A day trip to Amanohashidate, Northen Kyoto
Amanohashidate is one of the top three scenic views in Japan, but not many people know about it.
Located in Northen Kyoto, the Amanohashidate sandbar extends across the mouth of Miyazu Bay and is a good place for a day trip if you want to explore somewhere unconventional within Kyoto.
Unlike other popular tourist attractions in Japan, Amanohashidate was relatively quiet when I visited.
Just the way I like it.
SIGHTS
It was autumn when I visited and the trees were turning colours.
Imagine how beautiful it would be when the trees are at their peak colours.
There are two ways to get up to the viewing deck located within Amanohashidate View Land - monorail or chairlift.
I decided on the chairlift because it's just more fun. I opt for chairlift whenever there's one.
True enough, there were no seatbelts for the steep climb, which made the journey up even more exciting.
The highest point on the viewing deck.
Also a popular spot for couples.
Amanohashidate View Land is actually a mini theme park, with mini rides for families with children.
Crossing the sandbar by bicycle takes about twenty minutes.
But the pine trees and clear blue waters were so inviting that I stopped many times along the way to take photos.
My total journey across the sandbar was close to an hour.
Seagulls and ducks call this place home.
I've never seen this many free roaming wild ducks.
FOOD
If you're a foodie, Asari don is a must.
Known affectionately as fisherman's food, Asari don is a local specialty in Amanohashidate that is essentially rice topped with a lot of clams.
Transport
Consider taking the Tango Railway train from Fukuchiyama to Amanohashidate Station.
It's a small train that houses a cafe, with window facing seats that lets you take in the scenery while sipping a can of hot coffee.
Definitely one of my favourite trains in Japan.
