Takachiho, Miyazaki · Things to do
Things to Do in Takachiho: 11 Places with Hours, Fees and Booking Rules
11 things to do · checked October 23, 2026
11 things to do in Takachiho, from the gorge to the Iwato district
Hours, prices and access checked against each place's own page on October 23, 2026. They change; check before you go.
1Takachiho Gorge高千穂峡
Gorge and riverside walking path · Mitai (Oshioi)
A V-shaped gorge cut by the Gokase River into columnar rock left by Aso's volcanic flows, with cliffs averaging 80 m and reaching 100 m for about 7 km. A walking path of about 1 km passes Manai Falls, the three stacked arch bridges and the Onihachi stone; part of the path has been closed since 22 June 2025, with a signed detour along the road.
- Access
- By car, set the navigation to the Takachiho Gorge Freshwater Fish Aquarium, beside Oshioi car park. Parking: Oshioi and Araragi ¥1,000; Ohashi ¥800 and Oshikata ¥500 (first 60 minutes free, charged 8:00–17:00); Taguchino free. A shuttle bus circles the car parks on set days (31 October; 1–3, 7–8, 14–15 and 21–23 November 2026), 8:30–17:00, every 20–30 minutes, ¥300 (elementary ¥200).
- Price
- Free
2Manai Falls真名井の滝
Waterfall · Takachiho Gorge
A fall of about 17 m into the gorge, listed among Japan's 100 best waterfalls. Its water is said to come from Ama-no-Manai, the spring of the local founding myth. It is seen from the Takimidai lookout on the gorge path and from the rental boats on the river below.
- Access
- On the Takachiho Gorge walking path. The rental boat desk is in Oshioi car park, by the Freshwater Fish Aquarium.
- Price
- Free from the path
3Takachiho Gorge rental rowing boats高千穂峡貸しボート
Rowing boat rental · Takachiho Gorge
Rowing boats for 30 minutes on the river under Manai Falls, up to 3 people per boat (4 when one is under school age); the rower must be junior high age or older. Booking is online only, from two weeks before (9:00) until two days before (9:00), paid by credit card; no phone bookings and no waiting list. Same-day tickets are limited, sold at the desk without a time choice, and not sold at all on fully pre-booked days once those sell out: in 2026 these are October weekends and holidays, every day in November, and December weekends, holidays and 28–31 December.
Book online from two weeks before, 9:00. No phone bookings, no waiting list.
- Access
- Boat desk inside Oshioi car park (No. 1), Takachiho Gorge. There is no car park reserved for boat users; Araragi car park is about 700 m (15 minutes) on foot from the boats.
- Hours
- 8:30–17:00 (last entry 16:30; earlier when there is a wait). Status posted each morning around 8:00.
- Closed on
- When the river is high; on regular safety-inspection days in January, April, July and October; after an earthquake of intensity 3 or more in Takachiho. Closed 25–26 October 2026 for an approaching typhoon, reopening after a safety check.
- Price
- Set by date on the operator's fee calendar: ¥4,100 or ¥5,100 for a 30-minute rental on October 2026 dates; extra time ¥1,000 per 10 minutes. Raincoat ¥200 (cash).
4Takachiho Shrine高千穂神社
Shinto shrine · Mitai
The head shrine of the 88 shrines of the Takachiho area, founded about 1,900 years ago by tradition. Its main hall and a pair of iron guardian lions are National Important Cultural Properties. The nightly Takachiho Kagura is performed in the kagura hall in its grounds.
- Access
- About 15 minutes on foot from Takachiho Bus Center. Free parking for about 100 cars.
5Takachiho Kagura (nightly performance)高千穂神楽
Traditional sacred dance · Mitai
A one-hour performance every night of four of the 33 dances of the Takachiho Yokagura, a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property, danced in turn by performers from the local villages. The hall is a tatami room; no chairs are lent. About 300 places: 230 online and 50–60 sold at the door.
Every night 20:00–21:00, except 31 Dec, 1 Jan and 22–23 Nov.
- Access
- Kagura hall in the grounds of Takachiho Shrine, about 15 minutes on foot from Takachiho Bus Center.
- Hours
- 20:00–21:00. Online bookings check in from 19:00; door tickets on sale from 19:30.
- Closed on
- 31 December and 1 January; 22–23 November, when the Takachiho Yokagura festival is held instead.
- Price
- ¥1,000; elementary age and under free. Online booking opens 30 days before at 10:00 and closes at 17:00 on the day (credit card). Cancellation: 10% until two days before, 50% the day before, 100% on the day.
6Kushifuru Shrine槵觸神社
Shinto shrine · Mitai
A shrine on Kushifuru peak, the place where, in the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki myths, the grandson of the sun goddess came down to earth. The peak itself was worshipped until the hall was built in 1694.
- Access
- About 10 minutes on foot from Takachiho Bus Center. Parking and toilets.
7Takachiho Amaterasu Railway高千穂あまてらす鉄道
Open-air rail cart ride · Former Takachiho Station
A 30-minute ride in an open 'Grand Super Cart' along track of the old Takachiho Railway, closed after typhoon damage in 2005. Tickets are sold on the day only, at the Takachiho Station window from opening, first come first served for every departure; no advance booking.
- Access
- Former Takachiho Station building, 1425-1 Mitai.
- Hours
- Opens 8:45. First cart 9:00, then regular runs from 9:40 to 15:40 about every 40 minutes, with an extra 16:20 run on some days. Runs depend on the weather.
- Closed on
- Third Thursday of each month (15 October 2026); days of rain, strong wind or other bad weather; maintenance days.
- Price
- High school and over ¥2,300; elementary and junior high ¥1,500; under school age ¥800 (from 1 April 2026). Railway museum: adults ¥1,000.
8Kunimigaoka国見ヶ丘
Viewpoint · Oshikata
A 513 m hilltop known for its sea of clouds over the Takachiho basin, which forms on early mornings from late September to early December when the weather allows: after two or three clear days, with a day–night difference of 15°C or more and a calm, clear morning. The view takes in the five peaks of Aso and the Sobo range.
Sea of clouds on suitable early mornings, late September to early December.
- Access
- About 15 minutes by car from Takachiho Bus Center. Parking and toilets.
9Amano Iwato Shrine天岩戸神社
Shinto shrine · Iwato
The shrine of the cave where the sun goddess Amaterasu hid in the Kojiki myth. The cave itself is the object of worship and is seen from a viewing place behind the West Shrine hall, on a free guided visit with a priest at set start times (10–15 minutes). The East Shrine stands on the other side of the Iwato River, about 10 minutes on foot.
- Access
- About 15 minutes by car from Takachiho Bus Center, or by local route bus from the bus centre. Four shrine car parks; No. 1 is in front of the West Shrine.
- Hours
- Shrine office 8:30–17:00
- Price
- Guided visit free (donations welcome)
10Amano Yasukawara天安河原
Sacred riverside cave · Iwato
A large riverside cave where, in the myth, the gods gathered to talk Amaterasu out of hiding. Countless small stone stacks left by visitors fill the cave floor around a small shrine.
- Access
- About 10 minutes on foot along the Iwato River from the West Shrine of Amano Iwato Shrine, on foot only. Steps on the way: not passable with wheelchairs or strollers. Park at the shrine car parks, not at the shop that map apps show; there are no lights, so go in daylight.
11Amano Iwato no Yu天岩戸の湯
Public bath with sauna · Iwato
A town-run bath on high ground overlooking the Iwato district, with two large baths named after kagura figures, a sauna and a rest area.
- Access
- 58 Iwato, in the Amano Iwato district. Parking for 60 cars.
- Hours
- 10:00–22:00 (31 December until 17:00)
- Closed on
- Wednesdays (when a Wednesday is a holiday, the next weekday instead)
- Price
- Visitors from outside the town: junior high and over ¥500; age 70 and over ¥400; elementary ¥300
Good to know
Takachiho Gorge, Takachiho Shrine and Kushifuru Shrine are on the town side, within a walk or a short drive of Takachiho Bus Center; Amano Iwato Shrine and Amano Yasukawara are in the Iwato district, about 15 minutes by car. At Takachiho Shrine, four kagura dances are performed every night from 20:00 to 21:00 for ¥1,000.
The rowing boats are the one thing to plan ahead. They are booked online only, from two weeks to two days before, and on fully pre-booked days (every day in November 2026) no tickets are sold on the day once they sell out. The boats are closed 25–26 October 2026 for a typhoon and whenever the river is high.
Getting there without a car: the Takachiho-go express bus runs between Kumamoto and Nobeoka via Aso Kumamoto Airport and Takachiho, two round trips a day with seat reservations; its timetable and fares change on 1 November 2026. From Miyazaki, take the JR limited express to Nobeoka (about 1 hour) and a route bus (about 1 hour 30 minutes). The direct Miyazaki–Takachiho bus has been suspended since 7 May 2024.
Town side, Iwato district or the hilltop
Where each group is from Takachiho Bus Center, what it costs and the time limits that matter. Adult prices; children's prices are on the cards above.
| Where | From Takachiho Bus Center | Cost (adult) | Time limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Takachiho Gorge, Manai Falls, rowing boats | By car to the gorge car parks (¥500–¥1,000; Taguchino free); shuttle bus on set days in Oct–Nov 2026 | Path free · boats ¥4,100 or ¥5,100 per 30 min (Oct 2026 calendar) | Boats 8:30–17:00, last entry 16:30; online booking only |
| Takachiho Shrine and the nightly kagura | About 15 min on foot | Kagura ¥1,000; elementary and under free | Kagura 20:00–21:00; door tickets from 19:30 |
| Kushifuru Shrine | About 10 min on foot | Not stated | — |
| Takachiho Amaterasu Railway | At the former Takachiho Station | ¥2,300 (high school and over) | Opens 8:45; runs 9:00 to 15:40 (16:20 on some days); same-day tickets only; closed third Thursday |
| Iwato: Amano Iwato Shrine, Amano Yasukawara, Amano Iwato no Yu | About 15 min by car, or route bus | Guided cave visit free · bath ¥500 | Shrine office 8:30–17:00 · Yasukawara in daylight only · bath 10:00–22:00, closed Wednesdays |
| Kunimigaoka | About 15 min by car | Not stated | Sea of clouds in early mornings, late Sep–early Dec |
By kind of trip
First visit, one day
The gorge path, Manai Falls and Takachiho Shrine fit into one day, ending with the kagura at 20:00. Book the kagura online from 30 days before; 50–60 door tickets go on sale at 19:30.
Takachiho Gorge · Manai Falls · Takachiho Shrine · Takachiho Kagura (nightly performance)
The Iwato district, half a day
Amano Yasukawara is about 10 minutes on foot from the West Shrine, on a path with steps and no lights, so go in daylight. The bath on the hill is open until 22:00 except on Wednesdays.
With children
The kagura is free for elementary age and under. The rail cart is ¥1,500 for elementary and junior high and ¥800 under school age. A boat takes a fourth person only if they are under school age, and the rower must be junior high age or older.
Takachiho Kagura (nightly performance) · Takachiho Amaterasu Railway · Takachiho Gorge rental rowing boats
Rain or after dark
The kagura is performed indoors in a tatami hall, and the Iwato bath is indoors until 22:00. The boats can run in light rain (raincoats ¥200) but stop when the river rises; the rail cart does not run in bad weather.
Takachiho Kagura (nightly performance) · Amano Iwato no Yu · Takachiho Gorge rental rowing boats
Early morning in autumn
The sea of clouds at Kunimigaoka forms from late September to early December after a few clear days, on a calm morning with a day–night difference of 15°C or more. The hilltop is about 15 minutes by car from town.
Questions
How do I book the Takachiho Gorge rowing boats?
Online only, on the tourism association's booking site, from two weeks before the day (9:00) until two days before (9:00), paid by credit card. There are no phone bookings and no waiting list. Same-day tickets are limited and are not sold on fully pre-booked days once those sell out: in 2026, October weekends and holidays, every day in November, and December weekends, holidays and 28–31 December.
What time is the kagura at Takachiho Shrine, and how much is it?
Every night from 20:00 to 21:00 in the kagura hall at Takachiho Shrine, except 31 December, 1 January and 22–23 November. Entry is ¥1,000; elementary age and under are free. Online booking opens 30 days before at 10:00; door tickets go on sale at 19:30.
When can I see the sea of clouds at Kunimigaoka?
On early mornings from late September to early December when conditions line up: two or three clear days in a row, a difference of 15°C or more between day and night, enough humidity and a calm, clear morning. It does not form every day.
Can I see the all-night village yokagura in winter?
The village yokagura, held in homes and community halls, is a different event from the nightly performance at Takachiho Shrine. The tourism association says its dates are set around October each year; on 23 October 2026 its schedule page still showed the 2025 dates, so check there before planning around it.
How do I get to Takachiho without a car?
From Kumamoto, take the Takachiho-go express bus (two round trips a day, seat reservations; timetable and fares change on 1 November 2026). From Miyazaki or Oita, take the JR limited express to Nobeoka and a route bus from there (about 1 hour 30 minutes). The direct bus from Miyazaki has been suspended since 7 May 2024.