Miyazu is a city in northern Kyoto Prefecture best known for one of the Three Views of Japan (日本三景, Nihon Sankei), Amanohashidate. The 3.6 km long sandbar with the surrounding nature is considered one of Japan’s celebrated scenic sites. So it shouldn’t be a surprise if most Japanese want to go to this place at least once in their life. As this attraction is so popular amongst tourists, other spots nearby can be easily overlooked.
So below, we have chosen the top three attractions where you can make a detour to before Amanohashidate woos you over!
Kanabiki Falls (金引の滝)
The only waterfall in Kyoto Prefecture that was chosen to be one of the Top 100 Waterfalls in Japan is in Miyazu City! Although it isn’t particularly close to any train stations, it isn’t hard to get there either.
From the car park, it is around a 5 to 10-minute walk with a couple of small waterfalls along the way. Remember to put a 100 yen coin into the wooden donation box at the entrance of the promenade to help fund the ongoing maintenance of the spot.
Instead of having water falling from a cliff, Kanabiki Falls consists of water being split into two separate streams flowing down from a single large rock. The stream on the right is called “Odaki (男滝),” and “Medaki (女滝)” is the one on the left.
From a border aspect, apart from it being 40 meters tall and 20 meters wide, as pictured on the right, there is the Hakuryū no Taki Falls (白龍の滝) and Garyū no Taki Falls (臥龍の滝) downstream that you will see on the way up. They are collectively known as Kanabiki Falls.
With a shallow waterfall basin, Kanabiki Falls is the perfect location for you to escape the summer heat. Enjoy a quick shower by just simply standing underneath the waterfall!
Takigyō Meditation at Kanabiki Falls (金引の滝 滝行体験)
For those who want to experience Japanese culture, apply to participate in Takigyō Meditation. Takigyō is a part of the training that monks and mountain practitioners in Japan undertake. If you are interested in experiencing the Takigyō in Japan, how about doing it at Kanabiki Falls, one of the Best 100 waterfalls in Japan and the only one selected from Kyoto Prefecture?
To reserve, you can either
- Apply only through Amanohashidate Tourist Association’s website HERE, or
- Contact Amanohashidate Tourist Association by calling +81-772-22-8030.
You can also refer to their English or Japanese website.
How to Get to Kanabiki Falls
- From Kanabiki Falls, it is around:
- A 30-minute walk away from Miyazu Station (宮津駅)
- A 20-minute walk from Miyamura Station (宮村駅)
- From Roadside Station Kyoto by the Sea MIYAZU (道の駅 海の京都 宮津), the waterfall is around:
- 25-minute walk away
- 10-minute by rental bike
- You can also take a taxi from either Miyazu Station or Miyamura Station, which will cost around 1,000 yen
Important:
☛ The waterfall’s car park only has a capacity of around 10 cars.
☛ The road leading to the waterfall’s car park is quite narrow, making it hard to drive through if there is another car coming from the opposite direction.
☛ The car park is not free during peak season. Security guards will be assigned during that time.
Shishizakiinari Shrine (獅子崎稲荷神社)
Apart from the two famous views of Amanohashidate (天橋立), the Hiryūkan (飛龍観), and the Shōryū-kan (昇龍観) from two of the observatory parks at the south and the north of the 3.6 km sandbar, there is also the Sesshū-kan (雪舟観) from the Amanohashidate Sesshū-kan Observatory Rest Area (天橋立雪舟観展望休憩所) at the top of Shishizakiinari Shrine.
But let’s talk about the pink flowers first!
The Rhododendron dilatatum is a type of azalea. From mid to late April, the plants that grow alongside the vermilion torii gate of the shrine would reach full bloom, making the scenery more adorable and lively!
Adorning the flowers should be able to make the 200 steps climb a bit more pleasant (´▽｀*).
Amanohashidate Sesshū-kan Observatory Rest Area (天橋立雪舟観展望休憩所)
At the end of the staircase is an observatory for a clear view of Miyazu Bay (宮津湾) and Amanohashidate, one of Japan’s Top Three Scenic Places.
The view from this observatory is referred to as the Sesshū-kan (雪舟観). Sesshū was a famous Japanese painter back in the Muromachi period (1336 to 1573) who painted an ink painting of Amanohashidate called Amanohashidate-zu (天橋立図).
Because the composition of the painting is similar to the scenery that you will get from the observatory, the view of the sandbar is named after Sesshū, and the observatory is called Amanohashidate Sesshū-kan Observatory Rest Area (天橋立雪舟観展望休憩所).
How to Get to Shishizakiinari Shrine
- From Miyazu Station (宮津駅), take the Tai Line (田井線) and get off at Shishizaki (獅子崎). Please refer to HERE and look for “田井線” for the service’s timetable.
- Please note that services will only run on Fridays, Mondays, weekends, and public holidays.
- You can also use one of Japan’s Transport Apps to plan your visit.
- If you plan to drive, please note that the car park at the shrine’s torii gate only has a capacity of 2 normal-sized cars.
Yuragawa Bridge (由良川橋梁)
In the rural part of Kyoto Prefecture in Miyazu City, there is a bridge that excites many Ghibli fans. Whether you are the cameraman trying to snap a photo of Yuragawa Bridge or a passenger in the train carriage, if the weather is good enough, you are guaranteed to get a couple of astounding images. Adoring the scene from a distance, it would feel like you have traveled into the world of Ghibli. Doesn’t it resemble the same train that Chihiro took to visit Yubaba’s sister, Zeniba?
For more information, refer to our article on Yuragawa Bridge!
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. For centuries, as most people earned their living by fishing, the houses were built directly above the water surface.
For more information on how you can enjoy this fishing village, please refer to our article on Ine Bay Funaya!
Visit Amanohashidate for One of the Three Views of Japan
If you haven’t been to Amanohashidate for the celebrated view, you definitely should when coming to Miyazu!
Check out our article on Amanohashidate to find out why people are bending down over on the observatory and how the 5,000 pine trees can grow on the 3.6 km sandbar surrounded by seawater!
