This event has become an immensely popular staple in the MAJET calendar and for good reason; kayaking along autumnal embankments, cosy cabins surrounded by woodlands and a festival in one of the most remote villages in Japan.
Tag: autumn
Mad for Mountains!
Miyazaki is known as the sunniest place of Japan (the original name of Himuka literally means “facing the sun”), so many people think that summer is the best time to visit. However, the autumn can be just as exciting, if you know where to look. 😉
Many of Miyazaki’s hidden gems are tucked away in the mountains to the northwest. Forests boasting beautiful foliage, hidden rivers and waterfalls, excellent hiking, and much more await the intrepid explorer! Here, the towns are small and unique customs are passed on from generation to generation. The locals are friendly and eager to share their experiences with passersby. And lucky for you, MAJET has planned an event to show you all of these wonderful things in a single weekend! Continue reading
Adventures in the Mountains- MAJET’s Fall Event
Miyazaki may be known as the surf and sun capital of Japan, but our prefecture has much more to offer than summer fun. 😉 As part of our Fawning Over Fall event, MAJET took advantage of one of Miyazaki’s many other outdoor pursuits–river kayaking! Continue reading
Dancing All Night: Takachiho’s Yokagura Festival
Miyazaki’s own Takachiho-cho is the birthplace of many Japanese myths and legends. These events are recreated in the form of yokagura (夜神楽), a traditional Shinto dance. The full traditional yokagura is comprised of 33 dances. Every night at 8pm, Takachiho Shrine (map) hosts an abbreviated version of yokagura which you can see for around 700円.
From November to February, however, each shrine in the village takes turns hosting all-night performances of the full yokagura! The revelry starts around sundown and doesn’t stop until the next morning, but the audience is free to wander in and out and drink shochu to stay warm (lots of layers are recommended).
To give you an inside look at this annual festival, former Takachiho JET Ellen Freeman has graciously allowed us to repost an article she wrote for the Kyushu Article Contest last year. Enjoy! Continue reading
紅葉狩り Momijigari: Autumn Leaf Viewing in Miyazaki
Wow–October is almost over already! But, where are all the autumn leaves? Those of us from more temperate climates may be thrown off by Miyazaki’s long-lasting summerlike weather, but don’t lose heart! There is a bit of fall color in our sub-tropic prefecture, as long as you know when and where to look for it. 😉
Luckily, Japan has this nifty guide to autumn leaf-viewing (because of course they do). With this guide, you can keep updated on all of the best places for fall foliage in Japan! The most ideal locations for momijigari in Miyazaki are up in the mountains to the north and west of the prefecture. The higher altitudes create a cooler climate that’s the perfect environment for changing colors.
Below are some of Miyazaki’s best momijigari spots, as well as some nearby places in other prefectures. Let us know if you have any recommendations of your own! Continue reading
Miyazaki’s mountains are truly marvelous
Miyazaki’s only autumn colors belong to a variety of subtropical flowers which somehow manage to bloom, and to the trees and foliage which only become slightly less green even in the cold winter months. However, if you were to venture up into the mountains in the west of the prefecture, you would find vibrant patches of vermillion interspersed with swathes of gold gilding the mountainside—along with the usual vast expanse of deep forest greens. Continue reading
Adventures in Nejime
On the afternoon of October 25, the MAJET dragonboat teams made their way to Minami Osumi in Kagoshima in preparation for the 2014 Nejime Dragonboat Races. We all met up at the Ohama Beach Park for an evening of barbecuing and nonsense. Our cabins were at the top of a very steep hill. While it was difficult to drive up (one car had to be pushed!), the view at the top was pretty amazing.
miyazakiajet.org 