Amanohashidate Kasamatsu Park is definitely a must-visit if you happen to be in Miyazu. If you want to see the entirety of the Amanohashidate sandbar then it’s widely considered to be one of the best places to do so. It was actually raining when I visited and yet I still ended up enjoying the sights and activities that greeted me there.
So the most straightforward way of getting to Amanohashisdate Kasamatsu Park is by going on a boat cruise from the Amanohashidate Boat Dock Second Pier. The cruise ends at Ichinomiya Amanohashidate Ferry Terminal and from there, it's a short walk to get to the Amanohashidate Cable Car Fuchu Station where you can then ride a cable car to get to the park. You could also go the long route by going through the sandbar itself (either via walking or cycling) but this could obviously take longer.
Kasamatsu Park on a Rainy Day
Off to the right of the cable car station is the guide map for Kasamatsu Park. Unfortunately, this isn't translated to English. That said, you can always use Google Lens for a relatively accurate translation.
Just before you enter (as well as inside) the Fuchu Station building, you'll find these guidemaps and infographics relating to Amanohashidate, Kasamatsu Park, and even Ine Bay. Both Amanohashidate and Ine Bay are part of the “Kyoto By The Sea” tourism experience so it's understandable why they're almost always linked.
The infographics here go into detail about the cost for a cable car/lift ride as well as packages that include visits/tours to other notable landmarks both in Miyazu and Ine.
This is a much cleaner guide map of Kasamatsu Park that also indicates where you’re currently at if you’re in front of it. I know I’ve been saying this on a lot of my write-ups but it’s always good practice to take pictures of guide maps like this. On a side note, the park does look kind of small from this guide map.
Don’t worry though, there’s ample space up top once you get there.
Behind the infographics from the previous image is the cable car exit for visitors coming from Kasamatsu Station. This was around the same time when I visited Ine and its boathouses so you can still see the Christmas decorations here at Fuchu Station’s lobby. In the exit area, you’ll also notice the park’s mascot, Kasabo (someone who you’ll know more about later).
Speaking of the lobby, this is what it looks like in its entirety. It’s actually not that large with some benches and a portable heater at its center. Typically, ticket purchases are relatively quick so you won’t really end up waiting long to proceed to either the cable car or chair lift entrances (which you can see in the background).
So this is the chair lift entrance that you saw in the previous image. I actually chose this over the cable car because there’s almost no waiting time to board one. In contrast, the wait for a cable car typically takes around 15 minutes if you end up missing one going up.
That said, the cable car does seem more secure since you’re in an enclosed space while the chair lift might not be for the faint of heart.
These are the instructions for riding a chair lift. It’s actually relatively easy to follow though admittedly can be a little intimidating. You see, the chair lift here does not have a belt or any supplementary security feature in case you fall off the seat.
Now, it is still very safe so long as you hold on and there’s actually netting underneath the path to catch you if you fall off. That said, there is a particular reason why most people actually prefer this.
After reading up on the instructions, I then proceeded to go to the boarding area where I then saw more instructions! I was actually a little apprehensive at this point because the weather really wasn’t that good. There was also this nagging paranoia that I might fall off the chair lift because it was wet from the rain.
Thankfully, my fears were unfounded. In fact, I think there haven’t been any reports of visitors falling from the chair lifts. There’s actually this warning sign here that specifically discourages visitors from jumping down not because they might fall to their deaths or get injured but because it could cause emergency stops and police investigations for them.
Later on, you’ll see the safety net that’s in place underneath the chair lifts that help prevent deadly accidents.
Underneath the warning sign is another guide map featuring the tourist course for Amanohashidate and Ine. You’ve probably seen this earlier before I entered the lobby. Looking back on this guide map, I do wonder why they didn’t include Amanohashidate Viewland (similar to Kasamatsu Park but much closer to Amanohashidate Station).
Oh look, another Kasabo sighting! I actually looked into this mascot and found out that his design is inspired by pine cones which are abundant here (especially in the Amanohashidate sandbar). If you want to see Kasabo in action then make sure to schedule your visit on the weekends.
Later on, you’ll also see a larger statue of the mascot character that you can pose with.
This is what the chair lifts look like. As you can see, there aren’t any safety features on the seat itself. You’ll just need to make sure that you hold on tight to the pole and you actually won’t fall off.
The lift doesn’t move fast to ensure visitors don’t end up losing their balance or grip. And if for some reason they do fall off, there’s always the safety net underneath to prevent them from hitting the ground.
Just above the drop off point for the chair lift, I came across this sign pointing to Ama Terrace and the popular Matanozoki viewing area. In the opposite direction is the stop for buses that can bring you to Nariaiji Temple.
Even with the weather being unreasonable, the view here was still spectacular. I mean just look at this! Seriously though, I found myself just staring in awe at the view of the Amanohashidate sandbar from here.
There’s no doubt in my mind that this is worthy of being one of the Three Scenic Views of Japan.
This is a closer look at the sandbar. One thing that I did regret is not being able to see it more clearly due to the weather. I’d wager it looks absolutely stunning during the spring and/or summer seasons.
On a side note, you can actually sort of see where the Ichinomiya Amanohashidate Ferry Terminal is from here. On the lower middle part of the screen you can see one of the ferries used for the boat cruise docked at the terminal.
Here is a sign featuring the backstory of Kasamatsu Park. While the park itself is around a hundred years old, the area it’s in is part of what’s called the 300-Year Silk Weaving Tango Chirimen Textile Road. It’s not part of the road per se (which is in Yosano town) but it’s very close and along with Amanohashidate, it’s become a closely associated landmark.
Here’s the Kasabo statue I was talking about earlier. Beside it is a sign detailing the little guy’s backstory. Apparently, he’s supposed to be a fairy that was born when Amanohashidate was formed.
Kasabo is said to be a part of the sandbar which in myth was said to be a bridge connecting heaven to earth. After it fell from heaven he also descended to Kasamatsu so as to watch over the bridge.
To the left (if you’re facing it) of the Kasabo statue is an area that features benches for visitors to sit in as well as a Shinto shrine. The benches in particular are a great place to eat especially or have a drink. It’s not as noticeable but you can also see one of the coin-operated scenic binoculars in this area.
Now this is the Matanozoki viewing station. In my opinion, it's one of the most absurd yet also the most scenic ways to view the Amanohashidate sandbar. Basically, what you do is stand on the platform with your back facing the sandbar and your feet wide apart.
It looks normal so far right? Well, see those railings to the side? Hold on to those and then bend down until you see the sandbar upside down through your legs.
I was honestly shaking my head before I tried it but when I did see the sand bar from that view it honestly had this ethereal, almost airy look to it. That, or the blood going to my head might have just made me feel a little dizzy! Kidding aside, the sign next to the Matanozoki viewing platform (there are two of them here by the way) does have an explanation and backstory for the custom that you should definitely read if you want to understand its significance.
Just a couple of steps from the platform is a special Shinto shrine. Known as a yohaijo, this is a designated place of worship for the islands of Kanmurijima and Kutsujima. Formally, this is called Kanmurijima Kutsujima Yohaijo.
Both of these islands are considered sacred and are revered by worshippers. However, since it's dangerous to go to the islands directly, this yohaijo serves as a way for worshippers to pay their respects.
Now if your phone doesn't have amazing zooming capabilities then you're going to want to use this scenic binocular. It's coin operated so you'll need to shell out 100 coins to use it. Take note though that it is kind of old and honestly, modern phones (like the one you probably have) might have better magnification.
Off to the side of the yohaijo was a small hut that I wasn't quite familiar with. Initially, I thought it was a really large saisenbako (the kind that you see in shrines and temples). Upon closer inspection though, it turned out my initial thought was wrong and it was instead for a traditional Japanese ritual called kawarake nage.
So essentially, you pay 200 JPY for three kawarake and then you throw these at a ring called a “Chie-no-Wa” as a way to make their wishes come true. As for the ring, it's suspended in the air (supported by a pole) and is in between the dispenser and one of the Matanozoki viewing platforms. I actually managed to take a picture of it though you'll have to wait near the end of this write-up to see it.
Opposite the yohaijo is the Amanohashidate Ama Terrace which is part of Kasamatsu Station and has a souvenir shop as well as two other establishments that sell food and drinks. Shown here is a restaurant called Restaurant Ama Dining which has some really nice views of the sandbar and the city below.
The restaurant mainly sells Black Curry, Katsu Curry, and Ebi Fry Curry. If these are a little heavy for you, there's also steamed pork buns made from Kyotanba Kogen Pork which is said to be a premium brand of pork originating from Kyoto’s Tanba region that's known for a juicy texture and sweet flavor. I'm not going to lie, you could sort of smell the steamed buns from outside and I found myself salivating.
While the Amanohashidate sand bar is obviously the star of the show here, the surrounding mountainside actually offers scenic views of its own. This was in early winter so there were still plenty of trees here that had their fall foliage on. The vivid red and orange hues really complemented the view of the sea and the sand bar.
Now most people tend to recommend coming here in spring and summer but I've also read some recommending to visit when it's snowing.
In the upper floors of the Kasamatsu Station building, I came across this area that had railings for love-locks. Apparently, the place is a popular date spot for couples and there's even a heart shaped installation here with a bell that's great for taking couple pics. It is kind of ingenious though that they made a separate railing for the locks so as not to put pressure on the main one.
Since the rain wasn't planning on stopping any time soon, I went ahead and checked out the souvenir shop. As you might have guessed, this was chock-full of both branded and non-branded items and trinkets. Aside from Sanrio characters like Hello Kitty, I saw items from popular shows like Doraemon, One Piece, and even Gundam (the pink Zaku keychain looked really nice).
If you’re not too keen on sending your loved ones trinkets and key chains, there are also food items here that you might want to consider. Among the ones that stood out was the Amanohashidate-themed chocolate pie that cost around 710 JPY for a box. There was also Amanohashidate Kiramekie chocolate covered cookies as well as different flavors of senbei rice crackers.
While the pastries and cookies were nice, my favorite was probably the section that had furikake and premium instant ramen. If you enjoy eating rice then I'd really suggest adding furikake to it if you haven't yet. It's one of those seasonings that you can't go wrong with as it elevates the bland flavor of plain rice and turns it into something else.
The ramen (specifically the Shinnosuke Niigata Crab Ramen shown in the image) here is a little expensive but it's also unlike the run-of-the-mill instant noodles you've probably lived off of in college.
There are also some great souvenirs here for kids. Like the pastries and cookies, some of these are also Amanohashidate-themed. What caught my eye though was the candies on top of the display.
If you look closely, these are actually from Ine and are aptly called Ine no Funaya Candy.
Possibly the most expensive display here was this one that featured artisanal produce that range from juices to canned meat and fish. I think the cheapest item on the display is the pear juice worth 500 JPY while the most expensive was a 100g bottle of locally produced extra virgin olive oil (which I didn't know Kyoto Prefecture actually produces).
Of course, what is a visit to a Kyoto landmark without coming across matcha. This section has an assortment of confections that feature the ubiquitous green tea powder. The gyokuro Meijin Salon de Royale Chocolate probably stood out the most here because it's advertised as being made with the supervision of gyokuro (which is also a green tea but different from matcha) master Toshikazu Yamashita.
Though not as notable as other displays, this one also managed to catch my attention due to how colorful it was. The products featured here include drawstring pouches, tissue cases with mirrors, tissue paper, clip cases, and standing mirrors. Now, I'm not quite sure but it seems like the fabric used on these is silk.
Here are a couple of Sanrio character plush toys featuring Hello Kitty, Cinnamoroll, and Kuromi. Now I must admit, I'm not that familiar with Sanrio characters so I initially thought the character at the top of the heap was Kyuubei from Madoka Magica.
After checking out the souvenir store, I then found myself at Restaurant Ama Dining. I actually looked up the reviews for this place and it seems like the consensus is that it has a great view but so-so food. Looking at the people eating here though, it didn’t seem like the food was average.
The food served here is what you'd typically expect from a restaurant aimed at serving tourists. Other than curry, there are yoshoku favorites such as Katsu-don as well as an Omakase Kaisendon featuring seasonal seafood. Surprisingly, there were a sizable number of guests when I visited though I didn't really ask them if they liked the food or not.
The ambiance here was actually more like a school cafeteria than a restaurant per se. Now this isn't a bad thing in my opinion. I think it's actually quite charming and really complements the rural vibes and aesthetics of Miyazu.
That said, I also understand that this ambiance might not be for everyone.
One thing I will give the restaurant though is that they make the food here to order. This means that you get food that's freshly cooked rather than something straight from the microwave. The ingredients are also considered really good especially for the katsu which uses Kyotanba Kogen Pork.
With the rain not letting up, I decided it was time to say goodbye to Kasamatsu Park. Anyway, remember earlier when I talked about taking a picture of the Chie-no-Wa that you'd throw the karawake in? Well, it's actually that ring that looks like it's just beside the kawarake dispenser.
The view going down was definitely the cherry on top for this visit. While I had some trepidations earlier when going up to Kasamatsu Station, I was much more relaxed going back down. I'd say the view probably helped with it but also I think I got more familiar with the ride that it didn't feel that scary anymore.
Not all sections of the chair lift ride have safety netting. That said, the sections that don’t have it also aren't that high like in the image above. I think that you might even get back to the station faster if you climbed down and ran (of course you shouldn't do this as it's not allowed and you're likely going to get reported to the police).
On my way back to the Ichinomiya Amanohashidate Ferry Terminal I came across this truly peculiar sight of Darth Vader and a Storm Trooper playing musical instruments. These guys are actually just statues/mascots for a restaurant and party space called Aya.
Across the street from Aya is the store front for an establishment called Wada Kanko. It's a lot like a souvenir store though much more local and featuring more regional items. Now I wasn't able to see the prices for myself but I did read that it's actually much cheaper here than most other souvenir stores.So that ends my visit to Amanohashidate Kasamatsu Park.
I must say, it was a memorable experience even with the weather doing its best to ruin the day. The views here were quite nice and the highlight really was the chair lift ride. It was a rather short visit though since, again, the rain wasn't being nice that day.
While not a home-run recommendation, I still think it's worth checking out if you do happen to visit Miyazu.What did you think of my visit to Kasamatsu Park with its view of Amanohashidate? Would you include this on your visit? If yes then share your thoughts and reasoning for wanting to come here down in the comments section!
