5 Recommended Tourist Spots in Hyūga City! There’s So Much to See Along the Beautiful Coastline

Hyūga City is located in the northeastern part of Miyazaki Prefecture and faces the Hyūga-nada Sea. Situated at the southern tip of the ria coastline that continues into Oita Prefecture, many tourist attractions are scattered along its complex eroded terrain. In addition, Hyūga City is home to historic port towns such as Mimitsu and Hosojima, which still retain their rich history and traditional streetscapes. In this article, we introduce 5 recommended tourist spots within Hyūga City.

1. The Streetscapes of Mimitsu

The Mimitsu district, located at the mouth of the Mikikawa River in the southern part of Hyūga City, has prospered as a port town since the Edo period. Along the two streets that stretch beside the beach, the old merchant houses still remain, and in 1986, the area was designated as an Important Preservation District for Traditional Buildings. The streetscapes of Mimitsu, said to have been modeled after the merchant quarters in Kyoto and Osaka, are lined with stately old merchant houses with white-walled kura (storehouses), conveying the prosperity of days gone by.

In one section of the area, the Hyūga City History and Folklore Museum has been established by restoring the merchant house “Kawachi-ya,” which was founded in 1855. The museum displays materials and business tools passed down from Kawachi-ya, as well as ancient artifacts excavated from the Jomon to the Kofun periods.

2. Hyūga Cape

To the east of JR Hyūga City Station lies a scenic spot known as Hyūga Cape. This is a large peninsula, typical of the ria coastline, where you can find various tourist points such as naturally occurring columnar jointing.

◆ Umagake

Named “Umagake” because its footing is as narrow as a horse’s back, this scenic spot is located near the tip of the cape, offering a panoramic view of the vast ocean right before your eyes. However, what you should really take in are the cliffs on both sides! The narrow inlet, squeezed between sheer cliffs of columnar jointing, is a marvel that seems as if Moses had split the rock with miraculous power.

◆ Cruz of Fulfilled Wishes

“Cruz” means “cross” in Portuguese. This tourist attraction is named because the eroded rock formation, where water collects, resembles a cross. Moreover, when you include the small island behind the cross, it even looks like the Japanese character “叶” (kanau), making it a popular spot for those wishing for their dreams to come true.

◆ Hosojima Lighthouse

Originally built in 1908 as a red brick lighthouse, it was rebuilt in its current pure white tower form in 1938. In 2017, it was designated as a “Lover’s Lighthouse” by the Japan Romantica Association. There’s no doubt that this tourist spot will soon attract attention as a sacred site for lovers.

◆ Kuroda’s Retainer

During the late Edo period, three loyal pro-Imperial activists were captured during the Teradaya Incident and were killed while being transported on this island. Since one of them was a retainer of the Kuroda family, the island itself came to be called “Kuroda’s Retainer.”

The sandbar to the island appears only when the tide is sufficiently low, allowing you to walk over. The surrounding seawater is very clear, making it perfect for a pleasant beach walk.

3. Myōkokuji Garden

Located at the northern foothills of Hosojima, at the base of Hyūga Cape, Hosojima, like Mimitsu, prospered as a natural good harbor. Myōkokuji, a historic temple behind the townhouses, is an ancient temple of the Nichiren sect said to have been founded in the 14th century. The garden of Myōkokuji, which has preserved its original style, is designated as a nationally recognized scenic spot.

It is said that the layout of Myōkokuji Garden is based on Buddhist teachings: the pond represents the Sanzu River, the islet in the pond symbolizes the Pure Land, and the bridge represents the Buddhist law. Moreover, the three constructed mounds correspond to the three realms, allowing you to appreciate the garden while also learning about Buddhist teachings.

By the way, the “three realms” refer to the Desire Realm (yokai), where one is ensnared by sensual and food desires; the Form Realm (shikai), where one has not fully escaped bodily desires; and the Formless Realm (mushikai), where one is liberated from all material things. Which of the three mounds do you like?

4. Wakayama Bokusui’s Birthplace

The poet Wakayama Bokusui, who is featured in every Japanese middle school language textbook, was born in Hyūga City (formerly Tōgō Town). His birthplace is located in a tranquil mountain village along the tributary Tsuboyagawa of the Mikikawa River, and the surrounding area has been developed as Bokusui Park.

The spacious two-story house from the end of the Edo period, with minimal decorative embellishments befitting a wandering poet who loved travel and sake, is where Bokusui was born on the morning of August 24, Meiji 18.

The Tsuboyagawa that flows in front of the house still serves as a playground for local children. Why not spend some quiet time in this mountain village that nurtured one of Japan’s most famous poets?

5. Ōmijin Shrine

Ōmijin Shrine is affectionately known among local people as “Hyūga’s Ise-sama.” It is built against a backdrop of the striking columnar jointed rock formations that extend from Hyūga Cape, and in recent years, it has also gained popularity as a power spot.

Within the shrine grounds, highlights include one of the largest collections of “sazare-ishi” (small, rounded stones) in the country, discovered during expansion work in 2003, and the giant stone “Kamigura” (God’s Seat), said to be the stone upon which Ninigi-no-Mikoto stood during his descent from heaven.

If you have extra time, consider visiting nearby Udo Shrine, which features a large cave measuring 20 meters in height and 40 meters in depth. When you enter and look back, the split rock at the entrance appears like a rising dragon.

◎ Summary

We have carefully selected 5 tourist spots in Hyūga City from among its many attractions. Since the old provincial name of Miyazaki was Hyūga, it may be hard to imagine where Hyūga City is exactly in Miyazaki. Hyūga City is close to Nobeoka, so if you’re touring Takachiho or the northern part of the prefecture, be sure to stop by here.