Amanohashidate: Getting there and around

Getting around

Amanohashidate Station is a short walk from the southern end of the roughly three kilometer long sandbar. Because of the sandbar's considerable length, rental bicycles are a popular way to explore the area. They can be rented from shops and hotels around Amanohashidate Station for typically 500 yen for the first two hours and 300 yen per additional hour. With a bicycle, the attractions on the opposite side of the sandbar can be reached in about 15 minutes. Alternatively, it takes about 45 minutes to cross the sandbar on foot.

Sightseeing boats are another option for crossing the bay. They operate every 30 minutes between piers near Chionji Temple and Motoise Kono Shrine. The one way ride takes about 12 minutes and cost 800 yen one way, while a round trip ticket costs 1400 yen.

The scenic village of Ine is located about 15 kilometers north of Amanohashidate, a 30 minute bus ride from the northern end or a 60 minute bus ride from the sounthern end of the sandbar.

Passes and Tickets

There exist a few discount passes for visiting the Amanohashidate area. Below is one of the more interesting ones:

• Amanohashidate Ine Free Pass
  (2 days for 3500 yen)
  This pass covers unlimited rides of local buses (including the bus to Ine), the cable car and chair lift to the Kasamatsu Park, the sightseeing boats in Ine Bay and between Miyazu and Amanohashidate, and the bus to Nariaji Temple. The pass can be purchased at the Amanohashidate tourist information desk.