Cape Toi's Wild Horses and Amazing Ocean Views

About the Misaki Horse

The Misaki horse is a horse native to Japan, and lives only on Cape Toi. It is designated as a National Natural Monument. Since the horses were brought and raised on Cape Toi in 1697, they have lived freely on the Nichinan Coast.

The Misaki horse is a bit smaller than the average horse, measuring around 130 meters in length. A significant characteristic of the Misaki horse is the black line on their backs.

In the spring and summer, the horses mate and give birth to their offspring, and in the autumn and winter they live in small groups.

The horses at Cape Toi

The horses appear on roads too!

At the entrance of Cape Toi is the Komadome-no-mon Gate. Past the gate are the many Misaki horses. The horses are very comfortable with people, so you can get at a surprisingly close distance to them.
The horses appear on the roads too, so be careful if you are driving in the area.

Misaki horses eating grass

The Misaki horses can be found all over Cape Toi. They are especially comfortable in the grassy area, and can be seen eating grass and roaming freely.

Baby horses in the spring

Baby horse

March to August is the birthing season for the horses. Especially around April and May, you can see the baby horses cling to their mothers.

About the Naturalist Charter

To protect the Misaki horses on Cape Toi, the Naturalist Charter is put into place.
Some of the rules of the Naturalist Charter state that the humans should not feed the horses, that all trash must be taken home, to not pick the plants and more. Follow these rules to protect the Misaki horses’ natural habitat.

Cape Toi Visitor Center (House of Horses)

Cape Toi Visitor Center

At the Cape Toi Visitor Center, also known as the House of Horses, you can learn about the history about the Cape Toi area and about the Misaki horses.
There are interactive experience zones too, where you can create a charm with the Misaki horse’s horsehair, make a postcard using horse manure and more.
For those who enter the visitor center, a free guided tour is offered (in Japanese only). The guided tours are on a reservation basis.

Sotetsu Trees at the Memorial Hall

Sotetsu palm tree

On Cape Toi, there are over 3,000 sotetsu palm trees. The sotetsu palm tree is a national natural monument, and has not changed its shape for around 200 million years.
They can be found all over the cape – by the lighthouse, near the horses, and more.

Cape Toi Lighthouse

Cape Toi Lighthouse

The Cape Toi Lighthouse places at the very tip of Cape Toi. The white exterior of it fits perfectly with the beautiful ocean view. The lighthouse was made in 1929, and to this day still serves its job of helping ships navigate.
This lighthouse is one of the few lighthouses in Japan (and the only one in the Kyushu region!) that you can climb up.
From the observatory of the lighthouse, you can see a broad, marvelous view of the Pacific Ocean. On sunny, clear days, you can see as far as Tanegashima Island.

Events

Here are some of the events at Cape Toi.

Flying Fish Scooping (Jun. to Oct.)

Every summer to autumn, you can experience flying fish scooping at Cape Toi.

Fishing the flying fish is quite simple. The fish gather at the light of the fishing boat, and you scoop them up with a big net. You can take the flying fish home to cook.

Check online for reservations and times.

Cape Toi Fire Festival (Aug.)

The Cape Toi Fire Festival is held every August in the Toi area.

The main event of the festival is the “hashiramatsu”, where a 30-meter pine pillar is set up and the crowd throws flaming torches at it. When the pillar is lit up, sparks fly all around the festival grounds and you can feel the power of the fire.

Access

Nearest station: Toimisaki 都井岬 (Bus stop)

From Miyazaki Station

【Miyazaki Sta.】JR Nippo Main Line / for Aburatsu
→【Aburatsu Sta.】JR Nichinan Line / for Shibushi
→【Kushima Sta.】Miyakoh Local Bus / for Toimisaki
→【Toimisaki Bus Stop】

From Miyazaki Airport

【Miyazaki Airport Sta.】JR Miyazaki Airport Line / for Nobeoka
→【Tayoshi Sta.】JR Nichinan Line / for Aburatsu
→【Aburatsu Sta.】JR Nichinan Line / for Shibushi
→【Kushima Sta.】Miyakoh Local Bus / for Toimisaki
→【Toimisaki Bus Stop】