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Escape to Amanohashidate: An Unforgettable Day Trip from Kyoto
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Amanohashidate is famed for its stunning scenery. It consists of about 8,000 pine trees alongside sandy beaches spanning a bay in Kyoto. This is a complete guide to the scenic spot, with access information and activities among picturesque locations, nationally-ranked for its natural beauty.
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This is the official account of MATCHA's editorial department. Our articles feature useful travel information for visitors to Japan, from how-to guides to recommended places to visit.
Amanohashidate: Be Awed by Stunning Views Created by Nature
Photo by Pixta
Amanohashidate in Kyoto is famed as one of Japan’s Three Most Scenic Views alongside Matsushima in Miyagi Prefecture and Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island, Hiroshima. You will arrive at the sandbank in about two hours via a limited express train from Kyoto Station.
Amanohashidate separates the sea and bay from north to south, with approximately 8,000 pine trees spanning a single road. This terrain was made from sasu (*1) and named “Amanohashidate” ("bridge to heaven") in ancient Japan because it appeared like a bridge hanging over the heavens.
There are various ways to enjoy Amanohashidate, such as walking across the sandbank or relaxing on the beach. By heading up to the observatories by cable car, you’ll see a view of the sandbank dividing the waters.
This article introduces ways to create a memorable visit to Amanohashidate, including sightseeing spots and how to access the area.
1) Sasu: a sandbank stretching from one shore's inlet to the opposite shore. It is created by sediment brought by water flow and wind.
Tokyo's Famous Festivals
Amanohashidate: Three Ways to Enjoy This Area
1. Explore by Walking or Cycling
2. Relax on the Beach
3. Enjoy the View from the Observatory by “Matanozoki”
Recommended Spots near Amanohashidate
4. Chionji Temple: Try Your Hand at Unique Hanging Fortunes
5. Chie no Yu: A Hot Springs Facility Near Amanohashidate Station
6. Manai Shrine: A Quietly Standing Spiritual Spot
7. Accessing Amanohashidate Station from Kyoto and Osaka
8. How to Access Each Observatory from Amanohashidate Station
Amanohashidate: Three Ways to Enjoy This Area
1. Explore by Walking or Cycling
Photo by Pixta
Amanohashidate spans 3.6 kilometers, or 2.2 miles in length, with a road surrounded by pine trees stretching across. The gigantic pine tree trunks are impressive! There are shrines, stone monuments, and torii gates along the way, so take some time to stop and enjoy the scenery. This trekking course requires about an hour to one and a half hours at a leisurely walking pace.
You can also rent a bicycle at both banks of the bay. It takes about 20 minutes to cross the sandbank by bicycle. After crossing the sandbank, you can drop off your bike on the opposite side.
Hotels near Amanohashidate
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2. Relax on the Beach
A white beach with a sparkling blue ocean is past the row of pine trees. We recommend leisurely gazing at the ocean on this serene beach. This site is also a popular swimming area during the summer. The beach is perfect for playing in the ocean with its crystal clear waters and few waves.
The swimming area is accessible via a seven-minute walk from Amanohashidate Station along the Kyoto Tango Railway. The area is open annually to the public from mid-July. Stay the night to enjoy daily illuminations on the beach from 19:00 to 22:00.
Hotels near Amanohashidate Beach
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3. Enjoy the View from the Observatory by “Matanozoki”
You can get a picturesque view of Amanohashidate at Amanohashidate View Land from the sandbank side of Amanohashidate Station or at Kasamatsu Park from the opposite shore. Pictured above is the view from Kasamatsu Park.
Once you’ve arrived at the observatory on Amanohashidate, visitors must try matanozoki. “Matanozoki” is when you bring your head in between your legs and look at something from upside down. The upside-down view might make Amanohashidate appear like a dragon flying into the sky.
From Kasamatsu Park, Amanohashidate looks like a beautiful single line. However, the scenery from Amanohashidate View Land appears to have lush greenery on its side. You can take a photo of the dragon’s head this way!
There are also restaurants and cafes at both observatories. Why not have a meal while gazing at the magnificent scenery before your eyes?
Hotels near Amanohashidate Kasamatsu Park
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Recommended Spots near Amanohashidate
Chionji Temple: Try Your Hand at Unique Hanging Fortunes
Chionji Temple is a five-minute walk from Amanohashidate Station. This is where the Manjusri, the bodhisattva granting wisdom, is enshrined. People visit from across Japan to pray for success in academics.
The small sensu (folding fans) hung on the temple’s pine trees is a feature seldom found anywhere else. These fans are Chionji Temple’s fortunes. Named “Folding Fan Fortunes,” hanging the fan on a pine tree is customary after reading your fortune. We recommend giving this a try!
Hotels near Chionji Temple
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Chie no Yu: A Hot Springs Facility Near Amanohashidate Station
Photo by Pixta
An onsen (hot spring) called Chie no Yu is located a minute's walk away from Amanohashidate Station. Chie no Yu also has open-air baths, making it a fantastic place to relax after a long day of exploring.
It costs 700 yen for adults and 350 yen for children to enter the onsen. Chie no Fu is open from 12:00 to 22:00. Please be aware that the facility is closed on Wednesdays. Footbaths located outside can be used for free, so we recommend trying just the footbaths if you don’t have time.
Additionally, discount tickets that include a roundtrip lift ticket for Amanohashidate View Land and an entry ticket for Chie no Yu are sold as a set at the Amanohashidate Station Tourist Information Center. The original 1,550 yen price will be reduced to 1,000 yen. This ticket set is of great value if you plan on visiting the observatory.
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Manai Shrine: A Quietly Standing Spiritual Spot
Picture from an article titled "Seaside Kyoto – A Guide To The Top Spots In Miyazu City (Part 2)."
Manai Shrine, located on the sandbank side of Kasamatsu Park, is known as a powerful spiritual spot.
Springwater within the shrine grounds has historically been considered holy water, or “water offered to the gods.” The water is crystal clear, and many shrine-goers bring the liquid home in a plastic bottle.
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Accessing Amanohashidate Station from Kyoto and Osaka
From Kyoto
Riding the Express Bus is the most convenient, budget-friendly way to reach Amanohashidate for 3,000 yen. It takes about three hours. For additional details, please refer to this website.
You can access Amanohashidate Station without any transfers by taking the Limited Express Hashidate from JR Kyoto Station. It costs 3,340 yen one-way and takes about two hours.
However, the train comes once every hour. It may be necessary to transfer at stations depending on the time.
Hotels near Amanohashidate Station
From Osaka
If you're traveling by train to Amanohashidate from JR Osaka Station, the simplest method is traveling to Kyoto Station, then taking the Limited Express Hashidate. Please refer to the article below for information on traveling to Kyoto Station from JR Osaka Station.
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How to Access Each Observatory from Amanohashidate Station
Pictured left is a cable car; pictured right is a chairlift.
Kasamatsu Park
Kasamatsu Park is located on the other side after crossing Amanohashidate. It is recommended to go to the opposite shore, which you can do by strolling across the sandbank.
To access the observatory, you must either use the cable car or chairlift. The ride on the cable car is four minutes, while the lift is about six minutes. Both transportation methods cost 660 yen (adults) for a roundtrip ticket.
Cable Car Operation Hours
First departure: 9:00
Last departure: March to November 18:00
December to January: 17:00
February: 17:30
Chairlift
March 1 to December 17: 9:00–16:00 (operated daily)
December 18 to the end of February: Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays, and from January 1 to January 4 from 9:00-16:00
Hotels near Amanohashidate Kasamatsu Park
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Amanohashidate View Land
Amanohashidate View Land is a five-minute walk from Amanohashidate Station to the lift and monorail platform. It takes approximately six minutes by lift and seven minutes by monorail to reach the top. The fee is 850 yen (junior high school and older) for a roundtrip ticket, which includes the entry fee. The ticket is useable with both the lift and monorail.
Business Hours:
First departure: 9:00 (8:30 from July 21 to August 20)
Last departure: February 21 to July 20: 17:00
July 21 to August 20: 18:00
August 21 to October 20: 17:00
October 21 to February 20: 16:30
Hotels near Amanohashidate View Land
Take in the Best of Amanohashidate!
Amanohashidate is home to various highlights, including stunning views, sacred Shinto shrines, Buddhist temples, hot springs to soothe your travel fatigue, and more! If you’re sightseeing in Kyoto or Osaka, why not head to Amanohashidate for a day trip?
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Original Author: Haruka
*This article is a revised version originally published on October 24th, 2015 and updated for 2023.
This is the official account of MATCHA's editorial department. Our articles feature useful travel information for visitors to Japan, from how-to guides to recommended places to visit.
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