Just a short walk from the main shrine in Miyazaki is the Miyazaki Prefectural Museum of Nature and History. The museum is home to a broad array of cultural and historical artifacts sourced from all over Miyazaki Prefecture as well as exhibits showing off work from local craftspeople.
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![Miyazaki Prefectural Museum of Nature and History]()
Miyazaki Prefectural Museum of Nature and History
Within its main building, the museum offers content perfect for visitors of all ages to learn about animals and plants through recreated natural habitats while also getting a look at the work of local artisans. The first floor is devoted to the animal species endemic to Miyazaki Prefecture and even includes dinosaur skeletons for the fans of the prehistoric creatures. The work of the region's artisans is on the second floor along with historical artifacts found in archaeological digs conducted in the prefecture.
![Miyazaki Prefectural Museum of Nature and History]()
Miyazaki Prefectural Museum of Nature and History
The museum’s main draw is an open-air museum called the Minka-en located behind the main building. It features four different types of traditional Japanese-style farmhouses, complete with outbuildings. The houses are more than one hundred years old and have been preserved and relocated from towns surrounding Miyazaki city. Parts of the farmhouses can be entered and have tools and utensils on display within each room. While the buildings themselves are fascinating and worth a visit, there is only a small English description for each house.
![Miyazaki Prefectural Museum of Nature and History]()
Miyazaki Prefectural Museum of Nature and History
The oldest farmhouse was built in the Edo Period around 1787 and taken from Gokase, located in the mountains to the north of Miyazaki Prefecture. Its style is unusual because it has no earthen-floored section, making it stand out from the other three. The smallest house in the collection was relocated from Mera village, close to the Kumamoto border. Its simple design and the crude stable attached has led historians to believe it is about 185 years old.
![Miyazaki Prefectural Museum of Nature and History]()
Miyazaki Prefectural Museum of Nature and History
The most prominent building in the Minka-en is from the mountains around Shiiba and is thought to be the newest, with a traditional Japanese-style layout. While three of the farmhouses are from Miyazaki prefecture, the fourth building is from nearby Kagoshima Prefecture and is about 180 years old. The houses are significant national treasures that give a real-life insight into the history of Japanese culture. The Minka-en is also accessible outside of the museum’s hours.
![Miyazaki Prefectural Museum of Nature and History]()
Miyazaki Prefectural Museum of Nature and History
The museum is situated within the Miyazaki shrine grounds and is a short walk from the entrance. Visitors can take a three-minute train ride from Miyazaki station to Miyazaki Jingu station costing 160 yen. From that point, it is a 10-minute walk to the shrine entrance. For those needing a bus, there is also one that goes from Miyazaki train station straight to the shrine entrance which takes about 10-minutes and costs 210 yen. Admission to the shrine and museum is free, though some exhibitions require a ticket. Also, note that there is not a lot of English translations, so be sure to grab some of the brochures available at the front desk.
Toyoko Inn Miyazaki Ekimae
2-2-31, Oimatsu Miyazaki
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