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Amanohashidate, one of Japan’s Three Scenic Views since the Edo period, is a breathtaking destination known for its unique landscape.
Located in Miyazu City, Kyoto Prefecture, Amanohashidate is about 120km away from central Kyoto.
Is it possible to visit Amanohashidate as a day trip while staying in Kyoto? What does a day-trip itinerary look like? We conducted a real test to find out.
We traveled using public transportation, ensuring a return to Kyoto before nightfall. Here’s a detailed timeline of our journey, which can serve as a useful reference for planning your own trip.
To get straight to the point: despite being 120km away, a one-day trip to Amanohashidate is feasible. Below is the itinerary we followed:
| Time | Schedule |
|---|---|
| 9:00 am | Depart from Kyoto Station (Express Bus) |
| 11:05 am | Arrive at Amanohashidate Station |
| 11:30 am | Amanohashidate View Land |
| 12:30 am | Chionji Temple |
| 12:40 am | Amanohashidate Pine Grove |
| 1:20 pm | Depart from Amanohashidate Station (Express Bus) |
| 3:30 pm | Arrive back at Kyoto Station |
With this itinerary, you only have 2 hours in Amanohashidate. Since this timeframe is quite limited, making it hard to visit multiple spots, the best option is to take the return bus at 4:20 pm. This extends your stay to 5 hours, allowing you to fully enjoy Amanohashidate.
Let’s take a closer look at how the journey unfolded.
🕛 9:00 am
The most convenient way to reach Amanohashidate is by express bus. The journey from Kyoto Station takes approximately 2 hours.
There are several ways to travel from Kyoto to Amanohashidate using public transportation. For more details, check out the following guide:
Read more about Transportation Options from Kyoto to Amanohashidate
Additionally, you can find more information about the express bus route, departure locations, and the 2-hour ride here:
Read more about Express Bus from Kyoto Station to Amanohashidate Station
🕛 11:05 am
We arrived at Amanohashidate Station. The express bus journey took exactly 2 hours. Japan’s public transportation is incredibly reliable, and its punctuality never ceases to amaze.
Amanohashidate Station is spacious and well-maintained. It has a tourist information center where you can gather details about various attractions. There are also coin lockers available for storing luggage.
Amanohashidate Station Map (Kyoto Tango Railway)
Several shops are located in front of the station, including souvenir stores, restaurants, and rental shops for cars and bicycles. Since the return bus also departs from here, it’s convenient to plan your activities around the station area.
🕛 11:30 am
We headed to Amanohashidate View Land, a popular scenic spot that offers a breathtaking panoramic view of Amanohashidate from an altitude of 130m. Known as the “Hiryukan” (Flying Dragon View), this perspective is famous among visitors.
Since it’s easily accessible from Amanohashidate Station, it’s one of the best spots for solo travelers, couples, groups, and families alike.
For more details on Amanohashidate View Land, check out this guide:
Read more about Amanohashidate View Land
The journey to View Land involves a combination of walking and taking a monorail, so keep in mind that some travel time is required.
For an in-depth report on the experience, check out this article:
Read more about Amanohashidate View Land Visit Report
The stunning view from the hilltop was definitely worth the visit. If you’re coming to Amanohashidate, this is a must-see spot!
🕛 12:30 am
After returning to the area near Amanohashidate Station from Amanohashidate View Land, our next stop was Chionji Temple.
In Japan, there is a saying: “Three heads are better than one,” which suggests that collective wisdom leads to better ideas. This proverb originates from Chionji Temple, dedicated to Monju Bosatsu, the Buddhist deity of wisdom. The temple’s grand main gate and serene atmosphere make it a compelling place to visit. It is particularly famous for granting success in exams and academic achievements.
The temple approach is lined with ryokan inns and restaurants, making it a great place to buy souvenirs or have lunch.
🕛 12:40 am
We arrived at Kaisen-kyo, the rotating bridge that connects Amanohashidate to the mainland. This is the starting point for crossing into Amanohashidate’s famous pine forest.
Amazingly, this bridge rotates 90 degrees! It is designed to pivot to allow boats to pass through.
After crossing Kaisen-kyo, we arrived at Amanohashidate itself. The scenic area is lined with black pine trees, creating a mystical landscape.
There are also cafés where you can take a break.
The pine grove stretches for 3.6km, offering many points of interest.
During summer, this area is also a popular swimming beach.
🕛 1:20 pm
We took the express bus back to Kyoto. The bus stop is located right in front of Amanohashidate Station.
For more details on the return bus to Kyoto Station, refer to the following guide:
Read more about Express Bus from Amanohashidate Station to Kyoto Station
🕛 3:30 pm
We successfully returned to Kyoto Station, marking the end of our test.
The total stay at Amanohashidate was 2 hours, making it a 6-hour round-trip including bus travel.
If you take the bus at 1:20 pm, you’ll be back at Kyoto Station by 3:30 pm, allowing you to explore Kyoto in the evening. However, with only 2 hours in Amanohashidate, it’s best to plan your itinerary carefully.
If you opt for the next bus at 4:20 pm, you’ll arrive at Kyoto Station by 6:30 pm, giving you a full 5-hour stay in Amanohashidate for a more leisurely visit.
Considering the sites you want to visit and how much time you have, a day trip from Kyoto to Amanohashidate is definitely feasible. Even if an overnight stay isn’t possible, Amanohashidate is well worth visiting. Hopefully, this article helps you plan your trip!
