Amano Hashidate

Amanohashidate is a scenic area located in Miyazu Bay on the Sea of Japan in northern Kyoto Prefecture. Designated a Special Place of Scenic Beauty and counted among Japan’s Three Most Scenic Views, it is a sandbar about 3.6 km long and 20–170 meters wide, covered with approximately 5,000 pine trees. Its unique landform is said to resemble a bridge stretching across the sky, giving rise to the name Amanohashidate, meaning "Bridge to Heaven." Recognized as a scenic spot since the early 8th century, views of Amanohashidate from Nariai-ji Temple have been celebrated in waka poetry since the Heian period. Arriving at Amanohashidate Station on the Kyoto Tango Railway brings visitors to the Monju area at the southern end of the sandbar. From there, a lift or monorail leads up Mount Monju to Amanohashidate View Land, where visitors can enjoy the famous matanozoki upside-down viewing and kawarake clay disc throwing. Other highlights include Chion-ji Temple, dedicated to the deity of wisdom, and the Kaisenkyo Bridge, which rotates 90 degrees to allow boats to pass. Walking across Amanohashidate takes about 50 minutes one way, while cycling takes about 20 minutes.