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 (由良川橋梁) 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?
About Yuragawa Bridge
Yuragawa Bridge is a 550 meters reddish-brown colored bridge at the mouth of the Yura River (由良川). With a height of only three meters above the water surface, the trains on the bridge operated by Kyoto Tango Railway (京都丹後鉄道) are also known as the “train running in between the sky and the sea”.
Completed in 1924, the bridge was the essential infrastructure that enabled people living on either side of the riverbanks to travel by foot. Although it would be near impossible to trek across the bridge now, you can still board the single-carriage train to enjoy the surrounding scenery.
On one side, you have rice, mandarins, and olive fields with magnificent mountains as a backdrop and an endless sea view on the other.
Kyoto Tango Railway (京都丹後鉄道)
Because there are no overhead wires, when the train approaches the bridge, remember to head to the front for the amazing view of the train running on water!
Tip: The sightseeing trains Tango Kuromatsu-gō (丹後くろまつ号), Tango Akamatsu-gō (丹後あかまつ号), and Tango Aomotsu-gō (丹後あおまつ号) will cut down its speed as it runs through the Yuragawa Bridge. Refer to the timetable links below to see if any of the services fit into your schedule. For more information on whether a booking is required and how to book, please refer to their website HERE.
Enjoying What Yuragawa Bridge Has to Offer
Given that the Yuragawa Bridge is so close to the river, it is one of the closest things resembling the train scene in Ghibli’s anime Spirited Away, where Chihiro was on her way to see Zeniba to save Haku!
If you are keen on this experience, the bridge on the Miyamai Line (宮舞線) between Tango-Yura Station (丹後由良駅) and Tango-Kanzaki Station (丹後神崎駅).
From Kyoto or Osaka, take the JR train to JR Nishimaizuru Station (西舞鶴駅) and change for the Kyoto Tango Railway. Refer to HERE and click on “西舞鶴” for the timetable of the trains departing for Amanohashidate. This part of the Miyamai Line is a great preface to one of Japan’s Top Three Scenic Places – Amanohashidate (天橋立).
If you are coming from Amanohashidate or Toyooka City, you might need to change trains at Miyazu Station (宮津駅). Refer to HERE and click “宮津” for trains departing from Miyazu Station. All trains will stop at Amanohashidate (天橋立). Please check with the station staff to see if you need to make a transit.
You can also use one of Japan’s Transport Apps to plan your visit.
Tips:
☛ Depending on your direction of travel, remember to head to the front of the train after it passes Tango-Kanzaki Station (if you travel from Kyoto Station).
☛ Get the JR Kansai WIDE Area Pass (5 Days) to save. A one-way trip from Kyoto to Tango-Yura Station costs 5,350 yen (half price for children). So a return trip will be almost the cost of the pass, which costs 12,000 yen for adults! Get yours before you depart for Japan to save on tax through KLOOK!
Adorning Yuragawa Bridge from the Riverbank
If you have extra time, get off at Tango-Yura Station for photos with both the bridge and the train.
Tip: The best photographic window is between 11 am and 2 pm.
Important: As the train is running on an hourly basis, remember to keep an eye at all times! Otherwise, you will wait another hour if you narrowly miss the previous one.
Apart from taking photos from just below the Yuragawa Bridge, you can walk upstream to find a spot that gives you the best view of the bridge from afar.
One of the best spots is around the Yura Olive Momiji Park (由良オリーブもみじ公園), which is around a 25-minute walk from Tango-Yura Station. From the river bank close to the Statues of Anju and Zushio (安寿と厨子王像), you should be able to get a great photo of the bridge and the river/sea. And if you trek upwards a bit further, your photo should include the surrounding rural scenery.
Tip: As noted above, the sightseeing trains will pass through the bridge slower, allowing you more time for photography. Check the timetables above to plan a more relaxing photo session.
Discover Other Attractions in Miyazu City
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. The best news is the crowd level at Amanohashidate is moderate, giving you the space you need to truly enjoy Kyoto.
Besides Amanohashidate, there are a few more spots you can visit. So, refer to our Miyazu City article for more information!