Nichinan Coast driving guide: Aoshima, Udo Jingu, Obi and Cape Toi

The Nichinan Coast lies in southern Miyazaki Prefecture and follows the Hyuga Sea from Aoshima in Miyazaki City through Nichinan to Cape Toi in Kushima. Along Route 220, the Nichinan Phoenix Road, you pass Aoshima and the Devil's Washboard, Horikiri Pass, the moai statues at Sun Messe Nichinan and Udo Jingu, in that order from the north. Inland is the castle town of Obi. Wild Misaki horses live at Cape Toi, at the southern end.

This guide follows a day from Aoshima via Udo Jingu and Obi to Cape Toi, with roads and places to stop listed below.

Map of the Nichinan Coast

The line follows the full-day route below, "First visit: one day from Aoshima via Udo and Obi to Cape Toi". Numbers mark the stops: green for scenery and nature, blue for roadside stations. Tap a marker to see its name.

Recommended drives

First visit: one day from Aoshima via Udo and Obi to Cape Toi

From Aoshima Shrine and the Devil's Washboard, take the old Horikiri Pass road (Prefectural Route 377) to Michi-no-Eki Phoenix, a roadside station, then follow Route 220 to Sun Messe Nichinan and Udo Jingu.

Head inland to the castle town of Obi, come back down to the Horikawa Canal in Aburatsu, then take Route 448 past Michi-no-Eki Nango to Cape Toi.

The route is about 94 km, with around two hours of driving. Distance and time are calculated from map data and exclude traffic. The route uses ordinary roads only.

At the Komadome Gate at the entrance to Cape Toi, you pay a contribution towards protecting the wild horses (¥500 for an ordinary car). From October to March the gate is open 07:30–17:30. It closes around sunset, so reach Cape Toi before evening.

Udo Jingu: park at the sightseeing car park and walk

The municipal Udo Sangu road to Udo Jingu has been closed since a landslide on 4 September 2026, and no reopening date has been set. You cannot reach the No. 1 and No. 2 car parks. Park at the sightseeing car park and walk 15–20 minutes to the main shrine.

Route 220 in rain

Route 220 closes between Kouchiumi and Ibii and between Miyaura and Kazeta when continuous rainfall reaches 170 mm or rockfall is a risk. Some sections also close under a tsunami warning.

Roads you can drive

Places to stop

Views and nature

Numbers match the map.

Roadside stations

Best seasons and crowds

Sunset is at 17:26 on 31 October and 17:15 on 15 November (Miyazaki).

Roads and restrictions checked on 2 November 2026

• The municipal Udo Sangu road to Udo Jingu is closed, so you cannot reach the No. 1 and No. 2 car parks.
• If you plan to cross to Koshima Island, check that morning whether the boat is running. It can be cancelled because of weather or waves.
• On Route 220 between Orozako and Kazeta, special vehicles over 4.1 m high cannot pass from 2 November 2026 at 09:00 to 26 February 2027 at 17:00.

Getting there and fuel

Refuel in Miyazaki, Nichinan (Aburatsu) or Kushima before heading to Cape Toi and Udo. EVs can charge at Michi-no-Eki Kitago and Michi-no-Eki Kushima.

If you don't have a car

Use the Miyazaki rental-car listings to find a pickup location. Before booking, check the driving-permit requirements and how airport pickup works.

Frequently asked questions

Where should I drive with one day on the Nichinan Coast?

From Aoshima, cross Horikiri Pass to Sun Messe Nichinan and Udo Jingu, then visit Obi and Aburatsu and continue to Cape Toi. The route is about 94 km, with around two hours of driving.

Where do I park for Udo Jingu?

The municipal Udo Sangu road is closed, so you cannot reach the No. 1 and No. 2 car parks. Park at the sightseeing car park and walk 15–20 minutes to the main shrine.

Does it cost anything to enter Cape Toi?

Yes. At the Komadome Gate you pay a contribution towards protecting the wild horses (¥500 for an ordinary car). From October to March the gate is open 07:30–17:30.

Is the Higashi-Kyushu Expressway free?

Kiyotake-Minami IC to Nichinan-Togo IC is free. Kiyotake JCT to Kiyotake-Minami IC is tolled.

Can I drive here in the rain?

Route 220 closes between Kouchiumi and Ibii and between Miyaura and Kazeta when continuous rainfall reaches 170 mm or rockfall is a risk.

Nearby areas and guides

• Miyazaki Prefecture driving and travel guide
• Driving in Japan on a Foreign License: IDP or Translation