A designated World Heritage Site since 2015, the Port of Miike is home to a spectacular phenomenon that can be seen only twice a year, in January and November.
Dubbed the “Route of Light”, a beam of light appears on the water’s surface, stretching from the Port of Miike Observation Deck straight through the lock gates* and all the way out to sea.
For about one week when the sun sets at around 247 degrees (with north at 0 degrees), the setting sun casts a beam of light on the water, straight as a hummingbird’s beak, from the edge of the harbor all the way through the center of the lock gates, creating what is known as the “Route of Light”.
(*The lock gates serve to regulate the water level and allow ships to pass through canals and rivers with large differences in water level.)
Thanks to its beautiful sunsets and captivating views of the nearby factories, the Port of Miike Observation Deck is also known as both a popular date spot and photo spot.
When the Port of Miike opened in 1908, it allowed for the direct export of coal overseas, which played an important role in the rapid growth of the Miike Coal Mine.
The lock gates are still in operation today in order to maintain a constant water level in the docks of the Ariake Sea, which is shallow and has a large tidal range of up to 6 m.
The Port of Miike is one of the World Heritage Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution: Iron and Steel, Shipbuilding and Coal Mining. In addition to the Port of Miike, Omuta City is home to other industrial heritage sites which bear testimony to the process of modernization, such as the Miyahara Pit and the Miike Coal Railway.
Omuta City is also home to the Omuta City Zoo and the Omuta Daijayama Festival, one of the Chikugo area’s most famous summer festivals.
When it comes to local foods, Omuta is famous for its okonomiyaki (a savory Japanese pancake), Omuta ramen, as well as Western-style katsudon (pork cutlet rice bowls), so be sure to give them a try.
You will also find a rich variety of fresh local produce, such as Miike takana (mustard greens) pickles, and large, sweet Kyoho grapes, sun-kissed early-season Mandarin oranges known as wase mikan, as well as the earliest harvest of bamboo shoots in Fukuoka Prefecture, and aromatic Ariake Sea nori seaweed.
There is also a regular ferry route connecting the Port of Miike to Shimabara City, Nagasaki Prefecture, which takes about 50 minutes.
Hop on the ferry to take a quick trip to Nagasaki Prefecture, visit Shimabara Castle, and take in the changing scenery and atmosphere of Kyushu’s many different destinations.
We invite you to design a one-of-a-kind journey of your very own, and immerse yourself in the charm and beauty of Kyushu.

Port of Miike Observation Deck
Location: 1 Shinko-machi, Omuta City, Fukuoka Prefecture, 836-0061　
Tel: 0944-41-2750 (Omuta City Tourism and Hospitality Division)

Omuta City Official Tourism Website (details current as of 2024)
https://one-plate.city.omuta.lg.jp/spots/detail/aa318bca-0ea4-47e8-8417-16afc32fef3a
Port of Miike　　http://www.miikeport.jp/index.php