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Amanohashidate, one of Japan’s Three Scenic Views, is located in Miyazu City, Kyoto Prefecture. If you’re visiting Kyoto, this breathtaking view is a must-see.
Although Amanohashidate is quite a distance from Kyoto Station, access by bus and train is well-established.
Among the various options, we chose the most budget-friendly one—an express bus—and personally experienced the journey to Amanohashidate to document what it’s really like.
We’ve recorded the entire timeline as well, so we hope this gives you a realistic feel for traveling by express bus!
Let’s get started!
The express bus to Amanohashidate departs from C2 Bus Stop.
It’s located at the northernmost line of the bus terminal, so it’s easy to find.
Be careful not to get on the wrong bus, as other buses also stop at C2.
As you may know, buses display their destinations, so make sure to check that first.
The seating is arranged in 4 rows. While the space is similar to a standard tour bus, it’s reasonably comfortable.
There are curtains that can be drawn between seats for privacy.
🕛 8:55 am
After leaving Kyoto Station, the express bus uses the highway to head toward Amanohashidate Station.
🕛 9:10 am
Passing through Kumiyama JCT—a hidden gem! The layered structure of the junction is stunning and impressive.
🕛 9:50 am
A short break at Kyōtanba PA (Parking Area).
The break lasts about 10 minutes. It’s not much time to relax, but the open atmosphere and great views make it a nice place to stretch your legs. Enjoy a taste of Kyoto’s countryside.
After leaving the PA, the bus goes straight to Amanohashidate.
🕛 10:50 am
Just before arriving at Amanohashidate, the bus stops at Miyazu Station on the Kyoto Tango Railway line.
There was a charming retro-style café near the station. The Showa-era atmosphere still lives on in this area.
🕛 10:57 am
The bus passes by the roadside station “Sea of Kyoto Miyazu.” At this point, Amanohashidate is just around the corner.
At this point, an onboard announcement lets you know that the next stop is Amanohashidate Station.
You can now see the sea (Miyazu Port), and anticipation starts to build.
🕛 11:00 am
Finally, we’ve arrived at Amanohashidate Station!!
If you take the express bus departing at 8:55 am, you can arrive at Amanohashidate by 11:00 am.
The bus stops at Amanohashidate Station, which is conveniently located near the main sightseeing areas like Amanohashidate and Viewland. It serves as a great base for exploration.
There are 5 express buses daily from Amanohashidate back to Kyoto Station. Staying overnight to fully enjoy the area is highly recommended, but if you’re planning a day trip, we’ve listed how long you can stay in Amanohashidate based on your return bus time after arriving at 11:00 am. Use this as a reference.
| Departure (Amanohashidate Station) | Arrival (Kyoto Station) | Travel Time | Available Time After 11:00 am |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7:18 am | 9:35 am | 2h 17min | - |
| 9:18 am | 11:28 am | 2h 10min | - |
| 1:20 pm | 3:30 pm | 2h 10min | 2h 20min |
| 4:20 pm | 6:30 pm | 2h 10min | 5h 20min |
| 6:00 pm | 8:10 pm | 2h 10min | 7h |
The return express bus to Kyoto departs from the “Amanohashidate Ekimae” bus stop located in front of Amanohashidate Hotel.
The bus stop is right in front of Amanohashidate Station, so it’s easy to find.
However, note that this stop is also used by non-express buses. Be sure to check the destination before boarding.
This time, we tried the express bus—an affordable way to travel from Kyoto Station to Amanohashidate.
Although the ride is about 2 hours, there’s a short break at a parking area, and you can enjoy scenic countryside views of Kyoto along the way, so the trip doesn’t feel long. It’s also reassuring that the bus has onboard toilets.
While the seats aren’t particularly spacious, they’re not cramped either. They’re the same size as typical sightseeing buses, and the ride was smooth and comfortable overall—no major drawbacks.
To reach Amanohashidate from Kyoto Station, your choices are bus or train. Based on our actual experience:
In conclusion, the express bus is a highly recommended option!
