A Spiritural Place of Beautiful Gorges, Breathtaking Castles and Shrines“Can you imagine what coastal life looks like?”Miyazaki is located in Kyushu and is known for its beaches and coastal drives. Aoshima Beach, which is popular for swimming, is connected to the small Aoshima Island by the Yayoi Bridge, and the wavy rocks surrounding Aoshima are known as the “Oni's Washboard.” Famous surf spots along the Pacific coast include Hinata, Kizakihama, and Shirahama.Hidden in the mountains of northern Miyazaki, Takachiho is a place where legend and landscape blend seamlessly. The breathtaking Takachiho Gorge is the centerpiece, where sheer basalt cliffs carved by ancient lava cradle the emerald Gokase River. Visitors can drift through the gorge by rowboat, gliding past the graceful Manai Falls, or admire the view from walking paths above. (Photo: The Takachiho Town Tourism Association)But Takachiho is more than scenery—it’s one of Japan’s most sacred sites. According to Shinto mythology, it was here that the sun goddess Amaterasu hid herself in a cave, plunging the world into darkness until the other gods lured her out, bringing back the light. Even today, this story is retold through the nightly Takachiho Kagura dances, where masks, drums, and music create a vivid link to ancient tradition.With its mystical atmosphere, cultural depth, and natural splendor, Takachiho is a destination where travelers can step into the pages of Japan’s oldest stories while surrounded by timeless beauty.