11 Museums in Miyazaki worth your time

Explore Nobeoka Castle's history and the Naito family's cultural treasures, including rare Noh masks.

What it is

• A museum on the site of Nobeoka Castle's Nishinomaru.
• Houses cultural properties from the Naito family.
• Also holds archaeological and folklore materials.
• Founded to preserve and display donated items.

What to see

• Approximately 60,000 items in the collection.
• Important art objects and historical materials.
• 72 Noh-related items, including 30 Noh masks.
• Noh masks with a 'Tenkaichi' brand.
• Shiroyama Park, a designated cultural property.

When to go

• Noh items are exhibited annually in autumn.

Address

宮崎県延岡市天神小路255-1 Map

Official site

nobeoka-naito-museum.jp

Read more about Nobeoka Castle Naitō Memorial Museum

Explore ancient burial mounds and Kofun period artifacts at this free archaeological museum.

What it is

• A public archaeological museum in Miyazaki Prefecture.
• Opened on April 17, 2004.
• Dedicated to the Saitobaru Kofungun burial mounds.

What to see

• Exhibits on the Saitobaru Kofungun.
• Archaeological materials from the Kofun period.
• Exhibits on underground horizontal tombs.
• Exhibits about the Hayato people.

When to go

• Closed on Mondays and the day after holidays.
• Closed for New Year holidays.
• Holds several special exhibitions annually.

Address

宮崎県西都市大字三宅字西都原西5670番 Map

Official site

saito-muse.pref.miyazaki.jp

Read more about Saitobaru Archaeological Museum of Miyazaki Prefecture

Miyazaki Jingu Chokokkan is a unique historic building, blending Western and Japanese styles, worth visiting for its architecture.

What it is

• Completed in 1909 by Miyazaki Jingu.
• Designed by Iwanjiro Sasaki.
• Served as a quasi-prefectural museum for 40 years.
• Designated a Registered Tangible Cultural Property in 2010.

What to see

• Two-story wooden building.
• Western style exterior, Japanese style interior.
• Exterior walls are namako-kabe plaster.
• Roof uses Saikyo tiles.
• Emperor Showa visited in 1949.

Getting there

• 10-minute walk from JR Miyazaki Jingu Station.

Read more about Miyazaki Jingū Chōkokan

Explore Miyazaki's nature, history, and folklore, with free permanent exhibitions in a notable building.

What it is

• Miyazaki Prefectural Museum of Nature and History.
• Established April 1, 1951, as Miyazaki Prefectural Museum.
• Exhibits materials from Miyazaki Prefecture.
• Designed by architect Junzo Sakakura.

What to see

• Main building with natural history exhibition rooms.
• History and folklore exhibition rooms.
• Outdoor folk house garden.
• Two-story reinforced concrete building.

When to go

• Permanent exhibitions are free to enter.

Address

〒880-0053　宮崎県宮崎市神宮2-4-4 Map

Official site

www.miyazaki-archive.jp

Read more about Miyazaki Prefectural Museum of Nature and History

See a faithful cypress replica of Nara's ancient Shosoin treasure house, built to honor a shared history.

What it is

• A replica of Nara's Shosoin treasure house.
• Completed in 1996 as part of the Baekje no Sato project.
• Built from 400-500 year old Kiso natural cypress.
• Reconstruction based on original Shosoin drawings.

What to see

• Faithful reproduction of the Shosoin building details.
• The interior of the building can be toured.
• Displays of bronze mirrors.

When to go

• Introduces the Shiwasu Festival.

Read more about Nishi no Shosoin

Miyazaki Prefectural Art Museum: modern architecture with a notable art collection, free permanent exhibitions.

What it is

• A prefectural art museum, designed by Shinichi Okada.
• Okada won an award for this museum's design.
• Located within the Prefectural Comprehensive Cultural Park.

What to see

• The Eikyu collection is a highlight.
• The building has one basement and three above-ground floors.
• The building is 23 meters tall.

When to go

• Open from 10:00 to 18:00.
• Closed on Mondays and New Year holidays.

Official site

www.miyazaki-archive.jp

Read more about Miyazaki Prefectural Art Museum

Modern art museum with a link to the Ohara Museum, good for a quick cultural stop.

What it is

• Art museum in Takanabe Town, Miyazaki Prefecture.
• Completed in 1999.
• Has a connection with Ohara Museum.

What to see

• Permanent exhibition room.
• Multi-purpose hall with 242 seats.

When to go

• Open 10:00 to 17:00.
• Closed Mondays and New Year holidays.

Getting there

• Nearest station is Takanabe Station.
• On the JR Kyushu Nippo Main Line.

Address

〒884-0003　宮崎県児湯郡高鍋町大字南高鍋6916-1 Map

Official site

www.town.takanabe.lg.jp

Read more about Takanabe Museum of Art

Miyazaki Science Center: explore space with a giant planetarium and rocket models.

What it is

• A municipal science museum, nicknamed Cosmo Land.
• Opened in 1987, focusing on astronomy and geology.
• Located within Miyazaki Central Park.

What to see

• One of the world's largest planetariums, 27-meter dome.
• Outdoor life-size H-I rocket model.
• Replica of the Apollo Lunar Module 'Eagle'.
• Replica of the Gemini spacecraft.

Official site

cosmoland.miyabunkyo.com

Read more about Miyazaki Science Center

Explore Miyakonojo's history and culture in a unique castle-style museum.

What it is

• A municipal history museum.
• Opened on October 20, 1989.
• Built on the main keep site of Tsuno Castle.

What to see

• A castle-style wooden building.
• Ancient documents and crafts.
• Excavated artifacts.
• A two-story wooden building with a mezzanine.
• An outdoor teahouse called Seizan-tei.

Official site

www.city.miyakonojo.miyazaki.jp

Read more about Miyakonojō History Museum

Explore a preserved timber merchant's home, offering a glimpse into early 20th-century Japanese life.

What it is

• A historic residence of the Yoshimatsu family.
• Completed in 1919 by timber merchants.
• Designated an Important Cultural Property in 2008.
• Opened as a museum in 2007.

What to see

• The main building from 1919.
• The former residence of a prominent family.
• The large 950 tsubo site.

Read more about Old Yoshimatsu house, Kushima

Miyakonojō City Museum of Art: a public art museum open since 1981.

What it is

• A public art museum.
• Opened in November 1981.

When to go

• Open 9 AM to 5 PM, last admission 4:30 PM.
• Closed Mondays, or the next day if Monday is a holiday.
• May close temporarily for exhibit changes.

Address

〒885-0073　宮崎県都城市姫城町7-18 Map

Official site

www.city.miyakonojo.miyazaki.jp

Read more about Miyakonojō City Museum of Art