This Kyoto suburb mini-trip, we combined Ine and Amanohashidate in the same day.
The Ine Amanohashidate one-day itinerary was very fulfilling. After enjoying the funaya scenery, having a hearty lunch at Funaya Shokudo, and feeding the enthusiastic seagulls at Ine Bay, we drove about 20 minutes to "Kasamatsu Park" located at the northern end of Amanohashidate.
This is not only one of the best spots to overlook the Amanohashidate sandbar, but also home to the famous "Shoryu-kan." The magnificent sea-and-sky view can only be truly appreciated by visiting in person.
Ine Funaya one-day itinerary: Ine street stroll → Funaya Shokudo lunch → Ine Bay sightseeing boat feeding seagulls → Amanohashidate Kasamatsu Park → Chionji Temple
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Kasamatsu Park is located in Miyazu City, Kyoto Prefecture, on a highland at about 130 meters above sea level, right on the north side of the Amanohashidate sandbar.
If you are driving like us, there are many paid parking lots nearby, making parking very convenient. If using public transport, you can transfer from "Amanohashidate Station" by bus or take a sightseeing boat to "Ichinomiya Pier" on the opposite shore, then walk a few minutes to "Fuchu Station" at the foot of the mountain.
💡Transportation options:
・Train: Get off at Kyoto Tango Railway "Amanohashidate Station," transfer to route bus for about 25 minutes and get off at "Kasamatsu Cable Car Lower Station," or take the sightseeing boat for 12 minutes (Amanohashidate Pier ~ Ichinomiya Pier), then walk 5 minutes after disembarking
📍Attraction Info｜Amanohashidate Kasamatsu Park
・Address: 55 Ogaki, Miyazu City, Kyoto Prefecture
Upon arriving at Fuchu Station, you will find two ways to go up the mountain: one is the stable box-type cable car, and the other is the highly recommended single-person hanging chair where you can enjoy the breeze and scenery.
💡Ticket Information and Purchase Suggestions
At Kasamatsu Park, ticketing is not complicated. You can choose individual tickets or the value-packed pass depending on your itinerary:
1. Kasamatsu Park Cable Car / Chairlift (Fuchu Station ⇄ Kasamatsu Station)
This is the basic ticket; cable car and chairlift tickets are interchangeable, so you can mix and match freely.
• Adult: Round trip 800 yen
• Child: Round trip 400 yen
2. Must-have for lazy travelers: Tango Amanohashidate Ine Pass (2-day pass)
If you also plan to visit Ine or take the sightseeing boat, we strongly recommend getting this pass! Unlimited rides within two days, saving a lot of money without needing to pay each time.
• Price: Adult 3,500 yen / Child 1,750 yen
• Includes:
• Amanohashidate Kasamatsu Park (cable car, chairlift) round trip
• Amanohashidate Sightseeing Boat (Miyazu ~ Ichinomiya route)
• Ine Bay Sightseeing Boat
• Tankai Route Bus (designated sections)
• Nariaiji Mountain Bus (excluding admission fee)
We took the cable car up and the chairlift down to experience both.
The cable car ride takes about 4 to 7 minutes. As the altitude gradually increases, the view slowly opens up, and before even reaching the park, you start anticipating the scenery ahead.
Upon reaching the observation deck at the top of the park, the view is wide open. The long sandbar stretches between Asou Sea and Miyazu Bay, with the green pine forest standing out vividly against the deep blue sea.
Why is this place called "Shoryu-kan"? From this angle, the sandbar looks like a giant dragon ascending into the sky, full of vitality and auspicious meaning.
The must-try traditional activity here is the "viewing between the legs"!
Although the pose looks a bit funny, when you turn your back to Amanohashidate and bend over to look through your legs, the boundary between sea and sky seems to swap instantly, turning Amanohashidate into a mysterious bridge across the sky.
Watching the kids seriously trying it out, the scene is truly adorable.
Besides taking photos, there is also an interesting experience called "Lucky Tile."
3 tiles for 200 yen; try aiming at the circular iron ring on the slope. It is said that if you successfully throw it through the ring, your wish will come true and it can ward off bad luck!
After enjoying the stunning view, you can browse the souvenir shop!
If time permits, you can also take the shuttle bus from the park to the higher "Nariaiji Temple," an ancient Japanese training site with even more superior scenery.
Or relax at the "Ama Terrace" scenic restaurant in the park, order a coffee, and enjoy the magnificent view through the large floor-to-ceiling windows.
On the way down, we took the open single-person chairlift with no glass obstruction, offering completely unobstructed views. The colors of the Amanohashidate sandbar and the Japan Sea were fully visible.
The chairlift slowly descends with a gentle breeze, giving a very relaxed feeling. This downhill ride became the most memorable part of the trip.
Overall, Kasamatsu Park is a great place to stand quietly and enjoy the scenery.
Whether it's cherry blossoms in spring, hydrangeas during the rainy season, autumn leaves, or the deep blue sea on sunny days, every season brings a different expression of Amanohashidate.
If Ine is on your itinerary, Kasamatsu Park is a convenient and worthwhile stop.
Detailed itinerary information: Kansai 9 Days 8 Nights Self-Drive Trip, Kyoto Osaka Kobe Nara Itinerary, Car Rental Info & Japan SIM Card Sharing!
⚠️Notes:
Everyone's travel, attraction, and dining experiences vary. This article is based on personal experience only. Please evaluate whether to visit after referencing it.
It is recommended to check information before departure to ensure a smoother and more enjoyable trip!