Amanohashidate, on Miyazu Bay about 2¾ hours out of Kyoto, is classified as an "Outstanding Scenic Place" by the Japanese and is known as one of the "Three Great Sights" in the country (the other two are Matsushima in Tohoku, in Northern Honshu, and Miyajima, in Hiroshima Bay). Actually, Amanohashidate is a sandbar covered with fantastically shaped pine trees. Literally, the word means "Bridge of Heaven," and the Japanese have been making trips to visit it for centuries. Its name comes from the Japanese legend that the god Izanagi-no-Mikoto and the goddess Izanami-no-Mikoto crossed the bridge coming down from heaven to visit the Konomiya Shrine in Fuchu.
To travel to this amazing scenic wonder, we took a 52-minute train ride from our resort in Kumihama Bay, and then boarded a double-decker sightseeing boat for the trip across the bay. Once on the other side, we passed through a small shopping area to a staging platform at the base of Mt. Nariai. Here we were given the choice of ascending to the viewing platforms in Kasamatsu Park, halfway up the mountain, by using either a cable car or an open chair lift. We opted for the chair lift, which seemed more exciting.
After arriving at the park, we happily took our turns on the viewing platforms to see a sight rarely seen by foreign visitors to Japan. In the traditional stance, we took an upside-down look through our legs. This, it is said, gives the effect of a bridge in the sky extending toward heaven, thus the name.
Before leaving the area, we were able to visit Monjudo (the main building of Chionji Temple) and Tahoto Pagoda ("pagoda of many treasures"), built in 1500 and designated as an Important Cultural Property.