BEYOND KYOTANGO
Kyotango is the perfect central location for travel & sightseeing around Northern Kansai
The Bridge to Heaven
Amanohashidate
“Amanohashidate”, located in Miyazu Bay, is one of the three most scenic spots in Japan, together with “Matsushima” in Miyagi Prefecture and “Miyajima” in Hiroshima. It is a rare landform with about 8,000 pine trees along a sandy beach of about 1.6 km in length.
“Amanohashidate” is written in Japanese using the characters for “Heaven” and “Bridge” because it looks like a bridge over the heavens.
You can enjoy Amanohashidate by walking or riding a bicycle across the land bridge, taking a cruise around the bay, swimming at the beach, or taking in the views from above. (It takes about 50 min. to walk the length of Amanohashidate and about 20 min. to bike it.)
Amanohashidate has been chosen as one of Japan’s top 100 destinations.
ACCESS: From Amino Station take the Kyoto Tango Railway to Amanohashidate Station, takes about 30 minutes.
National Preservation District
Ine - Funaya Boat Houses
Ine Bay is a calm cove facing the Sea of Japan, a scene that contrasts with the Sea’s strong currents and rough waves. About 230 boat houses line Ine’s bay, aptly named due to their unique architecture where the first floor is dedicated solely to storing fishing boats and equipment. Because of its distinct scenery, Ine has been selected as a National Preservation District of Important Historical Buildings.
Take photos with this photogenic town as a backdrop, enjoy a boat ride around the bay, and enjoy sake tasting at a sake storehouse.
ACCESS: From Amino Station take the Kyoto Tango Railway to Amanohashidate Station, then take the Tankai Bus for Ine. Takes about 1 hour.
Japan’s original landscape
Miyama
Miyama, also called Japan’s original landscape, is a quiet village surrounded by a magnificent mountain range. Even the place name “Miyama” means “Beautiful Mountain”. The picturesque “Kayabuki-no-Sato” or “village of thatched roof houses” is highly rated for its preserved historical landscapes, including traditional buildings and their techniques. Miyama was selected as a national preservation area of important traditional buildings in December of 1993.
As a place where you can discover Japan’s original scenery all year round, the town of Miyama has become a popular tourist destination.
ACCESS: Miyama is about 2 hours from Kyotango Omiya IC by car.
Historical Hot Springs
Kinosaki Onsen
Hyogo Prefecture’s premier hot spring town with a history of 1300 years. Kinosaki Onsen is characterized by its classic views of the small river flowing through arching stone bridges, lined with willow trees. The hot spring town is dotted with seven public hot spring bathhouses, and you can enjoy each one’s unique style. Guests staying in Kinosaki Onsen at a local hotel or ryokan are given a free pass to all seven, and it is tradition to walk the town in a yukata. There are also various shops in the town, great for dining and strolling. Enjoy Kinosaki with a pudding or local beer after a soak in the hot springs.
ACCESS: From Kyotango take the Kyoto Tango Railway to Toyooka Station, then transfer to the JR line for Kinosaki Onsen. Takes about 50 minutes.
The Castle in the Sky
Takeda Castle Ruins
Takeda in Asago City of Hyogo Prefecture is where you will find Takeda Castle Ruins, also known as “The Castle in the Sky”. The castle ruins gets their name from the sea of clouds that forms around them and creates the illusion the castle is floating in the sky. You can see this in the early mornings from October to the end of Winter when weather conditions are just right. The views are best the morning following a sunny day.
ACCESS: From Amino Station take the Kyoto Tango Railway to Toyooka Station and transfer to the JR Line. Then take the train to Takeda Station. Takes about 2 hours.
Tottori Sand Dunes
Tottori
Tottori Prefecture is most known for “Tottori Sand Dunes”. The sand dunes are a specially protected area of the San’in Kaigan Geopark, covering a large area from the Sea of Japan to Tottori City and are representative of the area.
In addition, Sakaiminato City in Tottori Prefecture is the hometown of manga artist Shigeru Mizuki, creator of the anime “GeGeGe no Kitaro” and the local shopping district called “Mizuki Shigeru Road” is a popular tourist destination.
ACCESS: From Amino Station take the Kyoto Tango Railway to Toyooka Station and transfer to JR San’in Line at Toyooka Station.
For the Tottori Sand Dunes take a train from Toyooka to Tottori Station, then transfer to a city bus for the sand dunes (砂丘). Takes about 3 hours.
For Sakaiminato take a train from Toyooka to Sakaiminato Station. Takes about 3 hours.
