Takachiho Gorge Miyazaki

I have been writing this blog for over 10 years now and being based in Gifu, which is in the heart of Japan, I rarely get the chance to venture down south to Kyushu Prefecture.

Kyushu (九州) is Japan’s third largest island and is located southwest of the main island of Honshu. It is famous for its subtropical climate, active volcanoes, beaches and pristine nature. One of its most popular tourist attractions is Takachiho Gorge, which should be on everyone’s bucket list for Japan.

Takachiho Gorge (高千穂峡) in Miyazaki Prefecture is both a natural wonder and an important religious site to the Japanese. The impressive gorge was formed from lava from Mount Aso which over time eroded to create 80 ~ 100-meter-high cliffs. The ravine has countless waterfalls cascading into it, including the 17-meter-tall Minai-no-taki Waterfall. You can enjoy the beautiful gorge by hiking along its edge, but the best way to see it is up and close and personal in a row boat. You can rent a boat for ¥2000 for a 30-minute ride. The best time to visit is early summer for the vivid green leaves or fall for the tinted autumn leaves.

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Takachiho is associated with many myths and legends about the founding of Japan. Nearby Ama-no-Iwato Shrine (天岩戸神社) is a sacred Shinto shrine, where according to myth the sun goddess Amaterasu hid in a cave located on the shrine grounds. Another legend suggests that this is the place where Amaterasu’s grandson, Ninigi-no-Mikoto descended to earth to establish Japan’s imperial family.

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Please enjoy the amazing video below by Jon Bear, a cinematic videographer from Fukuoka in Kyushu, who recently visited Takachiho Gorge in Miyazaki and shot this video on behalf of us here at Japan Australia.

Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea

Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea or Ponyo (崖の上のポニョ) as it is known in Japan is a Japanese animated fantasy film released in 2008, written and directed by Japan’s master animator Hayao Miyazaki. The animated adventure centers on a goldfish princess named Ponyo who befriends a 5 year old human boy, Sosuke and wants to become a human girl. It is set against hand-drawn watercolour backdrops of sea and sky, and is a poetic adventure for all ages.

I love this movie for its cute characters, fantastic animation, great music soundtrack and warm heart-felt story.

The film has won numerous awards both in Japan and Internationally.

This is the Japanese Cinema Poster for the Movie