{"id":5774,"date":"2017-05-09T23:57:02","date_gmt":"2017-05-09T23:57:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thinkerten.com\/wordpress\/?p=5774"},"modified":"2019-01-06T00:03:07","modified_gmt":"2019-01-06T00:03:07","slug":"japan-self-drive-in-kyushu-3-miyazaki-prefecture-is-miyazaki-city-not-easter-island-is-winter-but-feel-like-tropical-atmosphere-in-miyazaki","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thinkerten.com\/wordpress\/2017\/05\/japan-self-drive-in-kyushu-3-miyazaki-prefecture-is-miyazaki-city-not-easter-island-is-winter-but-feel-like-tropical-atmosphere-in-miyazaki\/","title":{"rendered":"Japan Self Drive in Kyushu 3 – Miyazaki Prefecture : Is Miyazaki City not Easter Island! Is winter but feel like tropical atmosphere in Miyazaki!"},"content":{"rendered":"

Beppu to Miyazaki<\/strong><\/p>\n

From Beppu to Miyazaki is about 3 hour drive. \u00a0We stopped in the rest area on the way. \u00a0It was drizzling when we stopped for our early lunch break.<\/p>\n

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Rest Area on highway to Miyazaki<\/strong><\/p>\n

We bought the tickets from the vending machines and passed the tickets to the counter so that they can make our orders. \u00a0I ordered udon since the weather was very cold. \u00a0Thing in Kyushu is comparative so much cheaper than Tokyo and Osaka area. \u00a0Beef Udon in this picture cost about 550 to 650 yen only – USD $ 5-6.<\/p>\n

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Meal in the highway rest area cost cheaper and bigger portion, the target customers are normally truck drivers, so the portion are big. \u00a0There are self serve side dishes such as pickles and free hot tea and chill water. \u00a0I enjoyed going to the rest area to have my meals, bigger parking space, meals are cheaper and delicious. \u00a0Most importantly is I could do some shopping on Japanese snacks and Japanese souvenirs.<\/p>\n

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Miyazaki City\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Miyazaki Prefecture in Kyushu Island is located in the southern part and it is famous for its beaches and ocean coastline drives. \u00a0I know many of Japanese friends come here for the beaches activities like sun-tan & surfing. \u00a0I don’t know why Japanese young girls all love sun tanning. Fair skin only pursue by old aunties.<\/p>\n

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Attraction 1 : Udo Shrine\/Udo Shrine\/\u9d5c\u6238\u795e\u5bae<\/strong><\/p>\n

Different between Shrines and Temples in Japan<\/strong><\/p>\n

When I first arrived in Japan as a student, I asked the question what is the difference between Shrines and Temples? \u00a0I have never heard of Shrines before coming to Japan.<\/p>\n

Normally Shrines has a guard frame, called “Torii” in Japanese – is a traditional Japanese gate most commonly found at the entrance of or within a Shinto shrine. \u00a0 It is like a Chinese characters\u00a0\u5f00 \u00a0and it is painted in red. \u00a0I don’t have a picture of the “Torii” here. \u00a0So if you see “Torii” that is called a shrines not temple in Japan.<\/p>\n

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Japan also has many temples and normally temples has Buddha statues place inside. \u00a0However you won’t find any Buddha statues in Japanese shrines.<\/p>\n

Breathtaking view of Great Pacific Ocean from Udo Shrines\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

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You practice Shinto in Shrines and if you are Buddhism you practice in Temple. \u00a0I don’t practice both but I go visit both!<\/p>\n

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Udo Shrine is located on the Nichinan Coast south of Miyazaki City, we drove for about an hour mountainous drive to reach this beautiful shrine. \u00a0What I like about this Shrine and make is special from other Shrines is the location.<\/p>\n

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It is located on top of a hill inside a cave and beside a cliff, if you look down it is quite dangerous but with spectacular ocean view.<\/p>\n

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Shrine that pray for easy childbirth and Happy marriage\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Don’t miss this stunning shrine which was built inside a cave and beside the cliff of the magnificent Pacific ocean if you happen in Miyazaki area. \u00a0This shrine is also popular with young couples hoping for easy childbirth and a happy\u00a0marriage.<\/p>\n

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Attraction 2 : Sun Messe Nichinan – In Miyazaki<\/strong><\/p>\n

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When I arrived at the Sun Messe Nichinan, I thought I was I was not in Japan! \u00a0This is the replica of the famous Moai of Easter Island. \u00a0But 7 big statues look good beside the blue ocean, for a moment I thought I was in some sort of\u00a0Polynesian island and so tropical feeling.<\/p>\n

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It was a beautiful sunny day when we arrived, warm and plenty of sunshine in the winter which was a very good thing. \u00a0I love staying out for sun in winter.<\/p>\n

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This is a huge theme park located in the hill and coastline overseeing the great Pacific ocean. \u00a0Plenty to explore for a whole day.<\/p>\n

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Winter is the mikan \/ mandarin orange season again, there is mikan everywhere in the park. \u00a0Seeing these beautiful mikan already make my day!<\/p>\n

Butterfly garden in\u00a0Sun Messe Nichinan<\/strong><\/p>\n

Beside the famous Maoi statues, there are also other attraction where you can explore around. \u00a0The below picture is called butterfly garden, I didn’t see many butterflies but still is a great place to take a rest and have more sunshine.<\/p>\n

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Rental Buggy only for Japanese Driving Licence\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

They called it Amusement Park but there is no ride at all. \u00a0This park is very big from walking one place to another. \u00a0You can rent a buggy car only if you obtain the “Japanese” driving licence. \u00a0We have international driving licence which still do no good as the Japanese guy at the counter don’t trust our international licence. \u00a0You can use the international driving licence to drive on the dangerous road on the Japanese highway but you can’t drive the tiny buggy in this small park. \u00a0No logic to me.<\/p>\n

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On top of the hill, there is a small museum and a restaurant.<\/p>\n

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Colorful but bored looking Salaryman<\/strong><\/p>\n

Some modern colorful statues can be found in the park too. \u00a0Who said Japanese salaryman are boring? \u00a0Their faces still look bored, recall of my Japanese Professor in my University day, that is how he sit normally.<\/p>\n

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The colorful salaryman statues create some colorful background for photo taking. \u00a0It does bright up the whole place.<\/p>\n

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Spot the difference between the replica and Orginal Moai Statues<\/strong><\/p>\n

Do you know the difference between the replica and original Moai statues? The original Moai Statues in Easter Island are facing the sea. \u00a0The replica Moai statues in Miyazaki are\u00a0facing inland.<\/p>\n

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Animal patting\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

There are also some donkey, cow and sheep for you \u00a0look at. \u00a0You can pat them! \u00a0By the way, I won’t say animal patting “Zoo” because the animals are far too little. \u00a0Lastly parking is free in this area and entrance fees is 700 yen for an adult.<\/p>\n

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Dinner is Gyudon\/\u725b\u4e3c<\/strong><\/p>\n

Beef topping with rice set, come with miso soup and cabbage salad. \u00a0Do you know “don” is short form of “donburi” which mean bowl. \u00a0Literally translate is beef bowl. \u00a0By the way, Miyazaki produced highest quality of beef in Japan.<\/p>\n

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\u00a0Hotel Route Inn Miyazaki-Aoshima<\/strong><\/p>\n

Finally stay in Hotel not Ryokan, yes bed not Futon on tatami, easier to get up and no need to sit on the tatami floor as table and chairs are provided! \u00a0Sunset view from hotel.<\/p>\n

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Self Drive in Kyushu 3 : Is Miyazaki City not Easter Island! Summary<\/strong><\/p>\n