- The bridge to heaven : Amanohashidate

Japan's three most scenic view (Nihon Sankei in Japanese) have been chosen by Hayashi Gaho in the 17th century and are Miyajima (Hiroshima Prefecture), Matsushima (Miyagi Prefecture), and Amanohashidate (Kyoto Prefecture). At the same period, another famous philosopher named Kaibara Ekiken wrote that Amanohashidate is the most beautiful view of the three, and nowadays, the place has become well-known. In the Japanese mythology, Amanohashidate is considered as the bridge that connected earth to heaven, travelled by the gods. This natural phenomenon results of the ocean currents that come from both sides, sea and land, and create the sandbar. This one is covered by pine forest of over 5000 trees and white sandy beaches. This amazing landscape is loved by many people for a long time. 
Moreover, from the mountain we can admire the panoramic view expressed by a lot of poets and painters as the motif of their artworks, and often compared with a dragon flying in the sky. 

  
Miyajima (Hiroshima)                                         Matsushima (Miyagi)                                         Amanohashidate (Kyoto)

- Observatory of Amanohashidate - Kasamatsu park

The highlight of Amanohashidate is the view on the pure land you can admire from two observatories located at the south side or at the north side, but it doesn’t change the amazing show you are going to see. On foot, with the cable car or the lift, you can choose your way to go to the top. If the weather is good, you could take the cable car to go up and the lift to go back.
 

This view from “the pure land” observatory  is called “the flying dragon” (vertically) but the view from the Kasamatsu park is called  “the rising dragon” (horizontally). it also refers to the kanji 一 which means 1 in Japanese.
Here, like the legend said, let’s try to put your head between your legs and admire Amanohashidate upside down, you will see the dragon flying into the air. Looking it that way, you will also have the impression of a bridge built in the sky.
 

 

-Kono shrine

It is also called as the old Ise temple which has been dedicated to the highest god, which is the same as Ise shrines. This old shrine has many histories. It has been built with the same style of architecture as Ise  shrine and there are many visitors who come to feel the spritual energy.

 
 

- Amanohashidate winery

This winery was established at Amanohashidate by the investment of a company in Hokkaido which is the biggest producing region of domestic wine.
It is made with the best quality grapes, using the better methods of fermentation imported from Germanie. Come and enjoy comparing this wine with the one which is made in your country.  

  

The winery has also a restaurant and a buffet lunch that offer a delicious cuisine prepared with local and fresh ingredients, using also its wine. Admiring the view of Amanohashidate , let’s enjoy peacefully your delicious lunch.
 

- Amanohashidate boat ride

You could enjoy a boat ride from the north to the south along the sanbar. It is a short boat ride less than 15 minutes, but this time,  let's enjoy the view from the sea. Don’t hesitate to buy some bait (100 yen) to feed the seagulls who follow the boat.

 

- Chion-ji temple

Then let’s visit the Chion-ji dedicated to the monju of wisdom and intelligence.Monju refers to the goddess of wisdom, Bodhisattva. The three power places where bodhisattva is enshrined are  called "Three Sengoku Nihon", which is in Nara Prefecture, Yamagata Prefecture, and here Amanohashidate in Kyoto Prefecture.

It is a venerable temple with 1200 years of history, many students come to pray Bodhisattva to succeed in their exams. There is also a beautiful mountain gate, a pagoda and a toro lantern (is a traditional lantern made of stone). Here you will see unusual omikuji (fortunes paper) in the form of a handheld fan that you open to discover your fortune. The omikuji in Kono shrine are in the form of an umbrella with the message inside.

  

Related blogs:
- The three most beautiful scenic spots in Japan, Nihon sankei
- The three (...) most famous of Japan