Amanohashidate

Peek under the crotch for a spectacular view

Amanohashidate is a scenic spot known as one of the three most scenic spots in Japan.
Amanohashidate is known as one of the three most scenic spots in Japan.
The name “Amanohashidate” comes from the fact that the sandbar, which separates the north and south sides of the bay in an arch, looks like a bridge spanning the heavens when viewed upside down.

Amanohashidate stretches as long as 3.6 kilometers in total length.
Amanohashidate can be viewed from observation points at different distances and heights.

Two typical viewpoints are from Amanohashidate Viewland on the summit of Bunshuzan Mountain on the south side.
It is called “Hiryu-kan” (flying dragon view) because it looks like a dragon soaring in the sky.
The view from Kusamatsu Park on the north side is called “slanting one character” and is said to be the birthplace of “crotch peeping.

Together with Matsushima in Miyagi Prefecture and Miyajima in Hiroshima Prefecture, it is one of the three most scenic spots in Japan,
Amanohashidate has long been written in poetry and depicted in paintings. 

Forms created by nature

Amanohashidate separates Miyazu Bay and the inland Aso Sea from north to south,
Amanohashidate is a narrow sandbar, 20 to 170 meters wide and 3.6 kilometers long.
Amanohashidate has a unique topography with approximately 5,000 pine trees growing on a narrow sandbar that is approximately 20 to 170 meters wide and 3.6 kilometers long.

Until 7,000 years ago, there was not even an original form of Amanohashidate, but the rising sea level formed a sandbar on the sea floor, and 2,200 years ago, an earthquake caused it to appear above the sea surface.
It is estimated that it took its present form in the Edo period (1603-1867).

Road of White Sand and Green Pine Trees

Although the entire image of Amanohashidate can only be seen from a distance
The road between the pine forest and the sea with its continuous sandy beach is one of the
The road between the pine forest and the beach has been selected as one of the 100 best pine trees in Japan, one of the 100 best white sand and green pine trees in Japan, one of the 100 best beaches in Japan, and one of the 100 best roads in Japan.
You can enjoy the beautiful scenery even from nearby.

At the southern end, there is a bridge connecting Amanohashidate and the land.
Amanohashidate, and you can walk to the other side of the river.

Hiryu-kan, a dragon soaring to the sky

There is an observatory in the park of Amanohashidate Viewland, an amusement park located at the top of Bunshuzan Mountain on the south side of Amanohashidate,
From the "crotch peeking" spot, visitors can view the view of Amanohashidate called "Hiryukan," which is compared to a dragon soaring in the sky.

In recent years, Amanohashidate has been in danger of shrinking and disappearing due to erosion, and levees have been built at regular intervals to prevent sand from flowing out.
The right side of this dike, where sand accumulates, is whitish and jagged in shape.

It is said that 100 years ago it was slimmer than today's and had a beautiful, bowed curve.
It is said to have been deformed more distorted than before, but the embankment protecting it from erosion and erosion by the tidal currents created the shape of a dragon.

Amanohashidate Viewland can be reached by monorail (slope car) or lift from Amanohashidate Station.

Diagonal Ichimonji” Bridge to Heaven

On the north side of Amanohashidate is Kago-jinja Shrine, a historic shrine with a long history,
Behind the shrine, there is a cable car or a lift that takes you up the mountain to the park "Kasaematsu Park" located halfway up Mt. Narisou, 130 meters above sea level, which offers a great view and is one of the most popular tourist attractions.

A three-minute walk up the park's stairs leads to a pine tree named "Umbrella Pine," from which the park takes its name, and an observation deck with a sign that reads, "The birthplace of crotch peeping.

By peeping from here, the sky and earth are reversed, and the long, narrow pine forest looks for a moment like a bridge to the sky.

Monju Gate Town

On the south side of Amanohashidate, there is Chion-ji Temple, famous as Monju-san, a temple that offers wisdom and blessings.
The temple is said to have been founded in 808, and its principal deity is Monju Bosatsu (Manjusri), who is said to be the wisdom-giver of three people.
The temple has long been worshipped as a source of wisdom, and students and their families visit the temple to pray for academic achievement and success in entrance examinations.

The temple is also called "Kogane-kaku" (gold pavilion) because Emperor Go-Sakuracho donated gold to the temple when he built the gate.
It is the largest gate in the Tango region, and is also called "Kogane-kaku" (Golden Pavilion),
The town in front of the gate is lined with souvenir shops, restaurants, ryokan (traditional Japanese inns), hotels, and minshuku (private residences).

Chie-no-mochi” (wisdom rice cake) at a teahouse

Chie-no-mochi, a specialty made only at the four teahouses in front of the gate, is said to bring wisdom to those who eat it.
When there was only a beach in front of Chion-ji Temple, an old woman began to sell rice cakes in front of the gate.

According to a legend, she received wisdom from eating this rice cake, and it is called "Chie-no-mochi." The teahouse that originated this rice cake continues to make it in the traditional way without using unnecessary ingredients.

The soft texture of the mochi and the rich red bean paste can only be tasted here.

Kaisen Bridge

Amanohashidate was once reached from the land where Chion-ji Temple is located by a ferry called "Kuze-do no Watashi" (ferry of Kusedo).
In paintings drawn before the Edo period, the distance from the south side of Amanohashidate to the land is quite far.
Between the late Edo period and the early Meiji period, a sandbar was formed like an island called Kotenkyo Bridge.

A movable bridge was built in 1923 to pass the Kotenkyo Bridge from the land.
This bridge is unusual in that the center of the bridge turns 90 degrees manually whenever a large ship passes over it.
In 1957, the turning became motorized, and the bridge became the current turning bridge.

There is a wheel of wisdom lantern erected beside the turning bridge to pray for the safety of ships,
In the Edo period (1603-1867), the lantern was lit inside the circle and served as a marker for ships coming and going.
It is said that if one passes through the circle three times, he or she will receive wisdom.

Teahouse in a row of pine trees

In Amanohashidate Park beyond the Kaisenkyo Bridge, there is a long-established teahouse, Hashidate Teahouse, surrounded by rows of pine trees,
Visitors can enjoy the famous "Asari-don" (scallion rice bowl) and "Kurochikuwa" (black chikuwa) while gazing at the rows of pine trees.

Mysterious spring water

Amanohashidate Shrine is located in the center of Amanohashidate.
It is surrounded by the sea, yet it has been prized as a mysterious spring water that does not contain any saltiness.

It has been selected as one of the 100 best waters, and it is said that Izumi-shikibu composed a poem, "Iso-no-shimizu under the pine trees of Hashidate, the capital of Tokyo, is yours to drink.

National Treasure “Amanohashidate”

"Amanohashidate" painted by Sesshu, an ink painter and Zen monk active in the Muromachi period (1336-1573), who visited Amanohashidate around 1501, is still in existence.
It is housed in the Kyoto National Museum and is designated as a national treasure.

The Amanohashidate painting does not have the southern sandbar connected by the Kaisenkyo Bridge on the south side,
The drawing depicts temples and shrines such as Chion-ji Temple and Kago-jinja Shrine.

Information

Name
Amanohashidate
天橋立
Link
Official Site
Address
Amanohashidate, Miyazu City, Kyoto Prefecture
Telephone number
0772-22-8030
Access

To reach Kaisenkyo Bridge on the south side of Amanohashidate, a 5-minute walk from Amanohashidate Station on the Kyoto Tango Railway Miyatoyo Line.
From the south end to the north end of Amanohashidate (about 3.6 km in total length, about 2.4 km from Kaisenkyo Bridge to Funakoshi no Matsu) is about 50 minutes on foot or 20 minutes by bicycle.
To reach Kasa-matsu Park on the north side, take a local bus from Amanohashidate Station to the bus stop under the Kasa-matsu Cable in about 25 minutes.

Area
Kyoto Maiduru, Miyadu, Kyotango Kansai
Category
Oceans, Coasts, Capes, Peninsulas, Island Scenic spots, Observation deck Natural scenery, Excellent scenery

Gallery

Maiduru, Miyadu, Kyotango

Kyoto

Category

Area