Kumihama Tour Boat

Kumihama Bay is a tranquil lagoon that is separated from the Sea of Japan by a sandbar. The sandbar is called Shotenkyo, and features beautiful scenery of white sand and green pine trees just like Amanohashidate. Due to the topographic and geologic importance of the entirety of Kumihama Bay, it is registered as a part of the UNESCO designated San’in Kaigan Geopark. The view of the bay from onboard a sightseeing boat gets full points. The boat captain will give succinct explanations of the history, culture, and natural elements of Kumihama Bay. Priced at JPY 2,200 (tax included) for children of middle school age and older, and JPY 1,100 (tax included) for children of elementary school age and younger. (At least 4 passengers are required)

Hokki Farm

Enjoy 30 minutes of all-you-can-eat Akihime brand strawberries which are large and very sweet. It’s a thrill to spot ripe strawberries among the farms rows of strawberry plants, which utilize an elevated growing technique! This means participants can pick strawberries without bending down or dirtying their footwear, two selling points for this farm. The season lasts from January to the end of May. The price varies depending on the season.

Kasamatsu Park

Use the JR Kansai Wide Area Pass to visit Amanohashidate, one of the Three Views of Japan. Walk along the beautiful pine trees as you cross over to the northern side while enjoying the view of sightseeing boats sailing past, and then take the cable car or chair lift up to Kasamatsu Park. Step up on the platform and try looking at Amanohashidate upside down from between your legs! With the sea appearing to be in the sky, it looks as if Amanohashidate is a bridge leading up into the heavens.

Nariaiji Temple

7 min via the Tozan Bus that departs from Kasamatsu Park bound for Nariaiji Temple. As the bus climbs up the steep mountain road, you can see a beautiful view of Miyazu Bay out the bus window.
Nariaiji is a historical temple founded in the year 704. It is the 28th location visited along the pilgrimage route in Western Japan. The main enshrined image is the Sei-kannon Bosatsu, created in the Heian Period (794-1185), also known as the Kannon of Sacrifice and Beautiful Kannon. The admission fee is JPY 500 (tax included) for adults, JPY 200 (tax included) for children of middle and high school age, and free for children of elementary school age and younger.
On this day we stayed in the Amanohashidate for one night. There are many ryokan offering meals, traditional local inns and other accommodation facilities. From here you can admire the scenic view of the sunset and the bounty of the Sea of Japan.

Motoise Kono Shrine and Manai Shrine

On Day 2, start with visits to Motoise Kono Shrine and Manai Shrine. The word “moto” means former, or original, and refers to the fact that Amaterasu Okami and Toyouke Okami, two Shinto deities, were enshrined here until the best place for their enshrinement could be found. Kono Shrine is one of the Ise predecessor shrines. In the Nara period (710-794) it was located at Ichinomiya in the Tango region. In the Heian period (794-1185) it was designated a ‘myojin-taisha’, or shrine dedicated to a famed deity. It is a highly revered temple and the only major temple along the San’indo route. The shrine grounds include structures built in the oldest form of shrine architecture. Take note of the colorful ‘giboshi’ ornaments that decorate the inner shrine in blue, yellow, red, white, and black. These five-colored ornaments are known as ‘suetama’ and may only be used at Ise Grand Shrine and here at Kono Shrine, making them the most precious decoration in shrine architecture.

Manai Shrine is the Okumiya (rear shrine) of Motoise Kono Shrine. This shrine is famous for its “Iwakura”, or an ancient rock thought to be the dwelling place of god, located behind the inner shrine. The main gods worshipped here are Amaterasu Okami and Toyouke Okami. Artifacts such as stone axes and scrapers from the Jomon period (14,000–1000 BCE), and fragments of earthen vessels for religious services and comma-shaped beads from the Yayoi period (1000 BCE–300 AD) have been unearthed at this site, showing its significance as a holy place since ancient times.

Tango Akamatsu Train

Utilize your pass for unlimited rides and enjoy the ride itself on this sightseeing train. Tango Akamatsu Train (Kyoto Tango Railway) is a reserved cafe-style train that links Amanohashidate and Nishi-Maizuru. Its warm, wood-style interior features a variety of seating including sofas and counter seating. Passengers can enjoy spectacular views from the windows including the Nagu Coast and Yuragawa Bridge. There is also a separate train called “Tango Kuromatsu” which features a restaurant onboard (By reservation only, includes meals. Operates on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays). Also, there is a sightseeing train known as “Tango Aomatsu” which does not require prior reservation.

Maizuru Port Tore Tore Center

This roadside station features one of the largest seafood markets on this side of Japan. Maizuru Port features a popular system that lets visitors dine on fresh-caught seafood prepared as a seafood grill, sashimi, and more. The port’s specialty in summer is Iwagaki oysters, and in winter it is crab. Visitors to the port can also try asking staff for their recommendations. You can also find sushi shops that pride themselves on delicious sushi toppings, diners offering tempting, colorful seafood rice bowls, and processed seafood shops offering Maizuru kamaboko and chikuwa (made from fish surumi). There are also souvenir shops offering specialty items from northern Kyoto, as well as shops selling Maizuru-grown vegetables.

Maizuru Red Brick Park

In 1901 this location was established as Maizuru Naval District, the only point of defense on this side of Japan. From that time until the Taisho period (1912-1926), many red brick warehouses were constructed here. These historical buildings, designated as Important Cultural Property of Japan, together form the sightseeing and cultural exchange facility of Maizuru Red Brick Park. This area features the World Brick Museum, Maizuru City Commemoration Hall, Maizuru Chiegura (Wisdom Warehouse) which houses a shop offering specialty goods of Maizuru, Akarenga Workshop, and Akarenga Event Hall. A wide variety of exhibitions and events are held here. The cafe in Building 2 is popular for its navy-themed menu items.