Heiwadai Park & Peace Tower

Heiwadai Park in central Miyazaki City centers on the Peace Tower, a 37-meter stone monument built in 1940 and assembled from stones donated by regions across the former Japanese empire, its base decorated with clay figures depicting cultures from across Asia. Visitors walk through the tree-lined park grounds to view the tower up close, then continue to an adjoining haniwa garden featuring life-size replica clay figurines modeled on the burial mound artifacts found at nearby Saitobaru. The park also borders the Miyazaki Prefectural Museum and the Miyazaki Science Center, making it easy to combine a park visit with either or both museums for a full day of activity. A visit to the tower and haniwa garden alone takes 45-90 minutes at a relaxed pace. Cherry blossoms along the park's walking paths bloom in late March and early April, drawing large local crowds for hanami picnics, while the rest of the year the park remains a quiet, shaded spot for a morning walk. The tower's stone base and surrounding lawn are best photographed from the wide approach path directly facing the monument.