Amanohashidate (天橋立), one of the Three Views of Japan (日本三景, Nihon Sankei), is just stunning throughout the year. The 3.6 km sandbar with 5,000 pine trees growing on top is what makes Amanohashidate so famous. When you view it from the observation decks on top of the hill, Amanohashidate looks like a flying dragon and a Bridge to Heaven when seen upside down. So if you have visited the main attractions in Kyoto, how about venturing out to the northern part of the prefecture for a different side of Kyoto?
As Amanohashidate isn’t in Kyoto’s city center, refer to the below for different ways to get to Amanohashidate. We have also included the travel time to Amanohashidate from Kyoto and Osaka.
Table of Contents
- How to Get to Amanohashidate from Kyoto by Train
- How to Get to Amanohashidate From Osaka by Train
- By Bus from Kyoto or Osaka
- Visiting Amanohashidate by Taking Kyoto Tango Railway’s Sightseeing Trains
How to Get to Amanohashidate from Kyoto by Train
How far is Amanohashidate from Kyoto? Depending on which route/method you choose, the time required to get to Amanohashidate from Kyoto is around 2 to 3 hours.
Visiting Amanohashidate by Taking Kyoto Tango Railway’s Sightseeing Trains
The Kyoto Tango Railway (京都丹後鉄道) or Tantetsu (丹鉄) is the rail company that serves the region where Amanohashidate is located. A benefit of taking the Kyoto Tango Railway is that you can board their sightseeing trains. There are three options available for you to choose from.
- Tango Kuromatsu-gō (丹後くろまつ号): A restaurant-style train
- Reservation required
- The most expensive but luxurious train
- Tango Akamatsu-gō (丹後あかまつ号): A cafe-style train
- Reservation required
- Normal train fare + 550 yen
- Tango Aomatsu-gō (丹後あおまつ号)
- No reservation required
- Normal train fare
For more information and reservation, please refer to their website HERE.
By Taking the JR Limited Express Hashidate-gō (はしだて号) From Kyoto
JR Kyoto Station (京都駅) → Amanohashidate Station (天橋立駅)
< 2.5 hours
There are two ways to get from Amanohashidate Station to Kyoto Station. The first option is to take the Hashidate Limited Express. This is the fastest way to get to Amanohashidate from Kyoto, taking less than 2.5 hours. But it is the most expensive option.
Note that the Limited Express Kinosaki-gō (きのさき) might be replacing Hashidate-gō. To check which trains will run and view the Hashidate Limited Express timetable, please use the Timetable Finder on JR West’s website HERE.
Important:
☛ The Limited Express Hashidate-gō is a reserved-only train.
☛ If you have large suitcases that don’t fit into the overhead compartment, please utilize the space behind the last row of the carriage
Tip: Get the 5-Day JR Kansai WIDE Area Pass to save. A one-way trip from Kyoto to Amanohashidate costs 5,000 yen (2,500 yen for children). So a return trip will be almost the cost of the pass, which costs12,000 yen for adults! Get yours before you depart for Japan to save on tax through klook!
By Taking the JR Train from Kyoto + Kyoto Tango Railway (京都丹後鉄道): Option One
JR Kyoto Station (京都駅) → JR Fukuchiyama Station (福知山駅) → (Miyazu Station (宮津駅)) → Amanohashidate Station (天橋立駅)
2.5 – 3 hours, excluding waiting time
- This method offers you greater flexibility with additional services from Kyoto Station to Amanohashidate Station throughout the day.
- Refer to HERE and click “福知山” for the timetable departing for Amanohashidate.
- For the timetable for the return trip, please click “天橋立（上り）”.
- If you are taking the local train, you will need to change trains at Miyazu Station (宮津駅) to reach Amanohashidate.
- Refer to HERE and click “宮津” for trains departing from Miyazu Station. All trains will stop at Amanohashidate (天橋立).
- HERE is the rail map for the Kyoto Tango Railway, providing a clearer picture of how you can hop between the train lines. Scroll down for the English names of all stations. Refer to HERE for the train cost from Kyoto to Amanohashidate by Kyoto Tango Railway.
- You can also use one of Japan’s Transport Apps to plan your visit.
Tips:
☛ The JR Kansai WIDE Area Pass (5 Days) can be used to board the Tango trains. Note, you can only board non-reserved carriages.
☛ You can also consider getting one of the discounted ticket deals that give you unlimited rides on Tantetsu and/or other rail lines and bus routes. For more information, please refer to the link HERE and scroll to the bottom of the webpage.
By JR Train From Kyoto + Kyoto Tango Railway (京都丹後鉄道): Option Two
JR Kyoto Station (京都駅) → JR Nishimaizuru Station (西舞鶴駅) → Amanohashidate Station (天橋立駅)
A bit less than 3 hours
- This option will take around 2.5 – 3 hours from Kyoto Station to Amanohashidate Station, excluding waiting time.
- Refer to HERE and click on “西舞鶴” for the timetable of the trains departing for Amanohashidate.
- For the timetable for the return trip, please click “天橋立（上り）”.
- You can also use one of Japan’s Transport Apps to plan your visit.
How to Get to Amanohashidate from Osaka by Train
Depending on which route/method you choose, the time required to get from Osaka to Amanohashidate by train is around 2.5 to 3.5 hours.
By JR Train from Osaka + Kyoto Tango Railway (京都丹後鉄道): Option One
JR Osaka Station (大阪駅) → JR Fukuchiyama Station (福知山駅) → Amanohashidate Station (天橋立駅)
2.5 – 3 hours
- The fastest way to Amanohashidate from Osaka is to take Kōnotori-gō (こうのとり号) from JR Osaka Station (大阪駅) and transfer at JR Fukuchiyama Station for the Limited Express: Hashidate-gō.
- The required travel time for this option can be around 2 – 2.5 hours if you can catch the Hashidate-gō straightaway.
- You can use one of Japan’s Transport Apps to plan your visit.
Important: You will have a limited time to change trains.
By JR Train from Osaka + Kyoto Tango Railway (京都丹後鉄道) – Option Two
JR Osaka Station (大阪駅) → JR Nishimaizuru Station (西舞鶴駅) → Miyazu Station (宮津駅) → Amanohashidate Station (天橋立駅)
A bit more than 3 hours
If you don’t want to catch the limited express from Osaka to Amanohashidate, change trains at Nishimaizuru Station to get to Miyazu Station, and then take a train to Amanohashidate. Refer to HERE and click on “西舞鶴” for the timetable of the trains departing for Amanohashidate.
- You can use one of Japan’s Transport Apps to plan your visit.
By Bus from Kyoto or Osaka to Amanohashidate
You can also take an express bus from Kyoto or Osaka to Amanohashidate. It takes just a bit over 2 hours from Kyoto to Amanohashidate by bus and around 2 hours and 40 minutes from Osaka.
To check the bus timetable and make reservations to travel to Amanohashidate from Kyoto or Osaka, please refer to Tango Kairiku Kōtsū’s (丹後海陸交通) website HERE.
Visit Amanohashidate for One of the Three Views of Japan
Now that you know how to travel between the attractions in Amanohashidate, it is time to plan your visit!
Check out our article on Amanohashidate to find out why people are bending over on the observatory and how the 5,000 pine trees can grow on the 3.6 km sandbar surrounded by seawater!
