My name is Mugabi Jophous an international student from Uganda; and first year master student in the school of bioresource and bioenvironmental sciences in Kyushu University.

I live in Fukuoka city and this year summer I visited Miyazaki prefecture with my Home visit mother. Lying in the south east coast of Kyushu Island, Miyazaki prefecture is about 5 hours drive by bus from Fukuoka city. The journey seemed tiring but when I reached Miyazaki it was really rewarding. My home visit mother’s family warmly welcomed me and brought back my childhood memories of the visitations to my grandparents.

Miyazaki is not a crowded city and I really enjoyed walking freely in the streets and its blue skies no wander they are many places named Ao (blue) such as Aoshima.

First we visited the Heiwadai Park. It is a Peace Tower Park that was built in 1940. Inside the park stands the Peace Tower, rising high above the park and it can be seen from afar in the city. The tower was constructed of stones sent from all around Asia and it is one of Miyazaki`s most recognizable landmarks. The Peace Tower symbolizes a united world.

Heiwadai tower has an interesting sound trick. If you face the Tower from the center of the wide lawn at its base and clap, your clap will be magnified and reflected back toward you.

At the other end of the park is the Haniwa Garden. This garden has a collection of haniwa (burial statues) depicting animals, warriors, dancers, boats and houses arranged along the walking path and through the trees. These clay statues were made between the year 1300 to 1600, during the Kofun period. These clay statues were placed around burial mounds in tribute to the deceased.

The statues showcase the life of the Japanese people during the Kofun period.

In the evening, we visited the seaside of Miyazaki. The ride to the country side of Miyazaki was awesome on the palm filled high way. The coast of Miyazaki is surrounded by strange rock formations called the “Oninosentaku” (Devil's Washboard). These formations are only found in Miyazaki and make the scenery very beautiful.

Visiting Miyazaki was a really wonderful experience. And I remember all the wonderful moments I had with the family of my Home vist mother; driving around the city to meet my mothers friends and to eat at her favourite restaurants. I enjoyed the food and it is there that I first ate the dragon fruit and the fig fruit. And hope to visit Miyazaki again before leaving Japan.