Cape Toi

Cape Toi is a windswept promontory jutting into the Pacific Ocean at the southernmost point of Miyazaki Prefecture, offering one of Japan's most unique wildlife encounters. The cape is home to the Misaki horses, a rare breed that has roamed these grasslands in a feral state since 1697, when they were first brought here for samurai breeding purposes. Designated as a National Natural Monument, approximately 100 of these small, sturdy horses graze freely along the cliff-top meadows, completely unfazed by the presence of visitors. The cape's dramatic landscape features sheer volcanic cliffs plunging into the turquoise sea, a historic lighthouse built in 1929, and sweeping views that extend to the horizon. The surrounding area is rich in subtropical vegetation, and on clear days the coastline offers wide panoramas that showcase the rugged scenery of southern Kyushu.