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Miyazaki · Japan
The mountain town in northern Miyazaki where Japan’s origin myths take place, with basalt cliffs, kagura dances and the cave where the sun goddess hid.
In the photo: Takachiho Basin and mountains seen from Kunimigaoka.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Get to know the place
Takachiho is in the northern mountains of Miyazaki Prefecture, in central Kyushu, about halfway between the Aso caldera and the east coast. It is a small town on a high plateau cut by deep gorges, surrounded by terraced rice fields and cedar forests. The oldest myths of Japan place there the descent of the gods to Earth and the episode of the cave where Amaterasu, the sun goddess, hid herself, leaving the world in darkness.
The best-known visit is the Takachiho Gorge, where the Gokase River runs between basalt cliffs formed by Aso’s lava, with the Manai waterfall dropping from above. Visitors either row boats along the green water or walk the riverside trail.
The shrines keep the stories. At Takachiho Shrine in town, kagura dances are performed every night—mask-and-music reenactments of the myths. Amano Iwato Shrine stands in front of the cave of Amaterasu, and the Amano Yasukawara cavern, upriver, is said to be where the gods gathered to coax her out. In winter, the villages hold overnight kagura performances that last through the night, with 33 dances.
Kunimigaoka lookout, on a hill to the west, often has a sea of clouds on autumn mornings, with the Aso mountains in the background. Takachiho is far from railway lines and is reached by bus or car; it pairs well with Aso and Kumamoto on the same trip.
This destination brings together 1 city: Takachiho.
One destination, many paths
Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.
Dados cartográficos: © OpenStreetMap contributors, via Wambacher / geoBoundaries (ODbL 1.0). Adapted by Cidade Turismo.
✈ Aeroporto de Kumamoto (KMJ), in Mashiki · 65 km to Takachiho
There is no train. From Kumamoto, reserved express buses take about 3 hours and pass through the Aso area, and there are direct buses from Fukuoka. From Nobeoka station on Miyazaki’s coast, local buses take about 1 hour 30 minutes. Kumamoto Airport is about 65 km away.
The local experience
A narrow stretch of the Gokase River between basalt columns up to about 100 meters high, with the Manai waterfall pouring from the cliff; you can walk along the bank or take a rowboat.
A shrine in central Takachiho, among giant cedars, where the kagura — the ritual dance that enacts the gods’ myths — is performed every night in a session of about an hour.
Shrine in front of the cave where, according to myth, the sun goddess Amaterasu hid; upriver, the Amano Yasukawara grotto, where the gods are said to have gathered, holds thousands of stone stacks.
A 513-meter hill west of Takachiho, with views over the basin, the Aso mountains and Sobo; on autumn mornings the mist often fills the valleys in a sea of clouds.
Before you go
A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.
April, May, October and November usually have mild temperatures; in autumn, Kunimigaoka’s sea of clouds is more common and the gorge’s leaves change color. Summer is hot and humid, with heavy rains in June and July and typhoons more frequent from August to October. Village kagura take place from November to February.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
One night is the minimum: arrive in the afternoon for the gorge and the evening kagura, and do Kunimigaoka and Amano Iwato the next morning. With two days you can include the terraced rice fields and other viewpoints at a relaxed pace.
Inns, ryokan and hotels are in central Takachiho, near the bus terminal and within walking distance of Takachiho Shrine and the gorge. There are also rural lodgings in the surroundings with valley views.
Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.
Get your questions answered
Yes, with about 3 hours by bus each way, but you’ll have little time there and won’t see the evening kagura. Staying one night in Takachiho is most common.
Not in the center: the gorge and Takachiho Shrine are within walking distance of the terminal. For Kunimigaoka at dawn and Amano Iwato, use taxis or local buses that have few departures; a car makes things easier.
Yes. The two areas are about 1 hour apart by car, and the bus from Kumamoto to Takachiho passes through the Aso area.
They are Shinto ritual dances that reenact the cave of Amaterasu and other divine stories. At Takachiho Shrine there are short nightly performances; in the villages, from November to February, kagura last from night until morning.
Rowboats are rented at the dock, either by reservation or on a first-come, first-served basis depending on the season. During holidays and in autumn waits are often long; check the booking system before you go.
Beyond the guide
