Legendary Amano HashidateExciting summer festivals, beautiful sand beaches!
Northern Kyoto Prefecture, with its almost endless coastline of beaches and stunning scenery, is one of Japan’s most popular and famous summer destinations. One of the area’s biggest attractions is Miyazu City, home to rich natural getaways, an incredible range of historical and cultural attractions, and host to a number of exciting summer festivals. The area is also well known for its high-quality fresh seafood. From the late 15th to the late 19th century, Miyazu was a strategically important castle town and harbor, and also the center of the famous chirimen silk industry. Because of its special history, many traditional old houses, and excellent seaside scenes remain in most of the preserved areas of the city.
Probably the biggest attraction in Miyazu is legendary Amano Hashidate, regarded as one of the three most beautiful places in Japan, a 3.6-km long, white-sand land bridge covered with 8,000 exquisite Japanese pine trees. Wonderful views of Amano Hashidate can be had from Takigami Mountain Observatory (above Takigami Park), and Hiryukan (on the ridge; accessible by cable lift). Rintaku, a nostalgic, open bicycle-cab tour of the Amano Hashidate area, is also a memorable way to see the peninsula.
OTHER ATTRACTIONS: Mikami House, a traditional home, with bright white plaster walls and fine lattice-covered windows, is just one of the well-preserved traditional homes in the area. Others include Imabayashi House (a former silk thread wholesaler), and Fukuroya (a soy sauce maker that has been in business for over 300 years). Nariai-ji Temple (accessible by cable car or mountain bus) dates from 704, and has a famous Goddess of Mercy statue; it offers fantastic views over the sea and the surrounding area. Chion-ji Temple, known for its Monju Bosatsu Buddhist statue (a symbol of wisdom), attracts students from all over the country hoping to get into the school of their choice. The local Amano Hashidate Spa area has a number of spas and hotels, ryokans. Relaxing on the spectacular Seya Plateau (a 500-m highland with all kinds of recreational facilities) or hiking on Mount Oe (833 m, bungalows available).
Miyazu City Summer Festival Highlights
Miyazu City Amano Hashidate Fire Bridge Festival: Starting with a huge fireworks display, about 2.5 km of the pine-forested Amano Hashidate land bridge will be lit up with nearly 200 burning torches. A 10-min. walk from Amano Hashidate Stn, on the KTR Miyazu line. Monju-do Defune Festival : This ancient traditional festival, dedicated to sea safety, features brightly-colored manto paper lanterns, an old boat parade, a drum-music dragon dance, all on stage set up on the sea. A giant fireworks display will end the festival. A 3-min. walk from Amano Hashidate Stn., on the KTR Miyazu line. Miyazu City Kanabiki Waterfall Fire Festival: This festival features miko dances, taiko drum music, and fantastic display of fire cascading down a 40-meter high waterfall.For more information on any of the above contact the Amano Hashidate Monju Tourist Association on (0772) 22-8030 (Mon.-Sun., 9:00-18:00; English-speaking person available). To get to Miyazu City, take the special express (Hashidate tokkyu) from Kyoto Stn., and get off at Miyazu Stn. (about 105 min.); or the Kyoto Kotsu Bus (Tel: 0771-23-8000), Tankai Bus (Tel: 0772-42-0321) from Kyoto sta. to Amano Hashidate (about 3 hours).