Miyazaki Prefecture

Miyazaki Prefecture (宮崎県, Miyazaki-ken; Japanese pronunciation: [mʲi.jaꜜ.(d)za.kʲi, -ja.(d)za.kʲi̥ꜜ.keɴ, -(d)zaꜜ.kʲi̥.keɴ]) is a prefecture of Japan located on the island of Kyūshū. Miyazaki Prefecture has a population of 1,028,215 as of 1 January 2025 and has a geographic area of 7,735 km2 (2,986 sq mi). Miyazaki Prefecture borders Ōita Prefecture to the north, Kumamoto Prefecture to the northwest, and Kagoshima Prefecture to the southwest. Miyazaki is the capital and largest city of Miyazaki Prefecture, with other major cities including Miyakonojō, Nobeoka, and Hyūga. Miyazaki Prefecture is located in southeastern Kyūshū on Japan's Pacific coast, with its coastline extending from Nobeoka near the entrance to the Bungo Channel to Shibushi Bay in Kushima. History Historically, after the Meiji Restoration, Hyūga Province was renamed Miyazaki Prefecture. In Japan, Miyazaki Prefecture was first created in 1873 when Mimitsu Prefecture was merged with parts of Miyakonojō Prefecture. The first Miyazaki existed only until 1876 when it was merged (back) into Kagoshima Prefecture. Under public pressure and demands in the Kagoshima Prefectural Assembly, Miyazaki became finally independent from Kagoshima in 1883. Geography Miyazaki Prefecture is on the eastern coast of the island of Kyushu, surrounded by the Pacific Ocean to the south and east, Ōita Prefecture to the north, and Kumamoto and Kagoshima prefectures to the west. It is one of only two locations on Earth where the fungus Chorioactis geaster is found. Miyazaki is the home of the hyuganatsu fruit. It is also home to two virgin forests of the palm Livistona chinensis, one of which, on the islet of Aoshima, Miyazaki, is the northernmost reproducing population of its native range. As of 31 March 2019, 12% of the total land area of the prefecture was designated as Natural Parks, namely the Kirishima-Kinkōwan National Park; Kyūshū Chūō Sanchi, Nichinan Kaigan, Nippō Kaigan, and Sobo-Katamuki Quasi-National Parks; and Mochio-Sekinoo, Osuzu, Saitobaru-Sugiyasukyō, Sobo Katamuki, Wanitsuka, and Yatake Kōgen Prefectural Natural Parks. Cities Nine cities are in Miyazaki Prefecture: Districts These are the towns and villages of each district: Mergers Sports The sports teams/events listed below are based in Miyazaki. Association football Honda Lock S.C. (Miyazaki City) Tegevajaro Miyazaki (Miyazaki City) Basketball (bj League) Miyazaki Shining Suns (Miyazaki City) Golf (Japan Golf Tour) Dunlop Phoenix Tournament (ダンロップフェニックストーナメント, Danroppu fenikkusu tōnamento) (Miyazaki City) Annual Japan Golf Tour event, with one of the highest prize money amounts on the tour, that attracts top players from around the world. Transportation Rail JR Kyushu Nippō Main Line, Miyazaki Kūkō Line, Nichinan Line, Kitto Line, Hisatsu Line Bus Miyazaki Kōtsu Airport Miyazaki Airport See also History of Miyazaki Prefecture Miyazaki Ocean Dome Notes References Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric and Käthe Roth. (2005). Japan encyclopedia. Cambridge: Harvard University Press. ISBN 978-0-674-01753-5; OCLC 58053128 External links Official Miyazaki Prefecture website Official Miyazaki Prefecture website (in Japanese) Miyazaki and Vicinity Information from the JNTO Video footage The following travel- and tourism-related videos were shot and provided by video artist egawauemon. General video footage Scenery-related video footage Culture-related video footage Leisure-related video footage Food-related video footage Golf-related video footage