Amanohashidate in Miyazu (Kyoto): Matanozoki from the Viewpoints and a Walk Under the Pines
Amanohashidate is a long, narrow sandbar covered in pine trees that stretches across a bay in Miyazu (Kyoto), on the Sea of Japan side of Kyoto Prefecture, about two hours from Kyoto Station. Most visitors do two things here: look down on it from a viewpoint on the hills at either end, often bending over to see it upside down through their legs (matanozoki), and walk or cycle along the pine-lined path on the sandbar itself. I did both in February 2021. Facts come from the official pages listed at the end; the "My visit" notes are my own experience.
- The sandbar is about 3.6 km long; walking it takes about 50 minutes one way, cycling about 20
- There are two viewpoints: Amanohashidate View Land on the south side and Kasamatsu Park on the north side
- Matanozoki means looking at the view upside down through your legs
- In winter, the Kasamatsu Park chairlift runs only on some days and View Land closes earlier
Check the lifts on the day. Kasamatsu Park's chairlift runs only on weekends and public holidays from January 6 to the end of February, and it can stop in bad weather; the cable car runs all year. At View Land, some rides stop when it rains, and on chairlift inspection days only the monorail runs. Both operators post the day's status on their official sites.
Based on the official pages listed at the end (checked October 2026). Hours and timetables change, so check them again before you go.
Amanohashidate at a glance
According to the Amanohashidate Tourism Association, the sandbar is about 3.6 km long and 20 to 170 meters wide, with about 5,400 pine trees. It is counted as one of the three most scenic views of Japan (Nihon Sankei), together with Matsushima (Miyagi) and Miyajima (Hiroshima). Walking along it is free and you can go at any time, but cars can't drive on it. It starts about 5 minutes on foot from Amanohashidate Station on the Kyoto Tango Railway.
Getting there from Kyoto Station
- Highway bus: Tango Kairiku Kotsu runs buses from Kyoto Station (bus stop C2) to Amanohashidate Station, six round trips a day. For example, the first bus of the day leaves Kyoto Station at 7:20 and reaches Amanohashidate Station at 9:25. You can reserve a seat online through the booking site linked from the official page or by phone at 0772-42-0321 (from abroad +81-772-42-0321).
- Train: the JR limited express Hashidate runs between Kyoto and Amanohashidate, so some trains go there without a change. There are only a few a day; check the timetable and seat reservations on JR West's site.
Two viewpoints: Kasamatsu Park and View Land
Each end of the sandbar has a viewpoint on the hill above it, and the sandbar looks different from each.
- Kasamatsu Park (north side): halfway up Mt. Nariai. The view from here is called Shoryukan, "the rising dragon", and the park is known as the place where matanozoki began. Ride the cable car or the chairlift up from Fuchu Station. To get to Fuchu Station from Amanohashidate Station, take a local bus (about 25 minutes, to the Kasamatsu Cable-shita stop) or the sightseeing boat across the bay (about 12 minutes to Ichinomiya pier) and walk from the pier.
- Amanohashidate View Land (south side): on the hill in Monju, close to Amanohashidate Station. The view from here is called Hiryukan, "the flying dragon". Go up by chairlift or monorail; a round-trip ticket lets you choose either one each way. View Land also has play rides at the top.
How to do matanozoki
Matanozoki simply means "looking through your legs". Stand with your back to the view, bend forward and look at the sandbar upside down between your legs. View Land explains that the sandbar normally looks like a dragon coming down, and seen upside down, with the sky and the sea swapped, it looks like a dragon flying up into the sky. Keep a firm hold on your phone and bag while you bend, and watch out for people around you.
My visit
On this trip in February 2021, I went up to a viewpoint above the sandbar and did the matanozoki myself, bending over to see Amanohashidate upside down.
Walking the pine-lined sandbar
The path along the sandbar runs under pine trees for its whole length. The tourism association gives about 50 minutes one way on foot and about 20 minutes by bicycle. Rental bicycles are available; the tourist information center at Michi-no-Eki Miyazu sells a set ticket for View Land and a one-day rental bicycle. If you walk one way, you can come back on the sightseeing boat between Amanohashidate pier and Ichinomiya pier, which takes about 12 minutes.
My visit
I also walked the pine-lined path, starting from the Monju end near the station. It was a clear winter day on February 10, 2021, and I walked out to the beach on the sea side of the sandbar too.
Chion-ji, next to the station
Chion-ji stands at the Monju end of the sandbar, about 5 minutes on foot from Amanohashidate Station. It is one of the three great temples of Monju (the Buddhist figure of wisdom) in Japan, and students and their families come to pray for success in exams. Miyazu City says its main gate, known as Ogonkaku, was rebuilt in 1767, and that you can visit the grounds freely at no charge. Amulets are sold from 8:00 to 17:00. Please read our guide to shrine and temple etiquette before you visit.
If you have more time: the funaya of Ine
North of Amanohashidate, around Ine Bay, are the funaya: traditional boat houses built at the water's edge, each joined to a family home. The Ine Tourist Association says people still live and work in them, so the funaya and their land are private property: please don't enter without permission, and take photos with care for the people living there. By car, Ine is about 2 hours from Kyoto city; by train and local bus, about 3 hours. Tango Kairiku Kotsu also runs a sightseeing boat around Ine Bay. Group day trips like the one in the box above combine Amanohashidate and Ine.
Before you go
- Decide on your viewpoint: View Land (south, near the station) or Kasamatsu Park (north, across the bay).
- In winter, check the chairlift days and the closing times.
- Check the day's operating status on the official sites, especially if it is raining.
- Reserve a seat on the bus or the limited express from Kyoto Station.
- Plan how you will cross the sandbar: on foot, by rental bicycle or by boat.
Staying in Kyoto before or after? See where I stayed in Kyoto. More on our Kyoto page.
Last reviewed: October 15, 2026. Hours, timetables and lift days change; please confirm on the official pages below before you go.
References
- Amanohashidate Tourism Association: Amanohashidate (Japanese)
- Amanohashidate Tourism Association: Kasamatsu Park (Japanese)
- Amanohashidate Tourism Association: Getting around Miyazu (Japanese)
- Tango Kairiku Kotsu: Kasamatsu Park cable car and chairlift (Japanese)
- Tango Kairiku Kotsu: Kyoto highway bus (Japanese)
- Amanohashidate View Land: official site (English)
- Amanohashidate View Land: Hours (Japanese)
- Amanohashidate View Land: Matanozoki and Hiryukan (Japanese)
- JR West: Limited express Hashidate (Japanese)
- Miyazu City: Chion-ji (Japanese)
- Kyoto by the Sea: Chion-ji (Japanese)
- Ine Tourist Association: official site (English)
- Ine Tourist Association: Access (Japanese)
