Roadside Station Takachiho

Two deities from Kagura greet you.
Mysterious Village of the Myth of the Descent of the Sun

Takachiho is a town with a mysterious atmosphere, where the myth of the descent of the grandchildren comes alive, and where traditional culture such as Takachiho night kagura and the scenic beauty of Takachiho Gorge are well-known. Located overlooking the Takachiho Gorge, the museum welcomes visitors with monuments of Tajikarao-no-mikoto and Ame-no-Uzume-no-mikoto, who appear in night kagura performances. The museum is also decorated with cutout pictures used in kagura, called "erimono," which fits the image of the village of mythology. The museum also sells kagura masks and other handicrafts. Don't miss the gourmet Takachiho beef bowl (950 yen) and Takachiho beef croquettes (170 yen *take-out available).

Map of Roadside Station Takachiho

Roadside Station Takachiho Gourmet Information

The best place to eat: Chicken Nanban Burger.

Chicken Nanban is the soul food of Miyazaki. One cannot leave Miyazaki without eating chicken nanban...or not, but each restaurant has its own unique flavor. Of course, it is also a standard menu item at restaurants attached to train stations. For a casual takeout meal, the "Chicken Nanban Burger" is highly recommended. A large, fluffy, sesame-filled bun is filled with chicken nanban, and the tartar sauce is also a generous portion. The tartar sauce is also very generous. Vegetables are plentiful. The chicken is juicy and tender. Delicious! The limited quantity is not indicated on the restaurant's ticket machine, so please ask the waiter directly. 600 yen (tax included)

This is the one to eat. Bandit Onigiri Bento

Wrapped in a bamboo skin like something out of an old tale, it fits the image of a lunch box from a mountain village. When you open the wrapper, you will find a rice ball with jidori chicken and wild vegetables, a rice ball with greens, side dishes such as fried bean curd and fried egg, and pickles, all neatly arranged in a neat row. The rice balls are perfect for eating under a blue sky while enjoying the view of the surrounding mountains. 400 yen.

Buy this one: Kobiru Cookie

Kobiru" is a word for "snack" in the Takachiho region. It is also written as "small lunch" and is said to be used in Hokuriku and Tohoku regions as well. Aside from that, these "Kobiru cookies" are gluten-free cookies made by a food workshop headed by a kumquat farmer in the town. They are made with rice flour and soy milk, and do not contain eggs or milk, so they are safe for those with allergies to those foods. They also do not use chemical seasonings, so they have a short shelf life. The amount of sugar is also kept to a minimum to give it a gentle sweetness. It is packed with three different tastes: plain, kumquat, and kettle roasted tea. Recommended as a souvenir of your trip. 1,100 yen per box (tax included)

Around Roadside Station Takachiho

Takachiho Shrine

If you want to have fun in the area

Located across the road from the roadside station, this shrine symbolizes Takachiho, the mythical village of Takachiho, and is said to have been built in the 3rd or 4th century during the reign of Emperor Taruhito. The present main shrine building dates from the Edo period and is a national important cultural property. A pair of iron guardian dogs said to have been dedicated by Minamoto no Yoritomo and a wooden statue of the god transferred from Aratate Shrine are also nationally important cultural properties. The Chichibu cedar tree in the precincts of the shrine is said to be 800 years old and was planted by Hatakeyama Shigetada, Minamoto no Yoritomo's chief advisor. There is also "Meoto Sugi," a pair of cedar trunks united into one, which is said to be a marriage spot where lovers are said to be happy if they walk around the shrine three times holding hands.

Ama-no-Iwato Shrine

If you want to have fun in the area

The shrine is dedicated to the cave of the legend of Ama-no-Iwato, one of the most popular myths in Japanese mythology (Kojiki and Nihonshoki). The shrine is divided into the East and West main shrines across the Iwato River, both of which worship Amaterasu Omikami, but the West is enshrined under the alias "Ohirumenomikoto" of Amaterasu Omikami. Upstream is Ten'ankawara, where the eight hundred million gods gathered to discuss how to bring Amaterasu Omikami out of the cave. The statue of Amenotajikarano-no-mikoto is also powerful!