Takachiho, Miyazaki

Takachiho
高千穂町
Town

Flag
Chapter

Location of Takachiho in Miyazaki Prefecture
Takachiho
Location in Japan
Coordinates: 32°43′N 131°18′E / 32.717°N 131.300°E / 32.717; 131.300Coordinates: 32°43′N 131°18′E / 32.717°N 131.300°E / 32.717; 131.300
Country Japan
Region Kyushu
Prefecture Miyazaki Prefecture
District Nishiusuki
Government
 • Mayor Shingo Uchikura (内倉信吾)
Area
 • Total 237.32 km2 (91.63 sq mi)
Population (October 1, 2016)
 • Total 12,589
 • Density 53/km2 (140/sq mi)
Symbols
 • Tree Ogatama-no-ki
 • Flower Wisteria
 • Bird Meadow bunting
Time zone UTC+9 (JST)
City hall address 13 Ōaza Mitai, Takachiho-chō, Nishiusuki-gun, Miyazaki-ken
882-1192
Website www.town-takachiho.jp

Takachiho (高千穂町, Takachiho-chō) is a town in Nishiusuki District, Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan.

Geography

Takachiho is in the northernmost part of Miyazaki Prefecture, bordering Kumamoto Prefecture on its north and northwest sides and Ōita Prefecture on its north and northeast sides. The Gokase River flows from the west to the southeast part of town.

The heart of the town is at its center, 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 northwest of the prefectural capital of Miyazaki and about 80 km southeast 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.

Because it takes about half that time to get to Kumamoto, ties between Takachiho and Kumamoto are getting deeper year by year. This is not a recent development, as transportation to the base of Mount Aso has existed for a long time.

Neighboring municipalities

The cave at Ama-no-Iwato Shrine

History

View of Takachiho

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

Transportation

Air

The nearest airport is Kumamoto Airport.

Rail

Road

Scenic and historic places

Takachiho-kyo (gorge) and Manai waterfall

Takachiho is the heart of the Himuka Myth Road, which extends throughout Miyazaki.

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