Kadogawa is a coastal town in Higashiusuki District, Miyazaki Prefecture, facing the Hyuga-nada Sea, part of the Pacific Ocean. Located between Nobeoka City and Hyuga City, it has developed as a residential community for people working in nearby urban areas since being designated as part of a New Industrial City. Fishing and seafood processing are important local industries, and the town is also well known as a popular fishing destination.
With its beautiful natural environment, historical sites and cultural properties, Kadogawa offers visitors a relaxing seaside atmosphere and plenty of opportunities to discover the region’s history and traditions.
Kadogawa is blessed with abundant natural scenery, historic sites and cultural heritage. Its attractions range from coastal landscapes and islands to shrines, waterfalls and forest parks.
Part of Kadogawa lies within Nippo Coast Quasi-National Park, which is known for its beautiful coastline. Facing the Pacific Ocean, the town offers a landscape in which the sea and mountains harmonize. The area is suitable for hiking and scenic drives, allowing visitors to relax while enjoying the natural surroundings.
Several historic shrines are scattered throughout Kadogawa. Kadogawa Shrine, Osue Shrine, Nakayama Shrine and Kusako Shrine have long served as important places of worship for local residents. Many people visit them during annual ceremonies and festivals.
Each shrine has its own history and traditions, reflecting the strong connection between religious faith and local culture.
Kadogawa was once home to a castle, and its former site remains as a historic landmark. Visitors interested in the town’s past can explore the ruins and imagine the area’s history. The quiet surroundings also make this a suitable place for those who enjoy historical exploration.
Kadogawa has several natural attractions, including beautiful waterfalls and forest parks. Tsuzura Falls is known for its scenic beauty and provides a peaceful setting for visitors.
Tomiyama Forest Park is suitable for hiking and observing nature. It is also a pleasant place for families and couples to enjoy a picnic.
Biro Island and Oto Island are two of Kadogawa’s representative natural attractions. Biro Island is particularly well known as a breeding ground for wild birds, including the Japanese murrelet and the Japanese wood pigeon.
Facilities and arrangements for visitors have been developed, and the islands are associated with outdoor activities such as birdwatching and fishing.
Kadogawa Onsen Kokoro no Mori is a recommended place to relax and refresh both body and mind. The hot spring facility is popular with local residents as well as visitors, who can enjoy a leisurely soak in the baths and spend a peaceful time surrounded by nature.
Kaiyu Bussankan Umisuzume is a local shop where visitors can purchase Kadogawa’s specialty products and souvenirs. It offers fresh seafood and agricultural products from the area.
It is a popular place to stop toward the end of a trip, whether to look for souvenirs or sample local specialties.
Kadogawa is home to a number of natural monuments designated at the national and prefectural levels. Notable examples include the Japanese murrelet and Japanese wood pigeon, which inhabit Biro Island and represent the richness of the town’s natural environment.
The Usugi Mokusei, a fragrant olive tree in the Komatsu district of Kadogawa, is also protected as a natural monument designated by Miyazaki Prefecture.
The Kadogawa Kofun burial mounds provide evidence of the area’s ancient history. Burial Mounds No. 1 and No. 6 have been preserved as local historical heritage and are valuable archaeological sites.
Visiting these remains offers an opportunity to imagine what life in the Kadogawa area was like in ancient times.
Kadogawa preserves numerous tangible cultural properties of historical value. These include a seated statue of Yakushi Nyorai, the Buddha of Medicine, at Eiganji Temple; documents belonging to the Sonoda family; and ceiling paintings at Shorenji Temple by Okabe Nanpo.
These cultural assets are scattered throughout the town and are of particular interest to visitors who appreciate history and traditional art.
The Kadogawa Health Road Race is held annually and attracts many runners from both within and outside the town. Participants run through the area’s beautiful natural surroundings, enjoying the fresh breeze and scenery. It is a popular event among sports enthusiasts.
The Kadogawa Summer Fireworks Festival is a traditional highlight of the summer season. Every year, large numbers of people gather to watch colorful fireworks illuminate the night sky.
Local residents and visitors enjoy the event together, making it one of the defining summer celebrations in Kadogawa.
The Kadogawa Sea Port Festival celebrates the abundance of the local sea. Visitors can enjoy the town’s fishing industry and seafood, including dishes prepared with fresh local ingredients.
The festival also features stage performances that showcase local culture, along with a variety of other activities and entertainment.
Kadogawa Kin Hamo is a premium variety of pike conger caught in the town’s rich coastal waters. Known for its excellent flavor and relative rarity, it has earned a strong reputation throughout Japan.
Pike conger dishes are especially popular with visitors during the summer season, when this local seafood specialty is at its best.
Kadogawa also produces a variety of agricultural products. Makiyama mandarin oranges and high-sugar tomatoes are among its best-known specialties.
Makiyama mandarins are appreciated for their excellent balance of sweetness and acidity. Kadogawa tomatoes are characterized by their high sugar content, fresh taste and rich flavor.
Hebesu is a distinctive citrus fruit produced in Kadogawa. Its refreshing acidity makes it an excellent addition to a wide range of dishes.
Iorigawa-yaki is a traditional local style of pottery, carefully made by skilled craftspeople. These ceramics are also popular as souvenirs.
Kadogawa is located in northern Miyazaki Prefecture, next to Nobeoka City, the main urban center of the prefecture’s northern region. It lies approximately 15 kilometers south of central Nobeoka and approximately 70 kilometers northeast of Miyazaki City, the prefectural capital.
The eastern part of the town faces the Hyuga-nada Sea and is included in Nippo Coast Quasi-National Park.
According to estimates for a possible future major Nankai Trough earthquake, a tsunami with a maximum height of 9 meters is expected to reach the town’s coastline.
Kadogawa’s rich natural environment provides many opportunities for fishing, hiking and other outdoor activities.
Notable natural attractions include Togenkyo Cape, a scenic viewpoint overlooking the beautiful coastline; Mount Tomiyama, Mount Komase and Mount Kar matsu, which are suitable for hiking and mountain walks; and the Hyuga-nada Sea, where visitors can enjoy fishing and marine sports in productive fishing grounds.
The principal rivers flowing through the town include the Isuzu River, the Naruko River and the Marubae River.
During the Edo period (1603–1868), Kadogawa belonged to the Nobeoka Domain.
Following the abolition of the feudal domains and the establishment of prefectures in the early Meiji period, the town’s administrative affiliation changed several times. It successively belonged to Nobeoka Prefecture, Mimitsu Prefecture, Miyazaki Prefecture and Kagoshima Prefecture.
In 1883, Miyazaki Prefecture was re-established, and Kadogawa became part of the present-day Miyazaki Prefecture.
In 1889, when the modern municipal system was introduced, Kadogawa Village was established in Higashiusuki District. It became Kadogawa Town in 1935.
Kadogawa has a number of accommodation and hot spring facilities. Among them, Kadogawa Onsen Kokoro no Mori is particularly popular with visitors seeking relaxation and a restorative break.
Guests can enjoy the hot spring baths while taking in the surrounding natural scenery, making it a pleasant place to unwind during a visit to northern Miyazaki.
Fishing and seafood processing are the town’s principal industries. Kadogawa is known for its abundant marine resources and the fresh seafood supplied by its fishing industry.
The town also has several industrial parks, and manufacturing and construction are active sectors of the local economy. Representative businesses include Forest Energy Kadogawa and Mizunaga Suisan.
Kadogawa can be reached conveniently by train or car. The JR Kyushu Nippo Main Line runs through the town, and Kadogawa Station provides rail connections to other destinations.
Take the JR Kyushu Nippo Main Line and get off at Kadogawa Station.
National Route 10 runs north to south through the town, providing road access to major cities in the region. The Higashikyushu Expressway also passes through Kadogawa and includes the Nobeoka-minami Road section.
Other main roads include National Routes 10 and 388, as well as Miyazaki Prefectural Routes 225 (Yaehara-Nobeoka Line) and 226 (Totoro-Hyuga Line).
Kadogawa is a coastal town where rich natural surroundings, diverse sightseeing attractions and historic sites come together. Fishing and seafood processing remain important industries, and visitors can enjoy fresh seafood as well as local agricultural products and traditional crafts.
The town also hosts a variety of festivals and cultural events that offer a glimpse into local life and traditions. With convenient transport connections, Kadogawa makes a pleasant base for exploring northern Miyazaki Prefecture.