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Read the English + Japanese version｜英語＋日本語版はこちら
- Introduction｜はじめに
- The Legend of Amanohashidate｜天橋立の伝説
- Amanohashidate View Land｜天橋立ビューランド
- Matanozoki｜股のぞき
- Kaisenkyo Bridge｜廻旋橋
- Walking through the Pine Trees｜松並木を歩く
- Amanohashidate Shrine & Isoshimizu｜天橋立神社・磯清水
- Chionji Temple｜智恩寺
- Kasamatsu Park｜傘松公園
- Boat and Bicycle｜船と自転車で楽しむ
- 🗺 Google Map
- 🗺 Explore More Kyoto Areas
Introduction｜はじめに
Amanohashidate is one of Japan’s most famous scenic places,
located in Miyazu Bay in northern Kyoto.
About 6,700 pine trees grow along
a narrow sandbar stretching across the sea.
Together with Matsushima and Miyajima,
it is known as one of the Three Scenic Views of Japan.
🟫 MINI MEMO
The sandbar is about 3.6 kilometers long
and only about 20 to 170 meters wide.
It was slowly shaped by nature
over thousands of years.
The Legend of Amanohashidate｜天橋立の伝説
Amanohashidate means
“bridge to heaven.”
According to an old Japanese legend,
the god Izanagi created a ladder
to connect heaven and earth.
When the ladder fell,
it is said to have become Amanohashidate.
🟫 MINI MEMO
The area’s connection with dragons
can also be found in local legends and temples.
Amanohashidate View Land｜天橋立ビューランド
Amanohashidate View Land is located
on the southern side of the sandbar.
From here,
Amanohashidate looks like a dragon
flying toward the sky.
This famous view is called Hiryukan,
or the “Flying Dragon View.”
🟫 PHOTO TIP
Use a wide composition
to include the entire sandbar
and the blue sea on both sides.
Matanozoki｜股のぞき
Matanozoki is the most famous way
to enjoy the view of Amanohashidate.
Turn your back to the scenery,
bend forward,
and look between your legs.
The sky and sea appear reversed,
making the sandbar look like
a bridge floating in the heavens.
🟫 MINI MEMO
Matanozoki can be enjoyed
at both Amanohashidate View Land
and Kasamatsu Park.
Kaisenkyo Bridge｜廻旋橋
Kaisenkyo is a rotating bridge
near the southern entrance to Amanohashidate.
When a large boat passes,
the center of the bridge turns
to open a route through the water.
Visitors sometimes pause here
to watch the unusual bridge move.
🟫 PHOTO TIP
If the bridge begins to move,
step back and include both the bridge
and the passing boat in your photograph.
Walking through the Pine Trees｜松並木を歩く
Amanohashidate is not only a view from above.
Visitors can walk or cycle beneath the pine trees,
with the sea close on both sides.
The quiet path,
soft sea breeze,
and sound of the waves
create a peaceful atmosphere.
🟫 REAL INFO
Walking across Amanohashidate takes about 50 minutes one way.
By bicycle,
the journey takes about 20 minutes.
Amanohashidate Shrine & Isoshimizu｜天橋立神社・磯清水
Amanohashidate Shrine (Hashidate Myojin)｜天橋立神社（橋立明神）
A small shrine stands quietly
among the pine trees.
It is also called Hashidate Myojin
and adds a sacred atmosphere
to the walk across the sandbar.
Isoshimizu｜磯清水
Isoshimizu is a mysterious freshwater spring
surrounded by the sea.
Although it is located on the sandbar,
the water contains no salty taste.
🟫 MINI MEMO
Isoshimizu was selected
as one of Japan’s 100 Famous Waters in 1985.
The water is used for purification
at Amanohashidate Shrine,
but it is not for drinking.
Chionji Temple｜智恩寺
Chionji Temple stands close
to the entrance of Amanohashidate.
It is known as one of Japan’s Three Monju temples
and as a place to pray for wisdom.
Students and their families often visit
to pray for success in school
or important examinations.
🟫 MINI MEMO
The large Sanmon Gate is also called Ogonkaku.
It is one of the largest temple gates
in the Tango region.
Kasamatsu Park｜傘松公園
Kasamatsu Park overlooks Amanohashidate
from the northern side.
From here,
the sandbar looks like a dragon
rising toward the sky.
This view is called Shoryukan,
or the “Rising Dragon View.”
🟫 MINI MEMO
Kasamatsu Park is known
as the birthplace of the Matanozoki tradition.
Boat and Bicycle｜船と自転車で楽しむ
There are several ways
to travel around Amanohashidate.
Visitors can cross the sandbar by bicycle
or take a sightseeing boat
between the southern and northern sides.
The view from the water offers
another beautiful perspective
of the pine-covered shore.
🟫 PHOTO TIP
From the boat,
try photographing the long line of pine trees
with the mountains behind them.
🟫 CAT MEMO 🐾
“Matanozoki is hard, meow!”
🗺 Google Map
Amanohashidate is more than
a beautiful view from above.
Its pine-covered path,
sea breeze,
and peaceful scenery
invite you to slow down and enjoy the moment. 🌿
Thank you for visiting Amanohashidate.
We hope the sea,
pine trees,
and quiet scenery
become a wonderful memory of northern Kyoto. 🐾
🗺 Explore More Kyoto Areas
Kyoto is divided into several unique areas, each offering different attractions and experiences.
