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: fall
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
Second MAJET Sports Day!
Why should the kids have all the fun? Gather your friends and join us at Oyodo River Park across from Miyazaki City Hall on October 14th to put your speed, strength, and skill to the test! After the rousing success of last year’s Undoukai, MAJET is excited to host another one! In 2016, Team Instinct (pictured below) took home the very first MAJET Undoukai Cup. Will your team rise to the occasion and top Instinct’s final score?! Continue reading
Hello. Is it meat you’re looking for?
Get your tare sauce ready, Miyakonojo’s annual Yakiniku Festival is coming up on the 7th of October! The festival showcases Miyazaki beef and celebrates Miyakonojo as “the best place for meat in Japan” (which it definitely is). But instead of just telling you about it, we’ll let some Miyakonojo and southern Miyazaki locals do the talking. We’re sure you won’t want to miss the biggest fireworks and meat festival in Kyushu after you hear our seven guests’ favourite things about the event…
When: October 7th, 11:00am – 8:00pm
Where: Kannon-ike Park, Freedom Plaza, Takajo, Miyakonojo. (map)
Cost: Reserved table and meat package tickets cost ¥2,000.
But if you don’t mind waiting for a table to open up, the event and grill use is free, and you can buy meat packages at various stalls on the premises.
Transport: There will be shuttle buses running between Miyakonojo Station and the festival grounds. A schedule can be found here, but only in Japanese. Contact MAJET at miyazakiajet@gmail.com for translation services.
2017 MAJET-KAJET Dragon Boat Races!
Every October, hundreds of people travel to Kagoshima’s Nejime Port for the Minami Osumi Nejime Dragon Boat Festival! Teams of 10 people board colorful, dragon-shaped boats and race down a 380m river course to claim the prize.
This year, MAJET will be collaborating with Kagoshima AJET (KAJET) to bring Dragon Boat Racing to you! This is a great opportunity to meet our neighbor JETs and build new connections and friendships, while also enjoying and participating in a unique cultural experience. It’s been a couple of years since MAJET has participated in this event, but we’ve always had a really great time, and we are really looking forward to joining KAJET this year!
While this event isn’t until October, we have to register by the end of August (yikes!), so if you are interested in participating, please review the information below and RSVP as soon as possible! 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
MAJET’s 1st Sports Day!
Saturday, October 1st, 2016 marked MAJET’s very first Undokai! All week beforehand, we were worried that it would rain, and were even preparing to reschedule the event. We had faith, however, and when we gathered at Oyodo River that morning it actually turned out to be a beautiful, bright sunny day (albeit a bit hot for October). Everyone was pumped up and ready for the day’s activities! Continue reading
Fawning Over Fall!
It might be hard to believe, but Fall has arrived here in southern Kyushu. Some may cry out, “LIES, MAJET! It can’t be fall just yet! I haven’t seen the leaves change one bit!” Others may groan, “I guess I’ll have to wait till spring to explore the natural beauty of Miyazaki.” Well, fear not my friends! MAJET is here to help! Come join us up in northern Miyazaki for MAJET’s Fawning Over Fall event! 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 