Takachiho
Located in the north of the Miyazaki
Prefecture, Takachiho is famed for its
beautiful gorge and spiritual experiences...C
The Culture Vulture
One of the best-known legends
of Japanese mythology centres
on Takachiho. The tale is of Amaterasu,
the Shinto sun goddess, and how her
brother’s pranks led to her hiding in a
cave and depriving the world of her light.
It wasn’t until another goddess’s dance
caused others to laugh that Amaterasu
emerged to see what was happening.
You cannot visit the cave in which she
was said to have hidden, but there is aviewing deck at the Amano Iwato Shrine
where you can look across to the side of
the Iwato River where the cave is located.
There is also a path to Amano
Yasukawara, a shrine in a cave said to be
where the other gods and goddesses met
to discuss how to lure Amaterasu out.
The town of Takachiho is also known
as a ‘power spot’, a place of profound
religious importance and natural beauty
which radiates spiritual energy.F
The Foodie
Somen is a thin, white Japanese
noodle made from wheat flour- and there is a unique way to eat them
here. Nagashi-somen means the noodles
flow down a bamboo pipe that has been
cut in half, then diners catch some of the
noodles and dip them in a Japanese soup.
Try them at the restaurant Chiho-No-le –
it’s a real test of your skills with chopsticks!
Takachiho beef is a local speciality and
was awarded the Prime Minister’s Prize at
the ninth National Wagyu Beef Capability
Association – known as the ‘Wagyu
Olympics’ – in 2007. Takachiho beef is
popular for being marbled and tender, and
is an ingredient in the Takachiho croquette.
Chicken nanban – fried and served with
tartar sauce – is another speciality of the
Miyazaki Prefecture. Kamairicha tea is too.RW PromotionTravelThis Kyushu town is steeped in Japanese mythology
Rock and row
Takachiho Gorge