Amanohashidate / The boathouses (funaya) of Ine

A road connecting earth to the heavens

Situated in northern Kyoto Prefecture, Amanohashidate is a sandbar stretching approximately 3.6 kilometers across the sea, dividing Miyazu Bay in two. Locally known as “the bridge to heaven,” the beauty of Amanohashidate changes with the season as well as with the time of day. The sandbar is dotted with more than 5,000 pines and can be walked across.

The scenic spots: Hiryukan and Shoryukan

Nearby Amanohashidate View Land is a particularly good spot from which to enjoy the view of Amanohashidate known as “Hiryukan" (lit. flying dragon view), where the sandbar appears to be a dragon soaring into the sky. Seen from Kasa-matsu Park on the north side, the view of Amanohashidate is known as “Shoryukan” (lit. rising dragon view) and makes Amanohashidate look like a dragon ascending into the heavens. You can get there using a cable car or chairlift to enjoy a stunning view of the whole of Aminohashidate from the northern end.

Beautiful views in each season

Amanohashidate offers beautiful scenery in every season, with cherry blossoms in spring, lush green pines in summer, colorful leaves in fall, and snow-covered landscapes in winter. It is an inspiring destination to visit at any time of the year.

The charm of Ine, with its rows of traditional boathouses

30 minutes by car from Amanohashidate, the boathouses of Ine lining the shore are known for their unique architecture where the first floor is used to store boats and the second floor is used as the living space. The row of approximately 230 houses at Ine is an impressive sight, and you can take a sightseeing boat to view them from the sea, or rent a bicycle and see them at your leisure.

Unique experiences in northern Kyoto

Amanohashidate and the Ine boathouses are unique spots that offer a slightly different experience from the more standard Kyoto sights of temples and other similar spots. They are a must-see if you enjoy traditional Japanese scenery and culture.