Take a selfie in Miyazaki Prefecture! Travel to places where you can feel the tropical breeze

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.

Aoshima Shrine: Head to the original shrine nestled in a virgin forest of subtropical plants

From the airport, we headed directly to Aoshima, a small island that sits along the Nichinan Coast, a famous driving course. Aoshima is a small island with a circumference of 1.5 kilometers, and is a popular tourist spot that is said to be the setting for myths and legends about seafood and mountain produce. A bridge connects the island to the coast, making it easy to cross over to the island. The island is characterized by its fascinating scenery, including the wavy rock formations known as Oni no Sentakuita, which appear at low tide, and the red torii gates that stand out against the island's greenery.

We head to Aoshima Shrine on the island, glancing at the streets lined with souvenir shops along Aoshima Coast, cafes with terrace seating with views of Aoshima, and Aoshima Beach Park, where events are held.

Aoshima Shrine enshrines Hikohohodemi-no-Mikoto, Toyotamahime-no-Mikoto, and Shiotsuchi-no-Okami, who appear in Japanese mythology. It is said that the Omiya shrine built by Hikohohodemi-no-Mikoto (Yamasachi) is the origin of this shrine, so Aoshima is thought to have been a special place with a long history.

Even on Aoshima, where the entire island is sacred, the feeling is even more special once you pass through the lush "Ancient Prayer Path." Passing through many votive plaques, you will come across a dense forest of palm trees. This is an ancient primeval forest that has been designated a natural monument. In the back, you will find the Motomiya Shrine, the "Heavenly Pot Throwing" where you can tell your fortune by throwing small ceramic tiles, and the "Musubi Koyori" paper twisting. There are also other places to get fortunes and pray within the grounds, so it's fun to look for them while you pray!

This is a rare shrine where you can experience the mysterious sensation of praying surrounded by a palm forest. It is entrusted with the divine blessings of matchmaking, safe childbirth, safe voyages, and safe transportation. Combined with the unique atmosphere where you can fully experience nature, it is an experience you won't find anywhere else, and one you'll want to take home with you.

Aoshima Shrine

Miyako Botanic Garden Aoshima: A photogenic spot where you can immerse yourself in a tropical world

The large garden at the entrance to Aoshima opened in 1965 as the Prefectural Aoshima Subtropical Botanical Garden, and was renovated to mark its 50th anniversary and given the nickname Miyako Botanic Garden Aoshima. Well-known subtropical plants such as hibiscus and bougainvillea, as well as large palm trees and seasonal flowers, give the garden a tropical feel.

The gorgeously colored plants are all ones we don't see every day, so time flies by as we gaze at and photograph them. In the tropical fruit greenhouse, mango, papaya, banana and other trees are planted, making it feel like a small observation session. Here, you can see over 20 kinds of tropical fruits throughout the year, even if you've tried them before but don't know how they grow.

The square also has a lawn, making it a great place for families with children and pets to relax.

Aoshima is a place where you can spend a relaxing time while experiencing the nature and history of Miyazaki. The whole area has been developed as a tourist destination, and bicycle rentals are also available. There is also a cafe where you can eat tropical fruit sweets, so it is a must-see spot as a place to cool down on a hot summer day, and as a tourist destination that can be enjoyed even on rainy days.

Miyako Botanic Garden Aoshima

Cafe "anandah" where you can spend a luxurious time swaying in a hammock

For lunch in Aoshima, we went to "anandah", located just a few minutes from "Kodomo no Kuni Station".
The store exudes a natural atmosphere, with a white-themed cafe on the first floor that is filled with sunlight, and the second floor is home to "Aoshima Hammocks," a handmade hammock shop. Hammocks are hung on the terrace seats, creating a cozy space.
The cafe serves lunches made with seasonal vegetables and parfaits made with fruit.

On this day, we ordered the popular menu item, the Buddha Bowl.
A plate of seasonal vegetables sourced from organic vegetable farms in Aoshima, Aya-cho, and Kiyotake-cho. The vegetables are prepared with a mild flavor to bring out their natural sweetness and flavor. The vegetable side dishes change depending on the season.
The plate comes with either rice or pita bread, but I recommend the pita bread. When you stuff a variety of side dishes into the pita bread, the flavors all come together in a mysterious way, creating a deep flavor. The main dish is fried carrots, and there are plenty of vegetables, including dried daikon radish and red cabbage, and the dish also uses rare organic soybeans. Everything is handmade, including the tofu sauce and pesto sauce made with holy basil, and it is also suitable for vegans.

Anandah's cafe lunch is a meal that will energize your body and mind while you sit in the fresh air of Aoshima. The hammock seats are also very comfortable, as they sway gently and soothe you.
It's just over 10 minutes from Aoshima by train and on foot, or a few minutes by car.

anandah

Researching Miyazaki souvenirs at Hyuga's "Stairs of the Sea"

A roadside shopping facility overlooking the sea of Hyuga.
It is a popular spot where you can experience a resort atmosphere, and in addition to fashion, miscellaneous goods, and gourmet food, you can also find local souvenirs and processed goods. Hyuga-Kanahama, where Stairs of the Sea is located, is also a popular surfing spot, and is a facility where fashion-conscious people gather.

The interior of the store, where you can fully experience the fashionable seaside atmosphere of trailer houses and glamping facilities, is photogenic everywhere! Here, I found a souvenir that is typical of Miyazaki.
The confectionery uses "Hebesu," a citrus fruit that is a specialty of Hyuga. The grated peel is kneaded into the confectionery to preserve its flavor, resulting in a refreshing, rich fragrance.
This yogurt drink made with fresh, delicious milk from Ariman Dairy in Kawaminami Town has a cute pop design. It is a product that is typical of Miyazaki, made with blueberries and hyuganatsu grown in-house.
The waffle rusks made by the trailer house "PINKY CREAMERY" on the premises are a huge hit. They are easy to take home, and once you start eating them, you won't be able to stop, thanks to their rich caramel flavor and sugar butter.

You can enjoy the food at each store from your preferred seat on the chairs or sofas on the first or second floor.
Looking for something sweet to soothe me on my journey, I chose the parfait from "Akkapiu Kitchen & Bakery." The light yet rich Maruyama Milk soft serve ice cream has a smooth texture and a natural sweetness that spreads throughout my mouth. The biscotti and sponge used are all handmade, and it's a high-quality fruit parfait made with plenty of seasonal fruits.
Inside the store, there are groups leisurely enjoying lunch and sweets, as well as people working remotely.
It's open all year round and can be used for a variety of purposes, such as a rest spot during a drive or a view spot with a panoramic ocean view, so be sure to include it in your travel plans.

Stairs of the Sea

A place to calm your mind and body. Walking in harmony with nature: Tenku Cafe Zeal

Enjoy a quiet tea time at a cafe located at the top of a hill, which makes you wonder, "In a place like this?"
They have been serving macrobiotic cuisine here for 20 years. Tenku Cafe Zeal has a spacious, untouched garden and greenhouse, as well as a high-ceilinged open-ceiling space.

There is a library in the loft at the top of the stairs (fee required), where you can relax and spend some time on the leather sofas and rocking chairs. All the other seats are open and well-spaced, and there is also a space where children can play safely. Many of the organic foods and seasonings in the store are carefully selected, so health-conscious people will want to pick up a few.

I ordered "Carrot Cake" and "Strawberry Mint Shake". The setting, which combined edible flowers and garden flowers, added a cute and colorful touch to the atmosphere.

The carrot cake is made with plenty of carrots, spices and citrus, and has a moist texture. The strawberry mint shake is a long-standing classic menu item, with the refreshing herbs and sweet fruit that will make you happy.
In fact, Zeal's opening hours are only Friday to Sunday, which is not a long time, but on weekdays they are not just closed, but they are also tending to their large garden and preparing food. I think that each and every step of this represents their care for nature, and that this is conveyed to our hearts and bodies through the flavors. This is a store that reminds us of the love of nature and the joy of enjoying its blessings as they are.

The mildly sweet and gentle flavor is packed with the power of Miyazaki ingredients. It's filling, satisfying, and energizing. This is the kind of food that people who are stressed out or tired from work in the city need.

The best part of traveling is being able to recharge your batteries from nature and food in a different world than usual. It was a great time to fully experience the feeling of relaxation in a relaxing space that was overflowing with the potential that Miyazaki has to offer.

Sky Cafe Zeal