Amanohashidate Quasi-National Park features one of Japan's most famous scenic spots—a narrow sandbar covered with pine trees that spans Miyazu Bay—offering exceptional views, coastal landscapes, and cultural sites.
Amanohashidate Quasi-National Park is located along the northern coast of Kyoto Prefecture and centers on the iconic Amanohashidate, a roughly 3.6-kilometer-long sandbar covered with approximately 7,000 pine trees that connects the two shores of Miyazu Bay. This natural formation is ranked among Japan’s three famous views (Nihon Sankei) due to its striking appearance and cultural significance. The park encompasses coastal and hilly terrain, featuring sandy beaches, small islands, forested areas, and traditional towns with historic temples and shrines. Ecologically, the park supports coastal pine ecosystems, marine habitats, and diverse bird species including migratory waterfowl. Activities here revolve around enjoying panoramic vistas from mountain viewpoints such as Kasamatsu Park and Amanohashidate View Land, as well as hiking, cycling, and boating around the bay. The park also includes cultural assets such as Chion-ji Temple and Kono Shrine, linking the natural landscape to centuries of religious and folk traditions. Visitors are drawn by the combination of stunning natural scenery, peaceful rural settings, and opportunities to engage in outdoor pursuits. In spring and autumn, seasonal foliage highlights enhance the scenic beauty. The proximity of the park to nearby towns offers convenient lodging and access to local cuisine, further enriching the visitor experience.
Amanohashidate Sandbar – a nearly 4 km pine-covered sandbar regarded as a top scenic spot in Japan
Kasamatsu Park – viewpoint accessible by cable car offering panoramic views of Amanohashidate and Miyazu Bay
Chion-ji Temple – historic Buddhist temple located near the sandbar's southern end
Boat cruises on Miyazu Bay providing close-up views of the coastline and Amanohashidate
A slender peninsula covered in thousands of pine trees stretching across Miyazu Bay, known as one of Japan’s ‘Three Great Views.’
A mountainside park with cable car access that provides panoramic views of the sandbar and the surrounding water and mountains.
A historic Buddhist temple near the sandbar’s south edge, revered for its cultural importance and serene atmosphere.