3 nights, 4 days: an Obi day trip or a Takachiho stay?
Stay three nights in Miyazaki city to give Aoshima and Obi a day each without moving accommodation. For separate gorge walk and boat days, compare one city night followed by two Takachiho nights on a driving route. Takachiho requires a long northern journey and is not added to a southern coast day. The JR route's reference adult local-train subtotal is ¥3,880 including Obi return travel; the gorge route requires checks of actual open paths and boat reservations.
Choose a 4 days, 3 nights itinerary
A day each for Aoshima and Obi
Stay three nights at the same property near Miyazaki Station. Make separate return trips to the city shrine on day 1, Aoshima on day 2 and Obi on day 3; visit the museum before leaving on the last day. This rail-based route keeps the same accommodation and avoids combining the two southern destinations in one day.
A day each for Aoshima and Obi →4 days, 3 nights BWalk Takachiho Gorge, then take a boat
This rental-car route has one night in Miyazaki city followed by two in Takachiho, separating the gorge walk and boat days. On the last day, return to Miyazaki and return the car. Visit the museum only if driving, breaks, refuelling, car return and your booked departure leave enough time.
Walk Takachiho Gorge, then take a boat →A day each for Aoshima and Obi
Stay three nights at the same property near Miyazaki Station. Make separate return trips to the city shrine on day 1, Aoshima on day 2 and Obi on day 3; visit the museum before leaving on the last day. This rail-based route keeps the same accommodation and avoids combining the two southern destinations in one day.
Day 1
Visit the city shrine on day 1, then stay at the accommodation from which you will visit Aoshima and Obi on separate days.
- Miyazaki Station → Miyazaki-Jingu Station
Take a northbound train from Miyazaki to Miyazaki-Jingu. Check the destination and stops to ensure the service calls at Miyazaki-Jingu.
- Miyazaki-Jingu Station → Shrine grounds
Walk approximately 10 minutes from the station to Miyazaki Jingu.
- Shrine grounds → Miyazaki Station: the same accommodation
After visiting the grounds, return from the same station on a train towards Miyazaki, have a meal in the city and check in to the same accommodation. Check the following day's return Aoshima trains and time to leave the island before sunset.
Official Miyazaki Jingu visitor informationOfficial JR timetable and fare search
Recheck actual return services and fares in the official JR planner for your travel date.
Day 2
Today you visit Aoshima and return to the same city accommodation. This itinerary excludes a connection via Udo Jingu to Obi.
- Miyazaki Station → Aoshima Station
Choose a Nichinan Line train from Miyazaki that stops at Aoshima. Distinguish it from Miyazaki Airport services. If changing at Minami-Miyazaki, check platforms and the connection. Search both journeys for your travel date first and plan to leave the island before sunset. The reference adult local-train fare is ¥450 one way.
Date-specific southbound search from Miyazaki Station1931D: Aoshima/Obi stop details, searched 2026-10-08
- Aoshima Station → Aoshima Shrine and return to the station
Walk approximately 10 minutes/800 m from Aoshima Station, cross Yayoi Bridge and enter the shrine. Give the shrine visit and coastal walk separate time. Ordinary shrine visits are free; listed opening runs from 06:00 until sunset. Allow time to leave the island before dark and return to the station.
- Aoshima Shrine and return to the station → Miyazaki Station: the same accommodation
Retrace your walk to Aoshima Station and take a local train towards Miyazaki. A service terminating at Minami-Miyazaki requires a separate transfer; check your final arrival station in the actual search result. The reference adult one-way fare is ¥450. After reaching Miyazaki Station, have a meal in the city and return to the same accommodation.
1936D: Obi/Aoshima → Miyazaki details, searched 2026-10-08Aoshima return searchOfficial JR timetable and fare search
After the shrine visit and coastal walk, return from Aoshima Station to Miyazaki and rest at the same accommodation. Check both journeys, transfers and fares in the official JR planner for your travel date.
Day 3
Walk Obi Castle Town, then return to the same Miyazaki city accommodation. Choose indoor facilities only after confirming that day's admission cutoff.
- Miyazaki Station → Obi Station
Take a southbound JR Nichinan Line train stopping at Obi. Do not choose a Miyazaki Airport service or a train terminating at Aoshima for this journey. Search visit-date stops, transfers and the return service together before departure. The reference adult local-train fare is ¥1,090 one way.
Date-specific southbound search from Miyazaki Station1931D: Aoshima/Obi stop details, searched 2026-10-08JR Miyazaki–Obi adult local-train return fare search: 2026-10-11 example
- Obi Station → Obi Castle Town
Follow the preservation association's approximately 15-minute walking route from Obi Station to the castle-town tourist car park area. Distinguish arrival near the car park from walks to individual indoor entrances.
- Obi Castle Town → Street walk and optional indoor facilities
Walk the streets around the castle and take a break. Adult individual admission to the history museum is ¥300; the ¥800 combined ticket covers six facilities. Do not add indoor admission after an afternoon arrival without confirming opening and last entry for your visit date.
Preservation association admission and parkingHistory museum
- Obi Castle Town → Obi and Miyazaki stations
Retrace your walk to Obi Station and take a northbound train towards Miyazaki. A service terminating at Minami-Miyazaki requires a transfer to Miyazaki; check the search result through to the final arrival station for your travel date. The reference adult local-train fare is ¥1,090 one way.
Station and driving accessObi northbound search1936D: Obi/Aoshima → Miyazaki details, searched 2026-10-08Official JR timetable and fare searchJR Miyazaki–Obi adult local-train return fare search: 2026-10-11 example
Allow for the return station-to-town walk, street sightseeing and a meal, and choose your return service in advance. The preservation association lists history museum hours as 09:30–16:30. Indoor visits cost ¥300 for adult individual admission or ¥800 for a combined ticket. The ¥2,180 reference return local-train fare between Miyazaki and Obi is included in the ¥3,880 JR subtotal.
Day 4
Visit the prefectural museum on the last day, then return to Miyazaki Station and depart.
- Accommodation near Miyazaki Station → Miyazaki-Jingu Station
Leave your accommodation and take a train from Miyazaki stopping at Miyazaki-Jingu.
Date-specific northbound search from Miyazaki StationPrefectural museum public transport guidance
- Miyazaki-Jingu Station → Museum permanent exhibitions and return to the station
Enter the grounds through the torii across the intersection from the station and follow the official approximately 11-minute walk to the prefectural museum. After the 09:00 opening, see nature, history and folklore permanent exhibitions, then return from the same station on a train towards Miyazaki.
Prefectural museum permanent exhibition feesPrefectural museum opening calendarPrefectural museum public transport guidance
- Museum permanent exhibitions and return to the station → Return to Miyazaki Station and depart
After sightseeing, travel to your booked train or flight departure point. If the museum is closed, consider swapping this date with the first-day shrine visit.
Prefectural museum opening calendarOfficial JR timetable and fare search
If the museum is closed on your visit date, swap its day with the first-day shrine visit and adjust each day's travel.
Recheck actual return services and fares in the official JR planner for your travel date.
Included: Local-train reference subtotal for one adult: two return Miyazaki–Miyazaki-Jingu trips ¥800 + one return Miyazaki–Aoshima trip ¥900 + one return Miyazaki–Obi trip ¥2,180. Ordinary visits to Miyazaki Jingu and Aoshima Shrine and the museum's permanent exhibitions are free.
Extra costs and conditions: Airport/onward city travel, additional accommodation access transport, luggage storage, accommodation, meals, limited expresses and optional indoor visits are separate.
¥3,880 is the adult local-train reference subtotal adding two return Miyazaki-Jingu trips ¥800, one return Aoshima trip ¥900 and one return Obi trip ¥2,180. Obi's ¥1,090 one-way fare was checked in the official JR search on 9 October 2026 using an 11 October return-trip example. Recheck actual trains, transfers, fares and suspension notices in official JR guidance for your travel date. Distinguish the outdoor Obi walk from indoor admission; add ¥300 for adult individual admission or ¥800 for a combined ticket if choosing indoor visits.
Official Miyazaki Jingu visitor informationOfficial Aoshima Shrine visitor informationPrefectural museum permanent exhibition feesOfficial JR timetable and fare searchPreservation association admission and parkingJR Miyazaki–Obi adult local-train return fare search: 2026-10-11 example
Walk Takachiho Gorge, then take a boat
This rental-car route has one night in Miyazaki city followed by two in Takachiho, separating the gorge walk and boat days. On the last day, return to Miyazaki and return the car. Visit the museum only if driving, breaks, refuelling, car return and your booked departure leave enough time.
Day 1
Collect your car, visit the city shrine and prepare to leave for Takachiho the next day.
- Car rental branch → Shrine car park and grounds
Travel from the rental branch to Miyazaki Jingu, find the official parking area and walk the grounds.
Official Miyazaki Jingu visitor informationTime-based rental prices and inclusionsCar pickup procedure
- Shrine car park and grounds → Return to the car and city accommodation
After the shrine, return to the car park, collect the car, have a meal and stay at city accommodation. Advance boat reservations for day 3 close at 09:00 two days before use; check availability before departure. Where same-day tickets are sold, compare on-site reception, but check reservation-only dates, sell-outs and suspensions separately.
Official Miyazaki Jingu visitor informationTime-based rental prices and inclusionsTakachiho boat calendar and reservation rules
Obtain an official car quote using actual dates and times from day 1 pickup to day 4 return, the same return branch, vehicle, protection and options. Do not automatically price three nights as 72 hours. Ordinary shrine parking is free; accommodation parking and fuel are separate.
Day 2
- Miyazaki city accommodation → Takachiho accommodation
Leave city accommodation and drive north to Takachiho. The official tourism estimate of approximately two hours fifteen minutes from the city/airport is a reference excluding breaks, parking and congestion.
- Takachiho accommodation → Gorge car park and open walking sections
After reaching Takachiho, drive to a gorge car park. Park in an available area directed by staff, then walk from that car park to an open walking section to see the gorge. Boat reception and trail entrances may differ; check the route from your car park to the open path.
Official Takachiho Gorge visitor informationTakachiho boat calendar and reservation rules
- Gorge car park and open walking sections → The same Takachiho accommodation
After sightseeing, return to the car park you actually used, collect the car and return to the same accommodation. Shorten the visit or return to accommodation if paths are restricted or weather is poor.
Official Takachiho Gorge visitor informationTakachiho boat calendar and reservation rules
Add today's gorge parking according to the car park used: ¥1,000 each at car parks 1 and 2, ¥800 at 3, or ¥500 at 4. Official guidance lists car park 5 as free; choose it only after checking current operation and opening. Walking times vary by car park. A free price listing alone does not establish an available alternative; recheck opening for your travel date.
Day 3
- Takachiho accommodation → Gorge car park
Travel from Takachiho accommodation to the gorge. There is no boat-only or reserved parking. A boat reservation does not guarantee a space at car park 1, Oshioi.
- Gorge car park → Boat reception in car park 1
Park as staff direct, then walk to reception inside car park 1. Official access estimates to the boats are approximately 15 minutes/700 m from car park 2, 20 minutes/1 km from 3, and 25 minutes/1.5 km from 4.
- Boat reception in car park 1 → Boat and open walking sections
Allow for parking waits, walking, reception and the walk to boarding before your reservation time, then explore the gorge on a 30-minute boat rental. Thirty minutes does not cover the entire period from parking to returning to the car. If high water or inspections suspend boats, check open paths and decide how much to visit.
- Boat landing and walking sections → Your car park and Takachiho accommodation
After the boat and sightseeing, return to the car park you used and collect the car. Allow for the uphill return walk and breaks, then return to the same Takachiho accommodation for a meal.
Online boat reservations open at 09:00 fourteen days before use and close at 09:00 two days before. Check date-specific prices, reservation/same-day ticket conditions and inspection closures in the official calendar. Thirty minutes is the rental period for one boat; parking, walking, reception and the return take extra time. Add parking according to actual use: ¥1,000 each at 1 and 2, ¥800 at 3, or ¥500 at 4. Check car park 5's opening that day.
Day 4
- Takachiho accommodation → Prefectural museum car park
Leave Takachiho accommodation in the morning and drive to the prefectural museum in Miyazaki city. Check the driving guidance for Yanosaki intersection and the west gate. Car park 1 is in front of the main building after entering through the west gate.
Prefectural museum permanent exhibition feesPrefectural museum opening calendarPrefectural museum public transport guidancePrefectural museum driving access and parking guidance
- Prefectural museum car park → Permanent exhibition areas
Park following the official directions, then see nature, history and folklore permanent exhibitions.
Prefectural museum permanent exhibition feesPrefectural museum opening calendarPrefectural museum public transport guidancePrefectural museum driving access and parking guidance
- Permanent exhibition areas → Refuel, return the car and depart
After sightseeing, return to the car park and drive to a gas station and contracted return branch. Allow for car return, travel to your booked train or flight departure point and departure procedures. If the museum is closed on your visit date, consider before departure whether to swap it to day 1 and the shrine to the last day. Skip last-day sightseeing if it does not fit arrival and return times.
Prefectural museum permanent exhibition feesPrefectural museum opening calendarPrefectural museum public transport guidancePrefectural museum driving access and parking guidanceCar return and fuel settlementCar return procedure
Do not assume the last day's southbound drive reaches the museum at its 09:00 opening.
Permanent exhibitions are free; check parking charges separately with the operator. Calculate southbound fuel and the contracted return time together, and check refuelling or the operator's fuel settlement terms before car return.
Included: Admission: ordinary shrine visits and museum permanent exhibitions free; ordinary shrine parking free
Extra costs and conditions: Required costs: car from day 1 pickup to day 4 return, fuel, parking and one boat on day 3; accommodation, meals and departure transport separate; tolls extra if using toll roads
Boat pricing is per boat for 30 minutes and varies by use date; check your date's amount in the official booking calendar. Gorge parking costs ¥1,000 each at 1 and 2, ¥800 at 3 and ¥500 at 4. Calculate cars and boats per vehicle/boat, rather than adding them unchanged to a per-person admission fee. Obtain an official car quote using pickup/return dates and times, vehicle, protection and options, then add fuel and accommodation/museum parking separately. Without a car, choose three-night, four-day route A, splitting city and southern coast visits by JR. Route A excludes Takachiho. For Takachiho, arrange regular buses via Nobeoka or direct from Miyazaki, plus bus-centre-to-gorge transport, separately. Add tolls if choosing toll roads. Exceeding 30 minutes costs an additional ¥1,000 for each ten minutes. Check inspection closures in the visit-date booking calendar. Check car park 5's opening for your travel date.
Official Miyazaki Jingu visitor informationPrefectural museum permanent exhibition feesTakachiho boat calendar and reservation rulesTime-based rental prices and inclusionsCar return and fuel settlement
Frequently asked questions
Does a bus day pass cover the direct Takachiho service?
The ordinary-route day pass excludes direct Miyazaki–Takachiho services. Do not confuse this with listed inclusion of the regular Nobeoka–Takachiho route. JR is excluded too.
What can I do if Takachiho Gorge boats are suspended?
If paths are open, you can walk and see the gorge. High water or construction can restrict paths, so a boat suspension does not confirm walking access. Check officially open sections before visiting.
Official Takachiho Gorge visitor informationTakachiho boat calendar and reservation rules
Can a JR pass take me to Aoshima and Obi?
The Southern and All Kyushu Rail Passes cover JR Miyazaki–Aoshima/Obi and Miyazaki–Miyazaki-Jingu within validity. Walks from stations to shrines or town are separate. Udo buses, rental cars and Takachiho boats are excluded. Do not confuse this with Northern Kyushu coverage. Check official eligibility, including a non-Japanese passport, residence outside Japan and Temporary Visitor status.
JR Kyushu pass coverage, consecutive validity and eligibility
Sources and check dates
- Official Aoshima Shrine visitor information ·
- Preservation association admission and parking ·
- Station and driving access ·
- Official Miyazaki Jingu visitor information ·
- Official Takachiho Gorge visitor information ·
- Prefectural museum permanent exhibition fees ·
- Prefectural museum opening calendar ·
- Prefectural museum public transport guidance ·
- Date-specific southbound search from Miyazaki Station ·
- Aoshima return search ·
- History museum ·
- Check official routes and fares ·
- Obi northbound search ·
- Takachiho boat calendar and reservation rules ·
- Prefectural museum driving access and parking guidance ·
- Date-specific northbound search from Miyazaki Station ·
- 1931D: Aoshima/Obi stop details, searched 2026-10-08 ·
- 1936D: Obi/Aoshima → Miyazaki details, searched 2026-10-08 ·
- Official JR timetable and fare search ·
- Time-based rental prices and inclusions ·
- Car return and fuel settlement ·
- Car pickup procedure ·
- Car return procedure ·
- JR Kyushu pass coverage, consecutive validity and eligibility ·
- JR Miyazaki–Obi adult local-train return fare search: 2026-10-11 example ·