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Kirishima: Ikoma Plateau, Kirishima Shrine, and the Ebino Volcanic Area
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Joined 2025
This full day car tour takes in some of the best mountain scenery in Japan, rarely visited by foreigners. First we drive 1.5 hours to the Ikoma Plateau, known for its views and seasonal blossoming of colorful flowers. After strolling the fields, we drive our way up to the summit into an active volcanic area where we can walk around the surrounding lake view path or among the azaleas near the information center. After lunch! We can also visit atmospheric, and myth-rich Kirishima Shrine
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
At the client's hotel in Miyazaki City
- At the client's hotel in Miyazaki City, or at Miyazaki airport or train station
Ikoma Plateau
In the gentle foothills of the Kirishima Mountain range, this scenic plateau is famed for its vibrant seasonal displays of flowers. It's an easy stroll full of great photo ops, with plenty of small shops in the area. It takes about 75 minutes to drive here from Miyazaki City. We will visit Ikoma Kogen for about 90 minutes.
Ebino Volcanic Area
From Ikoma, we drive for about 30 minutes to to the summit of the Kirishima mountain range, where Miyazaki borders Kagoshima, and walk among the unusual and active volcanic landscapes of the area, dotted with bubbbling and gurgling 'hells', small deep-hued lakes, and stroll among the famous azaleas in season. Deer are also often spotted in the area. Lunch can be taken here, and even a foot dip in volcano-fed hot springs if time allows. In winter, even outdoor ice skating is possible! Plan on spending 2-3 hours in the area.
Kirishima Shrine (Jingu)
This impressive and atmospheric mountain shrine, fronting towering Mt. Takachiho (*note -- not the gorge Takachiho), drips with mythology, while towering over views of Kagoshima Bay. We can spend up to one hour here.
Return to Miyazaki
We return to the guests' hotel in Miyazaki via expressway (about 90 minutes)
Ending Point
Same as the pick up point in Miyazaki City
Want to personalize this tour?
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
*Guide
*Private transportation by Suzuki Solio
*Gasoline fee
*Guide gratuity
*Visitors should bring a minimum of 3000-4000 yen in cash each for lunch, souvenirs.
*Highway toll fee of 3500 yen to be paid directly to the guide/driver.
Tour Important Information
*It is possible that volcanic activity could lead to the summit area being closed. Your guide will check in advance.
*This tour is not advised in poor weather.
*The order of this tour, as well as pick-up/drop-off points can be easily negotiated.
There will be some walking at both Ikoma and Ebino but it is not strenuous.
It can be quite chilly or downright cold from October thru April. Dress accordingly.
*Note that the highway toll fee of 3500 yen should be paid directly to the driver/guide (this is seperate from the basic tour cost)
Important message from the supplier
Once I know the client's date/time plans and options I can arrange a tour around these.
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
Joined 2025
About Tour Guide Michael G.
Originally from Canada, I've been living in Japan for 35 years, most of that in Miyazaki. I speak the language and I know the area better than most locals. In Miyazaki, there is a lack of public transport so I'd be happy to drive you to places like Aoshima (a beautiful beach and surfing hub), Udo Jingu (a unique seaside shrine), the samurai and merchant residences of Obi, and introduce you to the best spots for local food, shopping, or nightlife. The volcanic highlands of Ebino and Kirishima are accessible from Miyazaki, as is Takachiho, the center of Japanese mythology with its famous gorge. I know them all well and I’d like to share that knowledge, the wonderful scenery, indeed the whole Miyazaki experience, with you.
Reviews
Toni R.
“Beautiful customized Miyazaki seaside tour”
Had a wonderful tour on September 2026 with Michael, where we visited Aoshima, Udo Jingu and enjoyed some amazing lobsters on season. He was very helpful with recommended spots and flexible to make the most out of our very short stay in Miyazaki. Very easy to talk to him and very interesting to know his experience in Japan after 36 years living there. If you are interested in Japanese Shinto and culture he is as knowledge as a local. Totally recommended!
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Michael G.
Thanks for the kind words, Toni. You were wonderful guests: appreciative, curious, and easy to talk to on a number of topics. Our half day tour was just a sampling of Miyazaki, but you may agree that this 'minor' prefecture is as beautiful and as enticing as any other place in Japan. I hope you both enjoy the rest of your stay in Japan and that you have the chance to visit Miyazaki again sometime!
Isabella V.
“Amazing, beautiful day!”
Michael picked us up from our hotel and off we went! He was very knowledgeable of the Miyazaki and the areas and was always happy to answer our questions. The spots we stopped at were so breathtakingly beautiful, also had a delicious lunch stop. Thanks so much Michael for your kindness!
Michael G.
It was a great day Isabella, made even better by the positive vibes I felt from you and your partner. Thanks so much! Even though your tour was a last-minute request, I was really happy that everything went smoothly. I hope the rest of your trip also manages to go well.
Lindsey L.
“Very insightful and interesting tour”
Mike was very accommodating with our group! We booked just two days before and he was available to adjust the itinerary to exactly what we wanted. Mike provided a local’s insight to the surrounding areas and landmarks that we’ve been missing on our other trips to Japan. We would not have been able to see these sights without his guidance, and we are truly grateful he was able to take us around. Thank you for the wonderful tour!
Michael G.
I’m glad that you and your family enjoyed the tour, Lindsey. I especially liked the conversation that accompanied the sightseeing, your parents were great to chat with. It’s also good that you got to see it all before the rainy season set in. Thanks again!
$222/ per group
More tours by Michael G.
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The Nichinan Coast: Aoshima, Udo, and Obi (full day by car)
This full day car tour takes in the beautiful Nichinan Coast, combining spectacular scenery, architecture, and history. We start at Aoshima Beach, known for its island shrine, botanical gardens, and sub-tropical scenery. Then we drive the wild Nichinan Coast, w/plenty of photo ops, to the mysterious Udo Jingu (shrine), precariously carved into seaside rock face. Then, on to the preserved samurai/merchant houses in the castle town of Obi, where coffee can be enjoyed in 300-year old surroundings.
The Nichinan Coast: Aoshima, Udo, and Obi (full day by car)
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Aoshima and Nichinan Coast half-day tour
We start at one of the greatest attractions in Southern Japan, magnificent Aoshima beach and its historical shrine, plus a chance to visit some local shops and tropical gardens. Then, we drive down the beautiful Nichinan seaside coastal road with several recommended seascape photo ops (Horikiri Pass, Futo no Totoro) along the way, to the mysterious and atmospheric Udo Shrine, built into a cliff rock face above the crashing sea before returning to Miyazaki City.
Aoshima and Nichinan Coast half-day tour
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Takachiho: Full day trip by car from Miyazaki!
We meet at the guest's hotel and then take the highway from Miyazaki to Takachiho (about 2 hours). After arriving in Takachiho we'll visit the famous Takachiho Gorge and view the spectacular cliffs and falls. Then we'll go to Takachiho Station where guests will board the spectacular Amaterasu open-air train for a 30 minute journey, crossing Takachiho Bridge. Then, on to the Kawanobori rice terraces and the atmospheric Amanoiwato Shrine. We'll return to Miyazaki and the guests' hotel by 17:00
Takachiho: Full day trip by car from Miyazaki!
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