Amanohashidate is one of the most popular tourist spots in the “Kyoto of the Sea”. Amanohashidate is one of the three most scenic spots in Japan, and the bridge between the sea and the sky is a spectacular sight that must be seen at least once.

Here, we have compiled a list of points you should know about Amanohashidate, including spectacular spots to view it and “Matanozoki ( Upside down looking through your legs )” to see the scenery upside down. We will introduce you to the charms of Amanohashidate, one of the most mysterious and spectacular spots in Japan!

＜１．What is Amanohashidate, one of the three most scenic spots in Japan?＞
1.1 Charms of Amanohashidate
1.2 How to access Amanohashidate
＜２．Scenic Spots・Amanohashidate’s Four Great Views＞
2.1　 Hiryu-kan・Amanohashidate View Land
2.2　 Matanozoki-kan・Amanohashidate Kasamatsu Park
2.3　 Sesshû-kan・Amanohashidate Sesshu-view observation rest area
2.4　Ichijikan・Ouchi Pass Ichijikan Park
＜3.　 Spots around Amanohashidate＞
3.1　 Amanohashidate Shrine
3.2　 Amanohashidate Sightseeing Boat
3.3　Daitenkyo Bridge and Shotenkyo Bridge
3.4　 Ine Boat House

First, some basic information about Amanohashidate.
Amanohashidate is said to be one of the “Three Great Views of Japan” along with Matsushima in Miyagi Prefecture and Miyajima in Hiroshima Prefecture.
Common to all three Japanese sights is that they offer spectacular views of the sea.

Amanohashidate is located in Miyazu City in the northern part of Kyoto City, facing the Sea of Japan. Amanohashidate stretches for about 3.6 km, with about 5,000 pine trees planted along the way, and their expressions change completely depending on the location and angle of view.
There are various theories as to the origin of the name “Amanohashidate,” but it is said that a bridge (ladder) connecting the heavenly world and the lower world built by a god in mythology collapsed, and the bridge became Amanohashidate. In other words, “Amanohashidate” originally meant “a ladder for passage to heaven. It is mysterious and powerful, isn’t it?

Amanohashidate is surrounded by mountains and the sea. You can enjoy picturesque scenery from any angle, but the most famous of all are the four viewpoints known as the “Four Great Views” (Hiryu-kan, Matanozoki-kan, Sesshû-kan, and Ichiji-kan). The scenery differs depending on where you view it, so be sure to check them carefully before you go.

If you are visiting in summer, why not enjoy swimming in the sea in conjunction with sightseeing in Amanohashidate? Amanohashidate has three beaches: Tango-Yura Beach, a long beach with clean water quality, Amanohashidate Beach on the Bunshu side near the station, and Amanohashidate Fuchu Beach, suitable for sea leisure activities such as kayaking. You can feel closer to the sea and enjoy Amanohashidate from a different perspective!

If you are going to Amanohashidate from Umeda, Osaka or Kyoto, we recommend that you take a highway bus, which does not require a transfer. You can take the highway bus of “Tango Kairiku Koutsu”, which offers a direct connection. Highway buses have reserved seats, so please purchase a ticket in advance.

Tango Kairiku Koutsu Highway Bus Information Check here

For those who want to enjoy an elegant train trip, why not take the sightseeing train connecting Fukuchiyama or Nishi-Maizuru Station with Amanohashidate Station?

Both “Tango Akamatsu-go” and “Tango Kuromatsu-go” operated by WILLER TRAINS (Kyoto Tango Railway) are special trains that require full reservations. You can spend a special time on these dressed-up trains with spectacular views from the train windows.

Amanohashidate can be viewed from various locations. There are four names for representative spots.
The view from the south is called “Hiryukan,” the view from the north is called “Matanozoki-kan,” the view from the east is called “Sesshû-kan,” and the view from the west is called “Ichiji-kan. These four views are called the “Four Great Views of Amanohashidate,” and each offers a completely different view.

The view from Amanohashidate Viewland is called “Hiryu-kan”. It is named after the view from the Matanozoki, which looks like a dragon climbing up to the sky.

Located on the summit of 130-meter-high Monjuyama, visitors can enjoy a dynamic “Matanozoki” from a high vantage point. The platform here is equipped with a handrail, so you can do crotch peeping safely.

The “Matanozoki” is a classic way to enjoy the view of Amanohashidate. Stand with your back toward Amanohashidate, bend at the waist, and look at the view from between your legs. It looks like a bridge spanning the heavens when viewed upside down.

Amanohashidate Viewland has a famous spot called Hiryukan-kairo(Viewing sky path), which is 8.5 meters high and 250 meters long. Walking along the winding corridor, you can enjoy the view of Hiryukan from various angles.

Next we will introduce Amanohashidate Kusamatsu Park, known as the birthplace of “Matanozoki” . Located halfway up Mt. Narisou on the north side of Amanohashidate, it is just on the other side of Miyazu Bay from Amanohashidate Viewland.

The view of Amanohashidate from Amanohashidate Kusamatsu Park is a complete change from the undulating view from Amanohashidate Viewland. The pine forests are lined up diagonally in a straight line, providing a spectacular view. The view of Amanohashidate from here is also called “Ascending Dragon View” because it looks like a dragon ascending straight to the sky.

The Sky Deck is also recommended. The Sky Deck is a circular deck where you can see Amanohashidate in front of you, and the railing is made of glass. Furthermore, the floor of the “aerial corridor” protruding from the Sky Deck is also made of glass! You can enjoy the exhilaration and thrill as if you are taking a walk in the sky.

Amanohashidate Sesshu-view observation rest area is located on the east side of Amanohashidate. The view of Amanohashidate from this rest stop is horizontally aligned. The sight of Amanohashidate lying in full view is as beautiful as a painting.
Amanohashidate Sesshu-view observation rest area is known for its relatively small number of tourists compared to other view spots, and is recommended for those who wish to view Amanohashidate quietly. It is also easy to stop by because all you have to do is climb the stairs from the parking lot in front of the torii (gate).

The last view is from Ouchi Pass Ichijikan Park, from the west side of Amanohashidate. The name “Ichiji-kan” comes from the fact that Amanohashidate looks like a single horizontal character when viewed from here.
Although Ouchi Pass Ichijikan Park is a park, its main attraction is that it has tent sites. With the use of rental tents, even those who do not own a tent can easily enjoy camping.

Here are a few spots that you should definitely stop by when you visit Amanohashidate.

A 15-minute walk from Amanohashidate Station. Amanohashidate Shrine is tucked away in the middle of Amanohashidate.

The shrine offers blessings such as prosperous business, a good harvest, and the fulfillment of love. Worshippers from all over the country visit the shrine one after another to seek the blessings of love fulfillment.

Next to the Amanohashidate Shrine is “Isoshimizu,” a well selected as one of the 100 best waters in Japan. Strangely enough, even though the surrounding area is surrounded by the sea, what gushes out from Isoshimizu is fresh water that contains no salt at all! Because of this mysterious phenomenon, Iso-Shimizu is also called “the sacred spring of longevity.

Amanohashidate is a small cruise on a sightseeing boat. The Amanohashidate sightseeing boat is packed with such fun on the sea. This boat connects the southern end (Bunshu side) and the northern end (Fuchu side) of Amanohashidate, and the boarding time is about 12 minutes. The boat runs approximately once every 30 minutes.

During the cruise, you can feed the seagulls on the deck of the boat. Food can be purchased at the boat dock or on board. When you offer the food, many seagulls will come close to you. If you want to make memories of your trip while on the move, please enjoy the magnificent scenery and interaction with the seagulls on the open deck.

Amanohashidate appears to be connected to land when viewed from the crotch. However, the Bunshu area on the south side is actually not connected to land. To reach Amanohashidate from the Bunshu area, two waterways must be crossed. The red bridge “Shotenkyo” and the blue bridge “Daitenkyo” cross each waterway.

Shotenkyo Bridge is an unusual bridge called Kaisenkyo. When a ship passes by, a part of the bridge rotates 90 degrees automatically. The ships pass through the empty space, delighting the viewers.

The boathouses of Ine, located at the tip of the Tango Peninsula, are not to be missed. The traditional townscape of boathouses is full of nostalgic atmosphere. It has been designated as a national Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings.

It takes about 30 minutes by car from Amanohashidate to the boathouse at Ine. If you go by bus, it takes about 1 hour by transferring to a local bus (Tango Kairiku Kotsu). Buses go to “Ukawa Onsen Yoshino no Sato,” “Gamairi,” and “Ine Post Office.

This is a perfect trip to find photogenic seaside scenery.

Amanohashidate is a scenic spot where you will want to take your favorite pictures. Please enjoy the mystical scenery a lot along with the magnificent sea view.

Reference: Tabicoffret

https://tabicoffret.com/

（Japanese only）