Takachiho
From Wikitravel
Takachiho (高千穂) [1] is a city in Miyazaki, Kyushu.
[edit] Understand
Both a natural wonder and an important religion site, Takachiho draws over a million Japanese tourists yearly, but few foreigners make it this far. Takachiho Gorge' is an impressive ravine with countless waterfalls cascading into it, while nearby Ama-no-Iwato Shrine contains the cave where, according to myth, the sun goddess Amaterasu hid until Ame-no-Uzume lured her out. Another legend suggests that this is where Amaterasu's grandson Ninigi-no-Mikoto descended to earth to establish Japan's imperial family, but that particular claim is contested by Takachiho-no-mine in Kirishima National Park to the south.
[edit] Get in
While technically in Miyazaki, Takachiho is located deep in the mountains of Kyushu, and is actually easier to reach from the neighboring prefecture of Kumamoto.
From Kumamoto city, a direct bus connects to Takachiho in about 2:50 (¥2300), passing by Kumamoto Airport (2 hrs, ¥2000) along the way.
From Miyazaki city, take the JR Nippo Line to Nobeoka (1:15, ¥1700 by tokkyu), then connect to a bus to Takachiho (1 hr, ¥1740). This is also the fastest route if coming in from Oita to the north. The Takachiho Railway from Nobeoka stopped running in 2005 after it was trashed by Typhoon Nabi, although there are plans to resurrect a portion of it as a sightseeing railway.
From Fukuoka, direct buses from the Nishitetsu Tenjin Bus Center connect to Takachiho in just under three hours (¥3910).
[edit] Get around
A shuttle bus operates between Takachiho Bus Center and the gorge (¥140, 5 min), but it's infrequent, and usually it's faster just to walk (about 30 min). Another bus connects to the Ama-no-Iwato Shrine, about 10 km and 15 min away.
[edit][add listing] See
- Takachiho Gorge (高千穂峡). Carved by the Gokase River, the highlight here is the 17m Minai-no-taki Waterfall. While there is a hiking path along the edge, it's best viewed by renting a boat (¥1500/30 min for up to 3 people) and going for a paddle, since the current is gentle and easy to navigate.* edit
- Ama-no-Iwato Shrine (天岩戸神社). The cave where Amaterasu hid and the shrine protecting it. This being a Shinto site, the cave itself is much too holy to let mere mortals inside, but there's on observation deck across the river and pilgrims have stacked countless stones on the paths around the shrine. edit
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[edit] Contact
[edit] Get out
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