Amanohashidate is one of Japan's "Three Great Scenic Views" (the other two Great views of Japan are Matsushima in Miyagi Prefecture and Itsukushima Shrine in Miyajima). It is located in the northern part of Kyoto Prefecture. Amanohashidate literally translates to "Bridge to Heaven." It is a breathtaking sandbar, extending across Miyazu Bay for 3.6 kilometers and adorned with over 7,000 pine trees. According to local lore, the Gods themselves fashioned this pathway, and there's even a mythical dragon guarding the sandbar.

Quick summary of the itinerary:

• Savor fresh seafood for lunch (if you don't eat raw fish, they also offer grilled options) or grab a crab bento and enjoy it at the beach.

• Take a cable car ride.

• Explore the local souvenir shop.

• Stroll along the beach.

• Enjoy a boat ride.

• Visit a temple and a shrine.

• Consider an optional bike ride.

• Optionally, take another cable car ride.

BY TRAIN:

The most convenient way to reach there without a car is by taking the JR Hashidate train (seat reservation is required) to Amanohashidate station. There are only 4 direct trains available each day from Kyoto Station.

To complete the whole itinerary, you need to catch the first train in the morning.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you want to take a direct train, you'll need to purchase a ticket at the station (you can do this in advance). It is NOT possible to make the reservation online for a direct train from Kyoto Station to Amanohashidate Station (although it might be changed in the future).

At Kyoto Station, you have two options:

1. Purchase tickets at the ticket office (as shown in photos 2-3).

2. Buy tickets from the green ticket machines (as shown in photos 4-7).

Travel time to Amanohashidate (from Kyoto Station) is around 2 hours and 10 minutes (Limited express Train, ¥5200 one way).

📍 Amanohashidate station location

🗾 Travel route from Kyoto station to Amanohashidate station

*Travel times are approximate and may vary depending on your departure time and traffic conditions.

*Be sure to double-check that the "taxi service" option is turned off when you are searching for a route in Google maps.

BY CAR: Around 1 hour 40 minutes

*I do not recommend getting there by a bus

• I highly recommend leaving your luggage at the hotel upon arrival at Amanohashidate until check-in time. Simply head to your hotel and let the reception desk know that you'd like to store your luggage.

• There are almost no good options for breakfast and dinner in the area, so I'd suggest booking them at your hotel for convenience.

One of the best sashimi experiences in Amanohashidate can be found at this restaurant located on the second floor. My personal favorite dish from the menu is the Kaisendon (海鮮丼) - a rice bowl with a fresh selection of sashimi. Additionally, you have the opportunity to try the local specialty here - Iwagaki Oysters.

If raw seafood isn't your preference, don't worry – they also serve delicious grilled fish, udon and curry.

Incredibly delicious ice cream crafted from black beans (the entire area is renowned for its Kuromame - black beans). Be careful while eating the ice cream - the area is also known for Hawks who always seeking for food.

A must-do in Amanohashidate is visiting "Amanohashidate Viewland" for the ultimate panoramic view and some fun. There are two options—you can take the Monorail or the Chairlift. The Monorail follows a scheduled timetable (every 20 minutes), while the Chairlift operates continuously. Once you reach the top, you'll find yourself in a small, charming theme park with a view of the sandbar. There are several attractions for both children and adults, requiring a small fee for access.

Here comes the quirky part - you'll notice many people bending over and holding their phones or cameras between their legs. This practice is rooted in the belief that viewing the sandbar upside down will make it resemble a celestial bridge connecting Earth and Heaven, hence the nickname "Bridge to Heaven."

You can also experiment with taking upside-down pictures of the view.

Another great lunch option! If the weather is nice, you can grab a bento and enjoy it on the beach. Mine was actually stolen by a bird while I had only eaten half of it 🤣 so definitely watch out for them when you're enjoying it in a park or on the beach. There are only 3 options to choose from: Crab bento, Crab sushi-rice bento, and Mackerel bento. The difference between the crab bento and crab sushi bento is whether the rice is regular or vinegared, but the price is the same at 1500 yen. The mackerel bento is 1000 yen.

One of the best shops for local sweets and souvenirs. A perfect place to grab some snacks to enjoy on the beach or to purchase as souvenirs. I've attached photos of my favorite treats.

The Kaisen Bridge, located in Monju, Miyazu, Kyoto, Japan, can rotate 90 degrees to form a full circle, allowing ships to pass through the waterway and reach the land. This unique bridge was originally constructed by hand in 1923, and in 1960, it was electrified to accommodate the increasing number of vessels. Anyone visiting the area should make an effort to witness this remarkable spectacle. Not only is it a captivating sight, but it also offers visitors an up-close experience of the ocean, allowing them to truly appreciate the beauty of the Amanohashidate land bridge.

About the next activity (the boat ride): The boats depart from Amanohashidate pier every 30 minutes. I recommend aiming for either 2:30 pm or 3:00 pm at the latest. If you haven't made it by then, consider skipping No. 10-13, as you won't be able to catch the return boat.

Enjoy a boat trip to the opposite side of the bay. I always buy a two-way ticket - it's a bit cheaper. The one-way journey takes about 15 minutes. On the other side, you can also take a walk around the local shops, go up on the lift, and then return by boat. Check the boat schedule here: Amanohashidate Sightseeing Boat.

Amanohashidate is the port you are departing from, and Ichinomiya is the port where you arrive on the opposite side of the bay.

Exactly the same as Amanohashidate Chairlift and Monorail. If you are limited on time and have the opportunity to visit only one cable car, I would choose not this one but Amanohashidate Chairlift and Monorail - it offers a better view and more activities. This one provides only a panoramic view. There are two options - you can take the Monorail, which operates on a schedule (every 20 minutes), or the Chairlift, which runs continuously.

Great udon restaurant renowned for its high-quality ingredients and a blend of traditional and modern recipes.

From this pier, you can return to Amanohashidate.

The most famous temple in Amanohashidate. It is believed that you can gain wisdom from visiting this temple, so many students and their families come here to pray for assistance in passing exams. When you enter the temple, you will notice small fans tied to pine trees — these are actually Omikuji.

During my last trip, I didn't have enough time to rent a bike, and honestly, the road that goes through the sandbar doesn't seem too suitable for bicycle wheels, so I can't fully recommend it. Just wanted to inform you that there is such an option (perhaps you might want to use it in other parts of Amanohashidate, not just the sandbar). The price for renting a bike for 2 hours is 400 JPY.

A sandy beach with clear blue waters, a perfect spot to take a break.

A charming shrine located alongside the Amanohashidate sandbar. Amanohashidate is associated with various dragon-related legends, and this shrine enshrines the king of the Eight Dragons. It's also considered one of the "power spots" in the Tango region.

Additionally, this shrine features a stunning torii gate that overlooks the water. If you're facing the temple, just turn around and follow the small path leading to it (see attached photos for reference).

Amazing Japanese cuisine! The interior of the place has a modern look, and they offer a wide range of dishes to choose from. Personally, I can't get enough of their miso-marinated grilled fish – it's my top choice!

• For this day trip, I recommend staying in one of the hotels in Amanohashidate where I personally enjoyed my stay the most.

• These hotels are listed as the next locations on this itinerary.

A hotel with an onsen in a fantastic location close to all the main attractions of Amanohashidate.

A riverside hotel with an onsen (hot springs) in an excellent location, close to all the main attractions of Amanohashidate.