Open Travel Guide
History of Miyazaki

Miyazaki History & Heritage Guide 2026

Explore the rich history, historical sites, and museums of Miyazaki.

By Updated

Miyazaki has 5+ historical sites covered in this guide, led by Saitobaru Burial Mounds (Saitobaru Kofungun), Obi Castle (Obi-jo) and Yoshokan Samurai Villa and Miyazaki Shrine (Birth of Japan Mythology Site). Each entry below includes the practical details — what it costs, when to go, and how to plan around it.

Miyazaki is a sun-drenched prefecture on the eastern coast of Kyushu island, celebrated for its subtropical beaches, ancient Shinto mythology, dramatic gorges, and one of Japan's most distinctive regional cuisines. Home to Takachiho Gorge, the sacred site linked to the birth of Japan, and the stunning Nichinan Coast, Miyazaki offers travelers a rare blend of natural drama, spiritual depth, and coastal relaxation far from the crowds of Japan's classic tourist trail.

Historical timeline

Key moments that shaped Miyazaki.

  1. 1

    Jomon and Yayoi cultures inhabit Miyazaki; rice cultivation reaches the region

    c. 700-300 BCE
  2. 2

    Kofun period: ruling clans build over 300 burial mounds at Saitobaru — the largest kofun concentration in Japan

    3rd-7th century CE
  3. 3

    Kojiki compiled, recording Miyazaki's role in Japanese creation mythology and the Takachiho legends

    712 CE
  4. 4

    Toyotomi Hideyoshi pacifies Kyushu; Ito clan is given control of the Obi Domain in Miyazaki

    1587
  5. 5

    Obi Castle (Obi-jo) reconstructed; Obi Castle Town develops as a feudal administrative center

    1601
  6. 6

    Meiji Restoration; Miyazaki becomes its own prefecture after abolition of the feudal domain system

    1871
  7. 7

    Miyazaki serves as a major Imperial Japanese Navy air base during WWII; extensive damage from Allied bombing

    1941-1945
  8. 8

    Miyazaki City hosts Japan's first outdoor surfing competition at Kisakibaru Beach — beginning of the surf culture

    1964
  9. 9

    Phoenix Seagaia Resort opens, with the Sheraton Grande Ocean Resort tower becoming Japan's tallest hotel

    1994
  10. 10

    Foot-and-mouth disease outbreak devastates Miyazaki's livestock industry; prefecture rebuilds cattle industry over following years

    2011

Historical sites

Places where Miyazaki's past comes alive.

Kofun period (3rd-7th century CE)

Saitobaru Burial Mounds (Saitobaru Kofungun)

Where: Saito City

Admission: Adult: ¥200 ($1.35) for museum; park free | Child: ¥100
Edo period (1603-1868)

Obi Castle (Obi-jo) and Yoshokan Samurai Villa

Where: Obi, Nichinan City

Admission: Adult: ¥610 ($4.10) | Child: ¥310
Meiji-Showa reconstruction of an ancient mythological site (1907-1930s)

Miyazaki Shrine (Birth of Japan Mythology Site)

Where: Miyazaki City

Admission: Adult: Free | Child: Free
Edo-period reconstruction of an ancient Shinto site (traditional founding over 1,900 years ago)

Takachiho Shrine (Yokagura Ritual Site)

Where: Takachiho Town

Admission: Adult: Shrine free; Yokagura ¥1,000 ($6.70) | Child: Free
Ancient mythological site with later Shinto shrine architecture

Amano Iwato Shrine (Cave of Heaven)

Where: Takachiho Town

Admission: Adult: Free; cave viewing requires guided tour ¥200 ($1.35) | Child: Free

Museums

Curated collections that tell Miyazaki's story.

Museum

Miyazaki Prefectural Museum of Nature and History

Hours: 9:00AM-5:00PM; closed Monday

Admission: Adult: Free | Child: Free

Museum

Saitobaru Archaeological Museum

Hours: 9:30AM-5:00PM; closed Monday

Admission: Adult: ¥200 ($1.35) | Child: ¥100

Museum

Obi Castle Museum (Obi Rekishi Museum)

Hours: 9:00AM-5:00PM daily

Admission: Adult: ¥610 ($4.10) combined castle and museum | Child: ¥310

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