The 'Hakkō Ichiu' inscription translates roughly to 'the world under one roof,' a slogan used during the Shōwa era to promote national unity.
The replica Haniwa figures scattered through the park were created based on archaeological findings from burial mounds (kofun) dating from the 3rd to 6th centuries.
The tower was constructed using stones contributed by various regions of the Japanese Empire as it existed in 1940.
The area surrounding the park is dotted with actual ancient burial mounds, emphasizing the region's historical significance in early Japanese civilization.
Miyazaki Heiwadai Park is best known for the Peace Tower, a 37-meter high monument constructed in 1940 to commemorate the 2,600th anniversary of the legendary founding of Japan. The park grounds feature the Haniwa Garden, which houses over 400 replicas of ancient Haniwa clay figures unearthed from burial mounds across Kyushu. The Peace Tower, or 'Hakkō Ichiu' tower, features a central inscription by Prince Chichibu and stones donated from various locations throughout the former Japanese Empire. The park encompasses expansive lawns, forested walking trails, and a small lake, offering elevated views over the Miyazaki plain. It is built on a hillside that provides a strategic vantage point overlooking the city and the distant coastline. The site is a registered cultural property reflecting the architectural and historical climate of the early Showa period. The park integrates traditional Japanese garden elements with wide, open concrete structures characteristic of its 1940 design.
The base of the Peace Tower, specifically looking upward to capture the monument's height against the sky.
Bring comfortable walking shoes as the park terrain involves inclines and gravel paths.
Visit the Haniwa garden area early to avoid crowds, as the figures are spread across a wide, wooded zone.
Utilize the viewing platforms near the Peace Tower for clear photography of the city skyline.
Do not attempt to climb or touch the Peace Tower monument or the fragile Haniwa replica figures.
