Miyazaki's Nobeoka City: Sightseeing, Great Food, and Nature Near Takachiho Gorge
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Nobeoka City in northern Miyazaki Prefecture is a great place to visit alongside the Takachiho Gorge. This article features access information, sightseeing spots, gourmet food, and events in Nobeoka―a city known for its natural scenery and traditional performing arts.
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Tokyo, Japan
Nobeoka: A Nature-Rich City in Miyazaki Prefecture
Picture courtesy of Pixta
Nobeoka City is located in Kyushu's Miyazaki Prefecture. The city faces the ocean in the east and is surrounded by mountains. It boasts magnificent natural scenery and a rich history. It takes about 80 minutes to reach Nobeoka City by car within the prefecture.
Nobeoka offers various hands-on nature experiences related to the mountains, sea, and river. It's also where the original local cuisine called "Chicken Nanban" (deep-fried marinated chicken filets with tartare sauce) originated.
Nobeoka is situated close to the famous Takachiho Gorge. Since this spot is only an 80-minute bus ride from Nobeoka Station, Nobeoka is also the perfect spot to tour this gorge.
Getting to Nobeoka
A limited express train headed for Nobeoka. Picture courtesy of Pixta
From Kyushu's Fukuoka City, you can access Nobeoka Station by taking a limited express train at JR Hakata Station headed for Miyazaki Airport. The one-way travel time is about four hours.
By boarding a highway bus, you can access Nobeoka Station from Kumamoto City. The travel time, in this case, is also about four hours.
When departing from JR Miyazaki Station, a limited express train will get you to Nobeoka Station in about one hour.
Can't-Miss Nature Experiences in Nobeoka
Nobeoka is blessed with abundant natural surroundings, so several nature experiences are recommended for outdoor lovers.
Let's Go Mountain Climbing and See Pakkun Rock!
Picture courtesy of Nobeoka City
Mt. Hokodake is located in Nobeoka's Kitagata-cho. At the base of this mountain is a huge rock with a peculiar shape. It's called Pakkun Rock, and it has become a popular photo spot with sightseeing visitors and mountain climbers.
If you follow the mountain path from the Shishigawa Campground, it takes about 90 minutes to reach Pakkun Rock.
This large rock is about seven meters in diameter with a round, sphere shape. The base has split apart, resembling Pac-Man (a popular video game) with its mouth open.
Partway up the path, there's a section that requires some climbing with a rope. Therefore, you'll need to prepare appropriately. We recommend that novice climbers and those without experience pair up with an experienced climber.
Let's Go Diving and Explore the Coral Reef
Picture courtesy of NPO "Himuka Impressive Experience World"
Nobeoka is known as one of Kyushu's top scuba diving spots. Within the city limits, there are several spots where you can go diving. One in particular is the Urashiro Town area, just 20 minutes from the main part of Nobeoka.
Picture courtesy of NPO "Himuka Impressive Experience World"
The waters off Nobeoka are home to a rich ecosystem. Furthermore, the sea has a variety of topography, including underwater caves and arches.
Due to the Japanese Black Current (Kuroshio), you can see a multi-colored coral reef and beautiful tropical fish. For avid scuba divers who love ocean-floor creatures, the Nobeoka area is like a dream come true.
A temperate zone and a tropical zone coexist within this ecosystem. As a result, you can see various kinds of sea creatures year-round. Whether diving or snorkeling, you'll experience the appeal of Nobeoka's ocean waters.
Delicious Cuisine You Must Try in Nobeoka!
Miyazaki Prefecture has a rich food culture. In particular, Nobeoka is the birthplace of Chicken Nanban, a Kyushu local specialty. Next, we'll introduce famous shops serving Chicken Nanban and karamen (spicy noodles) dishes.
Naochan: The Origin of Chicken Nanban
Chicken Nanban is one of Miyazaki Prefecture's unique dishes and uses the breast meat of locally grown chickens.
The meat is coated with wheat flour, soaked in an egg wash, then deep-fried until golden brown. Finally, a special sweet and sour sauce is poured on top. The sauce differs from regular store-bought tartar sauce, and its simple flavor makes it attractive.
Naochan opened in 1964. This shop is said to have invented Chicken Nanban.
Diners can easily smell the aroma of eggs and taste the sweet and sour sauce. The dish served here is one step up from your typical Chicken Nanban. Additionally, they offer various items using Miyazaki-raised chicken.
Karamenya Masumoto's Karamen Noodles
Karamenya Masumoto opened in 1986 and is representative of shops in Miyazaki specializing in spicy cuisine. The special karamen (spicy) noodles are well known, and the shop's main location is in Nobeoka City.
The secret behind these tasty noodles is the soup. It combines ingredients such as garlic, ground pork, eggs, and leeks. Another reason for its unforgettable taste is the noodles. They are made with a mixture of buckwheat and wheat flour. The appearance and texture are similar to the chewy consistency of cold reimen noodles.
Diners can choose their desired degree of spiciness from a scale ranging from zero to 30. Level one is slightly spicy, level three is moderately spicy, level five is quite spicy, and level 15 is extremely spicy!
The shop also serves Tomato Karamen, White Karamen using soy milk, Curry-Flavored Karamen, and even Miso Karamen. In addition to spicy karamen noodles, they have dishes using meat cartilage that melts in your mouth.
Nobeoka's Cultural Spots and Traditional Performing Arts
Next, we'll introduce a commercial complex inside Nobeoka Station called encross that includes Tsutaya Books and a traditional event known as Nobeoka Tengaichi Takigi Noh Theater that's held once a year.
encross: An Enjoyable Commercial Complex with Various Shops
The name encross was inspired by the kanji character for "nobe" (which can also be read as "en") from Nobeoka, combined with the Japanese word "en," which points to the connection between people.
It's their hope that encross becomes a place where people intersect and interact with each other, creating new relationships.
Picture courtesy of Nobeoka City
encross is a multi-purpose commercial facility that includes Nobeoka Station, a book store and other retail shops, as well as a rest area. It's regularly frequented by locals and visitors as well.
At this Tsutaya Books location, visitors can buy select goods and miscellaneous items. This is alongside free Wi-Fi access and a space where you can peruse many books.
There's also a children's play area, a reading room where you can browse through a huge selection of 20,000 books, as well as a citizens activity center.
They also sell miscellaneous goods and specialty products, which are available within an area measuring 100 miles in diameter―with Nobeoka at its center. Of course you can pick up something for yourself, but they also make wonderful presents.
Nobeoka Castle Ruins
Construction on Nobeoka Castle began in 1601 and was completed in 1603.
The castle has a rock wall towering 19 meters in height called the "Killer Stone Wall of a Thousand Invaders." It was said that if the rocks (sumi ishi) at the very base of the wall were dislodged, the wall would come tumbling down, thus killing 1,000 enemies at once.
Picture courtesy of Nobeoka Tourist Association
In 1993, the gate leading to the Ni-no-maru (second castle keep) was reconstructed.
The castle ruins are also home to Shiroyama Park with its 300 cherry trees. During spring, this park is one of Miyazaki's most famous cherry blossom spots.
Every region in Japan has a bell that tells time. Most have become automated through modernization. In Nobeoka City, however, there's an unusual bell that requires someone to strike it.
Since 1878, Nobeoka Castle's bell has been struck daily without fail at 6:00, 8:00, 10:00, 12:00, 15:00, and 17:00. It's a part of Nobeoka's daily life (see photo above).
Nobeoka Tengaichi Takigi Noh Theater: A Special Event Held Once a Year
Picture courtesy of Nobeoka City
Nobeoka has a history with noh, one of Japan's oldest performing arts, that dates back more than 400 years.
According to current existing literature, we now know that successive castle lords held shinjinoh, or shrine festivals where noh was performed, every year for the residents of the castle town.
Nobeoka Tengaichi Takigi Noh Theater is a special performance held on an open-air stage by firelight and showcasing Nobeoka's traditional noh.
In Nobeoka, there is a collection of about 30 art pieces―bearing the title of Tengaichi―made by mask carvers. These masks are used during the performance of Nobeoka Tengaichi Takigi Noh Theater.
Picture courtesy of Nobeoka City
Every year during autumn, a bonfire is lit when darkness begins to fall. With the "Killer Stone Wall of a Thousand Invaders" serving as a backdrop, the sound of drums and flutes can be heard, drawing the audience into the mysterious world of noh theater.
Another unique feature of this event is that the roles are performed by local high school students, giving it special significance in terms of passing down this traditional culture.
Mt. Atago's Night View: A "Japan Nightscape Heritage" Site
Picture courtesy of Nobeoka Tourist Association
At the summit of Mt. Atago, there's an observation deck perched 251 meters above sea level. Visitors are treated to a stunning 360-degree view of the city below, which is why it was selected as a Japan Nightscape Heritage site.
Picture courtesy of Nobeoka Tourist Association
Mt. Atago was also selected as a viewing spot for "JAPAN 100 Moon," which refers to one hundred locations in Japan that offer splendid views of the moon. On days when there's a full moon and the conditions are right, the moonlight creates a "moon path" on the sea's surface. Visitors can also enjoy this unique and superb scenery!
Picture courtesy of Pixta
When the weather is nice, you can even see as far as the Shikoku Region. In the evening, the lights of Nobeoka, an industrial city, are reflected on the distant sea, creating a romantic atmosphere.
According to Japanese folklore, two deities were said to have been married after first meeting here. To commemorate this story, a memorial was erected on the mountain. It is currently a popular date spot.
Below the observation deck is an art object with a bell and key hanging from it. This artwork also adds to its popularity as a sacred meeting place.
Don't Forget Nobeoka When Visiting Takachiho Gorge!
Takachiho Gorge is close to Nobeoka City. Since it's accessible by bus, it is a convenient destination.
When heading to Takachiho Gorge, we highly recommend trying Nobeoka's gourmet cuisine, visiting historical spots, and engaging in some interesting nature-based experiences. Doing so will make your trip even more satisfying and fulfilling!
Written by shushu Independent Research
Sponsored by Nobeoka City
Written by
Tokyo, Japan
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