Map
Amanohashidate, in Miyazu City, Kyoto Prefecture, is a sandbar about 3.6 km long running north to south across the mouth of the bay, separating Miyazu Bay from Aso Sea. Counted among the Three Views of Japan along with Matsushima and Miyajima, it was designated a Special Place of Scenic Beauty in 1952. It is famous for its landscape of white sand and green pines, and for the view known as 'matanozoki,' in which looking between your legs makes the sky and sea appear inverted.
Nature Info
- Type
- Sandbar
- Elevation
- Almost at sea level (0m; sandbar)
- Access
- About 5 minutes on foot from Amanohashidate Station on the Kyoto Tango Railway to the entrance of the sandbar.
History & Origins
A sacred landform said to be identified with the 'Floating Bridge of Heaven' of creation in the Kojiki, it has been known as a scenic spot since the 8th century. The Confucian scholar Hayashi Razan in the early Edo period is said to have chosen it, with Matsushima and Miyajima, as the 'Three Views of Japan,' and the name has been established ever since.
Highlights
About 8,000 pine trees grow on the sandbar, and from Kasamatsu Park and the observation decks on Mt. Monju you can see spectacular views called 'Hiryukan' (Flying Dragon View) and 'Sesshukan' (Sesshu View). The greatest highlight is the view, seen with the matanozoki pose, in which heaven and earth are inverted and a dragon seems to dance in the sky.
Visitor Guide
You can cross the sandbar at a leisurely pace on foot (about 50 minutes) or by bicycle. The Mt. Monju observation deck can be reached by chairlift or cable car. Combining your visit with a worship stop at Chionji is recommended.
Best Season
In spring the cherry blossoms and in autumn the foliage harmonize with the pine forest and are beautiful. Summer is lively with swimmers, and in winter you can enjoy a serene landscape in the clear air.
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