Amanohashidate is a 3.6 kilometres sandbar spanning the mouth of Miyazu bay. The sandbar is one of three most scenic spots of Japan, indeed, the views from the observatories are absolutely beautiful!
Amanohashidate is covered by around 5000 pine trees so it is not made of sand only but also made of green.
Meaning of Amanohashidate
Amanohashidate literally means “heaven bridge” because it looks like a bridge to the heaven.
Old tradition has it that Amanohasidate is a latter to the heaven since the God creating Japan put the latter on the earth, and the latter fell down and became Amanohashidate.
Amanohashidate View Land
Amanohashidate View Land is a small theme park having the observatory for the sandbar.
There are several observatories around Amanohashidate, but most of the visitors prefer this because the view of the sandbar from Amanohashidate View Land is said to be better and resemble a dragon flying up to the heaven.
Amanohashidate View Land is accessed by chairlift or monorail, and has a variety of amusements such as Ferris wheel, roller coaster, go-karts, archery and so on. The info of the fee, opening hours and so on can be found on Amanohashidate View Land website.
Amanohashidate Hotel
There is a hotel in front of Amanohashidate station and the hotel is named Amanohashidate hotel.
The hotel has rooms and onsen (=hot spring) where you could look over the sandbar soaking in a hot tub! Even if you are not a hotel guest, onsen is still available.
Winter
Amanohashidate shows another face when it snows in the winter. It becomes white covered by snow and looks mystical!
Access
There is a direct train from JR Kyoto Station to Amanohashidate station. It takes around 2 hours and costs JPY 4400.
There is a direct highway bus as well, and it also takes around 2 hours. The cost is JPY 2900, more reasonable than train! It operates only 3 buses a day though.
Amanohashidate to Ine no Funaya
There is another amazing spot to visit close to Amanohashidate. It is called Ine no Funaya, which is a traditional boat house and is marked in blue on the map above.
It takes around 1 hour by bus from Amonohashidate to Ine no Funaya.
If you like seafood and historical buildings, Ine no Funaya is also must visit spot!
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