# Miyazaki City

> Subtropical prefectural capital known for year-round sunshine, mythological sites, mango, and charcoal-grilled chicken.

- Prefecture: Miyazaki
- Type: City
- Address: Miyazaki, Japan
- Admission: Free
- Official site: https://www.kanko-miyazaki.jp/en/

Miyazaki City is a laid-back prefectural capital with a subtropical climate and abundant sunshine, earning it the nickname Sunshine City. The city is closely connected to Japanese mythology as the land where the sun goddess Amaterasu's grandson descended from heaven, with numerous shrines marking key mythological sites. Miyazaki's food culture is notable, featuring Miyazaki Jidori charcoal-grilled free-range chicken, the famous Miyazaki mango known as the Egg of the Sun, and chicken nanban, a dish of fried chicken with vinegar and tartar sauce that was invented here. The coastal area near Aoshima offers surfing, and the city's relaxed palm-tree-lined streets give it a resort-like atmosphere unique among Japanese cities.

## FAQ

### How do I get to Miyazaki City?

Most travelers fly to Miyazaki Airport from Tokyo Haneda (1 hour 45 minutes), Osaka Itami (1 hour), or Fukuoka (45 minutes). The airport is unusually close to the city; JR Miyazaki Airport Line trains reach JR Miyazaki Station in just 10 minutes (360 yen). By train, the JR Limited Express 'Nichirin' from Hakata via Oita takes 5 to 6 hours (10,890 yen). Within the city, buses and walking suffice; rental car needed only for nearby coast or Aoshima.

### What's the must-see in and around Miyazaki City?

Within the city: Miyazaki Shrine (Japan's first emperor's shrine), Heiwadai Park with its Tower of Peace, and the lively Tachibana-dori shopping arcade for chicken nanban dinners. Just outside: Aoshima Island (a tropical-looking island connected by a sandbar, with the unusual 'Devil's Washboard' rock formations), Udo Jingu (a shrine inside a coastal cave), and Horikiri Pass viewpoints. Takachiho Gorge is 3 hours away by car but worth a separate trip.

### What food should I try in Miyazaki?

Chicken nanban (fried chicken with vinegar and tartar sauce, invented in Nobeoka 1965; try at Ogura, Nankaian) and Miyazaki Jidori sumibiyaki (free-range black-feathered chicken char-grilled over high heat, served lightly smoky and tender; try at Kotori or Marudai Honten). Miyazaki mango (May to July, the 'Egg of the Sun' brand can cost over 5,000 yen) and hiyajiru (cold miso-soup over rice for hot summer days). Beef from Miyazaki cattle is also among Japan's top-graded wagyu.

### When is the best time to visit Miyazaki?

Miyazaki has Japan's most consistent sunshine year-round. Spring (March to May) and autumn (October to November) have the most pleasant temperatures. Summer (June to September) is hot, humid, and the typhoon season but ideal for surfing at Aoshima. Winter is mild, with an average January high of 14°C, which is why pro baseball teams hold spring training here every February. Mango season is May to July. Avoid Golden Week (early May) and Obon (mid-August) for bigger crowds and accommodation pressures.

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Source: Miyazaki City — Japan Voyage