Kyoto has many attractive places that are still unknown. This time, I would like to introduce an area in northern Kyoto Prefecture called ``Kyoto by the Sea.'' It is a bit different from the quaint streets of Kyoto City, and you can enjoy a streetscape that gives you a feel of the good old days of Japanese life, surrounded by rich nature. This time, we will introduce ``Amanohashidate'', one of Japan's three most scenic views. To get to Kyoto by the Sea, take the Kyoto Tango Railway's express train ``Tango Umi,'' which connects Kyoto City to the Tango area, or the sightseeing train, which will make your trip even more memorable.

Encounter soothing scenery on a sightseeing train that runs through Kyoto by the Sea

Have you ever seen a photo of a train running on the ocean? The Kyoto Tango Railway, which connects Kyoto by the Sea, includes the Miyamai Line, which connects Miyazu City and Maizuru City, the Miyatoyo Line, which connects Miyazu City to Yosano Town, Kyotango City, and Toyooka City in Hyogo Prefecture, and Miyazu City and Fukuchiyama City. It consists of three lines, the Miyafuku Line, which connects the Miyazu Station is the turning point, and there are three types of sightseeing trains in addition to local trains.

``Tango Kuromatsu'' is a restaurant train where you can enjoy local ingredients with advance reservations. You can ride the Tango Akamatsu cafe train, which requires advance reservations and can be boarded by adding a boarding ticket of 550 yen to the fare. There are trains such as the ``Tango Aomatsu,'' which you can ride without making a reservation and just pay the fare, and each service operates on different routes. The Tango Aomatsu train may not have an attendant depending on the time of day, but most trains have an attendant on board, so it's nice to be able to listen to directions and enjoy the ocean and nature as you travel. These were designed by Eiji Mitooka, who designed many trains including JR Kyushu's ``Seven Stars in Kyushu''. We want you to enjoy the luxurious space as well.

Amanohashidate, one of the three most scenic views of Japan, a mystery created by nature

From Miyazu Station, take the Kyoto Tango Railway Miyatoyo Line one stop to Amanohashidate Station. Amanohashidate in Miyazu Bay on the Sea of ​​Japan, one of Japan's three most scenic spots, is a spot you'll want to visit at least once. Amanohashidate is a unique landscape with approximately 20 pine trees growing on a sandbar approximately 170 to 3.6 meters wide and approximately 6,700 km long, and is a mysterious landscape created by nature over many years.

Speaking of Amanohashidate, the view from Kasamatsu Park, famous for crotch viewing, is well known, but the view changes depending on where you look. From Kasamatsu Park, it is called ``Shoryu-kan,'' because it looks like a dragon climbing into the sky, and from Amanohashidate View Land, it is called ``Hiryu-kan,'' because it looks like a dragon dancing into the sky. Additionally, from the Sesshu Observation Deck on top of Inariyama Shrine, you can see the same scenery as Sesshu's ``Amanohashidate.'' We want you to enjoy the vast panoramic view of the sea and sky that stretches out in front of you while being blown by the sea breeze.

Vehicles are not allowed inside Amanohashidate, but you can cross on foot or by renting a bicycle nearby.There is also a beach along the way, which attracts many swimmers in the summer. If you have time, you can try riding on a rented e-bike.

Kasamatsu Park
Address: Ogaki, Miyazu City, Kyoto Prefecture

About a 30-minute drive from Amanohashidate, you'll find Ine Town, a spot that has recently attracted attention from around the world. Kyoto is an unknown ocean with beautiful scenery beyond imagination. Next time, I will introduce Funaya in Ine Town.

``I want to see it at least once! A summer trip to visit the spectacular ``Kyoto by the Sea'' - Funaya in Ine''

photography by Natsuko Okada