Shiiba, Mountain village in Higashiusuki district, Japan.
Shiiba is a mountain village in Higashiusuki district spanning rugged, forested terrain with peaks that reach 1,700 meters in Miyazaki Prefecture. The landscape consists of steep slopes covered in dense woodland that surround the scattered settlements below.
The village was established on May 1, 1889, when Japan reorganized itself into modern municipalities. This moment marked a major shift in how Miyazaki Prefecture structured its local administration.
The Heike Festival in November draws residents wearing traditional costumes into the streets for parades and performances that commemorate an ancient samurai love story. These celebrations reveal how deeply the past remains woven into the daily life of the community.
Getting to the village takes about 2 hours by bus from Hyuga Station, then a short local connection to reach the main area. It helps to plan ahead since bus schedules are limited and renting a car gives you more flexibility for exploring.
The village maintains a student exchange program with Singapore that lets local students gain international experience during school breaks. This connection brings together a rural Japanese community and a modern Asian city in an unexpected way.
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