A Treasure House of Japan's 100 Best

There are many charming scenic spots within Nobeoka City, which have been chosen as "Japan's Best One Hundred" of their type.

History and Culture

Japan's Best 100 Historical Parks:
Shiroyama Park

【Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (City Parks Act Enforcement Executive Committee of the 50th Anniversary Celebrations, October 2006)】

"Japan's Best 100 Historical Parks" were selected from parks all over Japan, based on such criteria as whether they symbolise the area in terms of historic sites and places of interest.

Nobeoka's Shiroyama Park was chosen. From Miyazaki Prefecture, Saitobaru Burial Mounds (Saito) was also selected. Nationally, places such as Kairaku Park (Mito), Kenroku Park (Kanazawa), and Koraku Park (Okayama), which are known as Japan's Top Three Gardens, were selected for the list.

Nature and Landscapes

100 Scenes of Island Treasures:
Shimanoura Shrine Grand Autumn Festival

【Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, March 2009】

Residents of Japan's islands inherited industries and a culture which has been fostered by their connection to the sea and continues to flourish.

The "100 Scenes of Island Treasures" title was created so that those who reside on Japan's islands would once again come to appreciate their landscape, which reflects the nature, history, culture and life unique to Japan's islands and their peoples' connection to the sea.

It was also created so that many people would learn about these island landscapes as Japan's "treasures," and to bring about opportunities for more people to visit Japan's island regions. An event called "The Shimanoura Shrine Grand Autumn Festival" on Shimanoura Island was the only event within Miyazaki Prefecture selected for this list. The Shimanoura Shrine Grand Autumn Festival is held each year in November and celebrates the liveliness of the island. 

Japan's Villages: Best 100:
Kitaura Town

【Asahi Shimbun; Forest Culture Association (Foundation), January 2009】

The activities of the fishing village, Kitaura, and its beautiful green tea plantations have been nationally recognized.

"Japan's Villages: Best 100" is a title that selects beautiful and wholesome villages throughout Japan. From among 4,474 applications for the title within Japan, Kitaura was highly appraised.

This fishing village that abounds with vitality was praised for their fish hauls which were the largest in the prefecture, their beautiful tea plantations in the Jige area, and the beautiful scenery of the numerous inlets on the ria coastline that form part of the fishing village.

Selected as one of the "Best 100 Water Villages in Japan":
Gokase River

【Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism ("Water Villages" Judging Committee) February, 1996】

The "Best 100 Water Villages in Japan," are selected based on preserving history and culture with regards to water, and citizens' activities in the environmental conservation of waterway.

In Nobeoka, the long-standing preservation and utilization of aquatic facilities, such as the Gokase River Ayu fish traps, Iwaguma Dam, and events such as river rafting and traditional ceremonies like Nagare-kanjyou, a Buddhist ceremony which celebrates the spirit of those who have passed were appraised.

Nobeoka's rivers and sea have remained a beautiful natural environment, inhabited by rare flora and fauna, protected by cleanup activities of regional residents and volunteers. Nobeoka's waterway banks also have become a place of relaxation for many citizens.

The Best 100 Fragrant Scenes:
Gokase River Roasted Ayu

【Ministry of the Environment (The Best 100 Fragrant Scenes Selection Committee) November 2001】

When autumn comes, Ayu fish traps are constructed across the Gokase and Ose Rivers.

The fragrance of roasted Ayu, a kind of sweetfish, has become a signature autumn feature of Nobeoka. They have been chosen as one of the "Best 100 Fragrant Scenes" in Japan, for their scent, which gives comfort and vitality to those who visit.

The Best 100 Heritage Spots:
Tsunanose Bridge

【Mainichi Newspaper November 2006】

Sites in the "Best 100 Heritage Spots" were selected based on the criteria of "nostalgia", "rarity" and "beauty."

In Nobeoka, the large bridge spanning the Shishigawa Gorge in Kitakata, at the juncture of the Gokase River and Tsunanose River, as well as a chain of 42 consecutive arch bridges, were selected.

Japan's Best 100 Waterfalls:
Mukabaki Falls

【Environment Agency, Forestry Agency (Japan Society for the Study of Green Civilizations, Green Renaissance, Protection of the Green Earth Foundation) April 1990】

"Japan's Best 100 Waterfalls" were chosen with the purpose of fostering an open mind to live symbiotically with nature, and protecting waterfalls which symbolize Japan's beautiful natural environment. Along with Mukabaki Falls, within Miyazaki Prefecture, Sekino Falls (Miyakonojo), Yatogi Falls (Tsuno), and Manai Falls (Takachiho), were chosen in the top 100.

Mount Mukabaki is formed by two ridges. The right peak is known as Medake, the "female peak," and left peak is known as Odake, the "male peak," which is most commonly climbed and is also the highest point of the mountain. Mukabaki Falls flows through these two peaks.

The waterfall is approximately 77 meters high, and roughly 30 meters wide. The magnificent view of the waterfall, which can be seen from the mountain trail, is loved by many citizens and mountain climbers.

Japan's 500 Most Important Wetlands:
Eda Wetland and Kawasaka Wetland

【Ministry of the Environment, October 2001】

The Eda Wetland and Kawasaka Wetland were chosen as one of "Japan's 500 Most Important Wetlands." The ranking selects important wetlands using the criteria of biodiversity conservation.

The Eda and Kawasaka Wetlands were chosen because they contain many rare and indigenous species of aquatic plants and new species have been discovered there.

The Best 100 Swimming Spots:
Sumie Beach and Shimo Aso Beach
(Special Commendation in the Coastal Division)

【Ministry of the Environment, May 2006】

"The Best 100 Swimming Spots" is a selection of 100 spots chosen from swimming areas such as rivers, lakes, and coastal beaches, which satisfy conditions such as safety and water quality.

From Nobeoka, Sumie Beach and Shimo Aso Beach were selected. Of these, Shimo Aso Beach was the only area chosen in Kyushu to receive a "Special Commendation in the Coastal Division," awarded given to ten places in the nation of particular high appraisal. Both beaches include maintained camp grounds and sports facilities. In the swimming season, both coastal spots are bustling with many people visiting from within and around Nobeoka.

The Best 100 Night Views in Japan;
Japan's Night View Heritage Sites;
The Top 500 Beautiful Walking Paths in Japan:
Mount Atago

【Selection of 100 Night Views Executive Office, August 2004】

【Japan's Night View Heritage Sites Executive Office, July 2004】

"Japan's Best 100 Night Views" were selected using surveys conducted on places around the nation where night views can be seen. The selection was based on the criteria of, "night scenes visitors will be moved by," and "installation of an observation deck".In addition, Mount Atago was the only location selected from Miyazaki Prefecture as one of "Japan's Night View Heritage Sites," which were chosen as "night scene areas which anyone can enjoy," and "night views having outstanding value."

【Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism; Association of Japan Walking Society, December 2004】

Mount Atago is 251 metres above sea level, and is thought to have been a cape that protruded into the sea in ancient times. The mountain is also the site of the legend where Ninigi no Mikoto, the grandchild of sun goddess Amaterasu, and Princess Kono Hana Sakuya met.The path up to the top of the mountain was also selected as one of the "Beautiful Japanese Paths One Would Want To Walk Down." It was chosen for its historical and natural charm, and for being a path that one can walk along while being greeted by smiles from local residents.

Japan's Best 100 Nature Spots:
Houri River Gorge

【Asahi Newspaper Company; Forest Culture Association (Foundation), January 1983】

Houri River Gorge was chosen out of 45, 000 entries from around Japan as one of Japan's nature spots that should be preserved for the 21st Century. The gorge was created from clear streams that run down from Mount Okue and have eroded the granite in the ravine. It was selected because of its abundant nature. Depending on the season, visitors to the gorge can enjoy blooming azaleas and may even catch a glimpse of the wild goats that inhabit the region.

Japan's 72 Scenic National Coastal Roads:
Kamae-Kitaura Big Catch Coastal Road

【Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, May 2006】

The "Kamae-Kitaura Big Catch Coastal Road," also known as Nippo Coast Scenic Byway, which connects Kamae in Saiki, Oita Prefecture, to Kitaura in Nobeoka, was selected as one of "Japan's Scenic Byways." The title was given to areas which support measures that aim to revitalize the local community via exchange between visitors and the region, and that show effective utilization of resources such as nature and local scenic views.