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Miyakejima

Miyakejima (三宅島) is an island in Tokyo prefecture, about 180 km south of Tokyo city. As with the other islands in the Izu Island group, Miyake-jima forms part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park.

Understand
The island is a stratovolcano with a granitic composite cone, dating from the late Pleistocene period, between 10,000 and 15,000 years ago. The island has a roughly circular coastline, 38.3 km in length, with an average diameter of 8 km. The highest elevation Mount Oyama (雄山, Oyama-san) is an active volcano with a height of 775.1 m. The mountain has been recorded to have erupted numerous times throughout history, and is mentioned as far back as Nara period written records. Over the past 500 years, it has erupted 13 times, including five times since the start of the Meiji period. A lava flow in 1940 killed 11 people, and other eruptions occurred in 1962 and 1983.

In 2000, the entire island was evacuated after a series of eruptions. Residents were allowed back in 2005, although Mount Oyama continued to vent sulfur dioxide at such a rate that for several years afterwards they were required to carry gas masks at all times. By 2019, the resident population has climbed back up to 2,460 and today many tourists visit the island for fishing, diving and bird watching.

Miyake-jima is home to the rare endemic Izu thrush (akakokko). The island is home to an unusually rich flora and fauna with several rare species of birds and animals, although its natural habitats are constantly under threat from human and volcanic activity. Underwater, the island is valued by divers for its coral reefs and marine fauna (including the dolphin population outside nearby Mikura-jima).

Tourist information site
The island is administered as a municipality, Miyake Village. The local tourist association has a Japanese-only guide site with integrated Google Translate.

Climate
Miyake-jima has a humid subtropical climate with very warm summers and mild winters. Precipitation is abundant throughout the year, but is somewhat lower in winter.

By ferry
Tokaikisen operates a daily overnight ferry, called the Tachibana Maru (橘丸), from Tokyo's Takeshiba pier, near the Daimon metro station. Leaving Tokyo at 22:20, and arriving 05:00 - prices vary seasonally but expect to pay around ¥6500 for a reclining seat. Depending on the wind and weather conditions, the Tachibana Maru will dock at one of three ports; Miike Port Pier (三池港桟橋), Igaya Port (伊ヶ谷港), or Sabigahama Port (錆ヶ浜港). The port where the boat will dock is not predictable and changes on a daily basis. A second large passenger ship named Sarubia Maru (さるびあ丸) was scheduled to begin sailing to Miyake-jima on June 25, 2020.

By plane
There are flights connecting Miyakejima Airport and Haneda Airport with an approximate flying time of 50 minutes. Flights are also operated from Chofu Airport. The area is prone to high volume of sulfuric gas and flights were suspended for almost eight years after the 2000 volcano eruption.

There is a helicopter that arrives via Izu Ōshima. There are also two helicopter flights operated by Tokyo Island Shuttle which originate in Aogashima and Izu Ōshima and fly to Toshima, Miyake-jima, Mikura-jima, Hachijō-jima and Aogashima.

Get around
There are two bus routes on the island. Both bus routes service the same stops, but one route goes clockwise and the other route goes counter-clockwise. The time between each bus stop arrival can vary greatly from a few minutes to up to 3 hours.

See
Toga Beach Park and Toga Beach (Ako Areain the southwestern part of Miyakejima Island) offers 360° panoramic views, including the view of Sanbondake (the Three Shore Rocks), and trees whitened by volcanic gas. Toga Beach is popular for diving, and bird watching. Toga Shrine, where the Grand Guardian Gods of the Izu Islands are enshrined, is also in the Ako area.
 * Mt. Hyotan (Kamitsuki Area): Mt. Hyotan was created in 1940 when the northeast hillside of Mt. Oyama erupted, emitting lava, volcanic bombs, scoria, and volcanic ash for about 22 hours. The lava buried Akabakkyo Bay and flowed out to sea.
 * Tairo-ike and Akakokko Station (Tsubota Area): Tairo-ike is a lake in the crater of a volcano created more than 2,500 years ago. The lake is 30 m deep (98 feet) and 2 km (1.24 miles) in circumference. It is the largest freshwater lake on the Izu Islands.  Akakokko Station (Akakokko-kan) nature center has a bird-watching center.  “Akakokko” is the Japanese name of the Izu island thrush, an endemic species that has been designated as a Japanese national treasure.
 * Shichishima (Seven Islands) Observation Deck (Ako Area), halfway up Mt. Oyama, also provides 360-° panoramic views. On a sunny and clear day, you can see the full scale of the Izu Islands, from Oshima Island in the north to Hachijojima Island in the south.

Do

 * Volcanic Experience Trail (Ako Area): walk this trail to understand the threat of a volcanic eruption, and to see how the land has regenerated since the 1983 eruption.
 * Swimming, snorkeling, diving, fishing: enjoy the stunning undersea volcanic terrain, with columnar joints and underwater arches, and abundant fish. Sea life includes coral primroses, large migratory amberjack, great amberjack, and brightly colored tropical fish.
 * Bird-watching: sea birds, and the Izu island thrush.
 * Trekking, cycling, and bouldering are very popular. You can try bouldering at the Miyakejima Recreation Center, which has seven bouldering walls and six walls for lead climbing, which involves using a rope harness for safety. There are about 270 routes of all difficulty levels. This is the largest climbing facility in Japan.

Festivals

 * Funaiwai is a festival held each January 2 to pray to Funadama, the guardian deity of boats, for bountiful catches and the safety of the boats in the year to come. It is held simultaneously in all five villages and five ports in Miyakejima Island. Ship owners and captains drink sacred sake on a fishing boat and throw mandarin oranges and wrapped offerings of money from the boat to the people gathered at the port. Miso soup containing Japanese rock lobster is provided.
 * Gozu Tenno Festival is held on the third Sunday in July to pray for a bountiful grain harvest, big catches for fishermen, safety of the family, and a state of perfect health. This festival is held at the Oshaku Shrine in the Kamitsuki area. People chant kiyari (a workmen's chant for pulling a heavy load) while carrying mikoshi (portable shrines), drums, and branches of the sasaki tree in a parade through the Kamitsuki area.
 * Toga Shrine Festival is held by all of Miyakejima Island in alternating years in August. A mikoshi is taken from its home at Toga Shrine in the Ako area, and is carried to Igaya, Izu, Kamitsuki, and Tsubota over the course of six days, spending the night at a shrine in each area. On the last day, the mikoshi is returned to the Toga Shrine.

Buy
Miyakejima Island’s produce includes ashitaba, snow peas, snap peas, red eddoes, leatherleaf fern, dracaena, lily, and other plants.

From the sea, Miyakejima Island offers Japanese rock lobster, kusaya (fish dipped in salt water and dried in the sun), bonito, red snapper, and turban shellfish. The season for Japanese rock lobster begins in autumn. Kusaya is type of dried fish invented in the Izu Islands about 400 years ago, and it has a distinctive flavor and taste, as well as a long shelf life. Kusaya is a popular choice as a souvenir or gift.

Eat

 * Mackerel Sandwiches: are an inexpensive local treat made by first marinating grilled mackerel fillets in sake and soy sauce. A soft bread roll is toasted, spread with margarine, and filled with mackerel, lettuce, and red bell pepper, and an onion dressing. Mackerel sandwiches made can be purchased from the Saba Sand Cafe on the second floor of the ferry waiting room at Sabigahama Port, on days when the ferry departs from Miyakejima Island to Tokyo.
 * Nritano: an Italian restaurant in the Kamitsuki Area. Salads made with homegrown vegetables, pasta with special roasted seaweed from Miyakejima Island, squid pasta, tempura made from local bamboo, and beautifully garnished carpaccio are highly recommended. Nritano also offers a wide variety of homemade wines, sake, and other liquors. Walk up Nakao Hill to the east of Oshaku Shrine. You will pass a children’s playground. Keep walking, and eventually you will find the restaurant.

Stay safe
Since the 2000 eruption, there has been a constant flow of sulfur dioxide gas coming from Mount Oyama. Residents of the island were once required to carry gas masks with them at all times. However, masks have not been needed for years. Alarms go off if there is a dramatic increase in the levels of toxic gases in the air.

title: Miyakejima


text:
Miyaki

Miyaki (みやき町) is a town of 26,000 people (2017) in Saga Prefecture, Japan.

Understand
The northern part of Miyaki contains the Chikushi Mountains, and the southern part contains the Chikugo River. It borders Fukuoka Prefecture on the north and south.

Tourist information site
The local tourist association has a Japanese-only guide site with integrated Google Translate.

Get in
Miyaki is in the eastern part of Saga Prefecture, about 20 km (12 mi) east of Saga City and about 30 km (19 mi) south of Fukuoka.

By plane
The nearest airports are Saga Airport and Fukuoka Airport.

By car

 * National highways: Route 34, Route 264
 * Prefectural roads: Saga Prefectural Routes 19, 22 and 31

Go next

 * Kamimine
 * Yoshinogari
 * Kanzaki
 * Saga
 * Tosu
 * Kiyama
 * Ogori
 * Kurume
 * Asakura

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Miyaki


text:
Miyako

There are a number of places called Miyako.

 * Miyako (Iwate) (宮古市), a city in Iwate Prefecture, Japan
 * The Miyako Islands (宮古列島) of Okinawa Prefecture, Japan
 * Miyako (Okinawa) (宮古島), the largest of the Miyako Islands

title: Miyako


text:
Miyako (Iwate)

Miyako (宮古) is a small city of approximately 51,000 people (2020) on the eastern-most coast of Honshu, Japan's main island. The main attraction is its surrounding national park and the Jodoga-hama beach.

Tourist Information Site
The local tourist association has a Japanese-only guide site.

Get in
By train, the JR Yamada line is frequently used, which brings you from Morioka to Miyako in around two hours. There are only four to six round trips per day on the line. Seat reservations can be made on the rapid services.

For about the same price (just under ¥2000), you can take the more frequent "106 Express Bus" run by Iwate Kenpoku Bus (岩手県北バス). There is about one bus per hour, the earliest leaving Morioka/Miyako around 6 and the last at about 08:30. From Morioka Station, go out the East Exit and board the bus at stop number 7 (乗り場７). From Miyako, board the bus in front of the JTB Travel Agency.

Get around
Half a dozen buses leave from the stops in front of the station. From stop number 3 buses leave hourly for the Jodogahama beach and get there in about 20 minutes. Get off one stop earlier at the Terminal Building (ターミナルビル) and walk along the coast for some 500 m to save a few yen and see more.

See
Jōdogahama beach (浄土ヶ浜) is the only real attraction around Miyako, but it alone is worth planning a stopover in the city. Jōdo in Buddhism is equivalent to "Heaven" in Christianity. There are also some nice hiking trails around the same area. The beach Visitor Center is about a 15-minute ride from the Miyako train station; the local Kenpoku Bus runs 1-2 times an hour. The last bus goes back soon after 18:00 (17:00 November - April).

Drink
Elk is the premier hostess bar in town, coming in at around ¥700 for a beer (nothing by Tokyo standards). To get there walk down o-dori (coming from the station) and you will see a sign for it on your left. The atmosphere is friendly and it's a great place to practice your Japanese. The clientele are made up of local politicians and branch directors, so it's also a good place to make connections if you're in Miyako long-term. It is open on all week until 01:00 except Mondays.

Tomato Club is a hostess bar (4-3-21 O-doori). Cheaper than the Elk but you get what you pay for. The barstaff are less pretty and sometimes less friendly. Also, you will need to bring some Japanese skills with you.

Sleep

 * Suehiro-kan Youth Hostel, a 2-minute walk from the station. It's an old but clean place with no curfew, though you might be hard pressed to stay out late in the city.
 * Miyako Station Koyou (宮古ステーション古窯) is a business hotel located about five minutes away from the station, with clean, modern rooms and free broadband internet connections available to those with computers. Each room also has two free pornographic television channels.

Go next

 * Yamada
 * Otsuchi
 * Kawai
 * Iwaizumi
 * Tanohata
 * Fudai
 * Noda
 * Morioka
 * Tono

title: Miyako (Iwate)


text:
Miyako (Okinawa)

Miyako (宮古島 Miyakojima) is the largest of the Miyako Islands.

Understand
Most of the Miyako's 50,000 or so residents live in Hirara (平良), the main business and entertainment district on the island. The rest of the island is pretty much undeveloped, with the exception of a few coastal tourist spots, especially Shigira (シギラ) in the south. Sugar cane and to a lesser extent tobacco are the island's cash crops. There is not much to see, not much of a downtown, no man-made wonders to behold, no rivers to explore and no mountains to climb. Don't despair! The lack of rivers and mountains means there is no silty run-off to cloud the water. Miyako and the two connected islands, Kurima (来間) to the west and Ikema (池間) to the north, have miles of nameless white sand beaches and clear blue water. On a moonlit night you can wade out chest deep to watch the "yakouchu" (夜光虫, Noctiluca scintillans) and still see your toes wiggle. During the day the snorkeling, diving and other beach activities are as good as it gets in Okinawa.

Tourist information site
The local tourist association has a Japanese-only guide site, also covering five smaller islands nearby.

By ferry
As of April 2024, there are no scheduled ferry services from outside the Miyako Islands.

By bus
Public transportation on Miyako is limited to buses that run every couple hours. Though they are fairly cheap (max ¥500 one way), they are inconvenient and seem to run on island time. Ask for information at your lodge or hotel, but don't be surprised if they don't have any more information than what is printed in the local tourist magazines.

By taxi
Taxis are a viable option especially if two or more people are heading to one location for the day. Expect to pay about ¥2,000 from downtown Hirara to Maehama Beach, and arrange for return.

By car
Car rental is fairly expensive and scooter and bicycle rental isn't much cheaper. That being said, having your own transportation is key to enjoying what Miyako has to offer. There are several national agencies at the airport charging ¥5,000 or more per day. You must have an International Driver's Permit and a valid driver's license to drive in Japan.

See
Beaches clockwise from Hirara Port:

 * Sunayama is nice place to take a photo but not a particularly good place to swim. Drive 30 minutes north on Rt. 83 to Rt. 230 and cross the bridge to Ikema. Get a drink at the tourist trap, climb up and look at the view. Continue clockwise around the island just to say you did it, and less than a kilometer from the tourist trap you will find two excellent beaches named after their prominent features, one called Rope and one called Block. There are no signs, but maybe a car or two parked beside the road. Block has some nice coral, just be careful of the currents.
 * Next head way back south and east on Rt. 83 in the direction of Gusukube. On the way you will find Aragusuku, a great shallow beach with lots more fish and coral. Two groups rent stuff and sell refreshments during the summer months. Go to the left side and feel free to sit at the tables. The proprietress is the chamisen playing, occasionally booze drinking, beach loving Yasuyo-san. She also runs a nearby pension. Yoshino is another decent place a couple kilometers down the road. They charge ¥500 for parking.
 * Though it's not actually a beach, follow the signs to Higashihenazaki is a picturesque point with a lighthouse. As it's the easternmost point on the island, it is a popular place to watch the sun rise.
 * Head back to Rt. 83 was in the direction of Bora and the very commercial Bora Beach Park. Stop in or continue west on Rt. 235 to Shigira a once wild place that has been taken over by mercenaries from Tokyo. The rocky beach is now manicured but still open to the public so you can bring your cooler and chill at their expense. The cove is fairly well protected, so a good option for kids or when the weather is bad. Swim out to the middle and just before the rock formation there are some anonome fish.
 * Continue west on Rt. 235, cross the bridge to Kurima. Park in the lot on the left just after you cross and take the stone path 10 minutes to Tako. There are fish in the tide pool and lots more to see on the other side of the rocks, but be careful. Next stop Nagamahama. Follow the signs to 長間浜, look for a couple cows tied to a tree. Park in the lot and walk to the ocean.
 * Head back across the bridge, turn left and proceed to Maebama, Miyako's most popular beach. Locals tend to hang out near the boat launch on the bridge side, though they also frequent Windy, a beach house serving Miyako-soba (¥500) and other very reasonably priced food. Maebama continues for almost 10 km somewhere turning into the secluded kite-board spot Nishi-hama and then the slightly odd Sanitsu-hama. During low tides you can walk the beach from Maebama to Sanitsu-hama (just sneak through the Tokyu Hotel's bogus private area) but there are also paved jogging trails on land.
 * After leaving Sanitsu-hama take Rt. 390 from Shimoji back toward Hirara and Painagama Beach just before Hirara Port. Paiangama isn't a particularly good beach by day, but convenient after a night on the piss. Just be safe!

Do
Scuba diving is probably Miyako's main attraction. Everyone on Miyako knows someone who "has a boat." Usually they can get you a small discount or at least some priority. If you don't like what one person says ask another.

Other activities:

Buy
Miyako-jima doesn't really have any particular claim to fame in the souvenir area. Most things available in Miyako come from the main island of Okinawa or mainland Japan. There are locally grown fruits, mangoes (June to August), dragon fruit (May to October) and island bananas (year round), but they are not unique to Miyako and are subject to import regulations. Miyako-jima salt holds the Guinness World Record for the salt with the most complex mineral make-up. The salt is available in souvenir stores, supermarkets and a salt shop on Nishizato street.

Awamori (泡盛) is available everywhere and though it isn't made on Miyako, Taragawa (多奈川) is a popular brand. Kuusu (古酒) is aged awamori and a bit more expensive.

Eat

 * Self-Catering
 * San-ē (サンエー), on Matida-dori, is your best bet for low priced meats and veggies.
 * Bass Line (ばっしらいん), near the Max on Rt. 78 serves cheap, large portions of decent food and has a picture menu.
 * Bass Line (ばっしらいん), near the Max on Rt. 78 serves cheap, large portions of decent food and has a picture menu.
 * Bass Line (ばっしらいん), near the Max on Rt. 78 serves cheap, large portions of decent food and has a picture menu.

Drink
The local beer is Orion, brewed in Nago on the main island of Okinawa. It tastes different from Orion sold in the rest of Japan which is made by Asahi. The other local drink is awamori (泡盛), which is usually 30% alcohol in Miyako. Much has been written about its potency and locals will tell you that it is good for you and doesn't give you a "bad drunk" (waru-yoi) or a hangover (futsukayoi). Nonsense! It can be drunk in many different ways, but for starters try the orthodox: on the rocks, 2 or 3 parts water to 1 part awamori and drink it as you would any other 10% alcohol drink.

Miyako has its fair share of watering holes, so just ask around. It's also perfectly legal to head to the beach with your cooler and some fireworks. Just follow the golden rule and leave the place cleaner than you found it.

Go next
RAC offers island-hopper flights to Tarama. You can also take the ferry to Irabu and Shimoji Islands.

title: Miyako (Okinawa)


text:
Miyako Islands

The Miyako Islands (宮古列島 Miyako-rettō) are in Okinawa prefecture, Japan.

Islands
The eight islands of Miyako can be divided into two groups. Miyakojima City covers six of them:
 * - by far the largest of the three main islands that make up the group, linked by bridges to the small islands of Kurima and Ikema. Tiny Ogami, not graced with a bridge yet, is covered here as well.
 * - Miyako's other island, linked by a large bridge. Adjacent Shimoji with its airport is covered here as well.

The other two form Tarama Village and are separated by a two-hour boat ride or short flight:
 * - flat as a pancake, known for its August festival, with the island of Minna a short hop away

Understand
Miyako, while being a high traffic tourist destination for Japanese tourists, is farther off the radar from the international traveler. It has good diving and excellent beaches, local Okinawan cuisine, and culture. These islands have truly embraced the Okinawan slow, relaxed lifestyle. In Miyako you can do everything from lounge on Maehama beach, play beach volleyball, play golf, make your own shisa, listen to the sanshin, or, if you're feeling very competitive, participate in the local Strongman Triathlon, held every April.

Talk
While most of the people in Miyako are friendly, Japanese is the main language, followed by the local Miyako language and its local dialects of each individual town as well as island. While finding English speakers is possible, consider it rare.

Get in
Most visitors arrive at Miyako Airport in Hirara, Miyako. JAL, ANA and RAC have frequent services to Naha and daily services to major mainland cities including Tokyo and Osaka.

In 2019, Shimojishima Airport opened on the island of Shimoji, linked to Miyako and Irabu by a series of bridges. This is the main low-cost carrier airport in the islands, with services to major Japanese cities on Skymark and Jetstar as well as flights from Seoul, Korea on Jin Air, the islands' only direct international connection.

Scheduled ferry service to the rest of Okinawa was discontinued in 2008.

Get around
The main island of Miyako, Miyako, is only about 81 square miles, but even so it's fairly sizable considering the main attractions for the island are on its outer edges. Car, motorbikes, and bicycle rentals are available, as well as a periodic bus and numerous taxis. Bridges connect Miyako to both Irabu and Kurema Islands, and a ferry travels to Irabu almost every half hour.

The far-flung island of Tarama can be reached from Miyako by both plane (20 min) and ferry (2 hours).

Do
Maehama beach on the south west corner of the island is known as one of the most beautiful beaches in Japan. White sandy beaches, warm, aqua blue, calm water, and an excellent view of Kurema Island are only a few reasons this is one of the top spots to get some sun. Beach volleyball is an excellent way to spend some time at this excellent, flat, beach.

Stay safe
While theft does occasionally occur, it is not uncommon to see a business man sleeping on the side of Nishizato Street, his head on his wallet. So long as travelers aren't foolish, there shouldn't be any problems here. Travelers are more at risk in their rental cars, as people pull out into traffic with little warning, than anything else on the islands.

title: Miyako Islands


text:
Miyakonojo

Miyakonojo (都城) is a city in Miyazaki prefecture.

Tourist information sites

 * The local tourist association has a multilingual guide site.

 * The city govenment's official site has a Japanese-only tourism section.

Go next

 * Kirishima
 * Miyazaki
 * Takaharu
 * Mimata
 * Kobayashi
 * Ebino
 * Soo
 * Yusui
 * Kajiki

title: Miyakonojo


text:
Miyazaki

Miyazaki (宮崎) is the prefectural capital of Miyazaki prefecture on the island of Kyushu, Japan.

Understand
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.

Tourist information site
The local tourist association has a multilingual guide site.

By plane
Buses connect the airport to the main Miyazaki station in 25 minutes (¥400), while the JR Miyazaki Airport Line runs 1-2 trains per hour to Minami-Miyazaki station (¥340). If you are under 21, you can get cheaper tickets.

By train
Most people will take the Kirishima limited express which makes multiple daily runs from Kagoshima (2-2½ hours, ¥4100).

If you connect to the Shinkansen in Kagoshima, it is another 2 hours for Hakata to Kagoshima (2½ hours from Kukura). You can take a single Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka to Kagoshima in 4½-5 hours.

Another option, the more scenic route, from Kokura station in Kitakyushu, the first stop in Kyushu on the San'yo Shinkansen, is to take the Sonic limited express to Oita or Beppu and transfer to the Nichirin limited express (¥8300). A few Nichirin trains run from Kokura or Hakata in Fukuoka directly to Miyazaki, with no change of trains necessary, but most people that take this route like to stop to see Beppu. The route is about 5 hours which is about the same as the Shinkansen route from Kokura. The overnight service, the Dream Nichirin, was discontinued in 2011.

There is no charge for the above services with a Japan Rail Pass, and there is a JR All Kyushu Pass that covers all routes as well, aside from the reference to the Shinkansen in Kokura and beyond. The Kyushu Shinkansen stops at Hakata; Hakata to Shin-Osaka (including Kokura) is owned by JR West, so you would need a JR West Pass for that section.

A highway bus operated by JR Kyushu runs to Miyazaki from the Shin-Yatsushiro bullet train station. The "B&S Miyazaki" (B&S for Bus and Shinkansen) operates once per hour, timed with the arrival of the bullet trains from Fukuoka. The bus trip takes just over 2 hours from Shin-Yatsushiro at a cost of ¥4,150 each way. The overall journey from Fukuoka to Miyazaki will be shortened to just over 3 hours using this train/bus combination. The bus is not valid with the Japan Rail Pass, but bus tickets can be purchased at any JR Midori-no-Madoguchi seat reservation counter.

By bus
Hourly buses run from Fukuoka to Miyazaki in about 4½ hours at a cost of ¥6000. Buses also run hourly from Kumamoto. There are 7 buses per day from Kagoshima, 6 buses from Beppu, Oita, and Nobeoka, and 2 buses per day from Nagasaki. Fukuoka is the only place that has night buses to Miyazaki. All others leave and arrive the same-day.

By ferry
Miyazaki Car Ferry runs an overnight ferry service from Kobe to Miyazaki. The ferry departs at 19:10 on Monday to Saturday and 18:00 on Sunday, arrives at Miyazaki at 08:40. A second class bunk bed costs ¥15,320.

Get around
The attractions in Miyazaki are rather spread out. Trains can help you reach some of the city's sites. Aoshima Shrine is a short walk away from Aoshima Station and Miyazaki-Jingu Station provides quick access to Miyazaki Jingu, the Prefectural Museum of Nature and History, and the Prefectural Art Museum. The train timetables, particularly on the Nippo Line can be inconvenient with trains operating only once per hour at certain times of the day.

The city buses tend to be the best way to get around. Many buses leave from Miyazaki Station, but it is sometimes faster to walk 10 minutes down Route 25 to the intersection with Route 220. A lot of buses travel down that street but not to the station. There is a Tourist Information Center within Miyazaki Station with bus timetables and the staff can help you figure out if walking to another stop will be faster than taking a bus from the station.

See

Do
Miyazaki is one of the most famous places for surfing in Japan. Lots of foreigners visit it during the summer. There are good waves and the sunset is beautiful.

Eat
Miyazaki is famous for its "Chicken Nanban" dish. The basic dish consists of fried chicken topped with tartar sauce. It is typically coupled with salad or spaghetti. The other famous food in the city (and prefecture) is mangoes. When in season, you can purchase whole mangoes at markets, but there are also restaurants that serve mango parfaits and desserts for you to try.

Drink
"Kurokirishima" is a famous Miyazaki shochu. Miyazaki produces lots of kinds of shochu, so for people who like Japanese shochu, Miyazaki is a good place to visit. However, some of them are expensive, so you can not buy them so easily.

In the town of Aya, which is around 20 km 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 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.

Sleep
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 8 km 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 and internet cafe. Manga Kissa is beside the 7-Eleven near the Miyazaki train station. There is also a "Cybac" internet cafe in Miyazaki which is slightly better than the Manga Kissa - it is difficult to find, so get a taxi from the train station. It should cost around ¥1000.

Go next

 * Nichinan
 * Miyakonojo
 * Kiyotake
 * Kunitomi
 * Saito
 * Nojiri
 * Aya
 * Shintomi
 * Takachiho

title: Miyazaki


text:
Miyazaki (prefecture)

Miyazaki Prefecture (宮崎県 Miyazaki-ken) is in the southeastern part of the Japanese island of Kyushu with a low population density. Its capital of Miyazaki is centrally located on the coast of Hyuga Sea. The area is popular with Korean tourists, with Seoul being the only international destination from the prefecture's main airport.

Understand
Miyazaki Prefecture is located a mountainous prefecture with Miyazaki Plain stretching north and northwest of its capital along the coast, Miyakonojo Basin surrounding the city of Miyakonojo and Kobayashi Basin located between Kirishima Mountains and Kyushu Mountains. Southern portion of the prefecture, including the cities of Nichinan and Kushima, is located within the Wanitsuka Mountains. The prefectures borders on open ocean on its east, locally known as Hyuga Sea. The sea is known for its wild waves and strong currents and in many places it's forbidden to enter the water for swimmers and surfers alike. The only city with swimmable beaches is Kushima in the south, along calmer waters of Shibushi Bay.

The prefecture was created in 1873. Until then seats of power were in Miyakonojo and Mimitsu (now a part of Hyuga city). At the same time, the city of Miyazaki was created to centralize power, until then only a small village was located at its present site. Most of what is now Miyazaki Prefecture used to be Hyuga Province and even nowadays the name "Hyuga" (日向), along with other transliterations "Hinata" and "Himuka", meaning "facing the sun" is ever-present across its area with locals showing pride in their history.

The area of the prefecture is a site of many mythical stories and historical events. Amano Iwato Shrine in Takachiho town features a cave in which sun goddess Amaterasu was hiding after a battle with her brother, plunging the world into darkness. Mount Takachiho in the Kirishima Mountains is where Amaterasu's grandson Ninigi-no-Mikoto buried his sword into the land to be able to descend from heavens in nearby Takachihogawara. In turn, his grandson Jimmu, the first emperor of Japan, was a native of these lands and later sailed with his army from the ancient port of Mimitsu to conquer the rest of Japan.

Miyazaki Prefecture is warmer than most places on Kyushu and all of Japan's main islands. In winter, it attracts many professional baseball teams for training camps, with Hiroshima Toyo Carp and Saitama Seibu Lions based respectively in Aburatsu and Nango, both within Nichinan city.

Tourist information site
The prefecture has an official multilingual guide site.

Cities
Ranked by population
 * — the prefectural capital and home to almost 400,000 people. Despite lack of history until late 19th century, the city proper boasts an impressive Shinto shrine and a controversial Peace Park. Within city limits is also the mythical island of Aoshima with a shrine of its own.
 * — former provincial capital located below the Kirishima Mountains and on the way between Miyazaki and Kagoshima cities.
 * — northernmost city near the border with Oita Prefecture, with abundant factories, but also a walkable city centre with beautiful castle ruins and a hilltop Buddhist temple.
 * — contains stunningly beautiful Cape Hyuga and the historical port of Mimitsu.
 * — home to the famous Udo Shrine and the historical town of Obi with a castle of significant historical importance.
 * — coastal city on Shibushi Bay, the only of its kind in the prefecture as there are calm beaches accessible to swimmers. Well-known for its wild horse habitat near Cape Toi.
 * — small town tucked inside the Kyushu Mountains, featuring a beautiful gorge and a Shinto shrine with a cave where the sun goddess Amaterasu was hiding. Probably the most visited sightseeing spot in the prefecture.
 * — coastal city on Shibushi Bay, the only of its kind in the prefecture as there are calm beaches accessible to swimmers. Well-known for its wild horse habitat near Cape Toi.
 * — small town tucked inside the Kyushu Mountains, featuring a beautiful gorge and a Shinto shrine with a cave where the sun goddess Amaterasu was hiding. Probably the most visited sightseeing spot in the prefecture.
 * — small town tucked inside the Kyushu Mountains, featuring a beautiful gorge and a Shinto shrine with a cave where the sun goddess Amaterasu was hiding. Probably the most visited sightseeing spot in the prefecture.

See

 * — beautiful river gorge on Gokase River in Kyushu Mountains. Boat rental available on site.
 * — Shinto shrine with a cave where the sun goddess Amaterasu was hiding from her brother, plunging the world into darkness.
 * — volcanic mountain range with stunning landscapes and hiking trails. It's a holy place in Shinto religion as this is where Gods descended from Heaven.
 * — Shinto shrine located inside a cave on a sea cliff.
 * — island with a shrine inside a forest. Surrounded by "Devil's Washboard" rock formations.
 * — main shrine of Miyazaki city. Surrounded by thick forest, has similar vibes to Meiji Jingu in Tokyo (minus the crowds).
 * — expansive park with controversial "Peace Tower", originally built during 1930s and dedicated to Japan's conquest of the world.
 * — well-kept historic town with a partially restored castle, historically the most important one in current Miyazaki Prefecture.
 * — peninsula with stunning views of surrounding landscape and the Hyuga Sea.
 * — features a huge castle wall and a bell tower which has been announcing time for centuries without pause.

Talk
Miyazaki-ben, the primary Miyazaki dialect, can differ drastically from standard Japanese depending on the age of the speaker. Younger people mostly speak a variation of standard Japanese but older people can be almost unintelligible even for Japanese speakers.

Like much of Japan, English speakers are few and far between but they will still try their hardest to help you if you ask for it. Most tourist information centers have English-speaking staff who can help you.

By plane
Miyazaki Airport, in southern Miyazaki City, is the primary airport in Miyazaki Prefecture. It is a regional airport with frequent flights to Tokyo, Osaka and Fukuoka. Other destinations served are Nagoya, Okinawa and Seoul. There are many local products for sale on the second floor and restaurants on the third floor. The airport has a train station with express trains "Hyuga" and "Nichirin" for Miyazaki city, with termini in Nobeoka, Oita and once a day Hakata in Fukuoka as well. Local trains also serve the station with Nobeoka being the farthest destination. The frequency between 08:00 and 22:00 is 2 trains per hour, with occassionally a third one thrown in. You can board the express trains for normal fare, but only between Miyazaki Airport, Minami Miyazaki and Miyazaki stations.

By train
Miyazaki Prefecture is served by express trains along the Nippo Main Line, namely the "Kirishima", coming from Kagoshima nine times a day, and the "Nichirin", with 6 daily connections to Oita, 1 to Hakata and 1 to Kokura. To board these, JR Pass or an express ticket for extra charge is needed. Local trains can be also used from Kagoshima, with a change needed in Miyakonojo. However, virtually no local trains are passing the border with Oita.

Another inter-prefectural railway link is the Ebino Kogen Line between Miyakonojo and Yoshimatsu, deep in the Kirishima foothills in Kagoshima Prefecture. This line only runs 9 times per day and is served by old diesel trains, but it can be a good choice for those looking for nostalgia and beautiful mountain views, as it runs through the Kobayashi Basin, with views of both Kirishima and Kyushu mountain ranges on each side.

By bus
Bus would be a logical option to enter Miyazaki Prefecture from Kumamoto Prefecture as there are no direct rail lines traversing the mountains along their border. Compared to the train connection via Kagoshima in the table above, a direct bus between Kumamoto and Miyazaki takes 3 hours 45 minutes and costs ¥4,720, making it a much cheaper alternative.

By ferry
Miyazaki Car Ferry is an overnight car ferry that runs between Miyazaki and Kobe. It departs at 19:10 every day (except Sunday on which the Miyazaki bound ferry leaves at 18:00) and arrives at Kobe at 07:30 and at Miyazaki at 08:40. The fare ranges between ¥12,680 and ¥29,180 one-way for a passenger depending on class and ¥23,450 and ¥39,950 one-way for a car depending on length.

Get around
To get around, hiring a car is a very good idea as public transport can be rare and not particularly convenient. If you do this, it would be a good idea to briefly study Japanese road signs most but not all of them are also written in English.

By train
The prefecture is served by four train lines: Nippo Main Line provides connections between the principal cities of Miyakonojo, Miyazaki, Hyuga and Nobeoka. Nichinan Line runs south from Miyazaki to the cities of Nichinan and Kushima, with terminus in Shibushi, in Kagoshima Prefecture. Miyazaki Airport Line splits from Nichinan Line in Tayoshi and runs for only a 1.4 km to Miyazaki Airport. Ebino Kogen Line provides connection from Miyakonojo to cities of Kobayashi and Ebino under the Kirishima Mountains.

If you're not using JR Pass or a regional pass, you'll be required to purchase tickets with cash on most occasions. JR Kyushu's IC card "Sugoca" can only be used in some stations in Miyazaki city and its suburbs. In many stations, you can buy the ticket in vending machines. If you're boarding in a station with no ticket vending machine, you need to pick up a numbered ticket from a dispenser next to the door upon boarding the train. You pay when or after getting off, depending on the station. At many rural stops, the cash with the numbered ticket/ticket from vending machine is given to the train driver. In stations with staff, it is handed to the station staff upon leaving the platform. Passengers are informed of this on board of the train before their stop, but only newer trains on Nippo Main Line have this announcement in English as well. Older trains running on rural lines only have this announcement in Japanese. At many stops, only two doors of the train will open with the rear car's doors closed. Only the first door of the front car opens for exit and the second door of the front car for entry.

Nippo Main Line
The electrified main line enters Miyazaki Prefecture from neighboring Kagoshima Prefecture in the city of Miyakonojo. It then continues through mountain passes into the city of Miyazaki and north along the Hyuga Sea coast to Hyuga city, Nobeoka city and Oita Prefecture. It is served by express trains in its entire length, the "Kirishima" coming from Kagoshima 9 times a day and calling at two stations in Miyakonojo and also the Miyazaki suburb of Kiyotake before Minami Miyazaki and terminating in Miyazaki. Connecting Miyazaki and Nobeoka 16 times a day are "Hyuga" (ending in Nobeoka) and "Nichirin" (continuing to Oita and further) express trains with stops at Sadowara, Takanabe, Hyuga city and Minami Nobeoka. Vast majority of the "Hyuga" and "Nichirin" trains also serve the Minami Miyazaki and Miyazaki Airport stations.

Local trains are also divided in Miyazaki, with one arm terminating in Miyakonojo and the other in Nobeoka.

Nichinan Line
This line provides local train service from the city of Miyazaki south along the Nichinan Coast and all the way to the Kagoshima Prefecture city of Shibushi. The northern terminus is at Minami Miyazaki, but most trains are through trains to Miyazaki station. In Tayoshi, a branch line stems from the Nichinan Line and 1.4 km to Miyazaki Airport. After that, the line is not electrified and, served by old diesel trains, continues through Miyazaki city to the Sports Park (Undokoen) and the popular tourist destination of Aoshima. From there, the line exits the city and heads for Nichinan, passing along the coast several times and also running through a few tunnels, including the 3,670-m-long Taninojo Tunnel. In the city of Nichinan, it serves the historic town of Obi. Most trains terminate within the city, either in Aburatsu or Nango, with only 5 trains daily making the entire trip to Shibushi. The section between Aburatsu and Shibushi is served by 3 additional trains and change is required. It's also a very rural section, passing through forests and valleys on its way to Kushima, only stopping rarely for sparse settlements. After Kushima, the line runs along Shibushi Bay, providing scenic views of the sea. The entire trip is 89 km long and takes roughly 3 hours to complete.

In addition to almost-hourly local trains, there is one round-trip of "Nichinan Marine" limited train, which skips several stops between Nichinan and Miyazaki. Also, sightseeing train "Umisachi Yamasachi" runs between Miyazaki and Nango, but its operation is limited to weekends and holidays.

Ebino Kogen Line
Local line between the city of Miyakonojo and Yoshimatsu in Kagoshima Prefecture, also serving the cities of Kobayashi and Ebino. It runs through the Kobayashi Basin and offers scenic views on Kyushu Mountains to the north and Kirishima Mountains to the south. It has a rural character and is only served by 9 trains per day. For example, there are no trains departing Miyakonojo on this line between 08:03 and 13:08. All trains are served by old diesel cars.

By bus
It's necessary to use the bus in order to reach some of the main attractions in the prefecture, including the town of Takachiho, Udo Shrine and trailheads in Kirishima Mountains. Miyazaki Kotsu, the main bus operator in the prefecture, is offering the Visit Miyazaki Bus Pass to foreign visitors at the price of ¥2,000/person/day. This pays off especially when visiting Takachiho from Nobeoka (it is not valid on Miyazaki-Takachiho buses).

Buses between Miyazaki and Udo Shrine are also frequented by tourists. However, the duration of the journey is quite long and it's served by a rather small bus which can get very crowded. It's more comfortable to use train and change to bus as close to the shrine as possible. The closest station is in the village of Ibii from where it only takes 15 minutes to reach the shrine. The village has a beautiful beach and a Shinto shrine to kill time while waiting for the transfer.

Reaching the Kirishima Mountains is nowadays only possible from the Kagoshima Prefecture side of the mountain range as the road from Ebino to Ebino Kogen is closed due to volcanic activity.

By bike
Some cities also offer tourist taxi services and bike rentals. Bikes can be a wonderful way to get around in sunny Miyazaki, but it can get really hot and humid in the summer.

Hiking
There are numerous hiking opportunities in the Kirishima Mountains with their highest peak, Mt. Karakuni, located at the border with Kagoshima Prefecture. Mythical Mt. Takachiho and the Ebino Kogen mountain tableland are other popular hiking destinations. Due to volcanic activity in the mountain range, however, some trails might be closed or damaged. As of March 2024, the mountains of Shinmoedake, Nakadake and Ioyama are off limits. Also, the terrain here can be very challenging in places so make sure to have right equipment and to check weather forecast.

Surfing
The Hyuga Sea which washes most of Miyazaki Prefecture's coasts is known for strong waves, and some of its beaches are popular with surfers.

Swimming
To visit beaches with calmer waters, suitable for swimming, one must visit the southern city of Kushima which is located on Shibushi Bay.

Wildlife watching
Waterfowls are abundant on the Oyodo River and can be watched from its banks in Miyazaki city. Hyuga Sea is known for its presence of dolphins; however, there seem to be no ships in the area dedicated to dolphin watching. Cape Toi in Kushima City is famous for wild horses.

Eat
The most famous local dish is "chicken nanban", fried chicken with sweet and sour sauce, inspired by Portuguese cuisine. It can be found in many restaurants here and it's even available in convenience stores across the country, albeit in less desirable, microwavable edition.

Hyuganatsu is another well-known product of the prefecture, a citrus fruit said to be a variety of yuzu. One can find many hyuganatsu flavored products here, from soft drinks to confectionery to alcohol.

Another local citrus fruit is hebesu, albeit lesser known. It's more available in the northern part of the prefecture and quite often one can find hebesu flavored vinegar in souvenir stores.

Drink
Local company Sun-A produces soft drinks using local ingredients and flavors, including the hyuganatsu (日向夏) citrus fruit. Their orange vending machines are available at several locations, including Miyazaki Station east gate square or the stairs leading from Udo Shrine parking up towards the shrine.

Popular craft beers from the prefecture are Hideji (ひでじビール) and Kirishima.

Go next

 * Kagoshima Prefecture
 * Kumamoto Prefecture
 * Oita Prefecture

title: Miyazaki (prefecture)


text:
Miyoshi

There is more than one place called Miyoshi:

Japan

 * Miyoshi (Hiroshima) (三次) — A city in Hiroshima.
 * Miyoshi (Tokushima) (三好) — A city in Tokushima.

title: Miyoshi


text:
Miyoshi (Hiroshima)

Miyoshi (三次) is a city in Hiroshima Prefecture.

Understand
Don't confuse with Miyoshi (三好) City in Tokushima.

Tourist information site
The local tourist association has a multilingual guide site.

Go next

 * Shobara
 * Akitakata
 * Sera
 * Fuchu
 * Jinsekikogen
 * Kitahiroshima
 * Hiroshima
 * Higashihiroshima
 * Iinan

title: Miyoshi (Hiroshima)


text:
Mizoram

Mizoram lies in the southernmost outpost of extreme North-Eastern India, the land of the Blue Mountains. Manipur, Assam and Tripura bind the northern end of this little island of tranquility with neighbouring countries Myanmar and Bangladesh nestling most of the state between them.

Evergreen ranges of Mizoram hills with blooms of exotic flora and dense bamboo jungles rise sharply from the plains of Assam in a north-south direction. These hills and plunging gorges are criss-crossed by gushing rivers and sparkling waterfalls. Highest among its several peaks is the Phawngpui (Blue Mountain).

Cities

 * — capital and largest city in Mizoram

 * —

 * —

 * —

 * —

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Other destinations

 * — located at Murlen village, it is a thick forest with a variety of plant species, mammals such as the tiger, leopard and sambar as well as birds such as pheasants and partridges.

 * (Phawngpui National Park) — the Phawngpui mountain and nearby forest reserve comprises this park. A large number of bird species are found here as well as several rare animal species such as the tiger, leopard and capped langur.

Understand
Mizoram is a kaleidoscopic 'pleasure trove' for the discerning visitor, with its wide array of festivals and dances, handicrafts, flora and fauna, breathtaking natural beauty, and temperate climate. The Mizos are very friendly and hospitable. English is commonly spoken. The joyful enthusiasm and the gregarious spirit of the local populace have been the main reasons for establishing some of the most attractive tourism features in this beautiful state.

Today, Mizoram is a dazzling mix of this cross-cultural vibrancy with 87% literacy (the second-highest in India, a fact in which every Mizo takes genuine pride), gender equality and a vigorous pursuit of its ancient cultural traditions and social mores. Almost everybody in the state is a Christian by religion and yet they haven't allowed their distinct Mizo culture to fade.

You will find women working everywhere in Mizoram. In fact, all shops are run and managed by women. Men tend to be taxi drivers or do harder labour by being car/scooter mechanics, working in the fields, et al. Women are respected, are safe and enjoy considerable freedom. Smoking and chewing tobacco paan/gutkha is very common in Mizoram. Many women too smoke, eat tobacco paan, gutkha etc. Comfortable and decent western clothing is uniformly worn across the state and Mizo women dress up quite smartly with makeup in small villages and cities alike. Divorces are common and so are re-marriages.

People give priority for self-sufficiency and you find no beggars anywhere in Mizoram. The crime rate is almost nil and most Mizo houses in villages and small towns are unlocked. The only thefts are due to some drug addicts.

Overall the society is quite homogeneous, peace-loving and classless. Corruption, however, has widened the gap between rich and poor and threatens the social fabric.

History
History often varies from legends. But the story of the Mizos getting out into open from the neither world through a rock opening is now part of the Mizo fable. Chhinlung, however, is taken by some as the Chinese city of Sinlung or Chinlingsang situated close to the Sino-Burmese border. The Mizos have songs and stories about the glory of the ancient Chhinlung civilization handed down from one generation to another.

It is hard to tell how far the story is true. It is nevertheless possible that the Mizos came from Sinlung or Chinlungsan located on the banks of the river Yalung in China.

All cities, towns and villages are located on top of mountains. This is because in earlier times, Mizo tribes used to fight with each other and to make the attacking enemy's job more difficult, it was considered safer to create settlements atop mountains.

Talk
The two official languages of the state are English and Mizo.

Mizo is a Tibeto-Burman language and there have been efforts to have it included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India. It is a tonal, highly analytical language, written using the Latin script.

English is widely used in everyday business. You should not have any problems getting by with English.

Hindi isn't spoken by many people, even in Aizawl.

Get in
All Indian citizens (with the exception of ethnic Mizos) have to apply for an Inner Line Permit (ILP) to enter the state. There are two ILPs which you can apply for: A temporary permit (valid for 15 days) or a regular permit (valid for 6 months). Regular permits require sponsorship from a local or a government agency.

By plane
Mizoram has only one airport, Lengpui Airport, which is near Aizawl, and this airport can be reached from Kolkata by air which will take around 1hr and also from Guwahati by air within a short period of 30 min. The road from the airport to the city takes around another 1 h, and the taxi rate will cost ₹600 to reach the city. Look out for people who can share the ride as you may be able to pay half that price.

You can also try for a shared (TATA) Sumo which charges 100/- per seat and takes 10 passegers - 2 ahead, 4 in middle and 4 at the back. But make sure that you act very fast and book a seat as there could be just one or two Sumos.

By car
Mizoram is connected through National Highway 54 from Silchar, Assam.

By train
Mizoram is connected through its rail head in Bairabi in Kolasib District.

Get around
You can get around depending upon your budget.

Car rentals
Different types of car are available for rentals. From SUVs to Small Cars. TATA Sumos are available from one town to another at a reasonable rate on seat basis. There are many booking counters around Lower Zarkawt, Dawrpui (near Millenium Centre) and in Upper Zarkawt in Aizwal where one can book a seat with choice of seat no. A trip to Champai costs nearly ₹400/- per head. Any such SUMO takes 10 passengers - 2 ahead, 4 in middle and 4 at the back.

Exclusively hired vehicles are available at ₹15/- per km + ₹800 for each night halt and upwards.

By taxi
The white and yellow Maruti taxis mainly ply the cities and towns and around the countryside. You need to haggle for the price to get a good deal.

By bus
Mizoram has a state transport corporation that connects the whole of Mizoram. The cities and towns are also serviced by minibus and by sumo. The rides are very bumpy and the buses are not so spacious. If you can shell some extra money and hire a cab, do so because it will be really painful the next day.

See
Being a mountainous, hilly state, Mizoram is full of beautiful, serene, pristine sights.

Nature
Located approximately 85km away from Aizawl, Tamdil is reputed for its marine wildlife. Along the way, you can truly appreciate some of the prettiest areas of the state.

Museums
The Mizoram State Museum is an ethnographic museum dedicated to the Mizos. There are sections dedicated to textiles, history, art, zoology, and to name a few. To truly appreciate and understand the Mizos, this is the main place to go to. Photography is forbidden without prior permission from the staff, and a guide is available on request.

Vantawng Fall
Surrounded by a vast stretch of thick bamboo forests close to Thenzawl hill station is Mizoram's highest waterfall Vantawng (750 ft high). Located 152 km from Aizawl, this popular water body is worth a visit. You can evn stay overnight as it has cafeteria and cottage for hire.

Champhai
Drive along the fertile plains of Champhai, about 200 km from Aizawl, to enjoy the stunning vista of emerald rice fields bordered by the smoky hills of Myanmar. Champai has the biggest stretch of plains in Mizoram which is used for rice cultivation.

This bustling commercial hub on the Indo-Myanmar borderline also attracts nature lovers by the droves. You can book accommodation in a government lodge. All the huts have scenic view of beautiful hills in Myanmar. It is worth enjoying the clear sky at night. You will realize that there are more stars in the sky than you thought.

The road from Aizwal to Champai is not very good in some places and it takes about 8 hours one way by a shared SUMO. A privately hired car may take about 6-7 hrs. Top speed of only 40 km per hr is possible. But the raw and yet scenic beauty one enjoys along the winding, turning road which goes through thick forests, is a memorable experience.

Phawngpui
One of the finest encounter with Mizoram's splendid vistas is Phawngpui, its highest peak, extremely popular with trekkers and adventure enthusiasts. The Blue Mountain, as it is often referred to, is 300 km from Aizawl and close to the Myanmar border. Fragrant herbs and rare species of orchids and rhododendrons are found here.

Saiha
Saiha is an angler's paradise on the Chhimtuipui, Mizoram's biggest river, 378 km from Aizawl. An overnight stay can be arranged at the tourist lodge at Saiha. Phawngpui (Blue Mountain) is 30 km away.

Lunglei
This district town in South Mizoram is a popular hill station, with fascinating vignettes of Mizoram's legendary natural beauty.

Rihdil
This is a very beautiful lake situated in Myanmar and is very close to the Indo-Myanmar border. Rih means heart. Dil means lake. This lake is heart-shaped. You can reach this place from Champhai. You need to catch an auto from the government lodge to reach Champhai Bazaar. Then you need to reserve a seat in a shared SUV which leaves for Zokhawthar (roughly meaning a 'new Mizo village'). Zokhawthar is situated at the Indo-Burma border. Get a permit (about ₹10) from the Burmese outpost to enter Burma.

Once you enter Burma, you can walk up to the lake which is around 1.5 km from the outpost or you can hire a bike which will be driven by a Burmese. You need to start your journey early in the morning, not because the place is far but because unless the shared SUV gets all the passengers, it will not leave for Zokhawthar, and there are only a few such shared SUVs running between Champhai and Zokhawthar. It is better you hire a cab in Champhai. It is also possible to take your vehicle (if you have exclusively hired it) inside for a fee. Ask the driver to do the needful.

There is restaurant by the lake side and about six cottages for stay, which are owned by the restaurant. You can take a boat ride in the lake, which costs ₹400/- for full perimeter ride for 10 people and ₹200/- for half round. Indian currency is accepted.

Dampa Wildlife Sanctuary
Dampa is a tiger reserve located in West Phaileng district and is 127 km from Aizawl. It is better to book the government lodge well in advance. You need the permit from forest officer staying in West Phaileng to enter Dampa forest. This can be done also from forest department in Aizawl. You should be careful while visiting the forest on a rainy day as it is infested with leeches. This Sanctuary has different types of Birds and Animal, like Tiger, Elephants.

Reiek
This is a very nice place near Aizawl and is a must-see. If you hire a full taxi (Maruti 800/ Alto), it would cost you about ₹1300-₹1400. A hired non AC small car like Wagon R, Indica, Santro etc., it will cost you ₹1800/-

It has a model Mizo Village. Entry ticket is ₹20/- for adults and ₹10/- for children. Ask the ticket clerk for someone to show you around otherwise you won't understand the exhibits. No extra charge for such a guide.

There are four well furnished government cottages (with hot water) there for night stay, which should be an exotic experience. It costs just ₹400/- per day and needs to be booked in advance. There is also a cafeteria where you can have meals provided you give at least 2 hours notice. The cook is from Guwahati and makes excellent food.

There is a small trek up the mountain from the model Mozo village, which one must do. It takes you up to top of the mountain with a cliff to give you wide, breathtaking view. One must spend some time there. The climb is also quite pleasant and passes through thick forest. You can carry some picnic snacks and drinking water to the top. But make sure you don't litter the place and bring back the waste to dustbins near cafeteria, to maintain the natural, pristine beauty of the place.

In December especially in Christmas time, this place is full of festivities with live music shows atop the mountain, and there is a small stage built up there).

Do
If you are an early bird, get up early in the morning and see the lakes of cloud all around the cities and towns as most of them are built on the mountain tops.

Buy
Visit Hnam Chhantu Pawl that sells local handicraft items at very reasonable rates. This is a shop run by an NGO and is located in Electric Veng, Near Grace Hospital And Nursing, Aizawl. Ask for Champai Sumo counters, the shop is closeby, on second floor of a building. It is a very famous store, so you can ask local people and they will guide you. Alternately, you can reach the store at hnamchhantu@rediffmail.com.

The main shopping centers in Aizawl is Bara Bazar, Millenium Centre and Solomon's cave. Here all kinds of wears from garments, cosmetics, shoes to vegetable, poultry are available. These are the main city shopping center. For handicrafts, Zohanco in Zarkawt has shawls, puan, bags and furnishing materials. For bamboo works such as baskets, khumbeu the finely mizo woven bamboo cap are available at MKVI, Sales Emporium, Zarkawt. However the prices may not be very different from Mumbai or Delhi.

Eat
The Mizo people love boiled and non-vegetarian food. Rice is the staple food of the state and is used in literally every single dish.

 * Bai: Boiled vegetables in salted water and cooking soda.

 * Chhangban: A type of rice bread.

 *  Sawhchiar: A common rice dish served with beef, pork or chicken.

Drink
Mizoram is a dry state. However, with the lifting of total prohibition in 2010, you can now get Mizoram's very own grape wine, Zawlaidi, which has alcohol content of 14%, for ₹170/- per bottle. There are no nightclubs or pubs and almost all shops close by 6PM.

Stay safe
Mizoram is one of the safest states in Northeast India in terms of crime, personal safety and insurgency. Most people, including single female travelers, will not face any problems walking along the streets alone at night.

Go next
Mizoram is sandwiched between Bangladesh and Myanmar, so it could be possible for you to visit the border towns for foreign goods from both countries. Be careful not to bring in alcohol, as it is prohibited in Mizoram.

title: Mizoram


text:
Mkhaya Game Reserve

Mkhaya Game Reserve is in Eswatini (Swaziland).

Understand
Mkhaya was established in 1979 to save the pure Nguni breed of cattle from extinction and is a proclaimed Nature Reserve. Its focus has expanded over the years to include other endangered species such as black rhino, roan & sable antelope, tsessebe, white rhino, elephant and other locally endangered species.

Get in
Unlike other nature parks, Mkhaya does not have a reception office. Visitors will be picked up in the town of Phuzumoya (on the MR8, follow the signs to Mkhaya). When entering this town you will see a small yellow grocery store with some signs of Mkhaya next to it. As strange and barren as it may look, this is the pickup point.

For people who booked the (expensive) accommodation in Mkhaya, pickup times are as arranged (but mostly around 16:00). For people who do a day tour, pickup times are around 10:00 and 16:00. Tours are arranged by internet Big Game Parks or by phone (+268) 528 3943 / 4.

Don't expect to take your car into the reserve, even if you have a 4x4. The reserve is only accessible by crossing a river which floods quite often when it has rained, making crossing the river impossible. So be prepared to leave your car in the village instead.

If the river floods, the guide will take you on foot over a nearby railway bridge to cross the river.

Fees and permits
There are no permit costs to enter the park since all entries have to be arranged prior to arrival. The permit costs are usually included in the arrangement price.

Do
Guided jeep safari, Day tours including lunch and guided walks (only for persons staying overnight in the game reserve) are available at the park and all have to be arranged prior to arrival

Buy
Stone Camp (within Mkhaya game reserve, where the lodges are) has a small camp store and bar where you can buy souvenirs and campsite accessories.

Sleep
Cottages must be booked prior to arrival at Big Game Parks. Or, you can stay in Manzini which is not far from Mkhaya; some backpackers and guest houses can be found there, such as Myxos Backpackers, which costs E100 per night per person in a dorm, and E250 per room for 2 people per night.

title: Mkhaya Game Reserve


text:
Mlawula Nature Reserve

Mlawula Nature Reserve is in north-eastern Eswatini (Swaziland), covering an area of approximately 16,500 hectares. The reserve lies within the transitional zone between two biogeographic regions, the dry thorn savannas of the west, and the moister coastal thickets of the east. The reserve consists of three distinct ecological zones, the Ndzindza plateau, the Siphiso Valley and the rhyolite ridges of the western boundary. Although small, the reserve is contiguous with other protected areas (Mbuluzi and Simunye Nature Reserves, Hlane Royal National Park), and other areas of natural vegetation (north bank of the Mbuluzi River, Mhlumeni area, adjacent area in Mozambique).

The Lubombo mountains are the most impressive natural feature of the reserve; they are a rhyolite ridge running from south to north along the border with Mozambique, volcanic in origin and geologically young. The perennial Mbuluzi river runs along the northern boundary of the reserve, passing through an impressive river valley in the north-east. The much smaller Mlawula stream flows through the west of the reserve. West of and parallel to the Lubombos is the basaltic Siphiso valley, a low-lying savanna area with abundant game, flanked on the west by a chain of low rhyolite ridges.

The Lubombo plateau is an open bushclump studded area that dips gently to the east. It is dissected by a number of steep-sided forested ravines that drain northwards into the Mbuluzi river. A few small closed depressions, or seasonal pans, occur on the higher parts of the plateau, and when filled with rainwater are an extremely interesting and locally unique feature.

History
The Mlawula area was considered as worthy of protection for many years, and was in fact proclaimed as a protected area as far back as 1914; it was subsequently deproclaimed and subdivided into cattle ranches.

The first part of Mlawula to be reproclaimed as a conservation area was the then Blue Jay Ranch, which was donated to the Swaziland National Trust Commission by the Niven family and gazetted in 1978 as Ndzindza Nature Reserve. This move was shortly followed by the purchase of Mlawula Estates, which development was in part funded by Havelock Mines (Pty) Ltd., and the donation of Nyala Ranch by Tibiyo.

Flora

The flora of Mlawula is notable for its great richness and diversity, more especially in the deep rocky ravines of the Lubombo mountains; here, almost pure stands of the unique Lubombo Ironwood may be found, and in their shade grows a cycad found nowhere else in the world, and many uncommon succulents and climbers.

The Mbuluzi river valley provides a floral link with the Mozambican coastal flats, and several species of plant more typical of that area grow here. The higher ravines and south-facing valleys tend to support a wetter type of forest or thicket, and are well worth a visit. The dryer Siphiso valley is characterised by knobthorn savanna, with bushwillow species on the rocky ridges.

The flora of the reserve comprises about 1035 plant species including 55 alien species.

Fauna
The variety of topography and ecotypes enables a large variety of vertebrates to exist in the reserve. The reserve is noteworthy for its high diversity of birdlife, with about 350 species having been recorded in the area, compared with the total of about 500 species recorded in the whole of Eswatini. Over 60 species of small and large mammals have been recorded in the reserve, which includes those species which have been re-introduced.

In general, very little is known about the invertebrates of the reserve, although there may be as many as 20,000 species of insects and 10,000 species of spiders.

Do
Contained in a small rocky gorge, this area sometimes offers the opportunity to see klipspringer, pythons, a variety of lizards, terrapins and diverse plant species. A small dam in the southern end of the Siphiso Valley. Hyaenas are occasional visitors to this area. After a stiff climb, this cave offers breath-taking views of Mlawula Nature Reserve and adjacent areas. Home to the endemic Swazi Euphorbia, owls and mocking chats. Accessible by foot from the Mbuluzi Valley road, it is home to numerous rare plants, endemic ironwood forests and uncommon bird species. There are occasional sightings of leopard, serval, aardwolf, pangolin, side-striped jackal, aardvark, Sharpe's grysbok, oribi and samango monkey. More frequent sightings include spotted hyaena, black-backed jackal and red duiker. The ideal area for game viewing of blue wildebeest, zebra, kudu, impala and other small antelopes in their natural habitat. The valley also offers access routes to surrounding Lubombo mountains, for visitors interested in hiking. Accessible by car, offering spectacular river scenery, diverse bird life coupled with a wide variety of plants. Crocodiles may be seen in this gorge, which also offers visitors access to fishing spots.
 * Picnics at the designated areas around the reserve.
 * Python Pool
 * Hyaena Pool
 * Short walks and hiking trails: Mlawula has a network of 50 km of trails, ranging in duration from 1.5 hours to 2 days (all water must be carried), and offers the rare opportunity for visitors to walk self-guided through the bushveld to experience the more intimate encounters with nature and wildlife. The trails in the Lubombo mountains provide excellent views across Eswatini to the west and as far as the Mozambique coast in the east.
 * Khabane Cave
 * Mahlabashane Gorge
 * Guided game drives and night drives on request (when available).
 * Self-guided drives - over 33 km of well marked road network (only daytime drives are encouraged).
 * Siphiso Valley
 * Mbuluzi Gorge
 * Bird watching at Mlawula is particularly rewarding and the reserve is known for its high bird diversity.
 * Mountain biking - over 33 km of dirt tracks.
 * Quad biking - Quad bike enthusiasts have access to affordable quad bike rental.
 * Fishing in the Mbuluzi and Mlawula rivers is a popular past time (fishing permit required).

Lodging

The accommodation at Mlawula consists of luxury en-suite tents, a cottage, campsite and a new en suite camp (Magadzavane Camp) due to open in the near future. - 1 tented chalet sleeping 3 people (1 double 1 single)
 * Sara Bush Camp provides attractive self-catering accommodation. It consists of fully furnished luxury safari tents on wooden desks with amazing views over the reserve. Each tent accommodates two people and has a unique open-air bath in the cliff edge. There is a well-equipped communal kitchen and a lounge area and communal toilets with a view. No electricity, but gas stoves, refrigerators and paraffin lanterns are provided.

- 3 tented chalets sleeping 2 people (2 singles)
 * Maphelephele Cottage: This has been upgraded to sleep eight, with two upper (baboon-proofed) sleeping porches with a double bed on each, in addition to the two rooms inside, with two twin beds in each. The cottage includes full bath, sitting room with fireplace, braai area, gas hot water, oven/stove and refrigerator. No electricity. Kitchen utensils, bedding and towels supplied.
 * Friendly staff are available to clean and make beds, and assist with any questions you might have during your stay.
 * Siphiso campsite is designed for caravans and camping. It consists of a thatched ablution building with showers, baths, washbasins and toilets and a very spacious lawn area with taps and braai spots. Shade is provided by indigenous trees and two thatched summer houses.
 * Picnicking is allowed at various attractive sites.
 * The reserve has 54 km of roads open to tourists for game driving vehicles with both high and low clearances are welcome.
 * There are 10 walking trails that vary in length from 1.5 km to a full day.
 * Pay phone, found at the gate entrance.
 * You can book for activities such as fishing and guided walks at the reception on arrival. The closest supply shop can be found at the Simunye, a few kilometers away from the entrance. This small shopping center has all that you will need during your stay, a Spar grocery shop, bottle store, chemist and a number of small clothes shops. There is also a petrol station at Simunye.

title: Mlawula Nature Reserve


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Mljet

Otok Mljet, in Southern Dalmatia, is one of the larger islands in off the coast of Southern Croatia. Although many people live on the island (mainly in the port of Sobra on the east end), the west end port of Polače holds the entrance to the national park of Mljet. This park includes an inland sea and another small island nested within it, and is a must-see for visitors.

Understand
Mljet used to be a Roman possession (indeed, Polače means "palace" and holds some Roman ruins). Over the course of history, the isle traded hands with the rest of the Balkans (to the Ottomans, the Austro-Hungarians, etc.) It was promised to Italy at one point in the early 20th century. Once the Kingdom of the Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes was declared, the island became part of that country.

Ancient Greeks called the island "Melita", or "honey," which over the centuries evolved to become the Slavic name, Mljet.

Landscape
Over 72% of the island of 1000 km² (388 sq mi) is forest. The island's geological structure consists of limestone and dolomite forming ridges, crests and slopes. A few depressions on the island of Mljet are below sea level and are known as blatine ("mud-lakes") or slatine ("salt-lakes"). During the rain seasons all blatine are filled with water, and they turn to brackish during dry seasons.

Climate
The climate is Mediterranean; an average air temperature in January is 9°C (48°F) and in July about 24°C (75°F).

Fees
There is an entrance fee of per person to enter the Mljet National Park. If you are joining an excursion organised by a travel agency to Mljet, it may not include this entrance fee, so make sure you check before booking. The entrance fee includes the boat round trip Mali Most - Pristaniste - Sveta Marija, operated by solar powered boats, roughly half-hourly departures from any point.

By boat
Sobra (east-end), Polače (west-end) and Pomena (west-end) serve as ferry ports for the island.

Ferry services may change by season so check the operators' websites.

The Nona Ana catamaran operates twice daily from Dubrovnik to Sobra and Polače on Mljet island. Tickets are one way per person. Polače is nearer the National Park than Sobra. There is car ferry operating five times a day between Prapratno on the Pelješac peninsula and the port of Sobra on Mljet island ( for a car, foot passenger). There is car ferry from Split on Saturday and speed boat from Lastovo on Tuesday and Thursday.
 * From Dubrovnik
 * From the Pelješac peninsula
 * From Split

The Krilo Star (passenger ferry) travels daily between Dubrovnik and Split, passing Pomena. From Korčula you can get to Sobra on Mljet island by car ferry operated by Jadrolinija on Mondays and Fridays. The ferry leaves Korčula Town at 14:00 and arrives at Sobra at 16:15. Sobra is some distance from the National Park, which is located on the western side of Mljet island. Alternatively, join a day trip excursion from Korčula organised by a travel agency:
 * From Korčula
 * Kantun Tours organises an excursion to Mljet by speed boat (the journey is around 30 min one-way) for  per person return (not including the  entrance fee to the National Park).
 * Mediterano Travel Agency can provide a return boat journey between Korčula Town and Mljet for per person or an excursion (including a guide and the National Park entrance fee) for  per person.
 * Korkyra Info Travel Agency offers an excursion (with a guide and including the National Park entrance fee) for per person.
 * Korčula Adventures offers an excursion to Mljet by luxury yacht (guide, lunch, snorkelling gear and National Park entrance fee included) for per person.

By plane
Mljet has no airport. Dubrovnik Airport on the mainland provides the main international connection for the island.

By bus
There are two bus lines on Mljet, one connecting Sobra with Pomena and another connecting Saplunara with Sobra. Buses run each direction once a day, usually one in the early morning and one in the evening. Check times online.

By car
There is only one major road on the island which runs through or near most cities. The road is paved, but condition is only fair. Speed limit is usually 40 km/h (24 mph). For most of its length, the road has long uphill or downhill includes.

If you come without a car, you can rent one at several local agencies:

 * MiniBrum has a rental office at the Sobra ferry terminal. They rent a variety of small, often cutely decorated, cars.  Aa small diesel Fiat for two days costs about €120 plus fuel.

By bike
Mountain bikes can be rented in several places such as Pomena, Polače and within the National Park. This is a good way to get to and explore the National Park. However due to the island's size, topography, and road conditions, it's not realistic to expect to also explore the central and eastern parts of the island by bike from the west end.

Do
Swim around, snorkel and try to find the large mussels (about 60 cm (2 feet) long) in the smaller lake (malo jezero).

Rent a mountain bike and ride around the big lake (veliko jezero) and small lake (malo jezero) which are connected to each other.
 * There are daily diving tours in Pomena.
 * There are daily diving tours in Pomena.
 * There are daily diving tours in Pomena.

Eat
There are several places to eat out in Pomena, around the harbour. Most appear to cater to the yachting fraternity and specialise in very fresh fish; live seafood are kept in tanks next to each restaurant. There's also a great restaurant between the harbour and the hotel. It looks like it's a private house but with a large barbecue area built on, and it does excellent barbecued fish. Besides that, there are several restaurants in villages Polače, Soline and in Babine kuće. There is also restaurant on the island of St. Mary.

Drink
There's not a lot of nightlife in Pomena; the hotel has an inside bar with a cheesy band, and an outside shack that sells drink. It's best for a quiet getaway rather than a party!

Go next
On summer days speed boat goes from the port of Sobra to Dubrovnik every day at 06:15 (Tuesday and Thursday at 06:00) and at 17:35. From port of Polače speed boat goes every day at 16:55.

From Sobra car ferry goes every day to Prapratno (peninsula Pelješac) at 06:00, 09:00 and at 12:00, 16:00, 19:00 (on Sunday and holidays it goes at 10:00 not at 09:00).

With speed boat you can also go to island Korčula from Polače and Sobra on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, and with car ferry from Sobra on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. There is speed boat from Sobra and Polače to island Lastovo on Tuesday and Thursday.

To Split you can go from Sobra with car ferry on Saturday.

title: Mljet


text:
Moab

Moab is a town in the Utah's Canyon Country and a gateway to the nearby Arches National Park and other attractions in Canyon Country.

Understand
Moab is a unique Western community situated in the red rock country of Southeastern Utah on the Colorado River. Arches National Park is only six miles from downtown and Canyonlands National Park is 32 miles from Moab. The city is surrounded by public lands which are used not only for grazing, drilling, and forestry but for recreation such as mountain biking, hiking, rafting, rock climbing, highlining, B.A.S.E. jumping, skydiving, disc golf and cross-country skiing. Because the area is rich in these recreational opportunities, Moab has become the hub of tourist activity and services.

By car
If you are approaching Moab while driving west along I-70, use Utah Route 128 for the beautiful scenery. About 10 minutes past the Colorado-Utah border is exit 214 on I-70, it is marked as "Cisco". The landscape at this point is extremely dry, slightly hilly. The road is narrow (no shoulder), and somewhat curvy, and it's about 80 km to Moab. About half-way, the road narrows, meets and then crosses the Colorado River, and the remainder of the trip is spent with the river on your right side and spectacular canyon walls surrounding you. This piece of pavement is one of the best drives in North America. Optimal times to take it are the morning (~9AM) or afternoon (after 3PM) for the light -- do not drive it at night (you can't see anything and it is more dangerous -- use US 191 instead). Watch for traffic, particularly bicycles as you approach Moab. The urge to rubber-neck is extreme, and needs to be resisted: be a passenger if you can. Eventually, UT 128 ends at US 191, a few minutes north of Moab.

By train
Amtrak's California Zephyr route has a whistle stop in Green River, Utah (GRI). Combine the trail with your flights into Salt Lake City; Denver; or Grand Junction, Colorado, then reserve a taxi or shuttle service to travel 52 miles to the town of Moab.

By bus

 * Salt Lake Express stops in Moab on its route between Blanding and Salt Lake City. The buses stop at the Moab Chevron Food Mart at 817 S Main. The journey from Salt Lake City to Moab is estimated at 4 hours 35 minutes and costs $53.50 (2021).

Get around
Moab's Main Street is part of US Route 191. Traveling north on Main will get you to Arches National Park, Canyonland Field Airport, and Interstate 70. To get to Dead Horse Point State Park and Canyonlands National Park, by backcountry dirt road use Utah State Route 279, which intersects US-191 near the entrance to Arches National Park. To access Canyonlands and Dead Horse Point by pavement continue farther north on Hwy 191 to Utah State Route 313.

River rafting
Moab lies along the Colorado River and offers excellent opportunities to get out on the river. The most popular option is a one-day trip on the Fisher Towers section. Also known as the "Moab daily" this 14 mile stretch of river is perfect for families with children or anyone wishing to escape the heat. Slashy and fun this is a wonderful way to take in the beauty of Moab from a different perspective.

Jeeping
Moab is home to the Semi-Annual Jeep Safari, which can give you some wild rides with difficult obstacles. Go 4-wheeling on the trails that stretch just outside the city. Many trails are a less than a few miles away, while some may take a short while to find and can be tricky. Trails rank from easy to difficult.

Stay safe
In summer time, Moab can get very hot. Drink extra fluids as needed. If you plan to go off-roading or camping out on the trails, take at least one gallon of water per person per day.

Media

 * Moab Sun News – free weekly local newspaper

Cisco
A ghost old west rail town which once served as a saloon and water-refilling station for the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad. The town declined with the demise of the steam locomotive. Ruins are visible near the junction of State Route 128 and Interstate 70 but are heavily damaged by vandals.

Go next

 * Arches National Park
 * Canyonlands National Park
 * Dead Horse Point State Park

title: Moab


text:
Moalboal

Moalboal is a small town on the south-west side of Cebu Island. The town sits at the base of a peninsula which runs north from there and has an assortment of tourist facilities — resorts, dive schools, bars and restaurants — along much of its west coast. Most of those are at Panagsama Beach, some further from town on White Beach.

Understand
In the 20th century Moalboal was mainly a backpacker destination, one of the first Philippine places to become part of the Banana Pancake Trail. It still gets many budget travellers, but now is more developed and has a considerably broader range of tourist facilities.

There are two main beach areas:
 * Panagsama Beach (Barangay Basdiot), closer to town and busier. The diving is good, with underwater cliffs that have much marine life, but the beach is somewhat rocky. This is a haven for snorkelling and diving, with many dive resorts and dive schools. There is also other accommodation and many dining and night life options.
 * White Beach (Barangay Basdaku), further north and quieter (fewer tourists). This area has two white sand beaches and may be preferable if sunbathing and swimming, rather than diving, are your main interests. Establishments are far from each other so you only enjoy the hotel and its amenities. There are entrance fee of per person to enter the area and another entrance fee of  per person and   per vehicle to the White Beach.

You can travel between the two beaches on a habal-habal (motorcycle taxi) for.

Most visitors will spend nearly all their time in the beach areas.

Get in
The easiest way to reach Moalboal is from Cebu City. The road is in good condition, even the part in the mountains, and is about 80 km.

By van
Many of the hotels and guest houses in Moalboal will send a car or van for pickup at Cebu Airport.

Be ready to pay around for this 2½-hr trip. This is absurdly expensive for a single person or couple, but may make economic sense for a larger group. Consider a group of six: two taxis to the bus station for at least each,  per person for the bus, around  a couple for tricycle to the beach. You would spend close to for the trip, and paying more to get there quicker and in comfort may be worthwhile.

By taxi
Taxis can be hired at Cebu Airport for (fixed rate as of Sep 2018).

By bus
As usual, the cheapest method is a local bus; from Metro Cebu these depart from the South Bus Terminal, takes around 4 hr. The main company is the yellow color buses of Ceres Liner. the bus fare was for non-AC bus,  for an air-conditioned bus (as of June 2019). You will be dropped after the Moalboal market. See the Cebu Airport article for ways of reaching the South Bus Station; the cheapest is getting the airport Mybus to SM City for then a  taxi to the South Bus Terminal for. A taxi ride directly from the airport to the South Bus Terminal is, a more convenient way if you have a lot of luggage. It may also be worth spending a few days in Cebu City before heading to Moalboal.

Coming from Dumaguete, it is a four-step process: Two ports can be used, one in Sibulan or one in San Jose (Negros Oriental); for most travellers San Jose works better. The port in Sibulan is closer to Dumaguete and has a shorter and cheaper ( vs. ) ferry ride, but is farther to the bus station and the trike costs more (around vs ). Also, there is only one ferry an hour there but two or three at the other port. The Sibulan port can be reached for about by tricycle from the city center or  by jeepney. San Jose is over an hour and by jeepney, or you can pay about  to travel in comfort by Ceres bus since all the Dumaguete-Cebu buses use this port. See Dumaguete for locations of the jeepney terminals.
 * get to a ferry port (not Dumaguete port, but one further north)
 * cross to Cebu Island by ferry
 * take a trike to the bus station
 * catch a bus to Moalboal.

Once you reach the bus station on the Cebu side, look for yellow Ceres buses headed for Cebu City; some of them go via Moalboal (ask the driver). The bus fare is (as of early 2018).

Get around
The easiest way to get around is to use tricycles also known locally as habal-habal. From Moalboal to Panagsama Beach 3.5 km, the fare is  for a (shared tricycle per seat) by day. Don't pay more than if you're alone on the tricycle. To White Beach most people were paying (as of Apr 2018). But if you just get one seat, the tricycle is. A tricycle ride anywhere in Moalboal town is.

Most travellers just take a trike to Pangasama then walk everywhere. The main road there has most of the area's restaurants, bars and souvenir shops, plus several resorts and diving schools. There are other resorts and dive places on White Beach, and some on Pangasama south of the main strip. There are also places to stay a bit inland.

See

Kawasan Water Falls

 * Getting to the falls is approximately a 30 min ascent through an impressive landscape. You can take a nice cooling swim in the natural pools, or take a raft out to the falls. There are resting place tables for a charge, some small restaurants and very simple accommodation available.

 * The falls can sometimes be a bit crowded (especially on weekends) so if you're looking for more of a nature experience, check out the guided canyoning tours that are offered by some resorts in Panagsama. Tours start in the morning, above the waterfalls, and you make your way down wading along the river, swimming through deeper sections and jumping down waterfalls. Takes about one day, around per person.

Do
Although in Moalboal the most popular tourist activity is scuba diving, there are a lot more outdoor activities to explore. The area is great for hiking, mountain biking and canyoneering, and there are many natural wonders like caves and waterfalls to explore. There are a few companies that arrange adventure tours. In Panagsama you'll find Pescadores Seaview Suites that offers a large choice of tours.

Snorkelling
Not far out from the beach shore in Panagsama Beach, there is a drop-off. Near that area, especially towards the south, there are countless reefs, with soft and hard corals, many different species of fish. Sometimes you can spot lion fish, water snakes, and with some luck turtles. The southern half of White Beach is also a good spot for snorkelling if you want to combine it with relaxing in the sun. On typical days, a number of turtles are often seen very close to the shore line especially at Tonggo Point which is in front of Pescadores Seaview Suites.

Diving
Most divers come for the more famous diving spots in Pescador Island, which offer terrific diving. However, there are a lot more spots to discover around the Moalboal peninsula. In some areas there are fish sanctuaries, and there is a marine preservation program in effect to encourage fishermen not to fish with nets.

Dives usually cost around with gear. There are a few "local owned" dive shops that are per dive. Most of the dive shops operate 3 dives per day and you can even do your own diving schedule on low season!

If you are not a diver yet, a beginners' course will set you back about depending where you go. It's a good idea to look around for a good deal, but make sure to look for the PADI or SSI certifications of the dive shops as they are a guarantee that the equipment and staff meet certain standards. Set aside about 4 days for the course.

See also Diving in the Philippines—Moalboal.

Freediving
Freediving is becoming more and more popular in Moalboal, because the area offers great conditions for the sport. Close to the shore, the reef drops off to about 40 m (sometimes more) and the water is usually calm and clear. There are several diveshops that offer courses and training session.

Banks & ATMs
Most Philippine banks, including all the ones in Moalboal, add a surcharge for an ATM withdrawal using an overseas bank card and have limit of  per transaction. However, the HSBC ATM in Cebu City accepts most foreign cards, has no fee, and allows per transaction. You may be able to save money by withdrawing funds there before going to Moalboal.

 * There is an PNB Visa card ATM at Panagsama beach in the entrance of Eve's Kiosk.
 * In Moalboal town (about 3.5 km from the beach, reachable by tricycle) there is a Metro Bank ATM in the 360 Pharmacy which takes Mastercards.
 * There is a PNB Bank with an ATM at the Gaisano shopping mall to the left of the main entrance which takes only Visa cards. There is also a Metro Bank ATM at the Gaisano Grand which takes Visa and Mastercard.
 * There is an ATM at Chief Mau at Panagsama Beach which accepts cards including Visa, Mastercard and Bank of China.

ATMs are less likely to work on Sundays as they run out of money.

Malls & supermarkets
There are two Gaisano malls in Moalboal and soon a new Citi mall which will have a Jollibee and a supermarket.

Eat
Panagsama Beach has been overrun by tourists, so expect higher food prices compared to Cebu City. Almost all eateries serve the standard menu of sandwich-pizza-burgers for uncultured tourists, and the local dishes are either limited or considerably high price considering the general price level of the country. On average, a burger costs about upwards and a local dish is about  upwards. There are some local eateries along Panagsama Rd without name banner where you can get a meal for (as of Feb 2019).

Another culinary delight is to pick up a freshly grilled chicken in Moalboal town. You'll find a good place on the left just down the road from the public market, across from the fruit stands. One chicken is.

As in any town in the country, there are some candeleria (serving cheap, plain Filipino food) in the market and along the main street, and the malls have outlets for fast food chains. Other places in the town include: Most of the other eateries are on or near Pangasama Beach.

Drink
There are a lot of restaurants along the beach where you can have a drink with a sea view. Chili Bar in Panagsama Beach is the most popular one and usually full of people all year around. You will find two billiards table there (as in almost all the other bars around) and there's a tournament on Wednesdays. Across from Chili Bar is 7 Sins Bar, also with a pool table and lots of seating.

As you come down to Panagsama from Moalboal and the road turns left, continue straight on down to the beach and take a left to find Ester's Bar. The nice sea view is accompanied by friendly service.

On Saturday nights, there is a disco in Pacitas, just a short walk south along the beach from Panagsama's center. There are also very often discos organised by locals in different locations. Ask around where it is, everybody knows. On your way to Pacitas you can also stop off at Andi's Talisay for some late night singing at their open-mic night.

Go next

 * Oslob
 * Dumaguete
 * Cebu City the bus pick-up point is at the Moalboal market.
 * Badian

title: Moalboal


text:
Mobile

Mobile is a city in the state of Alabama in the South of the United States of America with almost a half million people in the metro area.

Mobile is a historic, diverse port city with a strong southern culture and heritage. The original capital of French Louisiana, Mobile is home to the oldest Mardi Gras celebration in the United States.

By car

 * Interstate 10 from New Orleans or Jacksonville. A highlight of this route is passing through the George C. Wallace Memorial Tunnel underneath the Mobile River.
 * Interstate 65 from Birmingham or Nashville.

By train
There has been no passenger rail service to Mobile since 2005. While work is ongoing on providing a daily service from New Orleans, it won't resume until 2024 earliest. Nearest current station is in Hattiesburg, which is served by Amtrak and its Crescent route between New York City and New Orleans.

Get around
Wave Transit System is Mobile's public bus service. The frequency is not the best, generally one bus per hour M-Sa from about 6AM to 6PM, but the buses run on time and are reliable. There is later service to about 9PM on a few routes, but no late-night or Sunday service. They can carry a bicycle on a rack at the front of the bus, and there is no extra charge for bicycles. The fares are $1.25 one way ($0.10 for transfers), $3 for an all-day ticket, $10 for a 7-day pass, or $40 for a 31-day pass. Routes and timetables are available online or at the GM&O Transportation Centre (110 Beauregard Street, Suite 104). The Wave has some unusual but interesting quirks; the bus drivers will stop for you at any intersection along their route without a marked stop nearby as long as you're on their side of the road and signal to them with your hand. It is also one of the few transit systems that will give you change on a card redeemable for future rides if you do not have exact fare.

MODA is an electric trolley that serves downtown with 20 stops, available M-F 7AM-3PM. MODA fares are $0.50 one-way, with no multi-trip passes available.

See

Do

 * Go on a walking tour. Historic downtown Mobile can easily be explored by foot. See the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and Scottish Rite Temple, rest under the shade trees in Bienville Square, watch the ships on the Mobile River from Cooper Riverside Park, and grab a bite to eat on Dauphin Street.
 * Go on a walking tour. Historic downtown Mobile can easily be explored by foot. See the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and Scottish Rite Temple, rest under the shade trees in Bienville Square, watch the ships on the Mobile River from Cooper Riverside Park, and grab a bite to eat on Dauphin Street.
 * Go on a walking tour. Historic downtown Mobile can easily be explored by foot. See the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and Scottish Rite Temple, rest under the shade trees in Bienville Square, watch the ships on the Mobile River from Cooper Riverside Park, and grab a bite to eat on Dauphin Street.
 * Go on a walking tour. Historic downtown Mobile can easily be explored by foot. See the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and Scottish Rite Temple, rest under the shade trees in Bienville Square, watch the ships on the Mobile River from Cooper Riverside Park, and grab a bite to eat on Dauphin Street.
 * Go on a walking tour. Historic downtown Mobile can easily be explored by foot. See the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and Scottish Rite Temple, rest under the shade trees in Bienville Square, watch the ships on the Mobile River from Cooper Riverside Park, and grab a bite to eat on Dauphin Street.

Consulates

 * 🇩🇰 Denmark
 * 🇳🇴 Norway

Go next

 * Dauphin Island, Hwy 193, 23 miles (47 km) south of Mobile. Sandy beaches, Historic Fort Gaines, fishing pier, campground, bird-watching sites, the Dauphin Island Sea Lab and Estuarium, and the Isle Dauphine Golf Club are all on the island.
 *  Orange Beach

title: Mobile


text:
Moca

Moca is a town and municipality in Porta del Sol region of Puerto Rico. It is located southeast of Aguadilla.

Get in

 * San Juan: Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport
 * Aguadilla: Rafael Hernández Airport
 * Ponce: Mercedita Airport

By car
Moca is serve by state-road 111. PR-111 to the west connects it with Aguadilla and to the east with San Sebastian and Lares. It is also serve by state-road 110 which connects with Isabela to the north and Añasco to the south.

See

 * Palacete Los Moreau "Castillo Labaddie"
 * Bobbin Lace Museum (museo del mundillo)
 * Bobbin Lace Museum (museo del mundillo)

Buy
There are stores along the streets of the town center. Another shopping experience is offered by shopping malls in Aguadilla.

Drink

 * La Cabaña - On PR-110 - Is a place to enjoy Latino music and dance. The Club does not have a set time to close set by the government.

Sleep

 * Hotel Hacienda Los Castillos

Go next

 * Aguada
 * Aguadilla
 * Añasco
 * Isabela
 * Mayagüez
 * Rincón
 * San Sebastián

title: Moca