Shiiba is home to a large number of tanuki or raccoon dogs that live in the nearby forests and often come out at night to look for food.There are also a great number of wild boar in the area and they also come out at night and sometimes during the day to look for food.A large population of Sika deer also live in the Shiiba area.

A large number of Mantis can be seen during this period all over the village usually lying in wait to capture smaller insects for food.

Although it changes slightly every year, it annually snows from the period starting from mid to late December until February.

But, due to its central location within Kyushu, Shiiba tends to be protected by the surrounding mountain ranges and is relatively unaffected for the most part.

This is directly due to its location in Kyushu, the slightly higher altitude, and the surrounding mountains and forests which keep it sheltered.

According to local legend, the area was settled by survivors of the Heike clan following their defeat at the Battle of Dan-no-ura in the Genpei War.

Seeing no remaining threat from the Heike, he returned home, leaving behind an illegitimate son who took the "Nasu" family name, and whose descendants became local warlords who ruled the area into the Sengoku period.

The territory was hotly contested in the wars of the Sengoku period between the Shimazu clan and other local warlords, eventually becoming part of Hitoyoshi Domain of Higo Province under the Tokugawa shogunate.

The village of Shiiba within Nishiusuki District, Miyazaki was established on April 1, 1889 with the creation of the modern municipalities system.

Shiiba, collectively with the village of Morotsuka and towns of Misato and Kadogawa contributes one member to the Miyazaki Prefectural Assembly.

In terms of national politics, the town is part of the Miyazaki 2nd district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Despite its remote location Shiiba is not internationally isolated and has had a longterm reciprocal exchange program with a sister school in Singapore.

The nearest train station is Hyūgashi on the JR Kyushu Nippō Main Line The village, despite being small, has a long and deep history.

Every year, during early to mid November, the locals are joined by hundreds of people from other parts of the country to celebrate the Shiiba Heike Matsuri.

This festival celebrates a legendary tragic love affair that took place between two members of rival samurai families in the area over 800 years ago.

It takes place over 3 days (Friday evening and the following Saturday and Sunday) and includes a number of special events and performances accompanied with food and souvenir stalls with the main attraction being the Heike Parade.

Many of the local school students and teachers, village officials and residents participate in the parade making it the starring attraction.