Amanohashidate is one of the Three Scenic views of Japan, right next to Miyajima in Hiroshima prefecture and Matsushima in Miyagi prefecture. Without a doubt, Amanohashidate earns that name thanks to the beautiful sand bar, that when looked upon the correct angle, blends heaven and earth in a spectacular view!
About Amanohashidate, Japan’s Stairway to Heaven
Amanohashidate is a sandbar that can be located in the north part of Kyoto where the land meets the Sea of Japan. Running from one side to the other of the Miyazu Bay and stretching 3.3km, it is covered with thousands of pine trees.
Blending together perfectly with the calm blue waters of the ocean, this land bridge is best known for the amazing views that it provides. So amazing that it is highly praised and is officially one of Japan’s Three Scenic Views.
When looked upon from the right angles, you can start to make sense of its name, which loosely translates to “bridge of heaven”. These views can mostly be found on the north side of the bay which has a mountain you can traverse thanks to a chairlift.
You can also walk along the sandbar itself and during the summer, they have plenty of activities that you can participate in, such as canoeing, swimming, and boat rides. Once you get off at Amanohashidate Station, everything is relatively close by and ready for you to explore!
Spot information
- Spot name: Amanohashidate
- Location: Miyazu-shi, Kyoto
- Access: A 3-minute walk from Amanohashidate Station on the Hashidate Line
Checking the Amanohashidate View, Land Bridge to Heaven
Although you can walk along the sandbar itself, the best view of Amanohashidate itself is from the Nariaiji Temple that is located on the mountains just north of the sandbar. There is a chairlift located close to Motoise Kono Shrine that can take you to Kasamatsu Park.
From there, you can take the chairlift for around 660 yen for a round trip ticket and then take a shuttle bus that can take you to Nariaiji Temple for a small fee. Once you get to the temple, you can walk around the premises and enjoy one of the best views of Amanohashidate.
Another view can be found when you arrive to Kasamatsu Park. Here you will find a platform and you might also find visitors strangely bent over looking at the view from in between their legs. This may leave you wondering what in the world they are doing, but there is a reason!
On clear days and when the wind is calm, if you look upside down in between your legs from this platform, Amanohashidate appears as if it is melding into the sky, resembling a dragon or a bridge that connects heaven and earth. It is truly an amazing view that cannot be found anywhere else in Japan, making it worth of being one of three iconic Scenic Views of Japan.
Spot information
- Spot name: Nariaiji Temple
- Location: 339 Nariaiji, Miyazu-shi, Kyoto 629-2241
- Access: Take a cable car from the north side of the Amanohashidate Sandbar, then take the shuttle bus
Staying at an Amanohashidate Ryokan
If you want the full experience of staying close to Amanohashidate with the comfort of a Japanese ryokan, then Seikiro ryokan is one of the best in the area. This comfortable ryokan also has a twist, it also acts as a museum for Japanese works of literature!
While staying at Seikiro, you can also enjoy their sulfur baths which are available from 3:00 pm until 10:00 am the next morning. After soaking in the bath, you can also enjoy traditional Japanese cuisine in the form of a Kaiseki dinner that serves many fresh ingredients and dishes from the Miyazu area.
Rooms available are all Japanese-style and rates start at about 7,000 yen per night for 1 person and higher depending on the room and number of guests. The ryokan is fairly popular with locals and tourists as well, so make sure to book in advance!
Spot information
- Spot name: Seikiro Ryokan
- Street address: 937 Uoya, Miyazu-shi, Kyoto 626-0015
- Access: A 5-minute walk from Miyazu Station via the Hashidate Line
Staying at an Amanohashidate Hotel
As Amanohashidate can take a little more than 2 hours to get to from Kyoto or Osaka, it is usually best to spend a day in the area in order to enjoy the views and activities at a leisurely pace.
There are plenty of hotels in the area, however many start at around 10,000 yen upwards to 50,000 yen, depending on the hotel and distance from the famous Amanohashidate sandbar itself.
There are a few rooms that are available for lower prices, but you will have to reserve further in advance and some of these hotels can be far from the sandbar, making it inconvenient.
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