When traveling to Kansai, beyond the classic attractions of Kyoto and Osaka, there are actually many hidden gems in the suburbs. This time, I joined an Amanohashidate day trip from Osaka, there was no need to transfer trains or worry about transportation. I was able to visit one of the “Three Views of Japan,” Amanohashidate, the traditional fishing village of Ine Funaya, and Miyama Kayabuki-no-Sato (often called Japan’s Little Shirakawa-go) all in one go!
This article will take you along this “Kyoto by the Sea” route, sharing my personal experience of the Amanohashidate day trip, as well as transportation tips for those planning to arrange the trip on their own.
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Amanohashidate, Ine & Miyama Day Trip Itinerary
I joined this Amanohashidate day trip from KKday. Departing from Namba, Osaka, we met in front of the Kani Doraku Dotonbori Higashi Store. The staff were holding KKday flags, so it was quite easy to find them!
👉 Compare Amanohashidate Day Trip Prices: KKday | Klook | Booking.com
Ine Funaya & Ine Bay Boat Tour
Our first stop was a boat tour of Ine Bay. The most distinctive feature here is the row of “Funaya” (boathouses) lining the coast. These unique buildings, where the first floor is used for boat parking and the second floor for living, demonstrate the wisdom of traditional fishing village life. Some Funaya have now been converted into guesthouses, so if you are driving and have more time, I highly recommend staying for a night.
This Amanohashidate day trip included the boat ride. The guide gave each of us a bag of shrimp chips to feed the seagulls on the boat. Flocks of seagulls hovered around the boat, creating a lively atmosphere. Paired with the clear blue-green water, the vibe was leisurely and relaxing.
Amanohashidate Cable Car + Lunch
The second stop was Amanohashidate, one of the “Three Views of Japan,” famous for its 3.6-kilometer-long sandbar spanning Miyazu Bay. When viewed from a height, the sandbar looks like a flying dragon lying across the sea, hence the name “Hiryu-kan” (Flying Dragon View). Guides here will instruct you on a classic pose called “Matanozoki,” which involves bending over and looking backwards between your legs. The sandbar is said to look even more like a dragon this way! 🤣 However, be careful — tourists have lost their balance and fallen over before, so please do only what you are comfortable with!
The process of taking the lift up to the observation deck is also quite special. You can choose between a regular cable car or a single-person chairlift. If you aren’t traveling with small children, I definitely recommend the single chairlift for a unique experience. You can overlook the scenery with your feet dangling in the air, feeling the gentle breeze, which is very fun.
Lunch was also served nearby. The meal cost was included in the itinerary. We had a personal hot pot set, and I thought it was quite good for a group meal!
Miyama Kayabuki-no-Sato (Thatched Roof Village)
The final stop was Miyama-cho, located in the mountains. It preserves dozens of traditional thatched-roof buildings and is known as “Japan’s Little Shirakawa-go.”
Walking into the village feels like turning back time; the wooden houses, thatched roofs, and rural scenery create a pristine picture. It is worth visiting in every season: silver snow scenes in winter, cherry blossoms in spring, lush greenery in summer, and red maples in autumn. It is very pleasant to walk around and take photos here.
Transportation for Amanohashidate, Ine & Miyama Day Trip
Joining an Amanohashidate Day Trip Tour
If you want to cover Amanohashidate, Ine, and Miyama all in one day, the most time-saving and effortless method is to join an Amanohashidate day trip tour offered by travel agencies. They usually depart from downtown Kyoto or Osaka with private transfers, so you don’t need to spend time studying train and bus timetables. The itinerary planning is much more convenient than taking public transportation yourself.
👉 Compare Amanohashidate Day Trip Prices: KKday | Klook | Booking.com
Access from Kyoto
- To Amanohashidate: Take the Limited Express “Hashidate” from Kyoto Station. It takes about 2 hours to arrive at Amanohashidate Station.
- To Ine: Transfer to the Tango Bus (approx. 1 hour). Buses are infrequent, so pay attention to the schedule.
- To Miyama: You can take a bus from Kyoto Station to Sonobe Station, then transfer to the Miyama Community Bus; or take the JR Sagano Line to Hiyoshi Station, then transfer to the Nantan City Bus (Miyama-Sonobe Line) to Miyama-cho. The overall travel time is quite long.
Access from Osaka
- To Amanohashidate: Take the Limited Express “Kounotori” from Osaka Umeda to Fukuchiyama, then transfer to the “Hashidate” Limited Express. The total journey takes about 2.5 hours.
- To Ine & Miyama: Similarly, you need to transfer to buses. With limited schedules, trying to visit all three places in one day would make for a very tight itinerary.
Driving to Amanohashidate, Ine & Miyama
If you are traveling with family or friends, renting a car is a freer and more convenient choice. It takes about a 2-hour drive from downtown Kyoto to reach Amanohashidate, and then you can proceed to Ine and Miyama.
👉 Rent a car in Japan: KKday｜Klook｜Trip.com
That concludes my sharing of this Amanohashidate day trip. If you have plenty of time in Kyoto or Osaka, I really suggest setting aside a day to visit this “Kyoto by the Sea” route. Of course, for a more leisurely pace, you could even arrange to stay overnight in an Ine Funaya or Miyama-cho to experience the simple yet relaxed atmosphere of the Japanese countryside.
Check some hot tours in Osaka：
📌 Universal Studios Japan Ticket | Osaka (Official Partner): KKday｜Klook
📌 Osaka Amazing Pass (1 or 2 Days) | E-Ticket: KKday｜Klook
📌 ABENO HARUKAS 300 Observatory Ticket | Osaka: KKday｜Klook
📌 Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan Ticket: Klook
📌 Kansai Airport (KIX) – HARUKA Express Train Ticket: KKday｜Klook
📌 Nankai Rapi:t Airport Express Ticket (KIX to Namba): Klook
📌 Japan SIM Card/eSIM | Unlimited Data / 500MB / 1GB: KKday｜Holafly
