Major city · Japan
Takachiho高千穂
Go for one night, not a day trip: the Kumamoto bus gives you only 4.5 h on the ground, and the gorge boats sell out by mid-morning.
Takachiho is a small mountain town in northwest Miyazaki with a ravine, a mythic cave shrine and a night dance that runs until dawn. Public buses from Kumamoto or Nobeoka take 1.5–3 h each way, so most travellers sleep one night and rent a car or use taxis to link the gorge and the shrine.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- JPY
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct–Nov
- avoid Jun–Sep (rainy season and typhoons), mid-Aug (Obon)
- Airports
- KMJ · KMI · FUK
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 5
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- Japan ↗IC cards (ICOCA/Suica) are topped up with cash at station machines.
- Japan ↗Smoking while walking is banned in most city centres; use designated areas.
- Japan ↗Shinkansen bags 160–250 cm (L+W+H) need a seat reserved with the oversized-baggage area.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Takachiho110 ▾
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
- Japan Visitor Hotline (JNTO, 24 h, English)050-3816-2787
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Takachiho, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Cities are increasingly cashless; temples, small restaurants and some lodging taxes still want cash.Japan-wide
- SIM or eSIMData-only eSIMs are the easy route: buy before you fly; voice SIMs need a residence card.Japan-wide
- Tap waterSafe from the tap everywhere; stations and parks have fountains.Japan-wide
- TippingRestaurants and bars: No tip; staff will chase you to return money left on the table.Japan-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 100 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Japan-wide
- SafetyA quiet, low-crime mountain town.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree, clean public toilets in stations, parks and konbini; paper goes in the toilet.Japan-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire and ambulance · 050-3816-2787 Japan Visitor Hotline (JNTO, 24 h, English) (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMuseums close on Mondays (Tuesday when Monday is a holiday); many family restaurants close one weekday, often Tuesday or Wednesday…Japan-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportKMJ Kumamoto Airport (Bus to Takachiho about 2 h; the Kumamoto city bus continues from the airport.).
- Getting aroundNo train.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee¥400–700 (≈ US$3–5)
- Street or quick mealTonkotsu ramen¥650–900 (≈ US$5–7)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi, bus centre to the gorgeAbout 7 min.from ¥1,000 (≈ US$7)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week¥2,000–4,000 (≈ US$14–30)
- Budget bedGuesthouse or hostel bed, a night, per person¥3,500 (≈ US$25)
- Mid-range bedBusiness-hotel double room, a night, per room¥16,000 (≈ US$110)
- High-end bedBusiness-hotel double room, a night, per room¥27,000 (≈ US$190)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ¥7,000 (≈ US$50) · Mid ¥13,000 (≈ US$90) · High ¥25,000 (≈ US$170)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- KMJ Kumamoto Airport (Bus to Takachiho about 2 h; the Kumamoto city bus continues from the airport.) · KMI Miyazaki Airport (JR to Nobeoka, then the bus; about 3 h total.) · FUK Fukuoka Airport (Nishitetsu highway bus from Tenjin, about 3 h 15 min.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Feb
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Mar
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Apr
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
May
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jun
Avoid
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jul
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Oct
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Nov
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Dec
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Best: Mar–May, Oct–Nov. Avoid: Jun–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jan (−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C) low), wettest Jun (15 rain days), driest Jan (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Takachiho: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
6 rd
Feb
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
8 rd
Mar
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
11 rd
Apr
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
11 rd
May
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
11 rd
Jun
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
15 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
14 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13 rd
Sep
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
12 rd
Oct
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
8 rd
Nov
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
7 rd
Dec
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
6 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
No train. Town buses are infrequent, so plan on walking (25–30 min downhill to the gorge, longer back up), renting an electric bicycle from the tourist information centre, or taking taxis from the stand by the bus centre. A car solves both arrival and the spread-out sights.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Nobeoka
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Bus from Takachiho bus centre, about 1 h 30 min
The fastest public-transport link to the JR Nippo line and onward to Miyazaki.
Door to door: About 3.25 h
Kyushu Sanko highway bus, about 3 h 10 min
Too far for a return day; use it as your arrival or exit leg.
Door to door: About 3 h
Bus to Nobeoka, then JR Nippo line limited express
A transfer day, not a day trip.
Door to door: About 2.5 h
Bus to Nobeoka, then JR Nippo line
Doable only with a car or a very early start.
Kunimigaoka viewpoint
goDoor to door: About 15 min
Car or taxi, about 7 km (4.3 mi) from townCar or taxi, about 4.3 mi (7 km) from town
Sunrise over the cloud sea; go before dawn and check the weather.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Takachiho town centre (around the bus centre)
Walk to restaurants and the tourist information centre; 25–30 min downhill walk to the gorge.
Above the gorge
One larger hotel at the top of the trail; the shortest walk to the boats and the path.
Mitai and Iwato area
Quieter, closer to Ama-no-Iwato Shrine; needs a car or taxi for everything else.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥7,000–11,000 (≈ US$50–75) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥11,000–18,000 (≈ US$75–130) excl. bed
- High
- ¥18,000 (≈ US$130)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Business-hotel double room1 × 1 night × ¥16,000 | ¥16,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ¥13,000 | ¥26,000 |
| Kumamoto → Takachiho highway bus, one way2 × ¥2,300 | ¥4,600 |
| Nobeoka → Takachiho bus, one way2 × ¥1,740 | ¥3,480 |
| Gorge boat rental, 30 min for up to 3 people1 × ¥5,000 | ¥5,000 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × ¥2,500 | ¥5,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ¥6,010 |
| Trip total≈ ¥33,050 per person per day, bed included | ¥66,090≈ US$450 |
2026 estimate in yen; flights and rail passes excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | ¥400–700 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Tonkotsu ramen | ¥650–900 (≈ US$5–7) |
| Nagashi somen or a Takachiho beef bowl | ¥1,500–3,500 (≈ US$11–25) |
| Taxi, bus centre to the gorgeAbout 7 min. | from ¥1,000 (≈ US$7) |
| Electric bicycle rental | ¥300 (≈ US$3) per hour |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | ¥2,000–4,000 (≈ US$14–30) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The Kumamoto bus arrives around 12:00 and leaves around 16:30: about 4.5 h in town, enough for one sight.The Kumamoto bus arrives around 12:00 PM and leaves around 16:30: about 4.5 h in town, enough for one sight.
- Gorge boat rental is limited and sells out early; go at opening or accept the riverside path only.
- The former Takachiho railway closed in 2005; a short sightseeing line (Amaterasu Railway) runs part of the old route.
- Mountain roads are narrow and fog-prone; drive in daylight.
- Yokagura halls and rest days change daily: confirm the night's venue before you count on it.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 119
- Japan Visitor Hotline (JNTO, 24 h, English)
- 050-3816-2787
Pocket card
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Takachiho高千穂
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
ここまでお願いしますTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
- Japan Visitor Hotline (24 h, English)050-3816-2787
Embassy
No embassies in Takachiho; the US consulate is in Fukuoka and most embassies are in Tokyo.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Kumamoto → Takachiho bus: about ¥2,300 (≈ US$16), 3 h 10 min
- Nobeoka → Takachiho bus: about ¥1,740 (≈ US$12), 1 h
- Taxi, bus centre → gorge: from ¥1,000 (≈ US$7), about 7 min
Say or show
- すみません — Excuse me / Sorry (sumimasen)
- ありがとうございます — Thank you (arigatō gozaimasu)
- これをください — This one, please (kore o kudasai)
- いくらですか？ — How much is it? (ikura desu ka)
- カードで払えますか？ — Can I pay by card? (kādo de haraemasu ka)
- トイレはどこですか？ — Where is the toilet? (toire wa doko desu ka)
Tourist information centre: 804 Mitai, daily 08:30–17:00, +81 98-272-3031.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Takachiho. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Oct–Nov · avoid Jun–Sep (rainy season and typhoons), mid-Aug (Obon) · month by month →
- 3 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contracts for KMJ, KMI and FUK: last bus departures field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Three walking clusters with rescue anchors: bus centre and town, the gorge trail, the Iwato shrine area.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (gorge boat rental, Ama-no-Iwato observation deck, Amaterasu Railway) and eat pages with last orders.
- Yokagura night-dance fixtures: venue rotation, rest days and a no-show fallback.