Resort atmosphere? Local experience? Choose a workcation in Miyazaki based on how you want to spend your time

There are many different ways to spend your time working remotely. In this article, we will introduce two workation styles that are unique to Miyazaki Prefecture and can be chosen based on your mood and means of transportation.

The first is a resort-oriented workation, where you use your car to leisurely enjoy sightseeing. The other is using public transportation to enjoy local culture and cuisine. Which workation style would you prefer?

*Depending on the spread of COVID-19, opening days and business hours of each spot may change. Please check with each spot for details.

Workcation at a resort in the tropical island of Miyazaki. Refresh yourself with a drive

One of the attractions of Miyazaki Prefecture is that you can enjoy a resort stay while enjoying the sea, golf, and more in a warm climate. If you want to spend your time off work feeling refreshed, we recommend taking a drive and enjoying sightseeing.

Miyazaki Prefecture, located on the east coast of southern Kyushu and facing the Sea of Hyuga, is characterized by its many driving courses with scenic views. Driving along wide roads while enjoying beautiful scenery is an experience that is hard to find in the city.

On this pleasant driving route, why not extend your trip to famous tourist spots along the Nichinan Coast, such as Udo Shrine and Sun Messe Nichinan, which are difficult to access by public transport?

[Hotel] Luxurious resort workcation | Sheraton Grande Ocean Resort

The tropical prefecture of Miyazaki is home to a wide variety of resort hotels where you can experience the feeling of traveling abroad without leaving Japan, but it is no exaggeration to say that the Sheraton Grande Ocean Resort offers the most luxurious stay of all.

Phoenix Seagaia Resort is an adult resort area surrounded by a vast black pine forest along the Hyuga-Nada Sea. This is one of Japan's leading resort facilities, where you can enjoy an extraordinary experience with sophisticated food, relaxation, and activities such as golf and surfing.

At the heart of it all is the Sheraton Grande Ocean Resort, a hotel where you can enjoy a luxurious vacation.

The hotel is 45 stories tall and all rooms face eastward with ocean views. The spacious rooms offer a panoramic view of the majestic Pacific Ocean and black pine forest. All rooms are equipped with free Wi-Fi and wired LAN, and the rooms for workcations are equipped with large working desks with LED lighting and power outlets, allowing you to work in a comfortable environment.

The "Kazemachi Terrace" is a terrace lounge exclusively for guests that will make your workcation even more enjoyable. The sofa space is equipped with free Wi-Fi and USB ports, so you can charge your smartphone or PC while you work. You can work leisurely in a relaxed atmosphere while sipping freshly brewed coffee.

If you want to get some fresh air, head to the "Bonfire Living Room" in "THE LIVING GARDEN," a garden area exclusively for guests. A tarp set up in the pine forest and sofas placed in the open space create a relaxing space with a slightly different feel from indoors.

The most distinctive feature is the bonfire in the center. Watching the flickering fire and spending some time relaxing might help you come up with some good ideas for work.

Of course, free Wi-Fi is also available. Enjoy the sound of the ocean and the fresh air outdoors, one of the attractions of Sheraton Grande Ocean Resort.

Outside of work, you can enjoy a variety of activities such as golf, cycling on the pine forest trails, horseback riding, and Segway riding, or savor gourmet cuisine prepared by a chef using Miyazaki's bountiful ingredients. With so many options for thoroughly enjoying and refreshing your vacation, you'll never get bored, even if you stay for a long time. This is truly a hotel where you can realize your ideal resort workcation.

Sheraton Grande Ocean Resort

[Weekdays] Don't miss the Moai statues lined up against the endless Pacific Ocean | Sun Messe Nichinan

Once you've enjoyed your stay at the hotel, head out in your car to refresh your mind.

When it comes to driving courses in Miyazaki Prefecture, the Nichinan Phoenix Road is the one to go for. It is a classic course that runs along the coastline from Miyazaki City to the south. Palm trees, which are a symbol of the tropical prefecture of Miyazaki, are planted along the road, allowing you to fully enjoy the resort atmosphere.

Nichinan City is about an hour's drive from Miyazaki City. Many sightseeing spots are concentrated along the Nichinan Phoenix Road, so it's a great idea to take a drive around the area.

The first place you should visit is Sun Messe Nichinan. This is a rare place outside of Easter Island where you can see life-sized Moai statues.

The giant Moai statues that suddenly appear in the deep blue sea of Nichinan Coast were the first in the world to be restored with permission from the Easter Island Elders and the islanders, and seven Moai statues have been completely restored. This is to express gratitude for the service and friendship shown by the Japanese Moai restoration team, who used a crane to lift 15 Moai statues that had fallen locally.

The original is located on Easter Island, a remote island 3,800 km west of Chile and 4,000 km from neighboring Tahiti off the Pacific Ocean, which shows how precious this location is.

The giant Moai statues, each 5.5m tall and weighing 18 to 20 tons, change appearance depending on the time of day. With the endless Pacific Ocean as its canvas, the bright red sunrise, the sparkling light of the day, or the engrossing sunset, no matter what you choose, this is a spot that is sure to look great on Instagram.

Sun Messe Nichinan

[Weekdays] The power spot where the legend of Umisachi and Yamasachi took place | Udo Shrine

Next, we head to Udo Shrine, a power spot that represents the Nichinan area. The approach to the shrine is well-maintained, so you can access it by car.

It is known as "Karimiya," or the "descending shrine," because the approach to the shrine descends downwards. Upon descending the stairs, the colorful vermilion-painted shrine building comes into view inside a huge sea rock cave.

This cave is said to be the remains of the birthing hut of the main deity, "Ugayafukiaezu-no-mikoto," and is famous as a power spot. In addition, "Ochiiwa," where Toyotamahime-no-mikoto stuck both breasts together and stuck them to the rock to raise her child, is said to bring good luck in safe childbirth and child-rearing. "Ochii-ame," made from the water that drips from "Ochii-wa," is also sold, so why not try it as a souvenir?

In front of the main hall, there is a strange rock formation called "Reishi Kameishi" where it is said that if you throw a lucky ball into the hole and it goes in, your wish will come true. Why not try your luck at this power spot while recharging your energy for work?

Udo Shrine

[Weekdays] Work leisurely in a building that combines history and modern design | Abutsu Red Brick Museum

If you are enjoying a mini trip in Nichinan City and suddenly need to get to work, there is a convenient place to go.

Abutsu Port, the gateway to the sea of Nichinan, is an old and historic port. At its center is the Abutsu Red Brick Museum. This valuable building is designated as a tangible cultural property by the Agency for Cultural Affairs, and is a wonderful piece of architecture that combines history with modern design.

The Red Brick Building, built in 1922, is fully equipped with Wi-Fi, making it a convenient place to take a break or get some work done. It's also recommended as a base for work during sightseeing.

By the way, if you walk a little way down the alley from the Red Brick Museum, you will find the Horikawa Canal. The Horikawa Canal connects the mouth of the Hiroto River to Abutsu Port and was built by the Obi Domain in the Edo period to efficiently transport Obi cedar.

When you stop by the Abutsu Red Brick Museum, be sure to check out the Horikawa Bridge, an arched stone bridge that also serves as the approach to Ahiratsu Shrine (Otohime Shrine).

Aburatsu Red Brick Museum

[Holiday] Crossing the evergreen broad-leaved forest of Aya, a UNESCO Ecopark | Teraha Suspension Bridge (Aya Town)

Well, on your days off, forget about work, go on a long drive, and refresh yourself in the great outdoors.

If you drive west from Miyazaki City for about 30 minutes, you will arrive at Aya Town, home to one of Japan's largest evergreen broad-leaved forests. The appeal of working in Miyazaki is being able to casually enjoy the magnificent nature.

The large evergreen broad-leaved forest in the Aya River Valley is registered as a UNESCO Ecopark as an unparalleled primeval forest.

As you go through the valley, you will see the Teruha Otsuribashi Bridge, the symbol of Aya Town. The bridge, which crosses the deep green sky, is 142m above the water, 250m long, and 1.2m wide, making it one of the largest pedestrian suspension bridges in the world. Looking out over the evergreen forest from the air will make all your worries disappear in an instant.

Once you have crossed the suspension bridge, there is a 2km nature trail where you can enjoy forest bathing. Use all your senses to experience the wonders of the natural ecosystem, including the chirping of birds and the scents of unfamiliar plants and trees.

Teruha Suspension Bridge

[Holiday] Enjoy the "terroir" of Kobayashi, woven together by culture and climate | Kokoya de kobayashi (Kobayashi City)

If you drive further west, you will see the Kirishima mountain range. Kobayashi City, located at the northern foot of the mountain, is proud of its livestock and vegetables, which are full of the bounty of Kirishima. Enjoy a luxurious dinner at the French restaurant "Kokoya de Kobayashi," which serves the bounty of the land in the best way possible.

Owner chef Jun Chii is a top chef who has served as chef at the embassies of France, Switzerland and Austria and has been awarded the title of outstanding head chef at an official residence. Based on the concept of "terroir," derived from the French word terre, which means land, he creates "French cuisine that can only be enjoyed here," incorporating local and Japanese cuisine techniques.

The interior of the restaurant, which makes lavish use of wood from Kobayashi, has a "modern Japanese" concept. The nostalgic, relaxed atmosphere makes the wait for the food to be served pleasant.

Since you've made the effort to travel all the way to Kobayashi City, why not try the "Ultimate Kobayashi Full Course Made with Premium Ingredients," which allows you to fully enjoy the local ingredients.

Chef Chii creates one artistic dish after another at the iron plate counter kitchen right in front of you. The ingredients are all the finest locally sourced, such as the finest Japanese black beef, carp polished by spring water, and rich, vibrant vegetables grown in black soil.

The cuisine, which uses carefully selected ingredients and is sublimated into French cuisine with a Japanese twist, is nothing short of exquisite. Please enjoy a relaxing time as you treat yourself.

Kokoya de kobayashi

We have introduced two main ways to enjoy workation in Miyazaki Prefecture. Both are active trips where you go outside and enjoy experiencing a variety of things. As you can see, Miyazaki is rich in tourist spots and local cuisine. If you are planning to do workation in the future, this is a recommended area for those who want to enrich their time outside of work as well.

For tourist information on Miyazaki Prefecture, check out Miyazaki Tourism Information ShunNavi!

Besides workcation, there are many other ways to enjoy Miyazaki Prefecture. If you want to know the latest tourist information, please use the "Miyazaki Tourism Information Shun Navi (www.kanko-miyazaki.jp/)" operated by Miyazaki Prefecture.

You can check gourmet, sightseeing spots, campaign information, and more all in one place. You're sure to find the information you're looking for.

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