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Amanohashidate: Bridge to Heaven

Discover Amanohashidate: Japan's 'Bridge to Heaven,' a pine-covered sandbar offering breathtaking views and ancient legends in Kyoto Prefecture.

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Amanohashidate, one of Japan's three most scenic views, is a 3.6 km pine-covered sandbar in Miyazu Bay. Formed over millennia by sediment deposition, it's a unique natural land bridge that has been celebrated in art and legend for centuries.

A brief summary to Amanohashidate

  • Monday 12 am-12 am
  • Tuesday 12 am-12 am
  • Wednesday 12 am-12 am
  • Thursday 12 am-12 am
  • Friday 12 am-12 am
  • Saturday 12 am-12 am
  • Sunday 12 am-12 am

Local tips

  • Rent a bicycle to explore the length of Amanohashidate efficiently and enjoy the sea breeze.
  • Try 'matanozoki' at Kasamatsu Park or Amanohashidate View Land for a unique, upside-down perspective of the sandbar.
  • Visit Amanohashidate Shrine and Isoshimizu spring on the sandbar for a touch of history and natural beauty.
  • Take a sightseeing boat tour for panoramic views of Amanohashidate and the surrounding Miyazu Bay.
  • Pack a picnic to enjoy on the beaches along the east side of Amanohashidate during the summer months.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    From Amanohashidate Station, exit and turn right, walking towards the Chionji Temple. Continue for about 8 minutes, following signs for Amanohashidate Park. The entrance to the sandbar is near the rotating bridge. Parking is available in the area surrounding Amanohashidate Station, with rates typically between ¥500-700. Note that vehicles are not allowed in Amanohashidate Park.

  • Public Transport

    From Kyoto Station, take the Limited Express Hashidate to Amanohashidate Station. The journey takes approximately 2 hours and costs around ¥3,340. Upon arrival, follow the walking directions from Amanohashidate Station to reach the sandbar.

  • Ferry and Cable Car

    To reach Kasamatsu Park from Amanohashidate, walk to the northern end of the sandbar and take the Amanohashidate Sightseeing Boat from the pier near Chionji Temple to Ichinomiya Pier. The boat ride costs ¥800 one way for adults. From Ichinomiya Pier, it's a short walk to Kasamatsu Park, where you can take a cable car or chairlift to the top for ¥800 round trip. A discounted combination ticket for the sightseeing boat and cable car is available for ¥1,400.

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Discover more about Amanohashidate

Amanohashidate, meaning 'bridge to heaven,' is a stunning natural sandbar in Miyazu Bay, Kyoto Prefecture, renowned as one of Japan's three most beautiful views. This 3.6-kilometer-long land bridge is covered with approximately 8,000 pine trees, creating a picturesque landscape of white sand and green pines against the backdrop of the sea. Formed over thousands of years by the accumulation of sand and sediment carried by ocean currents and the Noda River, Amanohashidate separates Miyazu Bay and the Aso Sea. According to Japanese mythology, the deity Izanagi created Amanohashidate as a ladder to visit his lover, Izanami, but it collapsed and became the sandbar we see today. Visitors can walk or cycle across the sandbar, enjoying the scenic road that winds through the pine trees. Along the way, you'll find Amanohashidate Shrine and the Isoshimizu freshwater spring, which has been cherished since the Heian period. For a unique perspective, ascend to either Kasamatsu Park or Amanohashidate View Land and try 'matanozoki' – viewing the sandbar upside down through your legs, making it appear like a dragon ascending to the heavens. Sightseeing boats also offer tours of the bay, providing different vantage points of Amanohashidate and the surrounding scenery. Amanohashidate has inspired artists and poets for centuries and continues to attract visitors with its natural beauty and cultural significance.

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