While it might sound rather obvious, when you visit Amanohashidate, boarding the sightseeing boat is highly recommended. Unless you dislike birds and don’t want them near you, you will enjoy your time on the Amanohashidate Sightseeing Boat (天橋立観光船)! Not only can you see the famous sandbar from various angles, but the seagulls surrounding the boat are the highlight of the boat ride.
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Where to Board Amanohashidate Sightseeing Boat
The Amanohashidate Sightseeing Boat has three piers.
- Miyazu Pier (宮津桟橋)
- It is a 15-minute walk from JR Miyazu Station (宮津駅).
- Amanohashidate Pier (天橋立桟橋)
- It is close to Chionji Temple (智恩寺) and Amanohashidate Station (天橋立駅).
- The pier is moved to Monju Daiichi Pier (文殊第一桟橋駅舎) from 20th of December 2023 to mid-September 2024 for Amanohashidate Pier’s construction work.
- Ichinomiya Pier (一の宮駅)
Two of the piers are in Amanohashidate, one on the north end and the other on the south. If you don’t want to travel through the 3.6km sandbar, hop on the sightseeing boat, and you will be at the other end in around 25 minutes!
Refer to the official website HERE for Amanohashidate Sightseeing Boat’s timetable and ticket price. Most credit cards are accepted at the ticket office.
Because we came from Ine Bay, we boarded the boat from Ichinomiya Pier. Unlike the Amanohashidate Pier, it has a proper building. A couple of seats are available in the waiting area.
Tips:
☛ If you have purchased a Kyoto Amanohashidate and Ine Sightseeing 2-day Pass or a Kyoto Amanohashidate Kasamatsu Sightseeing 2-day Pass, show it to the staff for a steep discount of the bus fare. We only paid 400 yen for a return trip!
☛ 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 as you are getting your boat ticket for a discount. HERE is the website for the deal.
Amanohashidate Sightseeing Boat and the Seagulls
The item that many people would buy before boarding the boat is seagull’s feed (the last photo in the IG post). It is basically a packet of shrimp snacks. You can find the feed at the pier. If you are in a hurry and don’t have time to grab a pack, the feed is available for purchase in the cabin.
As you might be aware, birds are smart. So even before the boat departs, a couple of seagulls are already waiting around the boat!
Discover the Attractions in Amanohashidate
Now you know how to travel from one end of Amanohashidate to the other, it is time to figure out what attractions you want to visit on the day!
Check out our article on Amanohashidate to find out what else you can do there and how the 5,000 pine trees can grow on the 3.6 km sandbar surrounded by seawater!
