Most cruise ships dock at Aburatsu Port in Nichinan, about 45 km south of Miyazaki City — plan your day around this distance or focus on the stunning Nichinan Coast instead.
💡 Pro move: If docking at Aburatsu, consider spending your day on the Nichinan Coast rather than commuting all the way to Miyazaki City — Udo Shrine, Sun Messe, and Obi Castle Town are all closer to the pier.
Miyazaki calls typically use Aburatsu Port (Nichinan) for large cruise ships, with Miyazaki Port used by boutique and smaller vessels.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Most large cruise lines (Princess, HAL, MSC) | Aburatsu Port, Nichinan (~45 km south of Miyazaki City)📍 | Docked |
| Smaller/boutique ships (Ponant, etc.) | Miyazaki Port (Hitotsuba Wharf), Miyazaki City📍 | Docked |
From Aburatsu, the Nichinan Coast packs three iconic stops within taxi range; Miyazaki City callers can add urban shrines and the Prefectural Museum.
A tiny subtropical island connected by footbridge, ringed by dramatic basalt washboard formations (Oni-no-Sentakuita) best seen at low tide. Inside lies colorful Aoshima Shrine, dedicated to sea and marriage deities.
Find Aoshima Island tours →One of Japan's most dramatic sacred sites: a vermilion shrine built inside a sea cave on the Nichinan Coast, dedicated to the father of Emperor Jimmu. Toss an undama clay ball into the turtle rock hollow for good luck (¥100 for 5 balls).
Find Udo Shrine shore excursions →The only place outside Easter Island with officially authorized Moai statue replicas — Japan sent a restoration team to Rapa Nui and was gifted permission to replicate seven statues. Set on a hillside overlooking the Pacific.
Find Sun Messe Nichinan tours →A beautifully preserved feudal castle town in Nichinan with samurai residences, moss-covered stone walls, and castle ruins. A combo ticket (¥800) covers major buildings plus local snacks.
Find Obi Castle Town tours →A hilltop park in Miyazaki City with a 37-meter Peace Tower built from stones donated across Asia, plus over 400 replica haniwa burial figurines along forest paths. Clap at the tower base for a unique echo phenomenon.
Find Miyazaki City tours →Miyazaki Wagyu has beaten Kobe beef at national competitions multiple times. Pair it with Chicken Nanban — invented in Miyazaki Prefecture (Nobeoka): fried chicken in sweet-vinegar glaze with chunky tartar sauce. Best found near Miyazaki Station.
Find Miyazaki food tours →Aburatsu Port isn't walkable to sights, but Aoshima Island is a short taxi ride away and offers a lovely self-guided loop.
Take a taxi from Aburatsu to Aoshima (~30 min). Walk the pedestrian bridge onto the island, circle the basalt washboard formations at low tide, visit the shrine interior, and loop back through the palm forest. Combine with Aoshima Beach park for a coffee stop.
From Miyazaki Port shuttle drop, walk through cedar forest to Miyazaki Shrine (dedicated to mythical Emperor Jimmu), then continue to the adjacent Prefectural Museum of Nature and History for Miyazaki's prehistoric and geological story.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →Upcoming cruises that call at Miyazaki City, Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.