Miyazaki is located in the southern part of Japan, and is characterized by a warm climate throughout the year. Thanks to its rich nature and warm climate, it is also famous for its abundant harvests of seafood and agricultural products.
In this article, we will introduce 7 nightlife spots that you should definitely visit to enjoy Miyazaki at night.
Highlights and characteristics of Miyazaki at night
Miyazaki Prefecture is home to a place called “Takachiho”, which is said to be the place where the gods first descended to earth in Japanese mythology. As a result, the prefecture is characterized by having many power spots related to mythology. Even in Miyazaki at night, “Takachiho Night Kagura” is a must-see tourist spot.
Miyazaki’s specialty gourmet foods and local cuisine are also appealing, as various ingredients are harvested in abundance. In particular, the famous brand of beef, “Miyazaki Beef”, and Miyazaki’s local chicken, “Miyazaki Jitokko”, are must-try foods.
As such, Miyazaki’s nightlife spots are characterized by the large number of spots related to mythology and gourmet spots where you can taste ingredients unique to Miyazaki.
Nightlife spots in Miyazaki
Recommended #1: Takachiho Night Kagura
“Takachiho Night Kagura” is a folk performing art handed down in Takachiho Town, Miyazaki Prefecture. It is said to have started in 1189, and is currently designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan. Takachiho is the region where, in Japanese mythology, it is said that “the gods first descended to earth”. Therefore, Takachiho Night Kagura features all the gods that appear in Japanese myths and legends. To give thanks for the autumn harvest and pray for a bountiful harvest in the coming year, 33 Kagura dances are dedicated to the gods.
Takachiho Night Kagura takes place in the fall after the harvest, from mid-November to early February every year. Kagura is performed throughout the night in private homes and community centers in each village in Takachiho. The locations and dates for Takachiho Night Kagura are published on the official website. It is a good idea to check in advance and plan your sightseeing schedule. This is a recommended spot for those interested in Japanese folk performing arts.
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| Official website | https://takachiho-kanko.info/ |
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Takachiho Night Kagura is held on set dates, so you may not be able to see it depending on your sightseeing schedule. In that case, we recommend “Takachiho Kagura”, which is held every night. “Takachiho Kagura” includes 4 representative dances among the 33 dances offered to the gods of “Takachiho Night Kagura”. It is held every night from 8:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Takachiho Shrine. You should book in advance on the official website.
Recommended #2: Nishi Tachibana Street
“Nishi Tachibana Street” is Miyazaki’s largest entertainment district. Commonly known as “Nishitachi”, it is bustling with locals and tourists alike. Warm-colored lanterns hang on both sides of the street, giving it a retro atmosphere. It is a popular spot visited by many people every night, including locals and tourists.
Nishi Tachibana Street is lined with about 1,100 restaurants. This means you can enjoy a variety of Miyazaki specialties. You can find everything here, from Yakiniku and steaks made with “Miyazaki Beef” to charcoal-grilled “Miyazaki Jitokko” and “Chicken Nanban”. This is a recommended spot for those who want to enjoy Miyazaki cuisine.
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| Official website | https://www.city.miyazaki.miyazaki.jp/ |
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Nishi Tachibana Street is known as one of the areas “with the highest concentration of Snack-bars” in Japan. Snack-bar is a unique type of Japanese bar where customers are served at the counter by a female owner called “Mama”. The characteristic of a Snack-bar is that it is a place to “enjoy conversation and drinks” rather than a place to enjoy food. Going to a Snack-bar bar is a good opportunity to talk to local people.
Recommended #3: Atagoyama Observatory
Atagoyama Observatory is an observation deck located on Mount Atago in Nobeoka City, Miyazaki Prefecture. It offers a 360-degree view of downtown Nobeoka and has been recognized as a “Japanese Night View Heritage”. In addition, on full moon nights, the night view is even more fantastic, so it has also been selected as one of the “100 Most Beautiful Moons in Japan”.
Legend has it that two gods met and married on Mount Atago. Therefore, a monument related to the legend was erected. This is also a famous date spot for couples.
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| Official website | https://nobekan.jp/ |
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Recommended #4: Hitotsuba Miyachiku
Hitotsuba Miyachiku is a Teppanyaki steak restaurant that specializes in Miyazaki Beef. This is a restaurant where you can eat branded Wagyu steaks at a reasonable price, so it’s also very popular with locals. The restaurant has spacious space and also has a children’s menu. Therefore, you can visit with peace of mind even when traveling with your family.
Much of the world-famous “Matsusaka Beef” and “Kobe Beef” are raised from cows born in Miyazaki. Therefore, “Miyazaki Beef” is just as delicious as Matsusaka Beef and Kobe Beef. It is also famous that Miyazaki Beef was served at the Academy Awards ceremony party in the United States for three consecutive years. If you are visiting Miyazaki, we recommend trying an authentic Miyazaki Beef steak.
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| Official website | https://rest.miyachiku.jp/ |
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There is also another restaurant in the same chain, “Yakiniku Teppanyaki Steak Tachibana-dori Miyachiku”, on Nishi Tachibana Street. You can also enjoy delicious Miyazaki Beef steaks here.
Recommended #5: Torimasa Restaurant
(Source: https://torimasa-miyazaki.com/)
Torimasa is a Yakitori restaurant that serves local chicken from Miyazaki Prefecture. It is a popular restaurant with delicious Yakitori and a calming Japanese-style interior. In addition to Yakitori, they also serve local dishes such as “charcoal-grilled chicken” and “Chicken Nanban”, so it is a recommended restaurant for tourists.
Miyazaki local chicken is characterized by being firm yet tender, juicy meat with plenty of flavor. In addition to the representative brand “Miyazaki Jitokko”, there are many other brands of chicken. As with Miyazaki beef, we recommend trying local chicken when visiting Miyazaki.
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| Official website | https://torimasa-miyazaki.com |
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Recommended #6: Karamenya Masumoto
“Karamenya Masumoto” is a restaurant that serves the specialty dish of Miyazaki, “Karamen”. Karamen is a noodle dish consisting of chewy noodles made from buckwheat flour, a rich chili-garlic soup, and beaten eggs. It is a popular dish that is considered Miyazaki soul food.
“Karamenya Masumoto” is known as the restaurant where Karamen originated. In addition to Miyazaki Prefecture, there are various stores throughout Japan. Among them, “Masumoto Honten” in Nobeoka City, Miyazaki Prefecture is the main store of Karamenya Masumoto. Therefore, if you want to eat Karamen in Miyazaki, we recommend that you start by trying them at Masumoto Honten. Masumoto Honten is open until 3am, so it’s convenient for stopping by at night.
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| Official website | https://www.karamenya-masumoto.com |
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In addition to the “Masumoto Honten”, there is also the “Chuodori” store near Nishi Tachibana Street. This store is open until 3am (4am on Fridays, Saturdays, and days before holidays). It is located in Miyazaki City, making it easy to access.
Recommended #7: Ogura Restaurant
“Ogura” is a restaurant that serves Miyazaki’s local dish “Chicken Nanban”. “Chicken Nanban” is a chicken dish made by coating chicken with flour and beaten eggs, deep frying it, and then soaking in sweet vinegar. It is generally eaten with tartar sauce. In Miyazaki, it is a standard menu at family dinner tables and restaurants.
“Ogura” is known as the restaurant where Chicken Nanban originated. Therefore, if you want to eat Chicken Nanban in Miyazaki, we recommend you try it at “Ogura” first. Even among locals who eat Chicken Nanban on a daily basis, “Ogura” has a reputation for its particularly delicious Chicken Nanban.
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| Official website | https://www.ogurachain.com/ |
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