[Hyogo] Enjoy traditional Japanese scenery and seafood! 4 ways to enjoy Amarube, 3 hours and 30 minutes from Osaka by JR

• Table of Contents
• Railway heritage remaining in Amarube: Yobu Iron Bridge that supported local transportation for nearly 100 years
• How to enjoy Amarube 1: Yobu Railway Bridge "Sky Station" Observation Facility
• Ways to enjoy Amarube 2: Let's go meet Kameda Sora the tortoise!
• Ways to enjoy Amarube 3: Enjoy delicious seafood at Amarube Roadside Station!
• How to enjoy Amarube 4: Go see the illuminations at Amarube Crystal Tower
• in conclusion

Railway heritage remaining in Amarube: Yobu Iron Bridge that supported local transportation for nearly 100 years

The Amarube Iron Bridge, built in 1912, is 309m long and has piers 41.5m high, and was said to be the largest trestle-type iron bridge in the Orient at the time of its construction. Until it was replaced with a concrete bridge in 2010, it supported local traffic as a symbol of the JR San'in Main Line.

The three bridge piers on the Amarube Station side are now preserved and have been turned into the Yobe Iron Bridge "Sky Station" observation facility. You cannot cross the Yobe Iron Bridge by train, but by visiting here you can learn about the history of the San'in Main Line. We will introduce how to enjoy Amarube later.

There was a reason why the Amarube Iron Bridge was built in 1912 using the latest technology. The San'in Coast has a unique ria coastline topography where the mountains come close to the sea, and this area in particular had almost no flat land for a railway to run horizontally. For this reason, numerous bridges and tunnels were built, including the 309m-long Amarube Iron Bridge and the 1,841m-long Tokan Tunnel. A trestle-type bridge is a railway built on iron towers, and was designed by Furukawa Seiichi, an engineer at the Railway Bureau at the time, using the latest technology and completed with the input of American bridge engineer Paul El-Wolfel.

It was used for about 100 years, with repeated repairs to withstand the sea breezes, but was replaced with a concrete bridge in 2010. All that remains are the three piers that have been converted into observation facilities, but the people of Amarube still feel that the Amarube Iron Bridge is a special symbol of their lives.

How to enjoy Amarube 1: Yobu Railway Bridge "Sky Station" Observation Facility

At the Amarube Railway Bridge "Sky Station," the rails of the Amarube Railway Bridge remain intact, making this a great place to take photos.

From the "sky station" you can see the original Japanese scenery of rows of tiled roofs. This is a traditional Japanese landscape that you won't find in the city.

Ways to enjoy Amarube 2: Let's go meet Kameda Sora the tortoise!

Kameda Sora, a tortoise, is an idol of the Amarube Bridge "Sky Station." She came to Amarube Bridge from Kobe in 2018. She has a house in the park next to the Amarube Crystal Tower, and takes walks in the park several times a day.

[Official website] Roadside Station Amarube

Ways to enjoy Amarube 3: Enjoy delicious seafood at Amarube Roadside Station!

"Roadside Station Amarube" is a souvenir shop located just after you take the elevator down from the "Sky Station" on the Amarube Railway Bridge. Not only can you buy souvenirs such as railway goods made from steel from the Amarube Railway Bridge, but you can also enjoy a meal menu made with fish caught in the Sea of ​​Japan.

Particularly popular here are the easy-to-make burger menus that use fish caught in Kasumi. The photo shows a burger made with Japanese smelt, and the sourness of the tomato sauce matches the deep-fried Japanese smelt perfectly. There are also burgers made with local specialty crab.

Amarube Railway Bridge, Amarube Crystal Tower, Amarube Sky Statio...

669-6671 1861-2 Amarube, Kasumi-ku, Kami-cho, Mikata-gun, Hyogo Prefec...

If you visit Amarube, this is a must-see spot! <Amarube Iron Bridge/Amarube Sky Station> The Amarube Iron Bridge has been watching over the JR San'in Main Line for about 100 years since its completion in 1912. In 2010, it was replaced with a new concrete bridge, but the three bridge piers on the JR Amarube Station side were preserved on-site and reborn as the Amarube Iron Bridge "Sky Station" observation facility. There is also a park under the Amarube Bridge, where you can spend a relaxing time in the gazebo that uses the remains of the bridge piers and the grassy Free Square.

How to enjoy Amarube 4: Go see the illuminations at Amarube Crystal Tower

The elevator that takes you to the Amarube Bridge "Sky Station" observation deck in about 45 seconds is nicknamed the "Amarube Crystal Tower." The Amarube Crystal Tower is lit up in different colors depending on the season (until 9:30 pm).

[Official website] Kami Town Tourism Guide Illumination Information

in conclusion

Amarube has beautiful, unspoiled Japanese scenery that will soothe your tired body after a long day of travel. It is also close to Kinosaki Onsen and Kasumi, where you can enjoy hot springs and seafood. If you are visiting Kyoto or Osaka, why not extend your trip by a day?