welcome-parties, many local restaurants have reported a drop in customers and mass cancellations of bookings. In an attempt to alleviate the economic impact of COVID-19, BUY LOCAL Miyazaki has launched a new initiative to help local restaurants weather […]
Japan has many ‘power spots’. A power spot is a sacred space that is significant in Japanese mythology or has great natural beauty. For day two of our Miyazaki trip, we headed to Takachiho, a small town nestled in the mountains of northern Miyazaki, which is home to perhaps one of the most famous power […]
Kainoya is a cute little sushi shop in Miyazaki City and it is about as local as you can get (the owners were really surprised when we entered the shop but were super friendly and welcoming). They serve a variety of local and traditional Japanese dishes, but my friend recommended me Kainoya for their sushi […]
Miyazaki’s landscapes are versatile, and nature is rich here. Be it mountains, open fields, forests or the sea, Miyazaki has got it all. Maybe that’s the reason people here don’t really feel the urge to go to a park to experience nature or go for a run. And why would they when they are surrounded […]
My obsession with ramen has led me to yet another shop I felt was more than worthy of review. Popeye (“ポパイ” in katakana) Ramen, named so for their signature ramen loaded with spinach, has slowly become my most frequented ramen shop in Miyazaki. Among the many unique shops around the city, from chic atmospheres to […]
Our trip was coming to an end, but there was still so much to do and eat! Miyazaki really is a hidden gem. Once you get there, you discover more and more reasons to stay. We started our fourth and final day with breakfast and coffee by the ocean at Aoshima Beach Park. We were […]
The first time I heard someone mention tomato ramen I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. The idea sounded like something a little too similar to spaghetti, but too far from the traditional delicious ramen I’ve come to love living in Japan. Anyhow, I figured I’d give it a shot, and let me tell you […]