Amanohashidate

Published on 06.29.2016 In the north part of Kyoto Prefecture, you will see a popular sandbar which is identified as" Japan's Scenic Sand bar". This classic view from the Kasamatsu Park is often recast in the fashion of the man striking a mata-nozoki pose to get an idea of the sandbar rising as a bridge toward heaven. The view is fantastic as you will see the view of heaven and earth.
Amanohashidate is a sandbar and it is one of the three most scenic spots in Japan along with Matsushima in Miyagi and Miyajima in Hiroshima Prefectures. Also known as "The Bridge to Heaven", it is really a long, narrow, tree-covered 8000 pine trees, and is almost 3.5km in length.
You can view Amanohashidate in any one of the vantage points from the south or north banks. Both offer ropeways and normal monorail cars to give an awesome view. The costs are around 600-700 yen for a return trip.
The South point area has Amanohashidate station of Kitakinki tango Railway as well as the entrance of Amanohashidate. There are also other sightseeing spots such as an observatory and an old temple.
On the other side, the North area has also an observatory and a temple too. To reach this area, you can use a ferry from the south area or walk on the sandbar. It takes about 12 minutes by ferry.
There are so many little things to see and do as you travel around the area. Tourists highly recommended to rent a bicycle for the day to get across and return back. You can also use the must-try ski-lift-style ride up to and down and overlook the scenic view. At the top there's a hoop that people try to throw clay discs through. You can make your way on a sandy pathway with pine needles and cones.

How to go there?
You can reach Amanohashidate easily by train. It takes about an hour and a half to Nishimaizuru and then switch there to the for the train to Amanohashidate, which will take another 30 minutes. There are also a limited number of direct trains from Kyoto that take about 106 minutes. From the train station, it's easy to walk to the sites of the area. I recommend leaving early in the morning to arrive in this place before lunch time.


Source: Japan Travel
http://en.japantravel.com/