Amanohashidate (天橋立), one of the Three Views of Japan (日本三景, Nihon Sankei), is one of the celebrated scenic sites in Japan that most Japanese have on their bucket list to visit. The place is just stunning throughout the year. There are cherry blossoms in spring and maple leaves in autumn, and the area is even more beautiful in winter when the sandbar and the surrounding area are covered in white snow!
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. Other ways to explore the charm of Amanohashidate can be from cycling on top of that dragon or taking a boat ride to see it from various angles.
Read on to find all the information you need about this gorgeous part of Kyoto! But before we introduce all the attractions at Amanohashidate below, let’s talk about how you can get there first. It isn’t close to Kyoto city center after all!
- Chie Hot Spring (智恵の湯)
- Amanohashidate View Land (天橋立ビューランド)
- Chionji Temple (智恩寺)
- Chienowa Stone Lantern (智恵の輪石灯籠) and the Rotating Bridge (廻旋橋)
- Amanohashidate Beach (天橋立海水浴場)
- Amanohashidate Shrine (天橋立神社)
- Amanohashidate Fuchū Beach (天橋立府中海水浴場) and Amanohashidate Activity Center (天橋立アクティビティセンター)
- Motoise Kono Shrine (元伊勢籠神社)
- Amanohashidate Kasamatsu Park (天橋立傘松公園)
- Nariaiji Temple (成相寺)
- Events and Festivals at Amanohashidate
Tips:
☛ Amanohashidate Hotel and Fairfield by Marriott Kyoto Amanohashidate are great accommodation options if you want to stay overnight at Amanohashidate!
☛ Refer to HERE for how to get around Amanohashidate and the Discounted Passes.
How to Get to Amanohashidate
Depending on how you get there, the time required from Kyoto is around 2 – 3 hours.
By JR Limited Expres – 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 that you can get to Amanohashidate by train. The first choice is to take the limited express – Hashidate-gō from Kyoto. This is the fastest way to get to Amanohashidate, albeit the most expensive. You will be there in less than 2.5 hours.
Note that the limited express – Kinosaki-gō (きのさき) might be replacing Hashidate-gō. If you want to check which trains will run, please use the Timetable Finder on JR West’s website HERE.
Tip: Get the JR Kansai WIDE Area Pass (5 Days) to save. A one-way trip from Kyoto to Amanohashidate costs 4,590 yen (2,300 yen for children). So a return trip will be almost the cost of the pass, costs 10,000 yen for adults (5,000 for children)! Get yours before you depart for Japan to save on tax through KLOOK!
By 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 gives you a lot more flexibility with more services 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 catching the local train, you will need to change trains at Miyazu Station (宮津駅) for 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 Kyoto Tango Railway for a better picture of how you can hop between the train lines. Scroll down for the English names of all stations. HERE is the fare table for Kyoto Tango Railway.
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 HERE and scroll down 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, 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）”.
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
- If you are coming from Osaka, the fastest way 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 Expres – Hashidate-gō.
- The required travel time for this option can be around 2 – 2.5 hours if you can catch the Hashidate-gō straightaway.
Important: You will have 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 aren’t catching the limited express, change trains at Nishimaizuru Station to get to Miyazu Station and then Amanohashidate. Refer to HERE and click on “西舞鶴” for the timetable of the trains departing for Amanohashidate.
By Bus from Kyoto or Osaka
You can also take an express bus from Kyoto or Osaka. It takes just a bit over 2 hours from Kyoto and around 2 hours and 40 minutes from Osaka.
To check the bus timetable and for reservations, please refer to Tango Kairiku Kōtsū’s (丹後海陸交通) website HERE.
Visiting Amanohashidate by Taking Kyoto Tango Railway’s Sightseeing Trains
Another benefit of taking Kyoto Tango Railway or Tantetsu (丹鉄) is its sightseeing trains. There are three of them that you can 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.
Explore Amanohashidate With a Guided Tour
If you prefer a guide to introduce you to the charms of Amanohashidate, how about joining one of the below tours?
- Amanohashidate round trip e-ride tour
- Amanohashidate and Miyama Kayabuki no Sato 1-Day Tour from Osaka
- Miyama Thatched Village, Ine Bay & Amanohashidate Tour from Osaka
- Kyoto by the Sea Amanohashidate & Ine Sightseeing day tour from Osaka (Namba or Umeda Departure)
- Amanohashidate & Ine Funaya 1-Day Tour from Osaka or Kyoto (Namba Departure)
- Osaka City Boat Cruise and Amanohashidate Gondola Trip
- Private Tour: Amanohashidate and Miyama Kayabuki no Sato 1 Day Tour from Osaka or Kyoto
Click HERE to return to a list of attractions in Amanohashidate.
About Amanohashidate and How to Get Around the Area
Amanohashidate is a sandbar at Miyazu Bay (宮津湾) in northern Kyoto. The 3.6 km long sandbar, with a width ranging from 20 to 170 meters, was created by crustal movements, connecting Miyazu Bay’s north and south end.
From the ancient myth recorded in the Tango (丹後) area’s documentation, Amanohashidate was the ladder used by gods named Izanagi (イザナギ) and Izanami (イザナミ) when they visited the earth from heaven. One day, when Izanagi was taking a nap, the ladder collapsed and became Amanohashidate when it landed on earth.
To get a clear view of such a geographical spectacle, if you don’t make your way up to the observation decks at Amanohashidate View Land and Kasamatsu Park, you will have a pretty hard time persuading your families and friends that you have been to Amanohashidate!
Bike Rental at Amanohashidate
Before you start your day at Amanohashidate, you can head to the Amanohashidate Sightseeing Information Center (天橋立観光協会) after you get out of the ticket gate. Apart from grabbing a map, the staff there will also assist you in planning the best exploration route if you haven’t got one.
The area map HERE has the shops marked with a bicycle mark for you to refer to. Of course, the staff at the information center may be able to give you recommendations.
From Amanohashidate Station to the south end of Amanohashidate, it is only a 5-minute walk. For those who aren’t looking forward to trekking 3.6 km one-way, there are quite a few bike rental shops around the station for you to shop around.
With a bicycle, you can cut down your travel time from around an hour to around 20 minutes to go from the south to the north of Amanohashidate. As there are well-maintained tracks on the sandbar, there is no need to worry about your bike’s tires being caught by sand.
Tips:
☛ Refer to HERE for set tickets combining the bicycle rental and Amanohashidate’s attractions’ admission fee. You can translate it to English using Google Chrome’s translation function at the right of the address bar.
☛ If you are going to both Amanohashidate View Land (天橋立ビューランド) and Kasamatsu Park (傘松公園), you will want to be at Kasamatsu Park in the morning and Amanohashidate View Land in the afternoon for better lighting and therefore better photos.
☛ Get the Two Fantastic Viewpoints Special Ticket (日本三景天橋立二大展望めぐりチケット) to save if you are visiting both parks.
Tango Kairiku Kōtsū’s Bus
The second option is to take bus services running by Tango Kairiku Kōtsū (丹後海陸交通). The bus is commonly known as Taikai Bus. It stops at major attractions in the area. So if you don’t want to walk too much or are looking to head to attractions further away from the station, it will be a good choice for you.
For the service’s timetable, please refer to their website HERE.
Amanohashidate Sightseeing Boat (天橋立観光船)
You can also choose to get from the south to the north of Amanohashidate by taking the sightseeing boat. It is recommended because you can photograph the sandbar from the sea from various angles. Amanohashidate Pier is less than a 5-minute walk from Amanohashidate Station.
The boat also stops at Miyazu Pier (宮津桟橋), which is around a 10-minute walk from Miyazu Station (宮津駅), which is another way that you can get to Amanohashidate. But just note the number of services is extremely limited.
For boat fare and timetable, please refer to their website HERE.
Tip: If you have the combo ticket for admission to both Amanohashidate View Land and Amanohashidate Kasamatsu Park, remember to show the ticket to the staff when you are getting your boat ticket for a discount. HERE is the website for the deal.
Amanohashidate’s Discounts Transportation Tickets
- Two Fantastic Viewpoints Special Ticket (日本三景天橋立二大展望めぐりチケット)
- Kyoto Amanohashidate and Ine Sightseeing 2-day Pass
- Kyoto Amanohashidate Kasamatsu Sightseeing 2-day Pass
Click HERE to return to a list of attractions in Amanohashidate.
Chie Hot Spring (智恵の湯)
Just next to Amanohashidate Station, there is this public bathhouse – Chie no Yu. If you aren’t staying overnight at Amanohashidate, you can make this spot the last attraction of the day to rejuvenate in their onsen before you head to the train station.
Note that the onsen pools at Chie Hot Spring aren’t spacious. If it gets crowded, you might want to give it a pass.
Tip: Grab one of the coupons from Amanohashidate View Land or Amanohashidate Sightseeing Information Center in Amanohashidate Station to get a 100 yen discount (50 yen for primary school students) on the admission fee.
Chie Hot Spring’s Opening Hours, Admission Fees, and Access Information
- Chie Hot Spring is open from 12 am to 9 pm daily except Wednesdays.
- The admission fee is
- 700 yen for adults
- 350 yen for elementary school students
- Free for one pre-school child per adult
Amanohashidate View Land (天橋立ビューランド)
If you have limited time and can only go to one of the two observation parks, we recommend going to Amanohashidate View Land. It is closer to the station, and from Kasamatsu Park, the sandbar just looks like a straight line.
If Amanohashidate View Land is your first stop, make a right turn after you get out of the station. Follow the road until you see the brown street sign asking you to make another right turn (or you can follow Google Map on your phone, of course). You should get to the Amanohashidate View Land Lift and Monorail Boarding Area (天橋立ビューランド リフト・モノレールのりば) in 5 to 10 minutes.
There are two ways to get to Amanohashidate View Land up on the hill: single-seating Chairlift or Monorail. The park’s admission fees include the return cost of the chairlift and/or monorail. No matter which mode of transport you choose, the prices are the same.
For ticket and operating hours information, please refer to their website HERE. Also, don’t forget to check out the special ticket deals on their website HERE. You might also be able to get a discount at other facilities in the area if you show the Amanohashidate View Land admission ticket.
Tip: We highly recommend taking the monorail on the way up and the chairlift on the way down. This is because if you take the chairlift on the way up, your back will be facing Amanohashidate, meaning there won’t be too much scenery for you to enjoy. Plus, the monorail is usually packed on the way down. When taking the monorail on the way up, try to get to the back of the carriage so you can access the window facing Amanohashidate.
Once you get to the top of the mountain, you will realize that Amanohashidate View Land is a small-scale amusement park with attractions such as go-caring and Ferris wheels. Besides the two observation decks, many of the attractions in the park also provide you with a wonderful view of Amanohashidate.
Although there are a restaurant and a cafe in the park, there is no completely vegetarian menu as the broth of their udon is made with bonito (fish flakes).
Hiryūkan-Kairō (飛龍観回廊)
The view of Amanohashidate from Amanohashidate View Land is called Hiryūkan (飛龍観) because the sandbar looks like a dragon flying to the heaven as the shape is more winding.
The Hiryūkan-Kairō, or Flying Dragon Corridor, has a total length of 250 meters and was built to image the dragon-like Amanohashidate. You get to adorn the breathtaking scenery from various angles from the platform.
This platform will be closed for your safety on a day with strong wind or in winter when it snows.
One thing to be aware of for the ladies is, don’t wear skirts or dresses on the platform unless you want to give people underneath the chance to know the color of your underwear.
Tip: You might want to bring binoculars if you have one.
Amanohashidate View Land’s Mata-nozoki Platform (股のぞき台)
To see the sandbar like a Bridge to Heaven, you inevitably have to bend down and be in the position in the photo. No matter how funny the position might seem to the passer-by, it is one of the things that you do to enjoy Amanohashidate!
Just be careful when you try to return to your normal position. Depending on how long you put your head in between your legs, there might be a lot of blood rushing back down when you come up, giving you some dizzy spells.
Click HERE to return to a list of attractions in Amanohashidate.
Chionji Temple (智恩寺)
Chionji Temple is ranked first of the three temples in Japan dedicated to the Monju Bodhisattva (文殊菩薩). It is the third closest attraction to Amanohashidate Station.
The Monju Bodhisattva is known as the bodhisattva who has the most wisdom. So many objects, including food on the temple’s ground and the surrounding area, have “wisdom” in their name. For example, the wisdom pine or even the wisdom mochi/rice cake.
And because the Monju Bodhisattva is enshrined here, many pilgrims come here to pray for more wisdom and academic success.
In front of the worship hall, you will find a round stoup for gargling and purifying your hands. The stoup was actually the temple’s monk’s bathtub centuries ago. It is currently one of the few Japan’s National Cultural Properties that you can use!
Chionji Temple’s Main Gate
Being just a 4-minute walk from the station, you can cut the travel time even shorter by entering the temple from its side gate at the temple’s car park, which will lead you straight to the temple’s worship hall.
If you entered the temple from its side gate, we would recommend you leave the temple from its main gate instead of exiting it from another side gate at the other end. The gate is Kyoto Prefecture’s cultural property and was named Ōgonkaku (黄金閣), meaning Golden Court, commemorating the gold received from one of the Japanese emperors.
The two-storied Ōgonkaku isn’t just a gate but has a worship hall on its second floor enshrining the Gautama Buddha and the 16 Arhats at his sides.
Chionji Temple’s Fortune Slips
The most interesting thing about Chionji Temple is probably the fortune slips here. Although the fan-shaped fortune slips are just too cute not to take them home, it is better if you tie them up on either the pine tree if your slip predicts good fortune or the cedar if the content on the slip isn’t favorable.
Make sure you tie your slip on the right tree. The pronunciation of pine is “matsu”, the same as expecting. And for cedar, it is pronounced as “sugi”, which is the same as “past”.
So you don’t want to tie your upcoming good fortune to a tree that symbolizes the past or bad fortune to a tree with a name pronounced the same as expected.
Mochi of Wisdom (智恵の餅)
Close to Chionji Temple’s main gate, four tea houses are selling the local specialty – Chie no Mochi (智恵の餅) or rice cake of wisdom.
The bean-paste-covered rice cake was originated by an old lady selling it to Chionji Temple’s pilgrims. With a catchphrase that you will get wisdom by eating it, it remains a popular souvenir in the area.
Chionji Temple’s Opening Hours and Acces Information
Chionji Temple is open from 8 am to 5 pm.
Click HERE to return to a list of attractions in Amanohashidate.
Chienowa Stone Lantern (智恵の輪石灯籠) and the Rotating Bridge (廻旋橋)
Before you set your feet on Amanohashidate, check out two of the popular photo spots in the area. You can get to them by exiting Chionji Temple through the side gate facing the sea.
In the past, along the waterway, the Chienowa stone lantern was originally installed to ensure the safe sailing of the ships around to the shore.
It is now a monument relating to Chionji Temple. Rumor has it that you will be blessed with wisdom if you manage to pass through the lantern three times. This excludes inserting your body through the ring. So whether the blessing will come or not, after you figure out your way of doing it, we are sure you will become a wiser person compared to before!
The red bridge with the pine trees at the sides is a great spot for some photos full of the traditional Japanese atmosphere. And if you are lucky enough, you might just be on the bridge when it starts to make a rotation to allow ships to enter the waterway on the other side of Amanohashidate.
Click HERE to return to a list of attractions in Amanohashidate.
Amanohashidate Beach (天橋立海水浴場)
Just a 7-minute walk from Amanohashidate Station, the Amanohashidate Beach is especially popular with families with young kids. The open beach from late July to mid-August for you to enjoy all sorts of beach activities.
Essential facilities such as change rooms, shower facilities with warm water, toilets, a first aid room, and cafes are all available for you to utilize when needed.
If you are driving, there are car parks close by, but you will have a hard time securing a car space if you arrive from late morning onwards on weekends and public holidays.
Click HERE to return to a list of attractions in Amanohashidate.
Amanohashidate Shrine (天橋立神社)
Going north from Amanohashidate Beach, you will soon find this shrine in the pine forest.
The shrine was originally built as a guardian shrine for the Chionji Temple that we mentioned before. Nowadays, it is a shrine that is said will fulfill your prayers relating to romantic relationships.
Isoshimizu (磯清水)
The most amazing thing about the shrine is this well, called Isoshimizu.
Locating in the middle of the sea, the water coming out of the well is surprisingly not salty at all! This is why the spot was chosen to be one of the 100 Selection of Japan’s Famous Water Source (日本名水百選) and the reason why pine trees can grow on the sandbar.
The water is a layer of rainwater stored underground. So if you want to drink it, it is recommended that you boil it first, just in case.
Click HERE to return to a list of attractions in Amanohashidate.
Amanohashidate Fuchū Beach (天橋立府中海水浴場) and Amanohashidate Activity Center (天橋立アクティビティセンター)
The beach at the northern part of Amanohashidate that is also open from late July to mid-August is called Amanohashidate Fuchū Beach. This is the beach you want to be at for those who want to do SUP and/or sea kayaking.
The Amanohashidate Activity Center, with all the necessary equipment, is just next to the beach. Even if you have no experience, they have well-trained instructors who can guide you throughout the session.
Be aware that pre-school children won’t be able to participate in either of the activities. And if you don’t feel well, don’t force yourself to participate either because they won’t accept you anyway.
Activities’ Pricing and Reservation
- SUP
- 3,000 yen for adults, 2,000 yen for elementary school students
- 2 sessions, one at 7 am, one at 4:30 pm
- Each session lasts for 60 minutes, including an introduction
- If you would like to do it during the day, feel free to check with them for their availability
- Sea Kayak
- 6,000 yen for adults, 4,000 yen for elementary school students
- 2 sessions, one at 9:30 am, and one at 1:30 pm
- Each session lasts for 120 minutes, including the introduction
- There are also two 60 minutes sessions held at 7 am and 4:30 pm
- The cost is 4,000 yen for adults, 3,000 yen for elementary school students
During your session, they will also help you take photos.
To make a reservation, you can either book online on their Japanese website or call them at +81-90-9047-5896. If you check the below links through Google Chrome, the browser should be able to translate the page to English for you by clicking the Google Translate icon at the right of the address bar.
Important: Please note cancellation fees apply if you cancel within 5 days of your booked session. If they have extra capacity, they will also take walk-in customers.
Tip: You can also ask the staff at your accommodation to make the phone call to reserve on your behalf.
Amanohashidate Activity Center’s Business Hours and Access Information
- The center is open from 9 am to 6 pm.
- From Amanohashidate Station, it is a 35-minute walk
- From Kasamatsu Park, it is a 15-minute walk
- If you are taking a bus from Amanohashidate Station, get off at Amanohashidate Kono Jinja Shrine (天橋立元伊勢籠神社).
- Refer to HERE for the timetable.
- If you are taking the sightseeing boat, Motoise Kono Shrine is just a one-minute walk from Ichinomiya Ferry Terminal.
- Refer to HERE for the timetable.
- From the ferry terminal, it is around a 3-minute walk.
Click HERE to return to a list of attractions in Amanohashidate.
Motoise Kono Shrine (元伊勢籠神社)
If you are trekking or cycling your way to the north of Amanohashidate, you will go past the Motoise Kono Shrine on your way to Amanohashidate Kasamatsu Park.
The shrine is the highest ranked shrine in the San-in region and was the home of the god in the famous Ise Jingū (伊勢神宮) in Mie Prefecture. This is why the shrine is called “Motoise”.
It is said that Amanohashidate itself was originally the approach to the Kono Shrine, and the region’s name – Miyazu (宮津), means the port where the large shrine is located (the Motoise Kono Shrine in this case).
If you pay attention to the railing of the main worship hall, you will notice it is decorated with balls of five different colors.
Known as “Suedama (座玉)”, the balls symbolize the high rank of the shrine, and the only other place that you can find this type of decoration is at Ise Jingū (伊勢神宮).
The shrine that has a long history also has quite a few National Important Cultural Properties.
For example, the two Komainu (狛犬) or guardian dogs statues in front of the worship hall were made in the Kamakura period (1192 – 1133). This is why they have a roof protecting these important statues from severe weather conditions such as heavy snow in winter.
Manai Shrine (眞名井神社)
Manai Shrine is the rear shrine of Motoise Kono Shrine. At the back of the worship hall, you will find two giant stones called Iwakura (磐座). They are the true appearance of the shrine god (or should we say the object of worship).
In ancient times, when no shrine was built to worship gods, people thought that gods would come down from heaven and reside in natural things such as large trees and rocks and connect the world of gods with the world of people.
Manai Shrine is also the shrine where you want to go with an empty water bottle because people around the country would travel their way to Amanohashidate for the sacred water!
In front of the Manai Shrine’s torii gate, there is water coming out of another giant rock. The name of the shrine actually came from this water fountain. It is said that the sacred water is brought down from heaven in a golden bowl by the god, and “Manai” is the honorific title given to the spring.
Also, another rare thing on the two sides of the shrine’s torii gate is the guardian animal. Instead of the normal dogs/lions, Manai Shrine has got two dragons!
Sabō Kamunagara (茶房 かむながら)
The shrine’s tea house is inside the traditional Japanese building between Motoise Kono Shrine’s two torii gates. It is a great place to enjoy traditional sweets and a cup of freshly made matcha green tea with premium-grade matcha powder!
Motoise Kono Shrine’s Opening Hours and Access Information
- Motoise Kono Shrine is open from
- 7:30 am to 5 pm from March to November
- 7:30 am to 4:30 pm from December to February
- The shrine’s office is open from 8:30 am.
- The opening hours will differ from the 31st of December to the 3rd of January.
- If you are taking a bus from Amanohashidate Station, get off at Amanohashidate Kono Jinja Shrine (天橋立元伊勢籠神社)
- The bus trip takes around 25 minutes.
- Refer to HERE for the timetable.
- If you are taking the sightseeing boat, Motoise Kono Shrine is just a 1-minute walk from Ichinomiya Ferry Terminal.
- Refer to HERE for the timetable.
- From the ferry terminal, it is around a 3-minute walk.
Tip: If you like birds and are visiting Amanohashidate from late November to mid-March, there might be Tundra swans around the Ichinomiya Ferry Terminal. So keep an eye out for them!
Click HERE to return to a list of attractions in Amanohashidate.
Amanohashidate Kasamatsu Park (天橋立傘松公園)
Amanohashidate Kasamatsu Park is where you discover another face of Amanohashidate. The view from here is called Shōryū-kan (昇龍観), meaning ascending dragon.
Compared to Amanohashidate View Land, Kasamatsu Park is probably a better place for natural scenery. On the way to the top of the mountain, the surrounding is covered by cherry blossoms in spring and bright-colored leaves in autumn.
If you are after the rare snowy scenery in the photo, your best chances are between late January to early February. While the snow season starts somewhere in December, the pine trees probably won’t be covered by snow at the beginning of winter.
Cable Car and Chairlift at Amanohashidate Kasamatsu Park
Similar to Amanohashidate View Land, there are two modes of transportation, cable car and chairlift. The only difference is that you can hike your way up, which takes around 50 minutes.
The same as Amanohashidate View Land, take the cable car up and chairlift down!
For opening hours and ticket information, please refer to Tango Kairiku Kōtsū’s (丹後海陸交通) website HERE.
Amanohashidate Kasamatsu Park’s Mata-nozoki Platform (股のぞき台)
And here is another platform for you to perform the amusing pose.
Apparently, this platform is the first place where people start viewing Amanohashidate this way (≧▽≦).
Apart from the platform, there are a few other observatory areas and activities you might want to give them a go in the park. Cafe and restaurant are also there if you ever feel hungry, albeit there is no vegetarian menu.
HERE is a map that will give you some visual idea of what is where. It is in Japanese only, but there are photos to help paint the picture. Also, you can translate the page by using the translation function of Google Chrome.
Plate Throwing at Amanohashidate Kasamatsu Park
A fun activity to do at Kasamatsu Park is trying to throw the round plates into the ring. It is said that if you manage to do so, something lucky will happen to you (=ﾟωﾟ)ﾉ.
It is a lot harder than it might seem, so when you actually accomplish it, you will get a large cheering from your audience!
How to Get to Amanohashidate Kasamatsu Park
To get to the park, other than walking/biking, you can take Tankai Bus or Amanohashidate Sightseeing Boat.
- Tankai Bus: board the bus from Amanohashidate Station (天橋立駅) and get off at Amanohashidate Cable-sita (天橋立ケーブル下). A couple of bus routes will stop at both bus stops.
- Please refer to HERE for the timetable.
- The cable car/chairlift station is just a 3-minute walk away from the bus stop.
- Amanohashidate Sightseeing Boat: board the boat from Amanohashidate Pier (天橋立桟橋) and get off at Ichinomiya Ferry Terminal (一の宮桟橋)
- Please refer to HERE for the timetable.
- The cable car/chairlift station is less than a 5-minute walk from the ferry terminal.
- Do expect some upward slope from the pier.
Click HERE to return to a list of attractions in Amanohashidate.
Nariaiji Temple (成相寺)
From the side of Amanohashidate Kasamatsu Park, you can catch the Nariai Mountaineering Bus (成相寺登山バス) to get to the 28th temple of the 33 Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage – Nariaii Temple.
Of course, instead of a 7-minute bus trip, you can hike your way up. But take care as the road is quite steep.
The temple that has a long history was erected in 704. After the five-story pagoda was restored in 2000, it is one of the few places in Japan where you can adorn the Kamakura-style buildings.
Nariaiji temple is one of the most scenic places around Amanohashidate throughout the year, especially in the autumn foliage season from early to mid-November. Locating further up from Kasamatsu Park, apart from the beautiful autumn foliage, you might see the fantastic sea of clouds scenery from the observation deck in the early morning.
Tip: Refer to HERE for Nariai Mountaineering Bus’s (成相寺登山バス) timetable. You can translate the webpage to English by Google Chrome’s translation function at the right of the address bar.
Mt. Nariai Panoramic Overlook
To get to Mt. Nariai Panoramic Overlook for a magnificent view of Amanohashidate, you have to hike your way up for around 15 minutes. There is a cafe next to the lookout perfect for you to rest at.
Also, if you are after the sea of cloud scenery, we would recommend you drive your way up in the early morning, if not at dawn (taking a taxi is another option). This increases your chance of catching the breathtaking scenery as the fog/cloud will disappear as the temperature increases slowly after sunrise.
Note the Cafe Bijin Saryō (カフェ美人茶寮) next to Mt. Nariai Panoramic Overlook is only operating from 10 am to 4 pm on weekends and public holidays from late March to early December. Refer to the official website HERE for some photos.
Nariaiji Temple’s Opening Hours, Admission Fees, and Location
- Nariaiji Temple is open from 8 am to 4:30 pm
- The admission fee is
- 500 yen for adults
- 200 yen for middle and high school students
- Free otherwise
- Refer to Tango Kairiku Kōtsu’s website HERE for information regarding Nariai Mountain Bus.
Click HERE to return to a list of attractions in Amanohashidate.
Events, Festivals, Cherry Blossom, and Autumn Foliage Season at Amanohashidate
Please refer to the official website HERE for a list of current and upcoming events and festivals.
You can also refer to their event calendar HERE.
- The cherry blossom season at Amanohashidate is usually from early to mid-April.
- The autumn foliage season usually peaks in mid-November and can last till early December in some years.
Ine Bay Funaya (伊根湾 舟屋)
Extend your exploration of Japan’s rural landscape from Amanohashidate to Ine Bay! There is a quiet fishing village located in the northern part of the Tango Peninsula (丹後半島). Along Ine Bay, where the waves are calm, a unique townscape is formed by the type of private houses called Funaya (舟屋).
For centuries, as most of the population earned their living by fishing, the houses there were built directly above the water’s surface. The lower level is a ship hangar where they park their boats/ships before they head upstairs to join their family.
For more information on how you can enjoy this fishing village, please refer to our article on Ine Bay Funaya!
Discover the Charm of Kyoto’s Summer Resort – Kurama and Kibune
The Kurama and Kibune area is the perfect place to escape the summer heat in Kyoto city center. Up in the mountain, enjoying Japanese cuisine on the platform above the river, and visiting the famous Kurama-dera Temple and Kifune Shrine is the best way to enjoy Kyoto’s summer!
For more information, please refer to our article on Kurama and Kibune!
