The sacred island is still sacred to the Japanese . There was a traditional wedding at the temple which was marked by its simplicity and serenity To bad we had pouring rain throughout our visit but saw the beauty anyway in contra distinction of western places of worship This place is definitely sacred .

First Emperor Jinmu Tenno had departed from Miyazaki and moved to Kashihara(Nara).
Ship replica of at the time of the departure from the harbor is exhibited.
October 31 is Jinmu Festival. In the downtown area, parades and projection mapping is planned.

When we arrived in Miyazaki it was early afternoon so we took a bus from our hotel to the shrine. It was an easy ride and the bus dropped us off in the parking area right in front of the main torii to the shrine.

From the torii it is a pleasant walk under tall cedars through the Miyazaki Shrine Forest to the main building. It was quiet and peaceful, not many visitors, neither locals nor tourists. The shrine is rather stark in brown unpainted cedar. It is described as the oldest shrine in the city.

After visiting the religious buildings, proceed down a path through the forest to see several old thatched roof houses which were were brought to the Shrine Forest from around Miyazaki prefecture and reconstructed here. This is perhaps even more interesting than the shrine itself.

The houses look to be surrounded by gardens which were rather dull in November with only a few plants were blooming. One of the structures had an attached building storing old farm equipment. The houses were open and could be entered.

The Prefectural Museum is also here, but it was closed when we visited.

Visitors tip - there are toilets tucked away in this area of the forest and also near the entrance to the shrine in the parking area.