Miyazaki is a prefecture and a city on the eastern side of Kyushu, and the city is the practical base for most visits to the region. The urban core sits on the coast, with the main rail station and the commercial centre close together, and a resort zone set apart to the north-east.
For a visitor, the choice comes down to a small number of distinct areas: the city centre by the river, the streets around Miyazaki Station, and the Seagaia resort complex several kilometres north-east of the centre. This guide covers what each area is like, who it suits, and how it affects your access to the rest of the city. It does not recommend individual properties.
Best areas to stay in Miyazaki
1. Miyazaki city centre
This is the area around the river in the heart of the city, and it holds the top end of the city's accommodation. If you want to be in the middle of things and within reach of the centre's restaurants and services, this is the most straightforward choice.
It suits first-time visitors and anyone who would rather walk out of their door into the city than rely on transport. The luxury properties here are priced in line with five-star chains in large Western countries, so it is not the budget option.
2. Around Miyazaki Station
The station area is the practical, well-connected end of the city, with a cluster of business-style hotels and easy rail access. It is the obvious base if you are arriving or leaving by train, or using the city as a jumping-off point for the wider prefecture.
It suits budget and mid-range travellers, and it is where you find the cheapest beds in the city: a manga coffee shop and internet cafe sits beside the convenience store near the station, and there is a further internet cafe elsewhere in the city that is slightly better but hard to find, so a taxi from the station is the sensible approach. Expect the station area to be functional rather than scenic.
3. Seagaia complex
This is a resort zone around 8 km north-east of the city centre, set in a golf course, and it is a self-contained kind of stay rather than a neighbourhood to wander. The large resort here was formerly a well-known honeymoon destination for domestic travellers and remains popular with people who want the hotel itself to be part of the holiday.
It suits travellers who want facilities on site, including a pool, golf and an onsen, along with events through the year, and who do not mind being away from the centre. The trade-off is distance: you are roughly 8 km out, so plan on taxis or your own transport for anything in the city.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: internet and manga cafes, including one beside the convenience store near Miyazaki Station and another that is better but harder to find; expect to pay in the region of ¥1000. Business hotels in the station area also offer the lowest room rates in the city.
- Mid-range: business-style hotels near Miyazaki Station and in the city centre, with single rooms at moderate rates and straightforward amenities.
- Splurge: the luxury hotels in the city centre by the river and the resort complex to the north-east, priced comparably to five-star chains in large Western countries, with the resort adding a pool, golf and an onsen.
Best area for a first visit
Base yourself in the Miyazaki city centre. It puts you by the river in the middle of the city, with the best hotels and the centre's services within easy reach, and it keeps you close to the station for day trips. Choose the Seagaia complex instead only if you want a resort stay and are content to be 8 km from the centre.
Frequently asked questions
Where should I stay if I am arriving by train?
The area around Miyazaki Station, where several hotels sit within easy reach of the platforms and the cheapest options in the city are also found.
What is the cheapest way to sleep in Miyazaki?
A manga coffee shop or internet cafe. One is beside the convenience store near Miyazaki Station, and another is slightly better but difficult to find, so take a taxi from the station. Expect to pay around ¥1000.
How far is the Seagaia complex from the city centre?
Around 8 km north-east of the centre, set in a golf course, so it works best if you are treating the resort itself as the destination.
Are Miyazaki's luxury hotels expensive?
They are priced comparably to five-star hotel chains in any large Western country, so treat them as a splurge rather than a value option.
Compare live prices for the area you have chosen using the booking tools on this page.