Established as three villages in 1889, Mine, Kitashigeyasu and Nakabaru were later given town status. All three were merged in 2005 to become Miyaki. It lies a short distance away from Tosu in the East of the prefecture. Miyaki was the first town in Saga to have its name spelled in hiragana, rather than kanji – named after the district it is located in. A very small and rural area, Miyaki has a population of around 25,000.

As of 2025, two schools in the area are visited by JET ALTs at least once a week – Miyaki High School and Nakabaru Special Needs School.

Miyaki-cho is especially famous for their beautiful sunflowers, which have become a major tourist draw in recent years.

Places of Interest

• Chikuri Hachimangu ー a short drive away from Tosu City, this tranquil shrine boasts a beautiful garden and pond, and an observation deck with a fantastic view. The story of the parrot rescued by the monk in charge of the shrine is a famous one, and after her passing Okame-chan has become the official representative of the shrine. You can purchase unique Okame-chan omamori, and make an offering to her grave if you so wish.
• Yamada Tanada Sunflower Field ー open each November, this sunflower garden lies in the northern part of Miyaki town.

Eateries

• Nanten Sushi – less than ten minutes’ walk from Nakabaru Station, this spot is a great option if you’re an ALT at a loose end for lunch during school holidays. The lunch set is inexpensive, quick, and delicious.
• Nakatsukuma Udon ー a short drive outside of the centre of town is a humble udon shop where you can fill up for cheap whilst enjoying traditional tatami dining.
• Sushi Kappo 寿司割烹 ー best accessed via car, this small sushi shop is tucked away next to the SuperCentre TRIAL . A beautifully presented lunch set can be less than 2000 yen, and you can dine inside private tatami rooms. The owners usually serve local farmers, and are delighted to see new faces. You might go home with some seasonal produce from the owner’s garden!
• Okashino Jiro お菓子のじろうー along the main road in Miyaki, around 10 minutes south of Nakabaru Station, is a small sweet shop with a lovely assortment to choose from. The owner was also very surprised and happy to meet a foreigner!

Local Events and Traditions

• Sunflower Viewing —in recent years, Miyaki has become known for its beautiful fields of sunflowers. For a month from the beginning of November, a sunflower garden is opened in the Yamada district for visitors to enjoy.
• Chiriku Hachimangu Fortune Telling ー　observed for more than 1300 years, a unique Shinto ritual is conducted at Chiriku Hachimangu shrine. Based on the mold growth in rice porridge, the year’s fortune is foretold.

Getting Around

Travelling to and within Miyaki is best done via car. For ALTs travelling in via train, your only option is the local Nagasaki Line service – which stop through Nakabaru Station around everry 30~35 minutes. From the station, you have around a 10 minute walk to Miyaki SHS, and 20 minutes to Nakabaru SNS. Tosu ALTs can also catch the bus which will stop off nearby both schools, and takes around 40 minutes from home.