Rugby World UK – August 2019

RW Promotion

Full bloom
Cosmos flowers in Ikoma

Stone tribute

A Sekibutsu buddha

MIYAZAKI

DAY TRIPS

The old town of Mimitsu is known for

its antiquated charm and the glimpse it

gives you into pre-modern Japan. In fact,

it has been designated an Important

Preservation District.

In Hyuga’s Nippo-Kaigan Quasi National

Park you’ll find Umagase – a 70m-high cliff

that has cracked into hexagonal columns.

The top of it offers an unobstructed view

of the Pacific Ocean and nearby you’ll find

the Sea Cross, where the water has worn

away the rocks into the shape of a cross.

It is said that praying there will make

your wishes come true.

If you want to try local alcohol, take a

tour in Nobeoka, a city that is home to

three famous breweries know collectively

as Mitsukura. There’s a sake brewery

(Sentoku), a shochu distillery (Sato) and a

craft beer factory (Hideji). If you’re part of

a group, you can also partake of local

cuisine as part of your tour.

FESTIVAL SPIRIT

Miyazaki Jingu Festival (26-27 October) is

the biggest festival in Miyazaki Prefecture

and features a 4km-long float parade from

Miyazaki Jingu to Otabidokoro, as well as

a yabusame performance – Japanese

archery performed on horseback.

From the Azuchi-Momoyama to the Edo

Period, Tenkaichi was the title given to those

who made Noh masks. Noh is a traditional

Japanese theatre art. There are 30 different

masks made by the hands of the Tenkaichi in

Nobeoka and you can see them being used

in Noh performances on the outdoor stage in

the Nobeoka Castle Park on 12 October.

At the Ikoma Highland Cosmos Festival in

October, the flowers covering the plateau

at the foot of the Kirishima mountains are

illuminated by 20,000 candles at night

and then there is a fireworks display.

Cliff top

Umagase