Discover Hinokage: A Guide to Local Attractions and Accommodations (Sobo, Katamuki and Okue Biosphere Reserve)
Within the Sobo, Katamuki and Okue Biosphere Reserve, the Hinokage area is a healing sanctuary embraced by deep V-shaped gorges. Towering cliffs rise above the clear, gentle flow of the Gokase River in the valley below.
Recognized as one of Japan's first "Forest Therapy Bases," these deep woods gently envelop visitors, offering an escape from the rush of daily life. Here, time flows slowly as you explore the beautiful stone walls and bridges built by past generations, or enjoy forest bathing while breathing in the fresh scent of the trees. Ultimate tranquility awaits—a place to release your tension and align your breathing with the rhythm of nature.
Recommended Spots to Experience Gorges and the Wisdom of Satoyama
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Mitate Valley
A beautiful gorge famous for its autumn foliage. The scenery of unique rock formations and clear streams delights visitors with its seasonal beauty.
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Togawa: The Village of Stone Walls
A settlement where neatly stacked stone walls, terraced rice fields, and houses are integrated along a steep mountainside. This landscape, skillfully utilizing natural stones, perfectly embodies the harmony between human wisdom and nature.
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Hinokage Onsen Station
View moreA hot spring facility housed in the former station building of the discontinued Takachiho Railway. You can soothe your travel fatigue in the footbath on the platform or in the open-air bath overlooking the Gokase River.
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Forest Therapy Roads
Walking trails with scientifically proven healing effects. Featuring routes along former railway tracks, they allow visitors to refresh their minds and bodies in the forest.
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The Former No. 3 Gokase River Bridge
Designated as a National Important Cultural Property. This beautiful bridge is a masterpiece of modern civil engineering, fusing a steel truss with Japan's first concrete rigid-frame structure to showcase cutting-edge pre-war technology.
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The British Pavilion
A reconstruction of the building where British diplomat Ernest Satow stayed during the Meiji era. Here, visitors can discover historic Hinokage from an international perspective.
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Mt. Tansuke
Along with Mt. Hiei, this rocky peak is popular for rock climbing and hiking. The panoramic view from the summit allows visitors to truly appreciate the vastness of the Biosphere Reserve's mountains.
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Seiunkyo Bridge
This arch bridge on Route 218 is a symbol of Hinokage Town. Appearing as if suspended in the sky, it is well-known as a highly photogenic spot.
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Bamboo Crafts Museum
A museum showcasing traditional bamboo folk tools alongside the works of Kazuo Hiroshima, a designated Contemporary Master Craftsman.
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Yato Kannon Falls
A majestic waterfall cascading 45 meters down a sheer cliff. A statue of Kannon is enshrined behind the mist, and the site has long been a place of devotion for safe childbirth. It is a tranquil and deeply spiritual place surrounded by lush greenery.
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Tensho Ohashi Bridge
At 143 meters above the water, this is the highest concrete arch bridge in Japan. Featuring an elegant curve resembling a bird spreading its wings and a massive scale spanning the valley, this masterpiece of modern civil engineering is a "corridor in the sky."
Recommended Accommodations in the Hinokage Area
Access Information
Please use "Roadside Station Seiunkyo" as your base for sightseeing in Hinokage.
<Access by Car>
・From Miyazaki Bougainvillea Airport: Approx. 1 hour 50 minutes
・From Kurata IC (Kyushu Chuo Expressway): Approx. 15 minutes via Route 218 toward Takachiho
・From Aso Kumamoto Airport: Approx. 1 hour 50 minutes
・From Takachiho IC (Kyushu Chuo Expressway): Approx. 15 minutes via Route 218 toward Nobeoka
Summary
Unlike the majestic nature of Nobeoka or the mythical romance of Takachiho, the Hinokage area of the Biosphere Reserve is a field of "tranquility" embraced by deep forests and a culture of stone.
Walking along a forest therapy road on a former railway track, gazing at historic stone walls, and unwinding in a hot spring—this slow pace of time is sure to gently soothe the stresses of modern life. For your next holiday, why not embark on a healing journey to Hinokage, a secluded retreat deep within the valleys?
■Contact Information
Regional Comprehensive Coordination Section, Hilly and Mountainous Areas & Regional Policy Division, General Policy Department, Miyazaki Prefectural Government
TEL: 0985-26-7035
Email: chusankan-chiiki@pref.miyazaki.lg.jp