🌴 Miyazaki · 2 days
Miyazaki & the Nichinan Coast: Palms, Shrines & the Pacific
Drive Miyazaki’s subtropical Pacific coast from Hyuga’s sea cliffs down the palm-lined Nichinan road past Aoshima and Udo Shrine to Nango — 6 michi-no-eki on Kyushu’s sunny east coast.
Miyazaki is the sunniest corner of Kyushu, a subtropical Pacific coast of surf beaches, palm-lined roads and shrines built into the sea cliffs. It was Japan’s honeymoon capital in the 1960s for good reason — the Nichinan coast road south of Miyazaki city is one of the most relaxed scenic drives in the country.
This route runs down the coast from the sea-cliff country at Hyuga, past the ranch land of Tsuno and into Miyazaki, then along the famous Phoenix palm road toward Aoshima island, the cave shrine of Udo and the cove town of Nango. Warm all year, with mango, chicken nanban and Miyazaki beef filling the roadside stations, it’s an ideal winter-escape drive.
The stops, in driving order
- 1 Michi-no-Eki Hyuuga 道の駅 日向 · Miyazaki
Michi-no-Eki Hyuuga (道の駅 日向) is a government-designated roadside station in 日向市, Miyazaki, Japan, registered in 2002 as one of the country's official michi-no-eki rest stops for road travellers. On-site you'll find a cafe, a local-products shop, a tourist-information desk, a baby room and an accessible restroom. There is free parking for about 66 cars and 3 large vehicles. Typical opening hours are 9:00–18:00. Like every michi-no-eki it offers free parking and 24-hour restrooms, making it a reliable stop on a Kyushu road trip or campervan tour. It also makes a handy base for reaching nearby stations such as Tsuno, Tougou and Hoppou Yotchimiro Ya.
Nearby: 🌄小倉ヶ浜海水浴場 (4 km) · 🌄伊勢ケ浜海水浴場 (8.2 km)
- 2 Michi-no-Eki Tsuno 道の駅 つの · Miyazaki
Michi-no-Eki Tsuno (道の駅 つの) is a government-designated roadside station in 児湯郡都農町, Miyazaki, Japan, registered in 2012 as one of the country's official michi-no-eki rest stops for road travellers. On-site you'll find a cafe, a local-products shop, free Wi-Fi, a tourist-information desk and a baby room. There is free parking for about 135 cars and 10 large vehicles. Typical opening hours are 10:00–17:00. Like every michi-no-eki it offers free parking and 24-hour restrooms, making it a reliable stop on a Kyushu road trip or campervan tour. It also makes a handy base for reaching nearby stations such as Hyuuga, Tougou and Hoppou Yotchimiro Ya.
Nearby: 🌄伊倉浜自然公園 (7.5 km) · ⛰Mt. Tsunosaki (10.3 km)
- 3 Michi-no-Eki Tougou 道の駅 とうごう · Miyazaki
Michi-no-Eki Tougou (道の駅 とうごう) is a government-designated roadside station in 日向市, Miyazaki, Japan, registered in 1999 as one of the country's official michi-no-eki rest stops for road travellers. On-site you'll find a restaurant, a local-products shop, a tourist-information desk and an accessible restroom. There is free parking for about 130 cars and 8 large vehicles. Typical opening hours are 8:30–18:00. Like every michi-no-eki it offers free parking and 24-hour restrooms, making it a reliable stop on a Kyushu road trip or campervan tour. It also makes a handy base for reaching nearby stations such as Hyuuga, Tsuno and Hoppou Yotchimiro Ya.
Nearby: ⛰Mount Kanmuri (2.4 km) · ⛰Mount Togari (10.2 km)
- 4 Michi-no-Eki Fenikkusu 道の駅 フェニックス · Miyazaki
Michi-no-Eki Fenikkusu (道の駅 フェニックス) is a government-designated roadside station in 宮崎市, Miyazaki, Japan, registered in 2004 as one of the country's official michi-no-eki rest stops for road travellers. On-site you'll find a restaurant, a cafe, a local-products shop, a tourist-information desk and an observation deck. There is free parking for about 105 cars and 4 large vehicles. Typical opening hours are 8:30–18:00. Like every michi-no-eki it offers free parking and 24-hour restrooms, making it a reliable stop on a Kyushu road trip or campervan tour. It also makes a handy base for reaching nearby stations such as Tano, Takaoka and Sakaya.
Nearby: 📸奇形波蝕痕 (0.5 km) · 📸Horikiri Pass (0.9 km)
- 5 Michi-no-Eki Sakaya 道の駅 酒谷 · Miyazaki
Michi-no-Eki Sakaya (道の駅 酒谷) is a government-designated roadside station in 日南市, Miyazaki, Japan, registered in 1999 as one of the country's official michi-no-eki rest stops for road travellers. On-site you'll find a restaurant, a local-products shop, hands-on experiences, an observation deck and a park. There is free parking for about 63 cars and 3 large vehicles. Typical opening hours are 8:30–17:00. Like every michi-no-eki it offers free parking and 24-hour restrooms, making it a reliable stop on a Kyushu road trip or campervan tour. It also makes a handy base for reaching nearby stations such as Tano, Yamanokuchi and Nangou.
Nearby: 📸Obi Castle (8.1 km) · 🏛商家資料館 (8.2 km)
- 6 Michi-no-Eki Nangou 道の駅 なんごう · Miyazaki
Michi-no-Eki Nangou (道の駅 なんごう) is a government-designated roadside station in 日南市, Miyazaki, Japan, registered in 2001 as one of the country's official michi-no-eki rest stops for road travellers. On-site you'll find a restaurant, a cafe, a local-products shop, lodging and hands-on experiences. There is free parking for about 44 cars and 2 large vehicles. Typical opening hours are 8:30–17:00. Like every michi-no-eki it offers free parking and 24-hour restrooms, making it a reliable stop on a Kyushu road trip or campervan tour. It also makes a handy base for reaching nearby stations such as Sakaya, Fenikkusu and Matsuyama.
Nearby: 🏛トロピカルドーム (0.6 km) · 🏛飫肥郷土芸能館 (13.7 km)
Make this route yours — load all 6 stops into the planner, reorder or remove stops, then open the finished trip in Google Maps.
Customize this route →Route tips
- The Phoenix (Fenikkusu) station on the Nichinan road has the classic palm-and-Pacific viewpoint — a Showa-era honeymoon icon.
- Udo Shrine, in a sea cave down the coast, and Aoshima’s “devil’s washboard” rocks are short detours off this route.
- Miyazaki mango, chicken nanban and Miyazaki beef are the regional specialities at every station.
- For the Takachiho gorge and its mythology, allow a separate inland day — it’s far from this coast route.
Before you drive
- Can you drive in Japan? License rules by country
- Renting a car in Japan: the complete guide
- Can you sleep overnight at a michi-no-eki?
FAQ — Miyazaki Nichinan coast
How many days do you need for the Miyazaki Nichinan coast route?
2 days is a comfortable pace: roughly 170 km of driving with 6 michi-no-eki stops along the way. You can compress it, but the stops are the point.
Where does the route start and end?
It starts at Hyuga and ends at Nichinan (Nango). Load all 6 stops into the free MichiStops route planner to reorder, add or remove stops, then open the finished trip in Google Maps.
When is the best season to drive this route?
Year-round; subtropical, warm even in winter.
Do I need to rent a car?
Yes — michi-no-eki are roadside stations, realistically reachable only by rental car or campervan. Most visitors can drive in Japan with a 1949-convention International Driving Permit; check the license rules for your country before booking. License rules by country →
Can I sleep overnight at the michi-no-eki on this route?
Resting overnight in your vehicle is tolerated at most michi-no-eki, but tents, awnings and open-air cooking are not allowed. Read the overnight-stay guide for the etiquette. Overnight-stay guide →