Miyazaki Travel / Miyazaki Tour

Miyazaki is the home of mythology, where numerous myths and legends remain. In Miyazaki, there is Aoshima, an island that is said to be a power spot in itself. It is a small island with a circumference of about 1.5 km that can be accessed by train or bus, and is blessed with rich nature. Aoshima Shrine, located in the center of the island, is said to have the power to bring good luck in finding love. Nowadays, anyone can visit Aoshima, but in the past it was considered a sacred island, and entry to the island was prohibited except for the priests of Aoshima Shrine and the island magistrate. After entry to the island was permitted, beaches and other facilities were developed, and it has become a popular tourist destination as a resort. Subtropical plants grow on Aoshima, and it is also attractive that you can see plants that are rarely seen in Japan. Aoshima, which has a lot of history, nature, and attractions, is also attracting attention for the "yellow postbox of happiness" that is associated with mythology. It was installed in the summer of 2014 in honor of the description in the Kojiki that Yamasachihiko and Toyotamahime, who are enshrined at Aoshima Shrine, exchanged love letters. Of course, the postman comes to collect your mail every day. Why not try posting a letter to someone special?

Miyazaki, known as the home of mythology, is a place where celebrations and festivals are held enthusiastically, and many crafts related to them remain. Nobeoka's "Noborisu" is one of them. Nobeoka City, Miyazaki, was once a town where monkeys were so common that Natsume Soseki described it in "Botchan" as "a place where monkeys and humans live half and half." There are various theories about the origin of Noborisu, but it is said that it started when an epidemic broke out among children after monkeys that were destroying fields were exterminated. People who thought that this was a "monkey curse" set up "Noborisu" in their gardens as a memorial. From then on, it is said that people started setting up Noborisu every year at festivals to pray for a good harvest. Gradually, Noborisu came to be flown together with carp streamers on Boys' Festival, and came to pray for children's success in life, good health, and peace in the home. Nowadays, this custom has fallen into disuse, but it continues to live on in the form of a local toy. The Noborisaru is a Nobeoka craft that continues to convey tradition and history even as its form changes. It is also given as a "farewell gift" (meaning a celebration of promotion) to people who are transferred.