Heading off to Amanohashidate, one of Japan’s top scenic spots alongside Matsushima and Miyajima, felt like diving straight into a postcard. This gem is tucked away in northern Kyoto prefecture, facing the Japan Sea. Getting there from Kyoto Station was a breeze—a cozy two-hour ride by bus or zipping along on the Hayabusa express train. We were all set to chill out, and the famed sandbar seemed like the perfect spot for just that.

We stayed at Hotel Kitanoya, which sat up on a hill. The view from our room was killer—you could see the sandbar stretching out into the sea like a lazy cat in the sun. Honestly, it was hard to want to leave the room with a view like that.

Our three-day stay at Amanohashidate was a nice change of pace from our usual hustle. The town shuts down early, lights out by 10:00 pm, which was a bit of a shock. After dark, the only sign of life was a food truck parked by the station, dishing out steaming hot Takoyaki. That turned into our go-to spot for a late-night snack under the stars.

The local train was pretty quaint, with just a car or two and only showing up two or three times an hour. We learned the hard way that missing a train meant a long wait. One night, seeing our train pull in, we booked it to make sure we didn’t miss out. The driver just laughed and waved us off, saying he’d waited for us anyway. We boarded, out of breath but thankful.

The place brought back a bunch of memories for me since my granddad was from around here. I remembered him taking me up to Amanohashidate Viewland when I was a kid. He taught me this cool trick: to look at the sandbar upside down through your legs—it turns it into this magical “Heaven’s Bridge.” Going back there now, the view was still just as mind-blowing.

This time around, we rode the chairlift up to the viewpoint, and man, the view was out of this world. It’s not just about seeing the sandbar—it’s about the mountains, Miyazu Bay, and the whole vibe of the place. There’s also a decent observation deck, a shop with neat local stuff, and a spot to grab a bite that serves up tasty dishes with a view to match.

Before we headed home, we made sure to try some local eats like Ryugu Soba and the dishes at Tondaya and Taikyoro Agura. Each place had its own flair, and we got a real taste of the local scene.

Riding back to the city life, Amanohashidate felt like a dream we didn’t want to wake up from. It’s one of those places that gets you to slow down, look around, and just soak in the moment—a perfect break from our everyday rush.