Learn About the Mythology of Japan by Visiting Authentic Shrines in Miyazaki

These unforgettable and authentic experiences will fill your mind with knowledge of Japan's history, mythologies, and anthologies. You can even take a trip back in time by visiting an ancient Samurai-era town where you will feel like a part of history.

Visit ancient sites of Japanese mythology

When you visit the ancient sites of Japanese mythology, you can learn about the story of Amaterasu, who is the sun goddess and one of the major deities of Shinto. These shrines tell the story of her birth, journey through life, and ascent to the status of the highest deity in Japanese mythology. Other shrines will teach you about other fabled figures from the myths of Japan. Some of the shrines have unique features such as caves, clifftop views, and even dragons.

Eda Shrine - Where Izanagi and Izanami are enshrined

According to Japanese Mythology, the Eda Shrine is where the parents of the Sun Goddess Amaterasu and her siblings the Moon Deity Tsukuyomi and the Storm God Susanoo are enshrined. These gods were born in a purification ritual performed in nearby Misogi Pond by their father Izanagi. The ritual occurred when he tried to free his wife Izanami when she became trapped in the underworld. This hard-to-find shrine is in Shimin-no-Mori in the northern part of Miyazaki City.

How to get to Eda Shrine

Take the Miyazakikuko Line from the Miyazaki Airport to Miyazaki Station and then take the 18 bus 15 stops to the Yamasaki. The Eda Shrine is a few minutes walk away.

• Address: 127 Yabo, Awakigahara-cho, Miyazaki City, Miyazaki Prefecture 880-0835

Amano Iwato Shrine - View Amaterasu's hiding place

You can locate the Amano Iwato Shrine near a cave about 10km outside of Takachiho. Legend has it that this is the cave where Amaterasu hid away, bringing darkness to heaven and Earth until all of the other gods of Japan assembled and performed a ceremony. The shrine has two main buildings located across the Iwato River from the cave. You can view the cave from an observation deck, but only while doing a guided tour hosted by a priest.

How to get to Amano Iwato Shrine

Take the Limited express Nichirin from the Miyazaki Airport seven stops to Nobeoka Station. Next, take Bus 71 58 stops to the Takachko Bus Center, then take the Iwato bus ten stops to Iwato, where it is only a two-minute walk to the shrine.

• Address: 1073-1 Iwato, Takachiho-cho, Nishiusuki-gun, Miyazaki Prefecture 882-1621

Amano Yasukawara - Explore Amaterasu's cave site shrine

The Amano Yasukawara is simple in nature, but it is the place where gods and goddesses held discussions to figure out how to lure Amaterasu out of hiding. One of the highlights of the shrine is the countless amounts of stone piles created by visitors. 

How to get to Amano Yasukawara Shrine

You can reach the Amano Yaskuawara shrine in just a short 10-minute walk down the path from the Amano Iwato Shrine. 

Takachiho Kagura - Watch a sacred dance

Performed for over 800 years, Kagura is a sacred dance that has roots in shamanism and is what persuaded Amaterasu to leave her cave hiding place. You can watch performances of Kagura, which celebrates the Shinto gods, at the Takachiho Shrine. If you want the full Kagura experience, there is an all-night performance of the dance on both November 22 and 23 each year called Takachiho Night Kagura. It is a night filled with dancing, music, and lots of sake and shochu. There is also a daily performance of Takachiho Kagura daily at 8PM. 

How to get to Takachiho Shrine

Take the Sonic-Nichirin Limited Express Oita from the Miyazaki Airport nine stops to Nobeoka Station. Next, get on Bus 72 and take it 63 stops to Miyakoh Bus Center. The shrine is only a 10-minute walk away from the bus center.

• Address: 1037 Mitai, Oaza Takachiho-cho, Nishiusuki-gun, Miyazaki Prefecture 882-1101

Udo Shrine (Udo Jingū) - Visit the cave of nourishing water

If you visit the Udo Shrine, you'll learn about the strange tale of Yamasachihiko, who was the father of the mythical first emperor of Japan, Emperor Jimmu. There is water that drips from the cave roof from breast-shaped rocks, which is said to have nourished Emperor Jimmu as a baby. Women who are pregnant, or want to be, flock to this shrine to drink the water in hopes of good fortune. There is even a game you can play here that can bring you good luck. Purchase a small ceramic ball at the shrine and try to hit a target over the cliff edge—if you do, good luck is yours.

How to get to Udo Shrine

Get on Bus 965 to Nichinan Obi and get off in 39 stops at bus stop Udo Shrine. The Udo Shrine is a 20-minute walk from the bus stop Udo Shrine.

•Address: 3232 Miyaura, Nichinan City, Miyazaki Prefecture 887-0101

Omi-jinja Shrine - Admire the ascending dragon

Known as "The Ise Shrine of Hyuga," the Omi Shrine celebrates the goddess Amaterasu. When you visit the cliffside shrine, you will be able to take in a breathtaking view of the picturesque ocean. A trip to the Omi Shrine gives you the opportunity to see multiple "dragons." You can enter a cave near the shrine, and when you look back towards the entrance, there is a crack that looks like an ascending dragon. There is also a giant boulder made of conglomerate rock that has a bowl-shaped hole in it. The hole has carved lines that spiral around it, and in the center sits an egg-shaped stone. The lines in the bowl are thought to represent a dragon, and the small stone represents its egg. 

How to get to Omi Shrine

Take the Nippou Line from the Miyazaki Airport to Hyūgashi Station and then get on Bus 93 towards Aeon-Town Hyuga. Take this bus four stops to Era4Chome and then walk 15-minutes to the Omi Shrine.

• Address: 1 Hichiya, Hyuga City, Miyazaki Prefecture 883-0062

Obi Town - Stroll through a Samurai-era town

If you want to know what a Samurai-era town looks like, make a stop at Obi Town outside of Miyazaki. This town is an hour's drive south of Miyazaki and dates back to the 15th century. The Shimazu family built this town to protect themselves from invaders. You can explore the ruins of a castle, eat delicious food, and stay at wonderful resorts, all while soaking in the history of this ancient town. 

Obi Castle ruins - Check out a piece of history

The ruins of Obi Castle are the major attraction of Obi Town. The castle itself dates back to the 15th century but has some parts that underwent restoration in the 1970s. You are able to wander the grounds of the castle while learning about its place in history through plaques and pamphlets located all around. There are multiple museums and residences on site that show how everything looked in that time period. While it is free to enter the castle ruins, a combination ticket is available for 1,300¥ that grants you access to the museums and the lord's sleeping quarters. There is an 800¥ ticket that has food vouchers and access to the town.

How to get to Obi Town

You can take the 965 Bus from the Miyazaki Airport towards Nichinan Obi and get off at Obi, which is 75 stops away. It is then a 7-minute walk to the ruins.

• Address: 10-1 Obi, Nichinan City, Miyazaki Prefecture 889-2535

Hattoritei and Itotei - Taste the traditional food of Miyazaki

Both Hattoritei and Itotei are restaurants in Miyazaki that serve the traditional food of the town of Obi. Obi Hattoritei is in a 100-year-old estate that has a garden in its center. You can take in a view of this beautiful garden while dining on the traditional Hattori-zen meal. This multi-course affair features seasonal sashimi, Obi sushi, savory egg custard, and dengaku roasted dishes, among other things.

Itotei is also located in a former samurai residence and is open primarily for lunch. Their menu consists of three different meal sets, including chicken nanban gozen, tuna bowl mabushi, and dashimaki tamagoyaki gozen. They even have a variety of teas for you to try, like matcha that is grown right in Miyazaki.

• Address: 
Hattoritei - 4-3-19 Obi, Nichinan City, Miyazaki Prefecture 889-2535 (open daily from 11 AM to 2 PM)
and Itotei - 8-6-10 Obi, Nichinan City, Miyazaki Prefecture 889-2535 (open daily from 11 AM to 3 PM for lunch) 

Nazuna Obi Onsen Resort and Ohya - Stay at Samurai Town for an unforgettable experience

Nazuna Obi Onsen Resort is a five-room luxury ryokan or traditional Japanese-style inn. This ryokan is inside of a 140-year old samurai residence. The owners renovated it into rooms that highlight the elements of Obi. They are Honmurasaki (the traditional purple color of the town), Sugi (the cedar tree), Chaboku (the tea tree), Daidai (the orange fruit), and Koke (the moss). These rooms hold between two and five guests, depending on the size, and all come with a private open-air bath with water drawn from the Kitago Hot Spring in Nichinan City.

Ohya, which is also at the resort, is a private Bukeyashiki style mansion that accommodates up to six guests. This 130-year old mansion was originally the gatehouse for a higher-class samurai estate. The mansion comes with its own private backyard, a modern kitchen, and tatami-rooms. 

Enjoy the most authentic experiences in Miyazaki

A visit to Miyazaki is a must for anyone interested in the history of Japan's myths and legends. You will explore samurai towns to learn about Japan's feudal history and ancient shrines to find out the roots of legends like Amaterasu. When you are ready to learn about the myths and legends of Japan, just book a flight to the Miyazaki Airport on Japan Airlines from any of the 30 cities in Japan Airlines' domestic network using the JAL Japan Explorer Pass.