Takachiho, Miyazaki Prefecture, Kyūshū Region, Japan

🇯🇵 Takachiho (高千穂町) is a town in Nishiusuki District, Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan. As of October 1, 2019, the town has an estimated population density of 50.3 inhabitants per square kilometre (130/sq mi). The total area is 237.54 square km (91.71 sq mi).

Geography Takachiho is in the northernmost part of Miyazaki Prefecture, bordering Kumamoto Prefecture on its north and north-west sides and Ōita Prefecture on its north and north-east sides. The Gokase River flows from the west to the south-east part of town.

The heart of the town is at its centre, around the now-defunct Takachiho Station and the business office of Takachiho Kotsu, the town's public transportation company. Takachiho Gorge, in the southern part of town, is fairly famous as a tourist attraction.

Takachiho is about 120 km north-west of the prefectural capital of Miyazaki and about 80 km south-east of the city of Kumamoto. Due to no public transportation facilities, nor any national highways to Miyazaki, it takes about three hours to get there.

Neighboring municipalities Miyazaki Prefecture ◦ Nishiusuki District: Gokase, Hinokage; ◦ Higashiusuki District: Morotsuka • Kumamoto Prefecture; ◦ Aso District: Takamori; ◦ Kamimashiki District: Yamato; Ōita Prefecture ◦ Taketa; ◦ Bungo-ōno.

History During World War Two, the 2nd Raiding Brigade trained in the town and were sometimes known as the Takachiho paratroopers.

Mythology According to Japanese mythology, Takachiho is the land where Ninigi descended from the heavens, sent by Amaterasu, the sun goddess. It contains the Ama-no-Iwato shrine which is, according to myth, the location of the cave where Amaterasu hid until Ame-no-Uzume lured her out.

Education Prefectural high schools • Takachiho High School; Junior high schools • Takachiho Junior High School • Tabaru Junior High School • Iwato Junior High School • Kamino Junior High School; Elementary schools • Takachiho Elementary School • Oshikata Elementary School • Tabaru Elementary School • Iwato Elementary School • Kamino Elementary School.

Transport: Air The nearest airport is Kumamoto Airport.

Transport: Rail • Takachiho Railway; ◦ Takachiho Line (inactive); ▪ Ama-no-iwato Station - Takachiho Station.

Transport: Road National highways ◦ Japan National Route 218; ▪ Takachiho Roadside Station; ◦ Japan National Route 325

Scenic and historic places Takachiho is the heart of the Himuka Myth Road, which extends throughout Miyazaki. • Takachiho Gorge: ◦ Manai Waterfall • Kunimigaoka • Amanoiwato-jinja Shinto Shrine • Shonenji Temple • Takachiho Onsen • Takachiho Shrine