Amanohashidate is one of the three best scenic views in Japan. Legend has it that you should bend over and look at the view between your legs, so you can see this bridge to heaven, as its Japanese namesake.
If you were to stay in Seikiro Ryokan, you can see historical paintings that show how the sand spit grew over several hundred years, and eventually connecting the two points. These days a tourist ferry connects the two ports of Amanohashidate and Ichinomiya.
At Ichinomiya, you can take the cable car to the top, and the chairlift down, with spectacular views as you sit in the open chair with the sea breeze in your hair. There is also a cable car on the Amanohashidate side at the Viewland theme park, but somehow, taking the ferry over to the Ichinomiya side gives a more “getting away from it all” kind of feeling. Amanohashidate is a pleasant day trip from Kyoto or Maizuru Port, home to the International Cruise Terminal and the fish markets.
Bonson Lam @bonson.lam
I knew my future was destined to be with Japan the moment I flew from Sydney to experience the atmospheric laneways of Kyoto last century. I am humbled to have met many distinguished people during this time, especially the national living treasures of Japan, such as the doll maker to the Imperia...
