Last reviewed: · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.
Overview of Miyazaki Prefecture (宮崎県)
Miyazaki Prefecture (宮崎県) is located in the Kyushu region of Japan, with its prefectural capital at Miyazaki and primary transport gateway at Miyazaki Station & Miyazaki Bougainvillea Airport (KMI). Spanning 26 cities, towns, and villages, Miyazaki is renowned for Basalt columns and waterfall of Takachiho Gorge, cliff-cave shrine of Udo Jingu (Nichinan), Aoshima Island ('Devil's Washboard' rock formations), and Sun Messe Nichinan's ocean-view Moai statues.
| Miyazaki Prefecture (宮崎県) Quick Facts | 2026/2027 Travel Reference |
|---|---|
| Region & Capital | Kyushu · Capital: Miyazaki |
| Primary Rail / Transit Hub | Miyazaki Station & Miyazaki Bougainvillea Airport (KMI) |
| Municipalities Covered | 26 cities, towns, wards & villages |
| Top Sightseeing Bases | Miyazaki (宮崎市), Miyakonojō (都城市), Nobeoka (延岡市), Hyūga (日向市), Nichinan (日南市) |
| Best Season to Visit | Spring (Mar–May) & Autumn (Oct–Nov) |
| Signature Regional Food | Chicken Nanban (crispy sweet-vinegar chicken topped with rich homemade tartar sauce), Jidori sumibiyaki (charcoal-seared free-range chicken), Miyazaki A5 wagyu, Hiyajiru (chilled sesame-miso fish soup over rice) & ripe Taiyo-no-Tamago mangoes |
Top Cities, Towns & Sightseeing Bases in Miyazaki Prefecture
Whether you are basing in the prefectural capital of Miyazaki or planning regional day trips from Miyazaki Station & Miyazaki Bougainvillea Airport (KMI), these top municipalities in Miyazaki Prefecture offer the richest concentration of cultural landmarks, rail links, and dining:
- Miyazaki (宮崎市) — Core city (pop. 369,473, 596.80 km²) served by Miyazaki Station (宮崎駅) (1.4 km); key local sights include Ao Shima (12.6 km), Arahira Yama (13.0 km), Asajinnno (17.6 km).
- Miyakonojō (都城市) — City (pop. 169,384, 653.31 km²) served by Miyakonojō Station (都城駅) (2.2 km); key local sights include Imamachi Ichirizuka, National Historic Site, Ōshima Hatakeda Site, National Historic Site, Shiraga Dake (13.7 km).
- Nobeoka (延岡市) — City (pop. 132,480, 867.97 km²) served by Nobeoka Station (延岡駅) (1.1 km); key local sights include Kobira Mountain (4.7 km), Eno-take (7.6 km), Mi-saki (11.2 km).
- Hyūga (日向市) — City (pop. 63,066, 336.29 km²) served by Hyūgashi Station (日向市駅) (0.5 km); key local sights include Take-shima (5.0 km), Komeno Mountain (3.7 km), Kannon-saki (5.7 km).
- Nichinan (日南市) — City (pop. 43,264, 294.46 km²) served by Nichinan Station (日南駅) (0.3 km); key local sights include Ō-shima (8.5 km), Kurasaki Hana Light (10.4 km), Kagu Mountain (9.8 km).
- Kobayashi (小林市) — City (pop. 40,514, 474.23 km²) served by Kobayashi Station (小林駅) (0.7 km); key local sights include Kakure Nenbutsu Dō (3.6 km), Honda Iseki (6.5 km), Hinamori Dake (7.9 km).
How to get to Miyazaki Prefecture
1h 40m flight from Tokyo Haneda (or 1h from Osaka), or JR Nichirin Limited Express along the east coast of Kyushu. Once at Miyazaki Station & Miyazaki Bougainvillea Airport (KMI), JR regional lines, private commuter railways, and local highway buses connect travelers across all 26 municipalities in Miyazaki. Use our Shinkansen Fare & Route Calculator and JR Pass Value Helper to compare rail tickets and regional passes.
Signature local food in Miyazaki
When visiting cities across Miyazaki, look out for these regional specialties at station restaurants, markets, and local izakaya:
- Chicken Nanban (crispy sweet-vinegar chicken topped with rich homemade tartar sauce) — regional culinary specialty across Miyazaki Prefecture (宮崎県).
- Jidori sumibiyaki (charcoal-seared free-range chicken) — regional culinary specialty across Miyazaki Prefecture (宮崎県).
- Miyazaki A5 wagyu — regional culinary specialty across Miyazaki Prefecture (宮崎県).
- Hiyajiru (chilled sesame-miso fish soup over rice) & ripe Taiyo-no-Tamago mangoes — regional culinary specialty across Miyazaki Prefecture (宮崎県).
Best time to visit Miyazaki
Subtropical sunshine year-round; spring and autumn for walking Takachiho Gorge and the Nichinan Coast.
All 26 cities & municipalities in Miyazaki Prefecture
Click any city below for its individual travel guide, local landmarks, nearest rail station, food specialties, and 5 closest neighboring stops:
| City (Kanji) | Type / Status | Population | Area | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miyazaki 宮崎市 | Core city | 369,473 | 596.80 km² | City guide → |
| Miyakonojō 都城市 | City | 169,384 | 653.31 km² | City guide → |
| Nobeoka 延岡市 | City | 132,480 | 867.97 km² | City guide → |
| Nichinan 日南市 | City | 43,264 | 294.46 km² | City guide → |
| Kobayashi 小林市 | City | 40,514 | 474.23 km² | City guide → |
| Hyūga 日向市 | City | 63,066 | 336.29 km² | City guide → |
| Kushima 串間市 | City | 21,386 | 294.96 km² | City guide → |
| Saito 西都市 | City | 33,290 | 438.56 km² | City guide → |
| Ebino えびの市 | City | 22,445 | 283.00 km² | City guide → |
| Takanabe 高鍋町 | Town (町) | 21,390 | 43.8 km² | City guide → |
| Takaharu 高原町 | Town (町) | 10,223 | 85.39 km² | City guide → |
| Takachiho 高千穂町 | Town (町) | 13,401 | 237.54 km² | City guide → |
| Shiiba 椎葉村 | Village (村) | 3,136 | 537.29 km² | City guide → |
| Nishimera 西米良村 | Village (村) | 1,252 | 271.51 km² | City guide → |
| Morotsuka 諸塚村 | Village (村) | 1,928 | 187.56 km² | City guide → |
| Aya 綾町 | Town (町) | 7,652 | 95.19 km² | City guide → |
| Mimata 三股町 | Town (町) | 25,851 | 110.02 km² | City guide → |
| Kunitomi 国富町 | Town (町) | 20,687 | 130.63 km² | City guide → |
| Shintomi 新富町 | Town (町) | 18,457 | 61.53 km² | City guide → |
| Kijō 木城町 | Town (町) | 5,402 | 145.96 km² | City guide → |
| Kawaminami 川南町 | Town (町) | 16,860 | 145.96 km² | City guide → |
| Tsuno 都農町 | Town (町) | 11,123 | 145.96 km² | City guide → |
| Kadogawa 門川町 | Town (町) | 18,970 | 120.52 km² | City guide → |
| Misato 美郷町 | Town (町) | 6,282 | 448.84 km² | City guide → |
| Hinokage 日之影町 | Town (町) | 4,468 | 277.67 km² | City guide → |
| Gokase 五ヶ瀬町 | Town (町) | 4,326 | 171.73 km² | City guide → |
Frequently asked questions
What are the best places and cities to visit in Miyazaki Prefecture (宮崎県)?
Top highlights across Miyazaki Prefecture (宮崎県) in Japan's Kyushu region include Basalt columns and waterfall of Takachiho Gorge, cliff-cave shrine of Udo Jingu (Nichinan), Aoshima Island ('Devil's Washboard' rock formations), and Sun Messe Nichinan's ocean-view Moai statues. Major cities and sightseeing bases in Miyazaki include Miyazaki (宮崎市), Miyakonojō (都城市), Nobeoka (延岡市), Hyūga (日向市), Nichinan (日南市).
How do I get to Miyazaki Prefecture and get around by train?
The primary rail and transit hub for Miyazaki Prefecture is Miyazaki Station & Miyazaki Bougainvillea Airport (KMI) (prefectural capital: Miyazaki). 1h 40m flight from Tokyo Haneda (or 1h from Osaka), or JR Nichirin Limited Express along the east coast of Kyushu. Compare bullet-train fares with our Shinkansen Fare Calculator and JR Pass Calculator.
What local food and regional dishes is Miyazaki Prefecture famous for?
Signature regional specialties across Miyazaki Prefecture (宮崎県) include Chicken Nanban (crispy sweet-vinegar chicken topped with rich homemade tartar sauce), Jidori sumibiyaki (charcoal-seared free-range chicken), Miyazaki A5 wagyu, Hiyajiru (chilled sesame-miso fish soup over rice) & ripe Taiyo-no-Tamago mangoes—served at station restaurants around Miyazaki Station & Miyazaki Bougainvillea Airport (KMI), local morning markets, and izakaya in Miyazaki and Miyakonojō.
When is the best time of year to visit Miyazaki Prefecture?
Subtropical sunshine year-round; spring and autumn for walking Takachiho Gorge and the Nichinan Coast. Check month-by-month weather, cherry blossom windows, and autumn foliage dates in our Japan Seasonal Calendar.