Bus to Takachiho?

Hi there,

my wife and I are planning a trip to Kyushu next year and we also want to go to Takachiho (either as a daytrip from Miyazaki or as a sidetrip traveling from Miyazaki to Beppu).

We plan only to use public transport.

I read on some websites that the railway from Nobeoka to Takachiho was badly damaged some years ago and there is no service anymore.
Is that true, and if so, is there a bus as an alternative?

I was also wondering if Nobeoka station has some coinlockers (of at least medium size) in case we would visit Takachiho on our way to Beppu.

Many thanks,
Christof

I read on some websites that the railway from Nobeoka to Takachiho was badly damaged some years ago and there is no service anymore.
Is that true, and if so, is there a bus as an alternative?
Yes, Takachiho railways were heavily damaged by a typhoon in 2005 and are no longer operated. There're bus services from Nobeoka, Hakata and Kumamoto.
Check this webpage. 2nd from the top is timetable from Nobeoka to Takachiho. 5th row from the left is Nobeoka Bus Center (延岡バスセンター）and the right one is Takachiho Bus Center (高千穂バスセンター）.
It costs 1710 yen and takes 80 min.
http://www.takachiho-kanko.jp/map/miyakobass.html

As for coin lockers, there're some at Nobeoka Bus Center.
http://dfv2.hp.infoseek.co.jp/busnobe.htm
(8th from the top)
And some at Nobeoka station, too.
http://f104j.web.fc2.com/jrstation20.htm
(8th from the top)

Thank you!
A very quick and a very complete answer!