Three nights: make an Obi day trip or stay in Takachiho?
Spend three nights in Miyazaki city to visit Aoshima and Obi on separate days without changing hotels. To walk the gorge and go boating on different days, compare the driving itinerary with one city night followed by two in Takachiho. Takachiho requires a long journey north and is not added to the same day as southern coastal sightseeing. The JR itinerary’s reference adult local-train subtotal is ¥3,880 including the Obi return. For the gorge itinerary, confirm which paths are open and check boat bookings.
Choose a 3 nights, 4 days itinerary
Separate Aoshima and Obi days
Stay three nights at the same hotel near Miyazaki Station. Make return trips to the city shrine, Aoshima and Obi on days 1, 2 and 3, then visit the museum before leaving on the final day. This train itinerary keeps one hotel and gives each southern destination a separate day.
Separate Aoshima and Obi days →3 nights, 4 days BWalk Takachiho Gorge, then take a boat ride
Spend one night in Miyazaki city and two in Takachiho, with separate days for a gorge walk and a boat ride. This itinerary requires a rental car. Return to Miyazaki and drop off the car on the final day; visit the museum only if driving, breaks, refuelling, vehicle return and your booked departure leave enough time.
Walk Takachiho Gorge, then take a boat ride →Separate Aoshima and Obi days
Stay three nights at the same hotel near Miyazaki Station. Make return trips to the city shrine, Aoshima and Obi on days 1, 2 and 3, then visit the museum before leaving on the final day. This train itinerary keeps one hotel and gives each southern destination a separate day.
Day 1
Worship at the city shrine on day one, then stay at the hotel for later Aoshima and Obi day trips.
- Miyazaki Station → Miyazaki-Jingu Station
Take a northbound train from Miyazaki to Miyazaki-Jingu. Check the destination and stops to ensure it serves the shrine station.
- Miyazaki-Jingu Station → Shrine grounds
Walk about 10 minutes from the station to Miyazaki Shrine.
- Shrine grounds → Miyazaki Station and same hotel
After visiting the grounds, take a Miyazaki-bound train from the same station, have a meal in the city and return to the same hotel. Check the next day’s Aoshima trains and leave time to get off the island before sunset.
Miyazaki Shrine official visitor informationJR official timetable and fare search
Recheck actual outward and return trains and fares officially for your date.
Day 2
Visit Aoshima today and return to the same city hotel. This course does not continue via Udo Shrine to Obi.
- Miyazaki Station → Aoshima Station
Take a Nichinan Line train from Miyazaki that stops at Aoshima. Miyazaki Airport-bound services go to a different destination. If changing at Minami-Miyazaki, check platforms and connections. Choose outward and return journeys for your date before leaving, then plan sightseeing so you leave the island before sunset. The reference adult local-train fare is ¥450 each way.
Miyazaki Station southbound search by date1931D: Aoshima and Obi stop details, searched 2026-10-08
- Aoshima Station → Aoshima Shrine and station return
Walk about 800 m, taking roughly 10 minutes, from Aoshima Station across Yayoi Bridge to the shrine. Allow time for worship and a coastal walk. General worship is free, with hours listed as 06:00 to sunset. Leave time to get off the island and return to the station before sunset.
- Aoshima Shrine and station return → Miyazaki Station and same hotel
Retrace your walk to Aoshima Station and take a train towards Miyazaki. Services terminating at Minami-Miyazaki require a change, so check your final station in the actual search results. The reference adult fare is ¥450 each way. Have a meal in Miyazaki and return to the same hotel.
1936D: Obi/Aoshima–Miyazaki details, searched 2026-10-08Aoshima return journey searchJR official timetable and fare search
After worship and coastal walks, return from Aoshima Station to Miyazaki and rest at the same hotel. Use the official JR search for actual return services, changes and fares.
Day 3
Walk Obi’s castle town and return to the same Miyazaki city hotel. Choose indoor facilities only after confirming same-day last admission.
- Miyazaki Station → Obi Station
Take a southbound JR Nichinan Line train that stops at Obi. A train bound for Miyazaki Airport or terminating at Aoshima will not take you there. Check the stops, any changes and your return journey for your travel date before leaving. The reference adult local-train fare is ¥1,090 each way.
Miyazaki Station southbound search by date1931D: Aoshima and Obi stop details, searched 2026-10-08JR Miyazaki–Obi adult local-train return fare search: example for 2026-10-11
- Obi Station → Obi Castle Town
From Obi Station, follow the preservation association’s walking route, about 15 minutes to the area around the castle-town visitor car park. Allow further walking from there to the entrance of each indoor attraction.
- Obi Castle Town → Street walk and optional indoor visits
Walk the streets around the castle and take a break. An adult ticket for the History Museum alone costs ¥300; the ¥800 combined ticket covers six facilities. If you arrive in the afternoon without confirming that day’s opening and last-entry times, keep your visit to the streets.
- Obi Castle Town → Obi Station and Miyazaki Station
Retrace your walk to Obi Station and take a northbound train towards Miyazaki. Services terminating at Minami-Miyazaki require a change for Miyazaki, so check the journey through to your final station for your travel date. The reference adult local-train fare is ¥1,090 each way.
Station and vehicle accessObi northbound search1936D: Obi/Aoshima–Miyazaki details, searched 2026-10-08JR official timetable and fare searchJR Miyazaki–Obi adult local-train return fare search: example for 2026-10-11
Choose your return train in advance, leaving time for the walk to and from Obi Station, sightseeing and a meal. The preservation association lists History Museum hours as 09:30–16:30. Optional indoor admission costs ¥300 for a single adult ticket or ¥800 for a combined ticket. The ¥2,180 reference local-train return fare between Miyazaki and Obi is included in the ¥3,880 JR subtotal below.
Day 4
Visit the prefectural museum on your final day, then return to Miyazaki Station for departure.
- Hotel near Miyazaki Station → Miyazaki-Jingu Station
Leave your hotel and take a train from Miyazaki Station that stops at Miyazaki-Jingu.
Miyazaki Station northbound search by datePrefectural museum public-transport information
- Miyazaki-Jingu Station → Permanent exhibitions and return to the station
Cross the junction in front of the station to the torii gate, enter the shrine grounds and follow the museum’s walking route, about 11 minutes to Miyazaki Prefectural Museum of Nature and History. After it opens at 09:00, see the permanent natural-history, history and folklore exhibitions, then return to the same station for a train to Miyazaki.
Prefectural museum permanent exhibition feesPrefectural museum opening calendarPrefectural museum public-transport information
- Permanent exhibitions and return to the station → Miyazaki Station return and departure
After your visit, travel to the departure point for your booked train or flight. If the museum is closed, consider swapping its visit with the shrine visit on day 1.
Prefectural museum opening calendarJR official timetable and fare search
If the museum is closed on your planned day, swap it with the day 1 shrine visit and revise both days’ journeys.
Check the actual outward and return trains and fares for your travel date in JR’s official journey planner.
Included items: The reference local-train subtotal for one adult includes ¥800 for two Miyazaki–Miyazaki-Jingu return journeys, ¥900 for one Miyazaki–Aoshima return and ¥2,180 for one Miyazaki–Obi return. General worship at both shrines and the museum’s permanent exhibitions are free.
Extra costs and conditions: Airport or onward travel, additional transport to your hotel, luggage storage, accommodation, meals, limited-express services and optional indoor visits cost extra.
The ¥3,880 reference adult local-train subtotal comprises two return journeys to Miyazaki-Jingu at ¥800 in total, one return to Aoshima at ¥900 and one return to Obi at ¥2,180. The ¥1,090 one-way Obi fare was checked in JR’s official search on 9 October 2026 using outward and return journeys on 11 October. Check the trains, changes, fares and service notices for your actual dates with JR. Outdoor walks in Obi and indoor admission are separate; add ¥300 for a single adult ticket or ¥800 for a combined ticket if you choose an indoor visit.
Miyazaki Shrine official visitor informationAoshima Shrine official visitor informationPrefectural museum permanent exhibition feesJR official timetable and fare searchPreservation association fees and parkingJR Miyazaki–Obi adult local-train return fare search: example for 2026-10-11
Walk Takachiho Gorge, then take a boat ride
Spend one night in Miyazaki city and two in Takachiho, with separate days for a gorge walk and a boat ride. This itinerary requires a rental car. Return to Miyazaki and drop off the car on the final day; visit the museum only if driving, breaks, refuelling, vehicle return and your booked departure leave enough time.
Day 1
Collect your car and visit the city shrine, then prepare for the drive to Takachiho the next day.
- Car rental point → Shrine car park and grounds
Drive from your rental location to Miyazaki Shrine, check the official parking location and walk through the grounds.
Miyazaki Shrine official visitor informationCar-rental time bands, rates and inclusionsCar-collection procedure
- Shrine car park and grounds → Back to the car and city hotel
Return to the car park after worship and drive to your city hotel for dinner and the night. Advance boat bookings for day 3 close at 09:00 two days before the ride, so check availability before your trip. You can consider on-site tickets on dates when they are offered, but check separately for dates requiring reservations, sell-outs and suspensions.
Miyazaki Shrine official visitor informationCar-rental time bands, rates and inclusionsTakachiho boat calendar and booking rules
Get an official rental quote using the actual collection time on day 1 and return time on day 4, the same return branch, vehicle type, cover and extras. Three nights do not automatically equal a 72-hour rental. General shrine parking is free; hotel parking and fuel cost extra.
Day 2
- Miyazaki city hotel → Takachiho hotel
Leave your city hotel and drive north to Takachiho. The official tourism guide’s reference time of about 2 hours 15 minutes from Miyazaki city or the airport excludes breaks, parking and congestion.
- Takachiho hotel → Gorge car park and open walking routes
After reaching Takachiho, drive to the gorge car parks. Park where the attendants direct you, then walk from that car park to an open route to see the gorge. The boat reception and walking-route entrance may be in different places, so check the route from your car park to the open path.
Takachiho Gorge official visitor informationTakachiho boat calendar and booking rules
- Gorge car park and open walking routes → Same Takachiho hotel
After sightseeing, return to the car park you used and drive back to the same hotel. Shorten the visit or return to your hotel if paths are restricted or the weather deteriorates.
Takachiho Gorge official visitor informationTakachiho boat calendar and booking rules
Add the fee for the gorge car park you actually use: ¥1,000 each for car parks 1 and 2, ¥800 for car park 3 or ¥500 for car park 4. Official guidance lists car park 5 as free, but confirm current operation and opening before choosing it. Walking times vary by car park. A free parking rate does not confirm availability; check opening for your travel date.
Day 3
- Takachiho hotel → Gorge car park
Drive from your Takachiho hotel to the gorge. There is no dedicated or reservable boat parking, and a boat reservation does not guarantee a space in Oshioi car park 1.
- Gorge car park → Boat reception in car park 1
Park as directed by the attendants and walk to reception inside car park 1. Official guidance gives walks to the boats of about 700 m from car park 2, taking 15 minutes, 1 km from car park 3, taking 20 minutes, and 1.5 km from car park 4, taking 25 minutes.
- Boat reception in car park 1 → Boat ride and open walking routes
Allow time before your reservation for parking queues, walking, reception and reaching the boarding area, then explore the gorge on a 30-minute boat ride. Those 30 minutes do not cover the whole visit from parking to returning to your car. If high water or maintenance suspends boats, check which paths remain open and plan your visit around them.
- Boat boarding area and walking routes → Your car park and Takachiho hotel
After boating and sightseeing, walk back to the car park you used. Allow time for the uphill walk and breaks, then drive to the same Takachiho hotel for a meal.
Online boat reservations open at 09:00 fourteen days before the ride and close at 09:00 two days before it. Check the official calendar for your date’s price, reservation or same-day ticket conditions and maintenance closures. Thirty minutes is the rental period for one boat; parking, walking, reception and the return journey take additional time. Add the actual parking fee: ¥1,000 each for car parks 1 and 2, ¥800 for car park 3 or ¥500 for car park 4. Check whether car park 5 is open that day.
Day 4
- Takachiho hotel → Prefectural museum car park
Leave your Takachiho hotel in the morning and drive to Miyazaki Prefectural Museum of Nature and History in Miyazaki city. Follow the vehicle-access guidance via Yanosaki junction and the west gate. Car park 1 is in front of the main building, inside the west gate.
Prefectural museum permanent exhibition feesPrefectural museum opening calendarPrefectural museum public-transport informationPrefectural museum vehicle access and parking information
- Prefectural museum car park → Permanent exhibition galleries
Park according to the official guidance and visit the permanent natural-history, history and folklore exhibitions.
Prefectural museum permanent exhibition feesPrefectural museum opening calendarPrefectural museum public-transport informationPrefectural museum vehicle access and parking information
- Permanent exhibition galleries → Refuel, return the car and depart
After your visit, return to your car and drive to a petrol station and your contracted return branch. Allow time for vehicle-return procedures, onward travel to your booked train or flight and departure formalities. If the museum will be closed, check before your trip whether you can visit it on day 1 and the shrine on the final day. If arrival or return times make that impractical, omit the final day’s museum visit.
Prefectural museum permanent exhibition feesPrefectural museum opening calendarPrefectural museum public-transport informationPrefectural museum vehicle access and parking informationCar return and fuel settlementCar-return procedure
Do not assume the drive south on your final day will get you to the museum for its 09:00 opening.
The permanent exhibitions are free; ask the operator about parking charges. Budget fuel for the drive south and work back from your contracted return time. Check whether you need to refuel before returning the car or use the operator’s fuel-settlement terms.
Included items: General shrine worship, permanent museum exhibitions and general shrine parking are free.
Extra costs and conditions: Budget car rental from collection on day 1 to return on day 4, fuel, parking and one boat on day 3. Accommodation, meals and departure transport cost extra. Add tolls if you use toll roads.
Boat prices cover one boat for 30 minutes and vary by date; check the amount for your visit in the official booking calendar. Gorge parking costs ¥1,000 each at car parks 1 and 2, ¥800 at car park 3 or ¥500 at car park 4. Calculate the car and boat per vehicle and per boat, rather than adding them directly to an individual admission total. Get an official car-rental quote using collection and return dates and times, vehicle type, cover and extras; also add fuel and hotel and museum parking. Without a car, choose the 3-night/4-day itinerary A for JR visits to the city and southern coast. That itinerary does not include Takachiho. For Takachiho, separately arrange the regular bus via Nobeoka or direct service from Miyazaki, plus travel from the bus centre to the gorge. Add tolls if you use toll roads. Boat overtime costs ¥1,000 per additional 10 minutes. Check the calendar for maintenance closures and confirm whether car park 5 is open on your travel date.
Miyazaki Shrine official visitor informationPrefectural museum permanent exhibition feesTakachiho boat calendar and booking rulesCar-rental time bands, rates and inclusionsCar return and fuel settlement
Frequently asked questions
Does the bus day pass cover the direct Takachiho service?
The day pass for regular routes excludes the direct Miyazaki–Takachiho service. Do not confuse it with the included regular Nobeoka–Takachiho route. It does not cover JR either.
What can I do if boats at Takachiho Gorge are suspended?
If paths are open, you can walk to see the gorge. High water or construction may also close paths, so a boat suspension does not confirm that walking is possible. Check official information for open sections before visiting.
Takachiho Gorge official visitor informationTakachiho boat calendar and booking rules
Can I use a JR pass to reach Aoshima and Obi?
The Southern Kyushu and All Kyushu Rail Passes cover JR journeys between Miyazaki and Aoshima, Obi or Miyazaki-Jingu within their validity. Walks from the stations to shrines or the town are separate, and Udo buses, car rental and Takachiho boats are excluded. Do not confuse this with Northern Kyushu Pass coverage. Check official eligibility, including a passport issued outside Japan, residence outside Japan and Temporary Visitor status.
JR Kyushu pass coverage, consecutive validity and eligibility
Sources and check dates
- Aoshima Shrine official visitor information ·
- Preservation association fees and parking ·
- Station and vehicle access ·
- Miyazaki Shrine official visitor information ·
- Takachiho Gorge official visitor information ·
- Prefectural museum permanent exhibition fees ·
- Prefectural museum opening calendar ·
- Prefectural museum public-transport information ·
- Miyazaki Station southbound search by date ·
- Aoshima return journey search ·
- History Museum ·
- Check official routes and fares ·
- Obi northbound search ·
- Takachiho boat calendar and booking rules ·
- Prefectural museum vehicle access and parking information ·
- Miyazaki Station northbound search by date ·
- 1931D: Aoshima and Obi stop details, searched 2026-10-08 ·
- 1936D: Obi/Aoshima–Miyazaki details, searched 2026-10-08 ·
- JR official timetable and fare search ·
- Car-rental time bands, rates and inclusions ·
- Car return and fuel settlement ·
- Car-collection procedure ·
- Car-return procedure ·
- JR Kyushu pass coverage, consecutive validity and eligibility ·
- JR Miyazaki–Obi adult local-train return fare search: example for 2026-10-11 ·