Sun Messe Nichinan

Attraction

Part of Nichinan Coast

Prefecture

Miyazaki

Type

Attraction

N/A

0 reviews

¥1,000

Entry Fee

Restaurant Cafe

About This Destination

Seaside park featuring the only full-size reproductions of Easter Island moai statues officially authorized by the Rapa Nui people.

Sun Messe Nichinan is a unique seaside park on the Nichinan Coast featuring seven full-size replica moai statues, the only ones in the world officially authorized by the people of Rapa Nui (Easter Island). The replicas were created as a gesture of gratitude after Japanese engineers helped restore the original moai on Easter Island in the 1990s. The seven statues stand in a line facing the Pacific Ocean against a backdrop of tropical vegetation and blue sea, creating a surreal and photogenic scene. The park also includes a butterfly garden, a world insect exhibition, and walking trails through the hilly coastal terrain with panoramic ocean views. Each moai is said to bring different luck including romance, money, and academic success.

Location

Prefecture: Miyazaki

Address: Nichinan, Miyazaki, Japan

Nearest Station: No direct train access (bus from Miyazaki)

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Visitor Information

Credit Cards: Accepted

Food Options: On-site restaurant serves local Miyazaki dishes. A cafe offers drinks and Miyazaki mango soft serve.

Official Website

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get to Sun Messe Nichinan?

By car (recommended): About 1 hour south of Miyazaki City along the scenic Nichinan Coast (Route 220). Free parking on-site. By bus: Miyako City Bus from JR Miyazaki Station to 'Sun Messe Nichinan' takes about 1 hour 30 minutes (around 1,500 yen) — buses run roughly every 1–2 hours, so plan return carefully. The drive itself is part of the experience, with sea views, palm trees, and Aoshima/Udo Jingu nearby.

Why are there moai statues in Japan?

In 1990, Japanese engineers helped restore the original moai statues on Easter Island after they were knocked over during a tsunami. The grateful Rapa Nui people granted official permission for full-size moai replicas to be created in Japan as a symbol of friendship — Sun Messe Nichinan's seven moai are the only such statues in the world authorized by the Rapa Nui community. The replicas are called 'Ahu Akivi' moai, modeled after seven statues facing the ocean on Easter Island. Each is said to grant different luck.

What's the entry fee and what's included?

Adult admission is 1,000 yen, junior-high and elementary 700 yen, kids 500 yen. The fee includes the seven moai statues, the world insect museum, the butterfly garden, all coastal walking paths and viewpoints, and access to the on-site restaurant and cafe. Open daily 9:30 AM to 5 PM (last admission 4:30 PM). Cash and credit cards accepted. Allow 1.5–2 hours for a thorough visit; the views and photo opportunities make it worth more time than the moai alone.

When is the best time to visit Sun Messe Nichinan?

Spring and autumn for the most pleasant weather and clearest sea views. Sunny days are essential for the best photos with the moai against the blue Pacific. Mornings are quietest. Avoid typhoon season (mid-August to September) when sea views can be obscured by storms. The ride down the Nichinan Coast pairs naturally with Udo Jingu (15 minutes south) and Aoshima Island (15 minutes north) — a half- to full-day Miyazaki coastal loop.