Hinokage Town is a nature-rich municipality in Nishiusuki District in northern Miyazaki Prefecture. More than 90 percent of the town’s total area is covered by forests. The Gokase River and Hinokage River flow through the area, creating beautiful V-shaped valleys that form a dramatic landscape. The harmony between nature and history makes the town an appealing destination for visitors.
Hinokage Town is situated in the Kyushu Mountains and extends approximately 9 kilometers from east to west and 30 kilometers from north to south. The Gokase River runs through the central part of the town, receiving water from numerous mountain streams and forming deep V-shaped valleys.
The steep cliffs and beautiful gorges are major attractions for nature lovers. The surrounding mountain landscape includes Mount Katamuki, Mount Goyo, Mount Tsurigane, and Mount Mayumi, making the area suitable for hiking and mountain climbing.
Part of Sobo-Katamuki Quasi-National Park extends into the town. Hinokage has also established a Forest Therapy Base where visitors can refresh their minds and bodies amid the rich natural environment.
Forest therapy involves activities such as walking through woodland and experiencing nature in order to relax and enjoy its restorative effects. Local guides known as “Forest Guides for Healing” are available to lead visitors through the area and help them appreciate the natural surroundings.
In recent years, the Takachiho-go and Shiiba Mountain Region has received recognition as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System, and Hinokage has attracted attention as a base for ecotourism.
The town’s name is associated with a legend about Mikeirino-no-Mikoto, an elder brother of Emperor Jimmu, traditionally regarded as Japan’s first emperor. According to the story, he named the place after the sunlight that reached it, calling it “Hinokage,” meaning “the shadow of the sun” or “the place touched by sunlight.”
The town is also home to the Izuruha Cave, an archaeological site containing remains dating back approximately 20,000 years to the Paleolithic period. It is regarded as one of the oldest known historical sites in Miyazaki Prefecture.
From the Asuka period through the Nara period, the area formed part of Usuki District in Hyuga Province. During the Heian period, it was included within the territory governed as Takachiho Manor.
Hinokage officially became a town in 1951. In 1956, it incorporated neighboring villages, expanding its municipal area.
In 2015, the Takachiho-go and Shiiba Mountain Region was recognized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System. This recognition brought further attention to the area’s traditional agricultural practices and natural environment.
A new town hall was completed in 2021, providing more modern administrative services.
Agriculture and forestry are the main industries in Hinokage. The town is particularly known for its fruit crops, including yuzu citrus, chestnuts, and kumquats, as well as processed products made from these ingredients.
Shiitake mushrooms and traditional pan-fired tea are also important local specialties. Handicrafts such as bamboo work and straw crafts have developed as part of the area’s mountain culture, preserving skills closely connected with traditional rural life.
Bamboo craftsmanship has a particularly long history in Hinokage. The works of the late Kazuo Hiroshima received such high recognition that they were exhibited at the Smithsonian Institution in the United States.
British House was built in the early Showa period by Hans Hunter, a British engineer. Its distinctive architectural style combines elements of traditional Japanese architecture with Western design.
The building was originally used as the clubhouse of the former Mitate Mine. Today, it is preserved as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property of Japan. Exhibits inside introduce aspects of life at the mine during that period and provide insight into British culture, making it an especially interesting destination for visitors interested in history.
Tensho Bridge is a large concrete arch bridge in Hinokage Town and is described as Japan’s largest concrete arch bridge. It was constructed as part of a local agricultural road project and is distinguished by its impressive arch-shaped structure.
From the bridge, visitors can enjoy sweeping views of Hinokage Gorge. Its striking architecture and spectacular setting have made it a popular destination for sightseeing and scenic drives.
Hinokage Onsen Station is a former railway station with a hot spring facility attached. It combines the character of a railway station with a place where local residents and travelers can stop to relax.
Visitors can enjoy the hot spring baths while taking in the surrounding scenery. The facility is particularly popular with people who enjoy hot spring bathing and wish to spend a relaxing time in the countryside.
The Village of Stone Walls refers to the Togawa settlement, where stone walls surround the village and its fields. The oldest walls date back to the Kaei and Ansei eras, from the late Edo period, giving the settlement considerable historical value.
The area has also been selected as one of the One Hundred Best Terraced Rice Field Landscapes in Japan. The combination of stone walls, fields, and terraced paddies creates a beautiful rural scene that evokes the traditional landscape of Japan.
Mitate Gorge is one of the natural landmarks that symbolize Hinokage Town. The flowing river and deep green vegetation create beautiful scenery, and the landscape changes with the seasons.
Walking trails have been developed along the gorge, allowing visitors to enjoy hiking and trekking while appreciating the surrounding natural environment.
Hinokage Town has 215 bridges standing more than 100 meters above the ground. Among them, Seiun Bridge, Ryuten Bridge, and Tensho Bridge are particularly famous and are collectively known as the town’s Three Great Bridges.
These impressive structures are important landmarks as well as places from which visitors can appreciate the area’s dramatic mountain and gorge scenery.
Seiun Bridge is a massive bridge spanning National Route 218. It is one of the most recognizable symbols of Hinokage Town and is an impressive sight for travelers approaching from the direction of Kumamoto.
On the western side of the bridge is Roadside Station Seiun Bridge, where visitors can obtain tourist information and take a break during their journey.
Ryuten Bridge carries the Ume-Suki Line, a major forest road developed as part of a green resource infrastructure project.
Its distinctive design and impressive height blend with the beautiful natural surroundings of Hinokage, making it another notable landmark in the town.
Tensho Bridge is located in the Matsunoki district of Hinokage Town and forms part of a local agricultural road. It spans the landscape above Mitate Gorge.
Its magnificent arch structure demonstrates the high level of bridge-building technology, while the views from the bridge offer visitors an impressive panorama of the surrounding gorge.
Hinokage Town is an appealing destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Numerous campsites and lodges are scattered throughout the area, offering visitors opportunities to spend a relaxing time in nature.
Hinokage Camp Village is a popular campsite where visitors can enjoy the town’s natural environment. It offers not only tent sites but also well-equipped bungalows and lodges, providing a range of camping experiences for everyone from beginners to experienced campers.
Tansuke-dake Campsite is located at the foot of Mount Tansuke. Its attractive setting is surrounded by magnificent mountains, and visitors can refresh themselves in the clear mountain air. The site is also suitable for stargazing.
Refresh House Izuruha is an accommodation facility where guests can enjoy both the natural environment and hot springs of Hinokage. It is an ideal place to spend a peaceful break, with opportunities to enjoy bathing in hot springs and forest bathing.
Other distinctive outdoor facilities in the town include Kamoshika-no-Mori Cabin Village, the Tsuringane Community Center in the Shishikawa district, and the TR Train Inn. These facilities offer visitors a variety of unusual and memorable accommodation experiences.
Hinokage Town preserves many traditional performing arts and festivals that have been passed down through generations. These customs remain an important part of local culture and are maintained by residents, who present them at annual festivals and events.
Ohito Kabuki is a form of rural Kabuki theater designated as an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Miyazaki Prefecture. It is performed every October during the annual festival of Ohito Shrine.
The performances are organized and preserved by local residents, who continue to pass this traditional form of theater on to future generations.
Fukazumi Danshichi Odori is also designated as an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Miyazaki Prefecture. A festival featuring the dance is held every October by the local preservation association.
The performance provides a valuable opportunity for visitors to experience the traditional culture and performing arts of the region.
Hinokage Kagura originated from the Yo-Kagura tradition of neighboring Takachiho, but has developed its own distinctive dances and style.
From November through February each year, Kagura performances are dedicated at various settlements throughout the town. These ceremonies reflect the deep-rooted religious beliefs and traditions of the local communities.