Takachiho is a mountain town in north-western Miyazaki where landscape and myth meet neatly. Its gorge is one of Kyushu's classic sights, a narrow cut of dark volcanic rock, green water, and the Minai Waterfall dropping into the Gokase River.
The town is also one of Japan's great mythic places. Ama-no-Iwato Shrine is tied to the story of Amaterasu, the sun goddess who hid in a cave until the world was coaxed back into light. That story gives Takachiho a stronger identity than most small mountain towns.
Getting around without a car takes planning, and buses can make a day trip tight. Still, if you are already in Kyushu and want one spare day that feels different from the cities, Takachiho is worth the effort.