Amanohashidate is a stunning sandbar located in the Miyazu Bay of the Sea of Japan, in the northern part of Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. It is a popular tourist destination that attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists each year.
The main attraction of Amanohashidate is the sandbar itself, which is considered one of Japan’s three most scenic views. The sandbar is about 3.6 kilometers long and covered with pine trees. Visitors can walk or cycle along the sandbar and enjoy the beautiful scenery. Nearby the sandbar itself, you can find numerous bike rental stalls which allow you to rent a bike for a cheap price, starting at around 400JPY per hour. Along the sandbar, there are several observation points along the way that provide stunning views of the bay and the surrounding mountains.
At either side of Amanohashidate, you can find hillside observation decks, overlooking the famous sandbard. On the south side – looking North, you can find Amanohashidate View Land, which is a small park with some family friendly rides. To access the Amanohashidate Viewland, you can take a chairlift, or a monorail from just outside JR Amanohashidate Station, to the top of the mountain where the Amanohashidate Viewland can be found.
At the North side, looking south is the Amanohashidate Kasamatsu Park. which offers you with a vastly different perspective of the sandbar. At this side, you can find a small eatery with a fantastic view of the sandbar. Like the south side, there is a chairlift, and monorail which scales the side of the mountain, brining you right to the viewing area.
There is also a sightseeing boat which travels along the sandbar, providing you with a yet another really unique perspective of this famous sandbar.
Hours and Admission
- Hours: 9:00am-5:00pm (Both viewing parks)
- Average Time Spent: 1-3 Hours
Pre-purchase Tickets
Accessing Amanohashidate
Amanohashidate is accessed by train and is about 2 hours out from Kyoto city, but if you can make your way out to it, it certainly is worth the trip. There is the Amanohashidate train station that can be found a mere 2 minutes from the start of the the sandbar, and is only five minutes away from the base of Amanohashidate viewland.
Most, if not all of this journey to Amanohashidate can be covered by the using a Japan Rail Pass providing you take the JR Lines directly to Amanohashidate Station, but there the direct services are few and far between, and may require a transfer at Miyazu Station. Without the Rail Pass, the journey will cost 4,790JPY one way, so we recommend using the rail pass for this trip, and try taking the direct service to and from Kyoto Station.
Discover Japan like never before with the Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass), your ticket to seamless travel across the Japan. Unlock the full potential of Japan’s extensive rail network, renowned for its punctuality, comfort, and convenience.
Discover Japan like never before with the Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass), your ticket to seamless travel across the Japan. Unlock the full potential of Japan’s extensive rail network, renowned for its punctuality, comfort, and convenience. Read More…
Forget the hassle of purchasing individual tickets for every journey. The JR Pass offers exceptional value for money, available in flexible durations ranging from 7 to 21 days, allowing you to tailor your travel experience to suit your itinerary. Read More…
Where to Stay
Hotel Kitanoya
Near-waterfront Hotel with one of a kind views of the Amanohashidate Sandbar.
Book Now (Booking.com)Book Now (Agoda)
The Gran Resort Amanohashidate
Hotel on the northern side of the sandbar, with easy convenient access to the sightseeing boat and viewing parks.
Book Now (Booking.com)Book Now (Agoda)
Hashidate Bay Hotel
Convenient hotel with easy access to Amanohashidate, as well as the nearby surrounding area.
Book Now (Booking.com)Book Now (Agoda)
English