Miyazaki is a tourism and resort area in southern Kyushu. It is not to be confused with the legendary Japanese animator and filmmaker, '''Hayao Miyazaki'''.
Miyazaki is 4 1/2 hours away from Kokura station in Kitakyushu, a stop on the San'yo Shinkansen, by taking the ''Sonic'' limited express to Beppu and transfering to the ''Nichirin'' limited express (¥8300). A few ''Nichirin'' trains run from Hakata in Fukuoka and Kokura directly to Miyazaki, with no change of trains necessary. There is also an overnight service, the ''Dream Nichirin'', which runs over the same route.
The ''Kirishima'' limited express also makes multiple daily runs from Kagoshima (2 hours, ¥4100).
There is no charge for the above services with a Japan Rail Pass.
Hourly buses run from Fukuoka to Miyazaki in about 4 1/2 hours at a cost of ¥6000.
In the town of Aya, which is around 20km from Miyazaki City proper, there is a complex called the Aya Shusen-no-mori. There is a winery, beer brewery and shochu distillery all on site. The beer made here is German-style, and of a high standard. The Shusen-no-mori brewery makes (at time of writing) a Bock, a Koelsch, an Altbier and a blueberry-flavoured lager. The beer is far superior to the macro-brewed Japanese lagers such as Asahi Super Dry or Kirin Lager. The wine from the Shusen-no-mori winery, on the other hand, leaves something to be desired.
The best hotels in Miyazaki City are the Kanko Hotel, in the city centre by the river, and the Sheraton, in the Seagaia complex surrounded by a golf course around 8km North-East of the city centre. The prices of these luxury hotels are comparable to those of five-star hotel chains in any large Western country.
A cheap place to sleep, on the other hand, is a manga coffee shop/internet cafe. There is one beside the 7-11 near the Miyazaki train station. There is also a "Cybac" internet cafe in Miyazaki which is slightly better than the aforementioned manga kissa - it is difficult to find, so get a taxi from the train station. It should cost around 1000 yen.