Miyazaki is an often overlooked location for would be travel seeker. However, it has much to offer to those who are willing to give it a chance. The main activities to do in Miyazaki is personified by its 3 mascots. Mu-chan the traveller, Ka-Chan the foodie and Hii-chan, a lover of nature. Miyazaki offers it all this and more. I would say though that my favourite location in the entirety of Miyazaki has to be Aoshima and I am not talking about the Cat Island in Ehime prefecture. With a perimeter of 1.5m, Aoshima is surrounded by a rock formation which is oddly named Oni no Sentakuita,”The devil’s Washboard”.


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By Casey Yee/ Flickr.com


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By Kenta Mabuchi/ Flickr.com

While the trip from Fukuoka to Miyazaki can be long, I can only say it is well worth it. For train services you can get the direct service from Fukuoka to Miyazaki through the Nichirin service at Hakata station which takes around 5 hours. However, the quicker service is bus, this takes around 4 ½ hours from Hakata bus terminal. Whether it is bus or train, you will arrive at Miyazaki station. This will require one final train service from Miyazaki station to Aoshima station. Take the local or rapid train on the Nichinan Line from Miyazaki Station to Aoshima Station which should take around 30 minutes and then it is just a 5 minute walk from Aoshima station to the main island.


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By Casey Yee/ Flickr.com

Demonic rock formation names aside, I would go as far as to refer to Aoshima as an example of heaven on earth. It is a beautiful coastal island, surrounded by beautiful swimming spots. The devil’s washboard offers a beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean. In addition to the wonderful seafront Aoshima has surrounding forest lands for those wishing to have both a beach and exploration holiday.Well, I know what you are all thinking... I didn’t come here to only look at Trees and demonic rocks. Of course no trip to Aoshima is not complete without a visit to Aoshima shrine.

In just a 17 minute walk from Aoshima station you will be greeted by the beautiful red gates of Aoshima shrine. Aoshima shrine is a common location for weddings, in fact this is what it is most famous for. It is also the place in which many local gods are enshrined. One of those being ancestor to the emperor of Japan himself, Hoori no Mikoto, the deity of cereals and grains. So next time you are eating your bowl of coco pops, give thanks for this bountiful feast to Hoori sama.

Though there is no clear idea of when exactly the shrine was first built, from early discovered inspection notes, it is believed to have been erected as early as 820. Believed to be a sacred location which could only be entered by Shinto priests, commoners were not given access until 1777. A truly beautiful sight to behold is the statue of Benzaiten, this is one of the seven lucky Gods of the Hyuga (not Naruto’s wife). The luck given by Benzaiten is what has led to many couples journey to Aoshima shrine to marry, hoping that Benzaiten will reward them with a long marriage. Indeed, many travel as far as Hokkaido to seek such luck. In order to see Benzaiten’s statue you have to make a book prior to your visit, due to high demand. Aoshima shrine is also home to one of the more lesser non-festivals amongst foreign tourists and that is the Hadaka Mairi Festival (butt naked festival). Well not quite naked, men strip down to their sumo style pants, and cross the water towards aoshima shrine during the freezing winter. As the legend goes, it is believed that commoners welcomed Hikohohode no Mikoto, however there was no time to dress to see him. As such they greeted him naked. This is one of Japan’s more interesting traditions and we suggest going with an open mind, or at the very least just hysterically laughing on the inside not the outside.


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By yoppy/ Flickr.com


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By Casey Yee/ Flickr.com

Thus to conclude do not let me to continue rambling on about why you should give it a shot, just go fourth and ride the bus to this local heaven and don’t forget to wear clothes, it is best that you wait until you arrive for Hadaka mairi that you remove them.

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