Searching for things that can only be found here. Full of attractions: Miyazaki and Nobeoka, 1 night, 2 days

Ai Nishimura

Administrator of the blog "My Diary," which began in 2004. A writer who has traveled to all 47 prefectures and loves local culture and history.
Author of Shimane's "Geography, Place Names, and Maps" Mysteries (Jitsugyo no Nihonsha), My Town is the "Number One in Japan" Dictionary (PHP Institute), and Prefectures Explained in Neko Neko Japanese History (Jitsugyo no Nihonsha). Official blogger for Suntory Gourmet Guide, official top user for Retty, and official platinum blogger for Excite.

9:30 AM: "Underground Chayama Observatory" - A spectacular view of tea fields and the blue sea

On the second day, we headed north of Nobeoka.

As we headed towards the Kitaura area, we headed to the Underground Chayama Observatory, a great vantage point.

We left the sea and headed straight for the mountain path. On the way, we were surprised when deer and monkeys jumped out, but we felt the closeness and abundance of nature.

There is no parking lot at the observation point. On the way, cross a narrow road and head towards the sign along the road. From here, you can see the tea fields that have been selected as one of the "100 Best Villages in Japan" spreading out on the mountain slope, and the Hyuga-Nada Sea spreading out in the distance.

The contrast between the perfect green mountains and the blue sea will be a refreshing experience.

It's about a 40-minute drive from Nobeoka Station and 20 minutes from the Kitaura area, making it a great place for a drive.

Underground Chayama Observatory

11:00 "Sea Treasure Box Lunch" at the Kaisenkan Restaurant at the Kitaura Roadside Station

Kitaura is home to Shimoaso Beach and is an area that attracts many people in search of marine activities and delicious seafood.

Roadside Station Kitaura, located along the beautiful sandy beach, is crowded with people from early in the morning, and Restaurant Kaisenkan is especially popular, with long queues forming. From inside the restaurant, you can view the blue sea and sky, and it is a seafood restaurant with a menu that includes seafood dishes and, in season, spiny lobster dishes. There are many dishes that allow you to fully enjoy Nobeoka's seafood, such as sashimi set meals made with the most seasonal fish at that time, and the "Sea Treasure Bowl" that features an assortment of Kitaura-produced amberjack, striped jack, and sea bream.

"Umi no Tamatebako" is a colorful chirashi sushi. It is a hearty lunch topped with plenty of sparkling fresh seafood. Sweet Nobeoka soy sauce is also available, so we enjoyed it using two types of soy sauce.
The "Ebi 10 (ten) bowl" is characterized by its high piles of shrimp tempura. It is surprisingly light and delicious when you use the tempura sauce and salt to your liking. It's also great to share with others.
When you arrive at the store, write your name and wait for your turn. It's a very popular store, so it's best to arrive a little before opening time.

Roadside Station Kitaura is a spot where you can get products from Miyazaki Prefecture and souvenirs from Nobeoka. As salt fields were once popular in this area, it also has a salt field museum, where you can purchase local souvenirs such as "Moon Salt" made by salt artisans in Kitaura and salt meringues made with it. There is also soft serve ice cream made with salt.
This is a spot where you can enjoy a meal and relax while looking out at the sea.

Roadside Station Kitaura/Restaurant Kaisenkan

14:00 Ocean view relaxing cafe "SHIMOASO CAFE"

Shimoaso Beach, a coastal area in Kitaura, is the only beach in Kyushu to be selected as one of the "Top 100 Beaches in Japan, Special Selection in the Sea Section" by the Ministry of the Environment, and is a popular beach known as "Kyushu's No. 1 Beach." The blue, crystal clear water and white sandy beach planted with Washington palms create a perfect tropical atmosphere. Many people were enjoying swimming and walking around the beach.

Located right on the beach along Shimoaso Beach, "SHIMOASO CAFE" has a warm wooden space and an open seaside atmosphere, making it a cozy cafe you'll want to stay in forever. There is also terrace seating and a dog run, so you can enjoy lunch, desserts and drinks while listening to the sound of the waves.

The couple who run the cafe are immigrants from the Kanto region. They fell in love with the colors of Nobeoka's sky and sea and decided to open a cafe here. Inside the cafe, there is a space for workshops and a stage for bands to perform, and it has become a community space where people gather and deepen relationships through events.
On sunny days, you can find Nora, the owner's dog, relaxing on the terrace, making it a soothing spot that soothes everyone. Spending time relaxing on the terrace with a delicious, cold drink in hand is sure to become a memorable part of your trip.

SHIMOASO CAFE

16:00 Anko lovers can't miss this! The famous haremanju sweet "Kaze no Kashi Torahiko"

Another Nobeoka specialty is this Japanese confectionery, known as "Yaremanju" in the Kyushu region, but also called "Usukawa Manju" or "Fubuki Manju" in some regions.

The roots of Yamato Manju can be traced back to Takachiho, the land where the heavenly grandson descended to earth. It is said that it has been made for about 400 years.

It was originally made to resemble the fruit of the sacred tree "Ogatama" that Ame-no-Uzume-no-Mikoto held when she danced in front of the Heavenly Rock Cave in the Takachiho mythology. Its original name was "Ogatama Manju", but people in later generations came to call it "Hare Manju".

The dough is similar to Kagoshima's "Karukan" and is made from yam, rice flour, and sugar, and is thinly wrapped so that the red bean paste can be seen. The red bean paste is carefully made to be less bitter, bringing out the natural flavor of the red beans. The light bean paste still retains a granular texture, making it perfect to eat with astringent tea. It is made in a small size, so it can be eaten with elegance.

On May 1, 2019, when the era name changed, Toraya changed its name to "Kaze no Kashi Torahiko." As wind is a symbol of change, they make sweets that correspond to the seasonal changes. Also, it comes from important words in sweet making such as flavor, elegance, and climate. And it is said that they named it "Kaze no Kashi" (Wind Confectionery) in reference to the Chinese proverb "Clouds follow the dragon, and the wind follows the tiger."
In addition to a wide selection of creative Japanese sweets, such as low-carb desserts and yokan jelly for one person, we also carry authentic Western sweets.

There is also a dining area called "Torahiko Salon" at the back of the store.
It was a moment where I really got into the travelling spirit as I sampled local specialties that make great souvenirs.

Wind Confectionery Torahiko