Udo Shrine guide: Seaside cave, undama lucky balls and transport

Plan a visit to Udo Shrine in Nichinan with the official opening hours, free entry, bus and driving access from Miyazaki, the stairs and slopes along the approach, and how to throw undama lucky balls.

Last checked:

  • Miyazaki
  • Shrines, temples and parks
  • Day trips

Udo Shrine () stands by the sea in Nichinan City, Miyazaki Prefecture. It is particularly known for undama (), small stones thrown while making a wish. This article summarizes the official Miyazaki Prefecture tourism website’s information on hours, transport and the approach to the shrine. The official page does not list the price of undama. For more Miyazaki content, see the Obi castle town walking guide.

Key points

  • Open 6:00 to 18:00; entry to the shrine grounds is free.
  • Take a Miyazaki Kotsu bus towards Obi from Miyazaki Station, about 1 hour 30 minutes. Get off at Udo Jingu and walk about 10 minutes.
  • By car: about 45 minutes from Miyazaki Airport or about 1 hour from Miyazaki Station; 400 free parking spaces.
  • The approach includes stairs and slopes; difficulty varies by route.

Basic information

Item Official information
Opening hours 6:00 to 18:00
Admission Free access to the shrine grounds
Bus Take a Miyazaki Kotsu bus towards Obi from Miyazaki Station, about 1 hour 30 minutes; get off at Udo Jingu and walk about 10 minutes (the official page does not list bus frequency or fares)
Driving About 45 minutes from Miyazaki Airport or 1 hour from Miyazaki Station; 3 parking lots with 400 free spaces in total
Facilities Wheelchair rental, 2 accessible toilets and Wi-Fi

Approach and terrain

  • The approach from the car park is a paved slope.
  • Some sections within the grounds are paved and others are gravel; there are slopes and handrails.
  • From the Udo Jingu bus stop, the approach involves stairs.
  • The official video shows steps descending towards the main shrine building, with a sloping bridge before the final section.

Undama lucky balls

  • Undama are stones thrown from the area in front of the main shrine building.
  • According to the official explanation, men throw with the left hand and women with the right.
  • The target is a hollow in a rock called Kameishi (Turtle Rock, ) about 12 metres away; it is said that wishes come true if a stone lands inside.
  • The official page does not list the price of undama; consult the shrine’s official website.

Checks before departure

  1. The official page does not list bus services; check with Miyazaki Kotsu.
  2. If arriving by bus, the approach has stairs.
  3. The official site says details may change; check before departure.

For a regional overview, see the Kyushu travel guide.

Sources