A Day in Amanohashidate: A Complete Guide to Cable Cars, Rotating Bridges, and Family Fun Parks in Northern Kyoto

Kyoto isn't just about temples and matcha. Heading north, you'll find the breathtakingly beautiful Amanohashidate, known as one of the "Three Scenic Spots of Japan." This approximately 3.6-kilometer-long sandbar, lined with white pine trees, spans Miyazu Bay like a "bridge in the sky," its beauty taking your breath away. This time, we'll take you on a tour of Amanohashidate, from the cable car, the rotating bridge, to the amusement park, and share some transportation tips.

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🚡 Cable Car & Observation Deck: See the Spectacular Amanohashidate from Upside Down

A must-do experience in Amanohashidate is taking the Amanohashidate Cable Car or the mountain chairlift to the Kasamatsu Park Observation Deck. From here, you can experience the classic "mataro no zoki" (looking upside down from between your legs). The entire sandbar stretches across the sea like a bridge to the sky – a truly breathtaking sight. • 🎟️ Cable car ticket: One-way approximately 360 yen, round-trip approximately 660 yen (adult price)
• ⏰ Operating hours: Varies depending on the season, usually 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

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🌉 Rotating Bridge: Witness the rotating bridge

Near the entrance to the sandbar, there's a unique "rotating bridge." Designed for boats, it slowly rotates as a boat passes, a truly fascinating sight! If you're lucky enough to catch a boat, it's definitely worth stopping to watch.
• 📍 Location: South entrance of Amanohashidate
• ⏰ Bridge opening hours: Depends on boat schedules, but generally more frequent during the day.

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🎡 Amanohashidate Amusement Park: A relaxing time for families

In addition to its natural beauty, Amanohashidate also boasts the charming Amanohashidate View Land amusement park. There's a Ferris wheel, mini-games, and an observation deck offering panoramic views of Amanohashidate from the "Hiryukan" perspective. It's perfect for a family trip, and even children will have a blast.
• 🎟️ Admission: Adults 850 yen, Children 450 yen (including the cable car)
• ⏰ Opening Hours: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (seasonal adjustments apply)

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🚆 Transportation: How to Get to Amanohashidate?

Amanohashidate is located in Miyazu City in northern Kyoto Prefecture and is easily accessible from both Osaka and Kyoto.
• From Kyoto:
Take the JR Limited Express "Hashidate" to Amanohashidate Station, approximately 2 hours.
• From Osaka:
Take the JR Limited Express "KTR (Tango-no-kai)" for approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes. • Where to Get There:
The sandbar entrance is about a 5-minute walk from Amanohashidate Station. The cable car, rotating bridge, and amusement park are all nearby, making it easy to explore everything on foot.

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📸 Photography Tips
• Taking a "reverse" photo from the Kasamatsu Park Observation Deck will give you the most iconic view of Amanohashidate.
• The rotating bridge's rotation is also perfect for filming.
• The view from the amusement park's Ferris wheel overlooking the sandbar creates a unique "dragon leaping over the sea" effect.

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Amanohashidate combines stunning scenery, fun activities, and a relaxed atmosphere. Whether you're visiting for a day trip or planning a more immersive trip to Kyoto, it's a must-do! On your next trip to Kansai, consider spending a day in Amanohashidate and witness for yourself just how magical this "bridge in the sky" truly is. 🌊🌲 #Amanohashidate