Rejuvenate Mind and Body in Nichinan, a Hot Spot for Inbound Tourism! Discover Moments Blending into Local Life in the Port Town of Aburatsu

Nichinan City, Miyazaki Prefecture, is promoting its unique attractions to inbound tourists, focusing on wellness, slow travel, and local experiences. The port town of Aburatsu, with its increasing cruise ship calls, offers authentic local immersion, while the new luxury villa "HINATA Oshima" on an uninhabited island, set to open in summer 2026, promises an extraordinary stay.
ホテル・レジャー,その他NQ 100/100出典:PR Times

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  • 📰 Published: April 2, 2026 at 21:00
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Nichinan City, located in the southern part of Miyazaki Prefecture, is an area with diverse attractions where the blue sea of the Hyuga-nada stretching to the east, the mountains of laurel forests extending to the west, and the historic Obi Castle Town coexist. This compact geographical characteristic, where sea, forest, and historical culture are gathered, is rare in Japan and has a high affinity with the globally growing trends of "wellness," "slow travel," and "local experiences" in recent years.

Under a warm climate, the ability to experience breathtaking cliff views, sacred sites where myths breathe, the tranquility of moss-covered forests, and the warm-hearted culture of a port town all in one stay is a significant attraction for overseas travelers seeking a "deeper Japan" different from urban tourism. Furthermore, improved accessibility due to the development of the Higashi-Kyushu Expressway has made it a new option for Kyushu tours and cruise port calls, drawing attention.

Therefore, this time, with the theme of "a journey to rejuvenate mind and body," we will introduce the charms of Nichinan that we want to convey to overseas travelers from the perspective of "moments blending into local life in the port town of Aburatsu."

At Aburatsu Port in Nichinan City, cruise ship calls are increasing, welcoming many visitors from Japan and abroad. Leveraging its excellent accessibility to the city center and major tourist attractions, we are developing a reception system that allows visitors to experience the region's charm. We are promoting the expansion of exchange population and regional revitalization through port calls.

[Scheduled Cruise Ship Calls at Aburatsu Port in FY2026]

March 24, 2026 (Tuesday) Diamond Princess

April 7, 2026 (Tuesday) Nippon Maru

April 12, 2026 (Sunday) Seabourn Sojourn

May 31, 2026 (Sunday) Diamond Princess

June 7, 2026 (Sunday) Crystal Symphony

July 7, 2026 (Tuesday) MSC Bellissima

July 18, 2026 (Saturday) Asuka II

July 19, 2026 (Sunday) Mitsui Ocean Fuji

July 25, 2026 (Saturday) Villa Vie Odyssey

October 25, 2026 (Sunday) Diamond Princess

November 8, 2026 (Sunday) Diamond Princess

Moments Blending into Local Life in the Port Town of Aburatsu

The Aburatsu area in the center of Nichinan City is a region that has developed as a port town, with unique snack bars and small eateries. Shops are scattered within a compact area and have long been cherished by locals. In recent years, interest in experiences that allow visitors to touch the daily life of the region has been growing among overseas travelers. In Aburatsu, you can feel the unique atmosphere of the land while visiting shops.

Aburatsu Area

Aburatsu is the central urban area adjacent to Nichinan City's port, a compact area where commercial, dining, and public facilities are concentrated. Since shops are clustered within walking distance, it is characterized by high walkability, allowing visitors to enjoy a stroll even in a short time. With a history of developing as a port town, shops rooted in the daily lives of local people continue to operate today.

In the evening, restaurants, bars, and snack bars light up, creating a calm atmosphere. Unlike large tourist destinations, although smaller in scale, the charm lies in experiencing an atmosphere closer to the daily life of the region. In recent years, the number of overseas travelers interested not only in tourist attractions but also in "local streetscapes" and "everyday scenes" has increased, and Aburatsu can be said to be an area that meets such needs.

By stopping by during your stay in Nichinan, you can discover a different side of the city, distinct from coastal scenery and nature tourism.

[Scheduled to Open Summer 2026] "HINATA Oshima," a Luxury Villa on an Uninhabited Island Woven by Sea and Forest

"HINATA Oshima" is a new resort villa facility being developed on Oshima, an uninhabited island floating off the coast of Nichinan City, Miyazaki Prefecture. The facility name has been decided as "HINATA Oshima," and preparations are underway for its grand opening in the summer of 2026.

Oshima is a naturally rich island included in the Nichinan Kaigan Quasi-National Park, with untouched greenery and the seascape of the Pacific Ocean stretching along its approximately 2.5 km coastline. While existing municipal accommodation facilities such as Adventure Cabin are present, HINATA Oshima is being developed as a project to provide a new type of stay experience. It plans to offer extraordinary experiences such as arriving on the island by private helicopter and staying amidst abundant nature, aiming for a luxury villa-type stay different from previous offerings.

FAQ

Why is Nichinan City focusing on inbound tourism?

Nichinan City has a rare geographical characteristic where sea, forest, and historical culture are compactly gathered, making it highly compatible with the growing global trends of "wellness," "slow travel," and "local experiences."

What types of cruise ships will call at Aburatsu Port?

Various domestic and international cruise ships are scheduled to call, including Diamond Princess, Nippon Maru, Seabourn Sojourn, MSC Bellissima, and Asuka II.

What kind of facility is "HINATA Oshima"?

It is a luxury villa facility scheduled to open in the summer of 2026 on Oshima, an uninhabited island off the coast of Nichinan City, Miyazaki Prefecture, offering an extraordinary stay amidst rich nature.