Mount Atago is a 251.3-meter-high mountain in the southern part of Nobeoka City, Miyazaki Prefecture. It was once known as Kasasayama, and its name is also reflected in part of Nobeoka’s place names. The mountain takes its present name from Atago Shrine, located at its foot.
Mount Atago is a popular sightseeing destination offering panoramic views of the city and the coast. Its night scenery is particularly famous and has been selected for several national scenic-view lists. The mountain is also associated with a legend about the meeting of two deities and has become known as a place where couples can celebrate their love.
Mount Atago belongs to the Shimanto Group, a geological formation. Its western side has gentle slopes, while the eastern side features steep terrain, giving the mountain a distinctive shape.
The mountain was once an isolated island. Over time, sediment deposited by the Gokase River through its alluvial activity connected it to the mainland, creating the landscape seen today.
Broadcast relay stations for television and FM radio services in Miyazaki Prefecture are located around the summit of Mount Atago. At an elevation of approximately 200 meters on the northeastern side of the mountain, there is an observation deck offering sweeping views of Nobeoka’s urban area and the Nippo Coast.
The night view from the observation deck is especially well known. It has been selected as one of Japan’s 100 Best Night Views and designated a Japan Night View Heritage site.
The road leading to the observation deck has also been selected for the “500 Beautiful Japanese Roads to Walk.” These scenic attractions have made Mount Atago a much-loved destination for both local residents and visitors.
According to local legend, Mount Atago is the place where Ninigi-no-Mikoto and Konohanasakuya-hime first met. Because of this association with the meeting of the two deities, the mountain is also famous as a place associated with romantic encounters and the fulfillment of love.
In 2008, Miyazaki Prefecture established a sightseeing route called the “Himuka Love-Love Project,” linking Mount Atago with Sea Cruz in Hyuga City and Lover’s Hill in Misato Town. Through this project, Mount Atago was promoted as a “Place of Encounters,” and many couples began visiting the mountain.
As part of the project, a monument where couples can attach padlocks was installed in March 2008. However, even before the monument was installed, visitors had already attached many padlocks to the Mount Atago observation deck. Their number had reached 277.
These locks remain on the summit as symbols of the love shared by couples who have visited the mountain.
Broadcast relay facilities for prefecture-wide television and radio services are located around the summit of Mount Atago. These facilities relay television and FM radio signals transmitted from Mount Wanitsuka.
The facilities include relay stations operated by NHK Miyazaki, MRT Miyazaki Broadcasting, UMK Television Miyazaki and FM Miyazaki. A transmission facility for FM Nobeoka, a community FM radio station, is also located in Atago-yama Park.
The facilities on Mount Atago are commonly referred to as the “Nobeoka Relay Station.” This name is also used in connection with the AM radio relay station in Nobeoka City and the 800 MHz digital MCA communication facilities on Mount Tohmi.
In addition, Mount Tohmi is home to a UMK FPU base station. Together, these facilities help support the region’s broadcasting and communications infrastructure.
Miyazaki Broadcasting’s MRT Radio received preliminary authorization for its FM supplementary relay station on August 9, 2016, and began broadcasting on March 31, 2017.
NHK Radio 1 also installed FM supplementary relay equipment at the Nobeoka Relay Station as part of measures to prepare for a potential Nankai Trough earthquake. The equipment began operation on October 31, 2017.
These FM supplementary services help ensure that residents can receive stable and reliable information, including during disasters.
The digital terrestrial television broadcasting station serving the Nobeoka area received preliminary authorization on April 26, 2007. Test broadcasts equivalent to regular programming began on May 7 of that year, followed by the official start of regular broadcasting on June 1, 2007.
In this way, Mount Atago plays an important role not only as a scenic destination but also as a communications hub supporting the daily lives of people in the region.