Japan (Lonely Planet, 11th Edition) - Chris Rowthorn [572]
HEIWADAI-KŌEN
The centrepiece of Heiwadai-kōen (Peace Park; 24-5027; admission free) is a 37m-high tower constructed in 1940, a time when peace in Japan was about to disappear. Haniwa Garden, within the park, is dotted with reproductions of the clay haniwa (earthenware figures found in Kōfun-period tombs) that have been excavated from the Saitobaru burial mounds Click here.
Heiwadai-kōen is about 1.5km north of Miyazaki-jingū. Frequent buses stop along Tachibana-dōri (¥270, 20 minutes).
Festivals & Events
Yabusame (samurai-style horseback archery) You can witness this at Miyazaki-jingū (opposite) on 2 and 3 April.
Fireworks show Kyūshū’s largest, lighting up the summer sky over the Oyodo-gawa in early August.
Erekocha Matsuri () Miyazaki’s newest festival with dancers and taiko drummers filling Tachibana-dōri in mid-August.
Miyazaki-jingū Grand Festival (Jimmu-Sama) In late October; brings in the autumn with horses and mikoshi being carried through the streets.
Sleeping
Fujin-kaikan Youth Hostel (24-5785; 1-3-10 Asahi; dm ¥3350; ) A Japanese-style hostel that doubles as a recreation centre during the day, necessitating a strict 10am check-out and no check-ins before 3pm. There’s a restaurant downstairs and a 10pm curfew.
Business Hotel Royal (25-5221; fax 29-1103; 2-5-20 Segashira; s/d/tw from ¥4095/5460/6300; ) Close to Miyazaki Station on a quiet side street, this dated little hotel is cheap and friendly.
Green Rich Hotel Miyazaki (27-9991; fax 27-0023; 1-5-8 Tachibana-dōri-higashi; s/d/tr ¥5000/9000/10,500; ) An imposing building near the prefectural office, flanked by palms. Inside, all of the stylish modern rooms have free LAN internet access and many have sofas or massage chairs. Oversized executive rooms are available. It’s very well priced and above the standard of a business hotel.
Toyoko Inn Miyazaki Ekimae (32-1045; 2-2-31 Oimatsu; s/tw with breakfast ¥5250/7770; ) Just outside Miyazaki Station (West exit) this business hotel has wi-fi in the lobby and all of the cheap, clean rooms have free LAN internet access.
Hotel Route Inn (61-1488; fax 611-492; www.route-inn.co.jp/english; 4-1-11 Tachibana-dōri-nishi; s/d with breakfast ¥5900/9500; ) About 800m west of the station, this hotel is excellent value with a great breakfast buffet, nice interiors and free LAN internet access in all rooms.
Hotel Kensington (20-5500; www.kensington.jp, in Japanese; 3-4-4 Tachibanadōri-higashi; s/d ¥6600/11,500; ) Recently renovated, this hotel has compact, nicely furnished rooms, all with free internet via LAN cable. Wi-fi access is in the lobby. The breakfast and lunch buffet is good value.
Miyazaki Kankō Hotel (32-5920; www.miyakan-h.com/english; 1-1-1 Matsuyama; s/d from ¥7500/13,000, Japanese-style r from ¥10,000; ) By the river, this international hotel is well priced for its high standard. Rooms are fittingly spacious and well furnished. All have LAN cable internet access. There’s a hotel onsen and a baby grand in the lobby.
Richmond Hotel Miyazaki Ekimae (60-0055; fax 60-2000; www.richmondhotel.jp/e/miyazaki; 2-2-3 Miyazaki-ekihigashi; s/d with continental breakfast from ¥7800/13,650; ) Behind Miyazaki Station, this light-filled business hotel has nice furnishings and free LAN cable internet access in all rooms, with rental laptops available for ¥800.
Sheraton Grande Ocean Resort (21-1133; fax 21-1144; www.starwoodhotels.com; Hamayama, Yamazaki-cho; d/tw from ¥22,880; ) Seriously good rates are often found online for this true five-star hotel with excellent leisure facilities. The 154m-high oceanfront tower adjoins the SeaGaia entertainment complex. Oversized rooms are well appointed, although internet access is overpriced. It’s about a 20-minute drive into town, but there’s a free shuttle and ample parking.
Eating
Hiya-jiru is a cold summer soup made from baked tofu, fish, miso paste and cucumbers, served over rice. Miyazaki is also known for yuzu-kosho, a tangy