A Classic Day Crossing Amanohashidate on Foot

This course takes you from Amanohashidate View Land in the south to take in the panoramic vista of Amanohashidate, visits Chion-ji Temple, crosses the pine-lined sandbar on foot to Fuchu in the north, and stops at Kono-jinja Shrine and Kasamatsu Park. You can compare the views of Amanohashidate—one of the Three Views of Japan—from two observatories in the south and north, and walk along it to experience it both from above and from within.

History and Local Charm

Amanohashidate is a sandbar approximately 3.6 kilometers in total length located in Miyazu Bay on the Sea of Japan. Alongside Matsushima in Mutsu and Miyajima in Aki, it is counted as one of the Three Views of Japan. Stretching across to divide Miyazu Bay and the Aso Sea, the sandbar is forested with about 5,400 pine trees. According to the Tango Fudoki (ancient regional records of Tango), a ladder that Izanagi-no-Mikoto erected to connect heaven and earth fell over onto the sea while he was sleeping, turning into this long, narrow strip of land.

Ancient sites of worship stand at both ends of Amanohashidate. In Monju to the south is Chion-ji Temple, known as the "first sacred site of Japan's three Monju." According to the temple's legend, the Kuseto Engi, the Bodhisattva Monju reformed the dragon deity who ruled this area, after which Amanohashidate was created. Chion-ji Temple is also depicted alongside the white sand and green pines of Amanohashidate in the National Treasure "View of Amanohashidate," attributed to Sesshu. In Fuchu to the north sits Kono-jinja Shrine, the Ichinomiya (first shrine) of Tango Province, also known as "Motoise." The vistas from both the southern and northern viewpoints are likened to the shapes of dragons, making Amanohashidate a place where scenery and spiritual faith intertwine.

Major Highlights

• ​Amanohashidate View Land​​: An observation deck situated on Mt. Monju south of Amanohashidate; the view from here is called "Hiryukan" (flying dragon view). Viewed normally, it resembles a dragon descending, while looking upside down through your legs in the "Matanozoki" pose makes it appear as though a dragon is soaring up into the heavens.
• ​Chion-ji Temple​​: Dedicated to Monju, the deity of wisdom, many students preparing for exams and their families visit to pray. The Tahoto pagoda built in 1501 and the Kamakura-period iron bath vessel used as a chozubachi (water basin) are designated Important Cultural Properties of Japan. The four teahouses in front of the gate produce the famous specialty sweet, Chie no Mochi (wisdom rice cakes).
• ​Amanohashidate​​: Crossing the Kaisenkyo Rotating Bridge leads to the pine-lined sandbar continuing north. Because it is a quasi-national park, vehicles are not permitted. About a 15-minute walk from Amanohashidate Station, you will find Isoshimizu, a freshwater spring with no salinity despite being surrounded by the sea, and Amanohashidate-jinja Shrine, which enshrines the Eight Great Dragon Kings.
• ​Kono-jinja Shrine​​: The main deity is Hikohoakari-no-Mikoto, enshrined together with Toyouke-no-Okami and Amaterasu-Omikami. The main hall is built in the shinmei-zukuri style identical to Ise Grand Shrine, and five-colored suetama jewels in blue, yellow, red, white, and black line the railing. The Kamakura-period stone komainu (guardian lion-dogs) at the shrine entrance are designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan.
• ​Kasamatsu Park​​: An observation park halfway up Mt. Nariai at an altitude of 130 meters, offering a full view of Amanohashidate from the north. Because the view resembles a dragon ascending toward heaven, it is called "Shoryukan" (rising dragon view). It is also said to be the birthplace of Matanozoki, and visitors can enjoy dedicated Matanozoki platforms as well as kawarake-nage (earthenware disk throwing).

Suggested Route and Estimated Time

The estimated time required is around 6 hours. From the foot station about a 7-minute walk from Amanohashidate Station on the Kyoto Tango Railway, take a 6-minute chairlift ride or a 7-minute monorail ride up to Amanohashidate View Land to view the panoramic landscape from the south first. After descending the mountain, walk about 5 minutes from Amanohashidate Station to Chion-ji Temple. From Chion-ji Temple, it is about 150 meters to the Kaisenkyo Rotating Bridge, crossing which brings you to the pine grove of Amanohashidate.

Walking through the pine grove takes about 50 minutes one way on foot, or about 20 minutes by bicycle. Rental bicycles are available for travel between Monju and Fuchu, allowing you to choose according to your physical strength and schedule. Upon reaching Fuchu in the north, visit Kono-jinja Shrine; its rear shrine, Manai-jinja Shrine, can also be reached on foot heading north from the main shrine. Certain areas inside the precinct prohibit photography, so please follow the regulations when worshiping.

Next to the shrine, a cable car ascends to Kasamatsu Park, taking about 4 minutes from the base at Fuchu Station. A chairlift is also available, and tickets are interchangeable, allowing you to take the cable car up and the chairlift down. If you have extra time, take an approximately 7-minute mountain bus ride from Kasamatsu Park to Nariai-ji Temple. It is the 28th temple on the Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage, situated on the slopes of Mt. Nariai overlooking Amanohashidate.

For the return trip, boarding a sightseeing boat from Ichinomiya Pier, about a 5-minute walk from Fuchu Station, takes around 12 minutes to reach Amanohashidate Pier in Monju. Feeding seagulls from the boat as it glides along the pine sandbar is also a popular activity. If traveling by local bus, it takes about 25 minutes from Kasamatsu Cable-shita to Amanohashidate Station.

Experience Summary

Gaze upon the dragon soaring into heaven from Hiryukan in the south, pray to Monju, and walk across the pine groves to the north on your own two feet. Pay your respects at Motoise Kono-jinja Shrine, and finally look down upon the path you walked from Shoryukan in the north. On the return boat, take in the scenery from the sea. Enjoy a full day savoring Amanohashidate, one of Japan's Three Views, from above, from within, and from the water.