4 nights, 5 days: southern stays or more time at the northern gorge?
For unhurried Udo and Obi visits, travel the southern coast with one Aoshima night, two Nichinan nights and one Miyazaki city night. For two Takachiho nights plus the coast, a route places one city night before and after. Returning from the north means another journey to Aoshima that day: assess before departure whether sightseeing can finish by sunset. If time is short, rearrange the coastal visit to day 1 in advance. Both are rental-car routes requiring separate rental, fuel and parking costs.
Choose a 5 days, 4 nights itinerary
Split overnight stays between the coast and Obi area
This rental-car trip has one Aoshima night, two Nichinan nights and one Miyazaki city night. Visit Udo and Obi on different days and add Horikiri's coastal views on the northbound return day. Give the city museum and car return time on the last day.
Split overnight stays between the coast and Obi area →5 days, 4 nights BTwo landscapes: Aoshima and Takachiho
This rental-car trip has one Miyazaki city night, two Takachiho nights and another city night. Give the gorge walk and boat a day each, visiting Aoshima on the city return day only if there is enough time. Before departure, assess whether long-distance driving, breaks, the shrine visit and return to parking can all finish before sunset. If not, rearrange the trip in advance to visit Aoshima on day 1.
Two landscapes: Aoshima and Takachiho →Split overnight stays between the coast and Obi area
This rental-car trip has one Aoshima night, two Nichinan nights and one Miyazaki city night. Visit Udo and Obi on different days and add Horikiri's coastal views on the northbound return day. Give the city museum and car return time on the last day.
Day 1
After reaching Aoshima accommodation, walk to the shrine and around the island, then spend the first night by the sea.
- Car rental branch → Aoshima accommodation
Travel from the rental branch to Aoshima accommodation, park, then head to the coast.
Aoshima Shrine operatorTime-based rental prices and inclusionsCar pickup procedure
- Aoshima accommodation → Shrine and the same accommodation
Cross the coastal bridge, visit Aoshima Shrine and explore the island, then return to the same accommodation for a meal. Check the accommodation-to-coast walk using the booked address; it differs from the station-based walking time.
Aoshima Shrine operatorTime-based rental prices and inclusions
Do not automatically price four nights as 96 hours. Fuel and parking at each accommodation are separate.
Day 2
- Aoshima accommodation → Udo tourist car park
Leave Aoshima accommodation and drive to Udo Jingu's tourist car park. Follow the latest official restrictions on the access road to car parks 1 and 2.
- Udo tourist car park → Main sanctuary and return to the car
Follow the approximately 20-minute walking access guidance from the tourist car park to the main sanctuary. Descend the stairs to visit the cave sanctuary, then return to the same car park. Twenty minutes excludes the shrine visit and return.
- Main sanctuary and return to the car → Nichinan accommodation
Move to accommodation in Obi/Nichinan, walk nearby and have dinner. You can choose Obi Castle Tourist Car Park for the following day's town visit; ordinary passenger cars park free.
Official restriction noticeUdo access and hoursStation and driving accessHistory museumPreservation association admission and parkingUdo tourism access guidance
Ordinary Udo shrine visits are free; check tourist car park charges separately with the facility. Check today's fuel and Nichinan accommodation parking separately.
Day 3
- Nichinan accommodation → Obi tourist car park
Travel from Nichinan accommodation to Obi Castle Town and check official parking directions.
Station and driving accessHistory museumPreservation association admission and parking
- Obi tourist car park → Castle town and optional facilities
Park at Obi Castle Tourist Car Park and walk the streets around the castle. For indoor facilities such as the history museum or Komura Jutaro Memorial Hall, compare individual ¥300 admission with the ¥800 combined ticket. Confirm the facilities you will enter and that day's operation at the counter. This day is separate from Udo travel, giving Obi's streets and exhibits more time.
Station and driving accessHistory museumPreservation association admission and parking
- Castle town and optional facilities → The same Nichinan accommodation
After the walk, optional facilities and a meal, return to Obi Castle Tourist Car Park and collect the car. Use the booked address to return to the same Nichinan accommodation. Accommodation parking and return fuel are separate.
Station and driving accessPreservation association admission and parking
Obi Castle Tourist Car Park is free for ordinary passenger cars. Outdoor walks need no admission ticket; choose separate indoor admission at ¥300 per adult or an ¥800 combined ticket. Return fuel and accommodation parking are separate.
Day 4
- Nichinan accommodation → Horikiri car park
Leave Nichinan accommodation and drive north towards Miyazaki, stopping at Horikiri Pass.
- Horikiri car park → Coastal views and return to the car park
Check the official free parking guidance, walk to the open coastal viewpoint and return to the same car park. Walking time from the car park to the viewpoint is unconfirmed. Skip the stop if access is restricted or weather is poor.
- Coastal views and return to the car park → Miyazaki city accommodation
Collect the car and travel to your booked Miyazaki city accommodation. Check parking and spend the final night in the city.
On day 4's return from Nichinan to the city, separate the Horikiri views and driving with time to rest.
Horikiri parking is free. Nichinan–Miyazaki fuel and final city accommodation parking are separate.
Day 5
- Miyazaki city accommodation → Prefectural museum car park
Leave city accommodation and drive to the prefectural museum.
Prefectural museum permanent exhibition feesPrefectural museum opening calendarPrefectural museum public transport guidancePrefectural museum driving access and parking guidance
- Prefectural museum car park → Museum permanent exhibitions
Check the driving guidance for the west gate and car park 1 in front of the main building, park and walk to the building. Visit the permanent exhibitions after the 09:00 opening. Walking time from the car park and parking charges are unconfirmed.
Prefectural museum driving access and parking guidancePrefectural museum permanent exhibition feesPrefectural museum opening calendar
- Museum permanent exhibitions → Refuel and return the car
After sightseeing, return to the same car park and collect the car. Refuel, travel to the contracted return branch and complete the staff vehicle check and payment.
Car return procedureCar return and fuel settlementPrefectural museum driving access and parking guidance
- Car return branch → Train or flight departure point
Allow separate time to travel from the return branch to your actual departure point. If the museum closes on the last day, check whether you can reach it before last admission after returning to the city on day 4; change the visit date only if possible. If unconfirmed, skip the last-day visit and allow time for car return and departure.
Moving the museum to day 4 because of a closure requires confirming arrival before its 17:00 closing and 16:30 last admission. Change the date only if that time remains after the coastal views.
Permanent exhibition admission is free today; check museum parking charges separately with the operator. Allow fuel for driving until return and check refuelling or contractual fuel settlement terms. Transport from the return branch to your booked train or flight is separate.
Included: Admission: ordinary Aoshima/Udo shrine visits and museum permanent exhibitions free; ordinary-car parking at Obi and Horikiri parking free
Extra costs and conditions: Required costs: car from day 1 pickup to day 5 return, fuel and accommodation/Aoshima/Udo/museum parking; optional Obi indoor admission ¥300/¥800, accommodation, meals and departure transport separate; tolls extra if using toll roads
Obtain an official rental quote using pickup/return dates and times, vehicle, protection and options. Add fuel and parking charges beyond locations listed as free separately. Optional Obi indoor visits add ¥300 for adult individual admission or ¥800 for a combined ticket. Without a car, consider three-night, four-day route A, making separate JR return trips to Aoshima and Obi from Miyazaki Station accommodation. The number of nights and destinations differ, and Udo is excluded. For Udo too, separately check return buses and the post-restriction walking route from the stop to the sanctuary. Add tolls if choosing toll roads.
Official Aoshima Shrine visitor informationUdo shrine admission and visitor informationPrefectural museum permanent exhibition feesTime-based rental prices and inclusionsCar return and fuel settlementStation and driving accessPreservation association admission and parkingOfficial Horikiri Pass visitor information
Two landscapes: Aoshima and Takachiho
This rental-car trip has one Miyazaki city night, two Takachiho nights and another city night. Give the gorge walk and boat a day each, visiting Aoshima on the city return day only if there is enough time. Before departure, assess whether long-distance driving, breaks, the shrine visit and return to parking can all finish before sunset. If not, rearrange the trip in advance to visit Aoshima on day 1.
Day 1
After car pickup and the city shrine, stay in city accommodation from which you will leave for Takachiho the next day.
- Car rental branch → Shrine car park
Travel from the Miyazaki rental branch to the shrine and check official parking locations.
Official Miyazaki Jingu visitor informationTime-based rental prices and inclusionsCar pickup procedure
- Shrine car park → Shrine visit and city accommodation
After visiting the grounds, 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. Follow visit-date guidance for same-day ticket sales, reservation-only operation, sell-outs and suspensions.
Takachiho boat calendar and reservation rulesTime-based rental prices and inclusionsOfficial Miyazaki Jingu visitor information
Do not automatically price four nights as 96 hours. Fuel and parking at each accommodation are separate.
Day 2
- Miyazaki city accommodation → Takachiho accommodation
Leave city accommodation and drive to Takachiho. Add breaks and congestion to the official reference of approximately two hours fifteen minutes.
- 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
Gorge parking costs ¥1,000 each at 1 and 2, ¥800 at 3 and ¥500 at 4. Check whether free car park 5 is available on your travel date. Today's fuel and Takachiho accommodation parking are separate. 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
Today you return from Takachiho to Miyazaki city. Visit Aoshima only if there is time to leave the island before sunset after the long drive and breaks.
- Takachiho accommodation → Miyazaki city and Aoshima coastal car park
Leave Takachiho accommodation and drive towards Miyazaki. Check the actual route, breaks and congestion, allowing separate journeys to city accommodation and Aoshima tourist parking. If there is too little time for the shrine visit and return to parking before sunset, skip Aoshima today and return to the city to rest. Decide on a change to visit Aoshima on day 1 before starting the trip. Do not apply the official reference of two hours fifteen minutes for the northbound drive as a confirmed time for this return section.
Official Takachiho Gorge visitor informationOfficial Aoshima Shrine visitor information
- Aoshima coast → Aoshima island
Walk from the coast across Yayoi Bridge onto Aoshima. Check the walking route from your car park to the shrine; it differs from the approximately 10-minute/800 m station-based walk.
- Aoshima island → Aoshima Shrine
Visit the shrine grounds. Ordinary visits are free and listed hours run from 06:00 until sunset. Leave time to exit the island before dark.
Official Aoshima Shrine visitor informationOfficial Miyazaki Jingu visitor informationOfficial Takachiho Gorge visitor information
- Aoshima Shrine → Car park and city accommodation
Leave the shrine before sunset, cross Yayoi Bridge and return to the coastal car park you used. Collect the car and return to Miyazaki city accommodation. The shrine has no dedicated car park; use local tourist parking or a location confirmed by your accommodation, checking fees and walking routes separately.
For a driving shrine visit, check visit-date parking locations, charges and the route from parking to the coastal bridge. Allow breaks after the long drive.
Approximately two hours fifteen minutes is the official reference for Miyazaki city to Takachiho. Check return-day driving time separately using the actual route and traffic. If you judge before departure that Aoshima on return day is difficult, visit it instead of the city shrine on day 1 and adjust the return-day shrine visit to seasonal gate closing. If driving runs later than expected that day, skip sightseeing and return to city accommodation. Confirm the return branch and accommodation address before finalizing this change.
Fuel for the long return and Aoshima trip, city accommodation parking and Aoshima parking are separate. If changing the shrine day, the ordinary free parking guidance applies to Miyazaki Jingu, not to Aoshima parking.
Day 5
- Miyazaki city accommodation → Prefectural museum car park
Leave city accommodation and drive to the prefectural museum. 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 exhibitions and car return
Park in the official area, visit nature, history and folklore permanent exhibitions, then use the same car to refuel and travel to the contracted return branch.
Prefectural museum permanent exhibition feesPrefectural museum opening calendarPrefectural museum public transport guidancePrefectural museum driving access and parking guidance
- Car return branch → Departure point
Allow time to reach your booked train or flight departure point. If the museum is closed, check before departure whether it can move to day 1. If Aoshima also needs to move to day 1, compare last admission, sunset and car pickup time to choose your visits. Skip last-day sightseeing if timings do not work, allowing time for car return and departure.
Prefectural museum permanent exhibition feesPrefectural museum opening calendarPrefectural museum public transport guidancePrefectural museum driving access and parking guidanceCar return and fuel settlementCar return procedure
Permanent exhibition admission is free today; check museum parking charges separately with the operator. Allow fuel for driving until return and check refuelling or contractual fuel settlement terms. Transport from the return branch to your booked train or flight is separate.
Included: Admission: ordinary Miyazaki Jingu/Aoshima shrine visits and museum permanent exhibitions free; ordinary Miyazaki Jingu parking free
Extra costs and conditions: Required costs: five days of car use, fuel, parking and one boat on day 3; accommodation, meals and departure transport separate; tolls extra if using toll roads
For day 3, add your visit-date 30-minute per-boat price and parking. Boat prices vary by date; check the actual use date in the official booking calendar. Add gorge parking according to actual use: ¥1,000 each at 1 and 2, ¥800 at 3, or ¥500 at 4. Cars and boats are priced per vehicle/boat; distinguish this from one adult's admission. Obtain an official car quote using pickup/return dates and times, vehicle, protection and options, then add fuel and accommodation/Aoshima/museum parking separately. Without a car, consider three-night, four-day route A, splitting city and southern coast visits by JR. The number of nights and destinations differ, and Takachiho is excluded. 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 informationOfficial Aoshima Shrine visitor informationPrefectural museum permanent exhibition feesTakachiho boat calendar and reservation rulesTime-based rental prices and inclusionsCar return and fuel settlement
Frequently asked questions
Can a three-day Southern Kyushu pass cover a four-night, five-day trip?
The Southern Kyushu pass covers three consecutive days, not all five. The All Kyushu pass offers three-, five- and seven-day versions, but excludes rental cars, fuel, parking and boats on both driving routes. If using JR between cities before or after the trip, compare pass prices with ordinary tickets for actual journeys within validity.
JR Kyushu pass coverage, consecutive validity and eligibility
Sources and check dates
- Official Aoshima Shrine visitor information ·
- Official restriction notice ·
- Udo shrine admission and visitor information ·
- Preservation association admission and parking ·
- Station and driving access ·
- Official Miyazaki Jingu visitor information ·
- Official Takachiho Gorge visitor information ·
- Official Horikiri Pass visitor information ·
- Prefectural museum permanent exhibition fees ·
- Prefectural museum opening calendar ·
- Prefectural museum public transport guidance ·
- History museum ·
- Udo access and hours ·
- Takachiho boat calendar and reservation rules ·
- Aoshima Shrine operator ·
- Udo tourism access guidance ·
- Prefectural museum driving access and parking guidance ·
- 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 ·