Miyazaki Prefecture is located in the southeastern part of Kyushu, Japan. Its capital is Miyazaki City. Facing the Pacific Ocean, the prefecture is known for its warm climate and rich natural environment, and is recognized as a popular destination for sports training camps and tourism.
Climate and Natural Environment
Miyazaki Prefecture ranks among the highest in Japan for both sunshine duration and precipitation. Areas such as Ebino Plateau and the surroundings of Mt. Wanitsuka experience some of the highest levels of rainfall in the country. Snowfall is rare in the plains, and in Miyazaki City, there are years when no snowfall is recorded at all. However, some parts of the Kyushu Mountains do experience snow, and the Ebino Plateau, located at an altitude of 1,150 meters, is home to the southernmost natural ski resort in Japan. In 1968, a record low temperature of -20.2°C, the lowest ever in Kyushu, was observed there.
Summers are hot and humid due to seasonal winds from the southeast, but the sea breeze helps prevent extreme heat. In fact, high temperatures are more often caused by southwesterly downslope winds that occur toward the end of the rainy season. Miyazaki is also referred to as "Typhoon Alley," as it is frequently affected by typhoons from summer to autumn. Even before a typhoon makes direct landfall, prolonged rain caused by moist easterly winds can result in significant damage.
In winter, dry westerly winds dominate, bringing many clear, sunny days. Among the regions in Japan with high winter sunshine hours, Miyazaki stands out for its mild temperatures. Taking advantage of this climate, the prefecture serves as a base for many sports teams' training camps and is a popular destination for golf tourism. Additionally, the southern coastal areas along Hyūga-nada are home to frost-free zones.
Tourism and Economic Trends
In the 1960s, Miyazaki gained nationwide fame as the "Mecca of Honeymoon Travel," supporting the local economy as "Tourist Miyazaki." However, as tourism styles and values evolved over time, competition with Okinawa and the rise of overseas travel led to a temporary decline in the tourism industry. In the early 2000s, the large resort complex "Seagaia" filed for corporate reorganization, and Miyazaki Kōtsū, the main provider of tourist transport, also received support for revitalization, marking a challenging period for the industry.
Furthermore, due to its location outside Japan's volcanic belts, Miyazaki is less blessed with geothermal hot springs compared to neighboring prefectures such as Oita, Kumamoto, and Kagoshima.
In terms of cultural heritage, the prefecture has no National Treasures, a distinction shared only with Tokushima Prefecture. An exception is the gilt-bronze horse tack excavated from the Saitobaru Kofun cluster, which is housed in the Gotoh Museum in Tokyo.
Current Tourism Promotion
To revive its tourism sector, Miyazaki Prefecture is focusing on organizing tours that include sports training camps and golf trips, as well as attracting tourists from neighboring countries such as South Korea, China, and Taiwan. In 2019, the number of foreign tourists visiting the prefecture exceeded 160,000, with a large share coming from Hong Kong, Taiwan, and South Korea. Seven professional baseball and soccer teams have established training bases in Miyazaki, making this another major tourism asset.
Miyazaki Prefecture is actively working to revitalize its regional economy and tourism industry by leveraging its warm climate, abundant natural resources, and suitability for sports and tourism.
