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Drive from Takachiho to Miyazaki with stops at Cape Hyuga, Umagase and the Sea Cross

7 November 2024

Located on the northern portion of Miyazaki prefecture, Cape Hyuga has a beautiful, jagged coastline and is a part of the Nippo Coast Quasi-National Park. It faces the Pacific Ocean and features some interesting sights such as Umagase, volcanic rocks, and the Sea Cross.

Cape Hyuga’s jagged coastline with interesting sights such as Umagase, volcanic rocks, and the Sea Cross.

In our road trip, we would be making an overnight stay in Miyazaki city after visiting Takachiho Gorge. The drive from Takachiho to the city of Miyazaki is approximately 130 km. We decided to break the journey and stop for some sightseeing at Cape Hyuga which is near the halfway point.

Map showing the location of Cape Hyuga (number 4) and Takachiho Gorge (number 1).

From Takachiho to Cape Hyuga, we followed the route provided by Google Maps. Although it would take slightly longer, we decided to use the country roads (non toll roads) instead of the expressway E10, partly because it would be more scenic and partly because the toll charges in Kyushu is quite high.

The drive through the countryside was indeed pretty scenic and easy, except for a short stretch where we were directed onto some narrow, single track road. The drive along the single track road was about 5 minutes and we were lucky there were no on-coming cars from the opposite direction.

After turning into Prefecture Route 15, we saw a row of tall palm trees lining the sides of the highway. It reminded me so much of driving in sunny California, except that California is on the opposite side of the Pacific Ocean.

Tall palm trees along Prefecture Route 15, heading towards Cape Hyuga and Miyazaki.

Driving along Hososhima area where Cape Hyuga could be seen across the sea.

We parked at a free car park (Google Maps location here) next to a tea house and public toilets. There are picnic benches next to the car park. We saw sea eagles soaring above and views of the bay with Hososhima Port. We could see the road at Hososhima where we came from.

View of Hososhima Bay from the car park.

An information signboard showed us the paths to take to the Umagase and Cape Hyuga Lookout points and also the Hososhima Lighthouse.

An information signboard showed us the walking trail to Umagase Lookout (410m away).

Umagase Lookout

From the car park, we took a short walk of 410 meter to the Umagase lookout point.

Taking photos at the Umagase observation deck.

We could see a narrow fjord-like inlet of water with steep cliffs on both sides. What is special is that the cliffs had columnar joint rocks that were created 15 million years ago due to a volcanic eruption. The lava flowed onto the coast, and the vertical cracks formed as the lava was cooling. Because of the unusual columnar joint formation, this cape was chosen as a National Natural Monument in February of 2018.

Some of the vertical rocks are over 70 meters tall.

Some of the flooring on the observation deck is made of transparent glass.

We spent some time to observe a couple of sea eagles soaring in the air above us and also diving into the inlet. 

Can you spot the sea eagle in the inlet? Hint: look near the mouth of the inlet.

One of the sea eagles soaring above us.

Continuing on for about 200 meters, we arrived at the "Cape Hyuga Observation Deck," where a rocky path flanked on both sides by solid fences leads to the end of the cape, surrounded by the sparkling blue waters of the Pacific Ocean. 

Walking to the Cape Hyuga Lookout.

The view of the rocks protruding out into the sea is so photogenic. I loved the sunlight reflecting off the ocean giving the edges of the protruding rocks a silver lining.

The beautiful jagged coastline could be seen looking southwards at the Cape Hyuga Lookout.

This area was also very breezy but surprisingly not chilly in autumn.

Enjoying the sea breeze under the afternoon sun.

We could see more columnar rocks on the cliffs on the northern side of the cape. 

Columnar joint rocks that were created 15 million years ago due to a volcanic eruption.

Looking back from the observation deck, we spotted a white lighthouse, perched high up in the hill. This is the Hososhima Lighthouse. There is a walking path to the lighthouse but we decided to skip it.

Hososhima Lighthouse, about 7 minutes up the hill from Cape Hyuga Observatory . It was built in 1910 to help ships navigate through the Sea of Hyuga.   

 

The Sea Cross

Driving from Cape Hyuga southwards for a few minutes, we arrived at the next attraction known as the Sea Cross. The viewpoint is only a short walk from the car park.

Here, the view of the ocean in between the rocks appears as a cross.

Named the Sea Cross because the rock formations make a literal cross shape in the sea.

There is also a small rocky area next to the cross. From above, the rocks and the cross resemble the Chinese character “叶”, which means to come true or to be fulfilled.

The “Sea Cross Where Wishes Come True” is one of the most popular sights at Cape Hyuga.

There is a legend that visiting this spot will make your wishes come true. A bell tower is located here. My wife rang the bell and made her wish.

At the observatory, you can find the Bell of Cruz that can help you make your wishes come true. 

My wife making her wish at the Sea Cross.

She asked me if I had made a wish too. I said my wish is for her wish to come true.

From Cape Hyuga, we took National Route 10 southwards to Miyazaki city. Once again, we decided to drive on the non-toll road instead of E10 expressway for the more scenic views.

We stopped for coffee break at Stairs of the Sea, a shopping centre with burger, noodles, Tully's coffee, and a food mart located on a cliff overlooking Kanegahama Beach.  We sat at Tully’s coffee with views of the Pacific Ocean.

Accommodation in Miyazaki

Our accommodation in Miyazaki was Dormy Inn Miyazaki Natural Hot Spring. I chose this hotel for its location and also because Dormy Inn is one of my preferred chain of Japanese business hotels when staying in a Japanese city. Although it is slightly costlier than other Japanese hotel chains, the Dormy Inn chain offers really nice and clean facilities and offerings that suit my taste.

The hotel is perfectly situated in the city center, making it easy to access nearby restaurants and shopping malls. Parking in a city is always a problem and most hotels would charge a fee for parking. Dormy Inn Miyazaki provides parking in a garage just next to the hotel and charges a flat fee of 1000 yen per night for parking which I think is reasonable.

All Dormy Inn hotels provide similar features like onsen, free noodles for supper, probiotic drinks, ice pops etc - all free! We also enjoyed the free hot coffee in their lobby before going out to explore the city.

Standard features of Dormy Inn hotels in Japan.

Like most Japanese business hotels, their room is small and with just enough space to open our suitcase next to our bed.

Our Double room at Dormy Inn. Barely enough to open our suitcase.

The best thing I like about Dormy Inn is their fabulous buffet breakfast that includes local dishes.

Buffet breakfast at Dormy Inn Miyazaki included items like the chicken nanban.

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