Kaeda Valley is a serene ravine nestled between Kumbachi Mountain and Soishiyama. This natural haven offers visitors a tranquil escape into lush forests and clear streams.
The valley is renowned for its designated “shinrin-yoku” or forest bathing routes, promoting relaxation and stress reduction through immersion in nature. You can explore various trails, including a relatively flat 10-kilometer path along the river, suitable for all ages and abilities, offering picturesque views of rock formations and waterfalls. For more experienced hikers, a challenging trail leads up to Mount Boroishi, providing panoramic vistas of Miyazaki and the Pacific Ocean on clear days.
How to Get to Kaeda Valley
The closest train station to Kaeda Valley is Kibana Station, located along the JR Nippo Main Line. It serves as a convenient starting point for travelers coming from Miyazaki City or other parts of Kyushu. From Kibana Station, you have two main options to reach Kaeda Valley:
On Foot
For those seeking a more immersive experience, the journey to Kaeda Valley can be undertaken on foot. The walk from Kibana Station to the valley takes approximately 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes, depending on your pace. The route offers a chance to enjoy the surrounding countryside, with glimpses of local life and scenic landscapes. Be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes and carry water, especially in the hotter months. Coincidentally, this is actually what we did.
By Car
If you prefer a quicker and more convenient option, driving from Kibana Station to Kaeda Valley takes just about 10 minutes. Car rentals are available at Miyazaki City or other major locations in the region, making this an ideal choice for travelers who value flexibility. The drive offers picturesque views of the lush terrain, setting the stage for the natural beauty that awaits in the valley.
All You Need to Know about Kaeda Valley
At the entrance of Kaeda Valley, you’ll find a free car park equipped with a large map detailing the various hiking courses. For those who prefer a portable version, complimentary maps are available in a small hut adjacent to the car park. Here are the trails you can do around the area:
Main River Trail
Starting Point: Begins at the main entrance near the car park.
Duration: Approximately 3 hours round trip at a leisurely pace.
Highlights: This trail follows the pristine Kaeda River through a densely forested valley. The path is mostly level and well-maintained, making it suitable for all ages and abilities. Along the way, you’ll encounter beautiful rock formations, waterfalls, and abundant wildlife. It’s especially good for bird-watching.
Mount Boroishi Trail
Starting Point: Accessible from the main trail, with clear signage directing hikers.
Duration: Varies depending on pace; allow 3 – 4 hours for the ascent and descent.
Highlights: This more challenging trail leads up to Mount Boroishi, offering panoramic views of Miyazaki City and the Pacific Ocean on clear days. The path is steeper and requires a good level of fitness, but the vistas at the summit are well worth the effort.
Forest Bathing (Shinrin-yoku) Routes
Starting Point: Various entry points throughout the valley.
Duration: Flexible; can be tailored to individual preferences.
Highlights: Designated by the government, these trails are intended for relaxation and immersion in nature. They offer a peaceful environment to de-stress and connect with the natural surroundings.
Note: Trail conditions can change due to weather, especially after rainfall when paths may become muddy. It’s advisable to wear appropriate footwear and check local conditions before setting out. Additionally, while the main trails are well-marked, some of the more advanced paths may be less maintained, so carrying a map and informing someone of your hiking plans is recommended.
Where to Stay in Miyazaki
You will most likely be coming from the nearby Miyazaki City which is more central and fitting to use as a home base when exploring the prefecture. Here are some of the best recommendations in the area.
Best Hotels in Miyazaki:
- Miyazaki Daiichi Hotel – offers comfortable accommodations featuring large male public baths with a sauna, a female stone sauna, and complimentary amenities such as shochu, beer, popcorn, and baked sweet potato.You can enjoy a breakfast buffet with Japanese and Western dishes, including local specialties, and access free WiFi throughout the property. Rooms are simply decorated with Simmons beds, flat-screen TVs, work desks, and en suite bathrooms with hairdryers and toiletries. The hotel’s 24-hour front desk provides free luggage storage, while amenities include bicycle rentals, a coin launderette, and a lobby offering 15 complimentary drink options.
- JR Kyushu Hotel Miyazaki – features Western-style rooms with free wired internet. Each room features carpeted floors, an electric kettle, refrigerator, flat-screen TV, and an en suite bathroom with a bath and shower. Amenities include a 24-hour front desk, a coin launderette, and a restaurant serving a daily breakfast buffet.
- Hotel JAL City Miyazaki – provides bright, air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, featuring flat-screen TVs, fridges, air purifiers, and en suite bathrooms with bathtubs and toiletries. The hotel offers a 24-hour front desk and access to nearby paid parking. You can enjoy Japanese and Western options at the breakfast buffet or dine on Western cuisine for lunch and dinner at Brasserie Bernerd.
Best Hostels in Miyazaki:
- Aoshima Guesthouse – offers traditional Japanese-style accommodations with tatami mats, available as private or dormitory rooms. The guest house is conveniently close to surf spots, fishing points, and local spas, as well as public transportation, being just a minute’s walk from both the Aoshima bus stop and train station. Welcoming international guests, the property provides English-speaking staff for a comfortable stay.
- Cactus Inn – provides air-conditioned rooms with shared bathrooms and family room options. The property features a shared kitchen, shared lounge, and free WiFi throughout. You can enjoy activities like fishing, with bike rentals available for exploring the area. All rooms are equipped with wardrobes for convenience.
- Finecamp Guesthouse Share Room – boasts accommodations with a garden, free private parking, and a shared lounge. You can enjoy free WiFi throughout the property and access to a shared kitchen.
Kaeda Valley Hiking Experience
After Aoshima Island the day before, going to Kaeda Valley wasn’t easy without a car but we still went for it anyway. I was quite intrigued to try this place out as it was known to function as some sort of forest theraphy or forest bathing (shinrin yoku) so to say. Getting to the correct station (Kibana) was the easy part but we had to walk a long way to the valley, as in more than an hour worth so I would recommend to just rent a car (which would have taken 10 minutes) but we weren’t so wise back then. It was a good thing the surroundings were so beautiful with mountains and farmlands all around.
The sun was overbearing though, soon there were rivers which signalled we were getting close. We stopped by some benches as we approached the park entrance and made our way in to the valley.
The atmosphere changed immediately, everything was much more fresh and serene. The river’s color was an amazing hue of aquamarine and there were a lot of diverse flora and fauna. Halfway through, we arrived at an empty campsite. I changed my clothes here and went for a dip at the river. The river was so cool and refreshing, it pretty much wiped away all my fatigue.
We continued on until we reached the end of our trail and had several choices but we opted to do the hike back instead which would be very difficult but more worth it than just going back the same route. The hike was exhausting with steep uphills but the reward was even more untouched and wild nature. There was even a waterfall on the way, though nothing as grand as Manai Falls over at Takachiho Gorge.
It’s also possible to take a dip at the river by the dam at the trail entrance, the current is stronger, the water colder, and the rocks a bit jagged but it just feels so refreshing to bathe out in the open while surrounded by mountains.
Plan Your Trip to Miyazaki | Best Travel Resources
Book Your Accommodations
- Booking.com – the world’s leading online booking platform for accomodations around the world, they have an extensive amount of available listings with zero booking fees and best price guarantees.
- Hostelworld – a backpacker’s best friend, Hostelworld has the largest collection of hostels and guesthouses for affordable prices.
Don’t Forget Insurance
- SafetyWing – from Nomad Insurance, an insurance by nomads for nomads. They understand our lifestyle well and have really comprehensive and flexible plans that cater to any traveler.
Find Cheap Flights
- Kiwi.com – my go-to for booking and finding the cheapest flights and it’s helped me save tons of money. They do virtual interlining which is connecting flights from airlines that do not codeshare, so you can find routes that you wouldn’t be able to find normally.
Join Tours & Activities
- GetYourGuide – is one of the best places to find unique tours and activities. I found that it’s an excellent way to meet fellow travelers and create fond memories. They are not only limited to tours as they also offer niche services such as skip-the-line tickets or private transfers.
Catch a Ride
- Rentalcars.com – nothing beats the freedom of the road, Rentalcars.com is the world’s largest online car rental service. They operate across 160 countries so they’re the perfect partner to work with if you find yourself wanting a ride.
