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Last updated on May 16th, 2026

Touch the mysterious Moai Statues at Sun Messe Nichinan Miyazaki without flying over to Easter Island. The only restoration is permitted all around the world.

Located at the Nichinan coast in Miyazaki prefecture, Sunmesse Nichinan is a beautiful seaside park with a panoramic view on the Pacific Ocean. However, the secret of Sunmesse Nichinan is not the breathtaking ocean view. There are seven Moai statues placed inside the park. Although these Moai status is replicated, Sunmesse Nichinan is the only place all over the world where their replication is permitted.

We kept debating on the worth to include Sunmesse Nichinan during our day trip in Miyazaki. While Easter Island is too far for us and we are interested in the mysterious Moai statues. It is a great opportunity for us to see the life-size Moai statues.

Entrance Fee To Sunmesse Nichinan Miyazaki

Due to time limitations, we only manage to have a quick visit to Obi Castle. From there, we boarded the local bus and get off at Sunmesse Nichinan station. There was almost 15 minutes uphill walk after we get off from the bus station.

The entrance fee is well display before getting in. The entrance fee is ¥800 per adult, ¥500 for teenagers and ¥350 for kids. Free for kids below 4 years.

Sun Messe Nichinan Park

The Sunmesse park was bigger than we had expected. From the ticket entrance, you need to walk about 300 meters to the Moai statues. However, we choose the wrong route and meander up the hill. So end up, we had a view on Moai statues at different vantage. Our little hike rewarded us with a beautiful view on with Moai statues with the pacific ocean. So please choose to walk on the left side if you are only want to take a close look at the statues.

The Seven Moai Statues

The pacific ocean creates a wonderful background for the Moai statues. The view on seven Moai statues standing by the coastline was quite a scene, especially from the upper hill. During our visit, the day was bright with a clear blue sky. The good weather make the stunning statues looked very beautiful.

Each of the seven Moai statues is imbued with their own luck such as love, friendship, fortune, jobs, health, and others. People touch the third statues from the left for love. While the second one from right for fortune. Nice place to visit for memorable pictures.

There are also three Moai statues scattered around. Find them out.

Others Things To See in Sunmesse Nichinan

Inside the park, there are many picture spots and viewing areas for photo opportunities. The whole area is well maintained, clean, set into a hill overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Worth spending some time for photography or just have a good relax time with your love ones. Kids seem taking fun inside the park.

There’s a bit of modern art to see too. We love the colorful modern art in the Sun Messe Nichinan Park. Any meaning of this seven thinking man facing on Moai statues?

There are golf buggy rental available at ¥1,000 for 30 minutes. It is quite expensive for the 30 minutes ride. But it seems like many Japanese couples enjoy it a lot.

There are two restaurants served the Miyazaki’s specialties if you are looking for what to eat inside the Sunmesse park. Price is reasonable. Grab some bite or snack if you are hungry.

Overview: Visit To Sun Messe Nichinan

In short, Sunmesse Nichinan may look like a tourist trap. The only reason why we visited there was we really interested in Moai. Frankly saying, the entrance is not cheap. So if these replica statues are not your cup of tea, you may skip the Sunmesse Nichinan.

We spend about one hour wandering inside the park, glazing on the peace symbol statues. The view of the surrounding and statues were fabulous. We enjoyed our good time in Sunmesse Nichinan. It took quick some time to reach Sun Messe Nichinan from Miyazaki city. While Sunmesse Nichinan is part of our Miyazaki day trip, it is worth to space sometime when visiting here.

Getting To Sun Messe Nichinan

The bus is the only public transport to get to Sunmesse Nichinan for the Moai statues. Buses run almost one bus per hour from morning until early evening. Please take note of the bus schedule if you wish to board for the last bus. Almost all visitors are boarding the two last bus back to Miyazaki city. It can be very crowded especially during weekends and holidays. It takes about 75 minutes by bus from Miyazaki station with one way cost ¥1,450. Get the One Day Miyazaki Pass at ¥1,500 to save on the return trip journey. Added, SunQ Pass is covered for the bus ride.

Self-driving with a rental car is a good idea for traveling the Nichinan coast. There are many car rental companies at Miyazaki airport. Take a look at RentalCars.com if the rental fee is worth renting one car for a group of families.

Access: 75 minutes by bus from Miyazaki Station. Get off at Sunmesse Moai Station (サンメッセ日南)
Operating Hour: From 9:30 to 17:00 (Closed at first and third Wednesday of every month, open during August and holiday)
Address: 2650 Miyaura, Nichinan, Miyazaki 887-0101, Japan

Continue Read On Miyazaki Travel Blog

The visit to Sun Messe Nichinan is part of our travel along the Nichinan coast by bus. We visited Aoshima island for its Devil’s Dashboard, Uji Jingu Shrine beautiful settling at the seaside cliff, and Obi Castle. Take a look at our Miyazaki travel blog if you want to know more.

More detail on the Miyazaki travel blog:

Takachiho Gorge: A Mystical Hidden Gem in Kyushu, Japan

Last updated on May 16th, 2026

The stunning Udo Jingu Shrine Miyazaki is built on a seaside cliff which makes it a special place to visit. One of the must-see attractions along the Nichinan Coast.

Udo Jingu Shrine or Udo Shrine (鵜戸神宮, Udo Jingū) is a popular shrine among locals and travelers in Miyazaki prefecture. It beautifully situated right next to the seaside cliff with powerful blue waves keep pounding on the rock, and look stunning in every direction.

From Aoshima Island, we continue our bus journey to Udo Jingu. The journey along the Nichinan coast is so amazing with great views of the Kyushu coastal area. Make sure to sit on the left side if you are taking the bus from Aoshima Island. Our camera was non stop and we took numerous pictures on the beautiful view.

Walking Journey To Udo Shrine

The main entrance of the shrine is required about 15 minutes walk from the bus stop. We have to climb multiple flights of stairs, uphill and downhill around the mountain to access to the shrine. Put on your most comfortable pair of shoes if you are here.

Pedestrian Tunnel while walking to Udo Jinga

Most of the walk is uncovered and can be very hot during summer. Added, there is a pedestrian tunnel halfway in the midway where you can slightly cool down.

On the way in, there are shops and cafes selling drinks and snacks. We didn’t stopped by and went straight to the shrine. You can take a quick rest and get some ice cream or drink if this is too challenging for you.

However, the journey is well worth to meet the beautiful shrine by the ocean. The moment once we reach the entrance, we met with a spectacular and beautiful view with cliff overlooks the blue ocean. The view was pretty spectacular with the sea splashing against the rocks along the shore. Stunning!

Building Gate Along The Walkway To Udo Shrine

The Udo Jingu Shrine is best known for the main shrine that’s built into the cliff-side cave. However, multiple shrines are well worth visiting as you walk along the beautiful coastline. Along the way to the main shrine, few bridges, torii gate, and some small shrines will lead you to the end.

We stopped by many times and took many photos along the journey. Everything is colorful and well maintained. Do not stop too long, an incredible shrine is yet to come.

The rabbit statue along the path to a bridge caught our attention.

Udo Jingu Shrine Miyazaki

There was a downhill stone steep before we approached to the main shrine. Once you reach the main Shrine, we all amazed by the beautiful setting. Waves keep lapping against the beautiful rock structures beside the Torii gate make it even more divine.

The shrine itself is not too big. But it completely built and hidden inside grotto which makes it a unique point of interest. It was quite dark inside the cave with breezing wind keep blowing into you.

There are several Japanese myth and legend about Udo Shrine. The most well known is the ‘Umisachihiko and Yamasachihiko’, a story about two brothers. One is a fisherman and another one is a hunter. Added, Udo Shrine is famous for pregnancy, childbirth, and women hoping to have a child. Couples go there for good luck when having children.

On the 1st of January, many locals are visiting Udo Shrine to see the first sunrise over the ocean or the first shrine visit of the year.

Throw Bead Into Kameiwa For Good Luck

Just before the Udo shrine entrance, there is a special rock by the sea called Kameiwa which had a rope surrounding a puddle. You can purchase the small wooden beads (undama) at 100 yen to throw into the role hole for good luck. It is said that you will receive good luck if any of your stones manages to land in the hole.

Instruction To Throw The Beans To Kameiwa

This appeared to be a very popular activity, especially among locals. There is a little instruction to guide on how to throw the clay pebble into the hole on Kameiwa. Men, please throw using left hand while women throw by using the right hand. It’s a fun experience especially for family with kids.

It’s not too difficult but no luck for us. We tried on one round and didn’t go for further tryout.

Beautiful Ocean View at Side of Udo Shrine

We spend the time overlooking the beautiful ocean view at the side of Udo Jingu. The beauty of the surroundings added the mystical nature of Udo Jingu Shrine.

Our Short Visit To Udo Shrine

We visited many shrines in Japan but Udo Jingu Shrine has its unique beauty. The place is very scenery and the view surrounding the Shrine is amazing. Though it’s quite a walk from the nearest bus stop, Udo Shrine Miyazaki is one of the must-visit place if you are around this area. We spend there about an hour and took a lot of photos. Remember to allocate some time to walk back to the bus stop if you are getting there by bus. Don’t miss the bus, else you need to wait for another hour for the next bus.

In short, Udo Shrine Miyazaki is a very lovely shrine with a spectacular setting and many photo opportunities. Worth a visit.

Getting To Udo Jingu Shrine

The beautiful Udo Shrine Miyazaki is easily accessed by public bus from Miyazaki Station. The bus ride takes about 90 minutes and one way cost 1480. It will stop along the attraction in Nichinan coast where you can couple up your visit together. Just like what we did. Kyushu SunQ Pass is covered for this ride. Alternatively, get the One Day Miyazaki Bus Pass at 1,500 yen. Both pass will greatly save on the transportation fee. Get off at Udo Jingu Irigushi bus stop and walk 15 minutes to the shrine entrance.

Of course, the best way to get to Udo Shrine is by rental car. If you are here on a road trip, remember to take the Route 220 along the beautiful coast.

Continue Read On

The visit to Udo Shrine Miyazaki is part of our Miyazaki travel along the Nichinan Coast. Continue to read on our Miyazaki travel blog at other amazing attractions nearby.