Visiting Miyazaki, Japan Without A Car

We visited the Obi castle ruins, Udo shrine, and Aoshima island all in one day, and here is my recommendation! First, buy a day pass for foreigners, which costs 2,500 yen (don't forget to bring your passport and cash). You can purchase this day pass at the information center at Miyazaki Station or the bus center near the Station. The lady working at the information center was very helpful and spoke good English. Using this one-day pass instead of paying for individual tickets saves you a great deal of money. For our Friday trip, the first bus departed around 9:40 AM and arrived at Obi at 11:50 AM. We had around 2,5 hours to explore the area before getting on the next bus to Udo Shrine, with a final stop at Aoshima Island for a nice sunset. Keep in mind that the last bus from Aoshima to Miyazaki leaves at 18:10 (6:10 PM) on weekdays. Because we listened to ChatGPT, we had to rush a bit.

As an alternative, here is how you can do it: Take the earlier bus from Miyazaki station at 7:40 AM to Aoshima Island first. Afterward, hop back on the same 965 bus line to head down to Udo Shrine, and then continue on that same route to Obi Castle. The last bus returning from Obi leaves around 3:50 PM, be absolutely sure not to miss this last bus, as it gives you plenty of time to explore and still get back to Miyazaki city by 6:00 PM.

Another tip: If you plan on going to Aoshima or Aya Castle on a weekend or holiday, you can buy a 1,000 yen Holiday Pass at the tourist center. It saves you a ton on bus fares!

Finally, finish your day with a fantastic dinner at Niku Honpo. For 5,000 yen, you get a 2-hour all-you-can-eat and drink buffet featuring premium Miyazaki beef, plum wine, and highballs. You have a full two hours to order, cook, and enjoy. Our absolute favorites were the short ribs, Miyazaki ribs, plum wine, grape sour, and beer!