Yebisu Garden Place
Yebisu Garden Place comprises restaurants, cafés, department store, movie theaters, museums and more, all within this complex filled with abundant greenery.
This place combines shopping, dining, museums, and great night views.
Walking around the garden plaza feels like strolling through a little European street in Japan.
Perfect for weekends, dates, or just taking it slow.
Mt. Haguro
This 414-meter-high mountain lies northwest of Mt. Gassan, the main peak of the three mountains of Dewa. A 29-meter-high, five-story pagoda blends into a grove of cedar trees, a few minutes' walk along a mountain path from Zuishinmon gate by the bus stop.
There are so many giant cedar trees along the way. The whole route feels ancient, like traveling through time.
Manai Falls
Takachiho Gorge, designated as a National Scenic Beauty and Natural Monument, is a stunning landscape formed by the erosion of pyroclastic flows from Mount Aso's eruption. The result is a unique gorge with striking columnar cliffs, known as columnar jointing.
The waterfall rushes down the cliff with incredible force—it's really impressive!
Takachiho Beef Restaurant Nagomi
Takachiho Beef is a premium wagyu that won the top honor, the Prime Minister’s Award, in the cattle division of the National Wagyu Show, held once every five years to crown Japan’s best wagyu. Only A4-grade-and-up Japanese Black cattle raised and fattened within the Takachiho District Agricultural Cooperative area can be called Takachiho Beef. This JA-operated restaurant lets you enjoy its tender texture and rich umami at a reasonable price.
Takachiho beef really is something else. If you come here, you’ve gotta dig in and enjoy it!
Takachiho Kagura
Takachiho Kagura is a folk performance passed down in Takachiho Town, Miyazaki Prefecture. It's known as the "Night Kagura of Takachiho" and is dedicated in hopes for a bountiful harvest. Established from the late Heian period to the Kamakura period, it was performed and dedicated by the priests of the Takachiho Shrine until the end of the Edo period. It was then organized into 33 Kagura performances and has been passed down from one community to the next.
Even though I couldn't understand the story of the Kagura performance, it was great to experience this famous Japanese tradition. I could really feel the atmosphere of Japanese mythology, and the vibe at the end was fantastic!
Amanoyasukawara
Amanoiwato Shrine in Takachiho, Miyazaki Prefecture enshrines the "Amanoiwato" - the cave where the sun goddess Amaterasu is believed to have hidden, a significant episode in Japanese mythology. About a 10-minute walk along the Iwato River from its Nishihonganji (West Main Shrine) will lead you to "Amanoyasukawara." This location is said to be where the eight million deities gathered to discuss how to coax Amaterasu out of the cave.
They say this place is full of spiritual energy, and I definitely felt something special when I visited!
Mameda Town
Hita City, neighboring Fukuoka and Kumamoto, was a prosperous “Tenryo (directly ruled by the Shogunate)” merchant town in Edo Period. The city is still dotted by classic buildings and earthen walls, which earned the nickname “Little Kyoto in Kyushu.” Roughly a 15-minute walk from Hita train station will take you to Mameda Town, where houses of merchants still remain who were providing goods to the Shogunate during the Tenryo Era.
This historic little town is perfect for a relaxing stroll. Definitely worth a visit.
Mori-shi Garden, Mori Museum
The old main residence of the former Choshu lord, the Mori family, who were famous strong lords during the civil war period dominating the Chugoku area and later became duke after the Meiji Restoration.
Combining a residence and a garden, this is truly a masterpiece of Japanese garden design.
Kaikyo Yume Tower
Opened in July of 1996, “Kaikyo Yume Tower” is a 153m tall tower located on the Kanmon Straits. It is known as a landmark of Shimonoseki.
The tower looks even more atmospheric at night when it's all lit up compared to during the day.
Obi Castle Town
In Tensho 16 (1588), Toyotomi Hideyoshi granted the castle to Ito Sukebei for his efforts to alleviate Kyushu. It was maintained and flourished as a castle town for the Obi clan, Ito family, with a population of 51,000 koku for 280 years until the abolition of the domain in 1588. The ruins of Obi Castle, samurai residences, old storehouses, and other structures remain. The area was the first in Kyushu to be designated as a Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings.
They've preserved the old buildings from the past. It used to be a lively place, but now it's just an occasional stop for travelers passing by.