Stay overnight in a car in a city with a beautiful starry sky Stargazing at the park's observatory
This RV park is located in Takasaki General Park in Takasaki Town, northwest of downtown Miyakonojo. It is an excellent location for access to tourist attractions in southern Kyushu. The park has "Laspa Takasaki Hot Springs," a park golf course, tennis courts, etc., and the RV park reception desk is at the park golf course. Takasaki is a town with a beautiful starry sky, and has been ranked number one in Japan seven times in the "Star Watching" program conducted by the Ministry of the Environment.
RV Park Takasaki Basic Information
Location
1388-2 Omuta, Takasaki Town, Miyakonojo City, Miyazaki Prefecture
If you climb without looking back, you will be blessed. The 170 stone steps of the demon are just that, demons!
This ancient shrine is said to have been founded during the reign of the fifth Emperor Koaki, at the foot of the Kirishima mountain range, where the myth of the descent of the grandchildren is told. This shrine is said to be the Kirishima Shrine that appears in the Engishiki, and is one of the six Kirishima shrines. At the entrance to the shrine grounds is a sacred stone that is said to have been formed by the tears of Izanaginomikoto after the death of his wife, Izanami-no-mikoto, who is said to have cut it in half with a knife. The stone steps leading to the main shrine are said to have been piled up by a demon in one night with 999 stones. It is said that if one climbs the slope without turning around while chanting a wish, the wish will come true. For this reason, it has recently become a popular power spot.
address (e.g. of house)
1560 Higashikirishima, Takasaki Town, Miyakonojo City, Miyazaki Prefecture
Play and spend time on a vast dairy farm. Fresh dairy products are affordable!
Located on the border with Kagoshima Prefecture, this sightseeing ranch spreads out at the foot of the Kirishima Mountain Range. Visitors can enjoy a tour of the ranch where they can interact with cows, horses, and sheep, including Jersey cows and Holsteins, raised in the great outdoors in a relaxed atmosphere, and also have the opportunity to try their hand at making their own products. From the Hitsujigaoka Observatory, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of Takachiho's peaks, as well as Kinko Bay and Sakurajima in the distance. At the restaurant and food court, you can enjoy jingisukan (Japanese mutton and beef) and other dishes made from Miyazaki-produced black beef and Kagoshima-produced black pork. In addition, you can purchase dairy products, ham and sausage, bread, and other items from the farm at the store. This is a great place to spend time with children. However, pets are not allowed.
A treasure trove of history and power spots Gorgeous and majestic shrine pavilions are national treasures
Kirishima Jingu Shrine is located in Kagoshima Prefecture, near Takachiho Farm. The shrine was founded in the 6th century and enshrines Ninigi no Mikoto, the deity of the founding mythology of Japan. The shrine was originally built on Seimon Hill, between Takachiho peak and the Mihachi "crater," but was repeatedly lost and rebuilt due to several Kirishima eruptions. The shrine was moved to its current location more than 500 years ago. The shrine pavilion was built and donated by Yoshitaka Shimazu, the fourth lord of the Satsuma domain, in 1715. The shrine is a treasure trove of historical and power spots, including an over 800 year-old sacred cedar and the "Sazare-ishi" stone, which is mentioned in the "Kimigayo" song. Of the shrine buildings, the main hall, the hall of offerings, and the hall of worship were designated as national treasures in February 2022. The Noborogi, the Imperial Audience Hall, and other buildings are National Important Cultural Properties.
address (e.g. of house)
2608-5, Kirishima Taguchi, Kirishima City, Kagoshima Prefecture
Contemporary art and nature come together. Popular as an Instagram spot.
Located on the 700-meter-high plateau of Mt. Kurinodake, this open-air art museum blends art and the natural beauty of Kirishima. Within the grounds, which take about one hour to walk around slowly, are exhibits by contemporary artists, including Yayoi Kusama's "Flowers of Shangri-La" installed at the entrance. Visitors can see, touch, and take pictures with the works of art, becoming one with the art. It is also a popular spot for Instagram viewing. Sakurajima is also designed as an artwork created by nature, and visitors can enter from the hall stairway to the side of the outdoor artwork.
address (e.g. of house)
6340-220, Kiba, Yushimizu-cho, Aira-gun, Kagoshima
The powerful waterfalls and potholes are natural art created by the earth
Sekinoo Falls, 40 m wide and 18 m high, located in Sekinoo Park in Sekinoo-cho, Miyakonojo City, is a famous waterfall on the Shonai River, a tributary of the Oyodo River, and has been selected as one of the "100 Best Waterfalls in Japan" for its dynamic sound of water falling from a columnar-jointed cliff. The waterfall is made of eroded fused tuff of pyroclastic flow deposits from the Kakuto caldera about 340,000 years ago. Near the waterfall, there are two artificial waterfalls, Otoko-taki (Otoko-daki) and Onna-taki (Onna-taki), which were created by digging out rocks in the Meiji era (1868-1912) to discharge surplus water from the Kitamae irrigation canal and intake water, respectively. Watch the Sekinoo Falls from a suspension bridge or along the promenade. Also not to be missed is a group of potholes a few minutes' walk upstream from the waterfall. These potholes were formed when clear water from the Kirishima Mountains flowed into a layer of fused tuff caused by pyroclastic flow from the Kakuto caldera, and the water current rotated pebbles and rock fragments, creating holes in the strata. The potholes are up to 80 m wide and 600 m long, and are considered to be one of the world's largest groups of potholes. The formation of the potholes is still in progress and is designated as a national natural monument. Together with the waterfall, it was selected as a "geosite" for the Kirishima Geopark. The park is closed until March 31, 2024 due to renovation work at Sekinoo Park.
Flowers boasting a deep blue-purple color City flower, the iris, is in full bloom
Hayamizu Park, located in the downtown area of Miyakonojo City, is a 14-hectare park complex with a Manyo Botanical Garden, six ponds, a sports and culture center, and even a shrine, while the Iris Garden is located in the eastern area of the park. There are about 420,000 irises in the park! The exact variety is called "Busan (Kamayama) iris," which is native to Korea. It was introduced to Japan a long time ago and has been popular because of its large blossoms, deep color, and good appearance. The elegant flowers bloom in the park from late April to early May.
address (e.g. of house)
3900 Hayamizu-cho, Miyakonojo City, Miyazaki Prefecture
The roots of the Satsuma Shimazu family are in Miyakonojo Interesting relationship with the main Shimazu family
Miyakonojo was the birthplace of the Shimazu family, the feudal lord of Satsuma. The Shimazu family had ruled a large manor called "Shimazu-no-sho" in Miyakonojo since the end of the Heian period. After the main Shimazu family moved to Izumi, Kagoshima Prefecture, a branch family, the Hokugo family, built a castle in Miyakonojo during the Muromachi period (1336-1573). In the Edo period (1603-1867), the family changed its name to "Shimazu" and ruled Miyakonojo. The main residence of the Shimazu family in Miyakonojo was built in the early Meiji period (1868-1912), and was repeatedly extended and reconstructed in the Showa period (1926-1989) to its present form. The grounds include a stone storehouse, an outer storehouse, a kendo hall, a Japanese garden, etc. The "Miyakonojo Shimatsu Folklore Museum" exhibits old documents and other historical materials related to the Shimatsu family.
Main house, 110 yen for elementary school students and older Miyakonojo Shimatsu Folklore Museum: 220 yen for adults, 160 yen for high school and university students, 110 yen for elementary and junior high school students
