Day Trip by Bus from Osaka & Kyoto: Amanohashidate and Miyama Thatched-Roof Village

One Day, Two Landscapes: Amanohashidate and a Thatched-Roof Village from Osaka & Kyoto

This day-trip bus tour departs from Osaka or Kyoto and takes you to Amanohashidate, one of Japan's Three Scenic Views, and a village of traditional thatched-roof houses, all in a single day.

Amanohashidate is a scenic spot in Miyazu, Kyoto Prefecture, and it takes a long time to reach by connecting trains. This tour goes there directly by bus, so you can enjoy the Sea of Japan coast while keeping your hotel in Osaka or Kyoto.

With more than 10,000 bookings, it is a hugely popular itinerary.

First Stop: Chionji Temple, Then a Sightseeing Boat Across Amanohashidate

Once you arrive at Amanohashidate, your first stop is Chionji Temple. After strolling around the temple grounds, you will board the Amanohashidate sightseeing boat and cross to the other side.

From the water, you can see the pine-covered sandbar from a different angle than from land. The crossing is part of the sightseeing itself, and after enjoying Amanohashidate from the sea, you will head to Kasamatsu Park for a view from above.

By Lift or Cable Car to Kasamatsu Park: Amanohashidate from Above

After crossing to the other shore, take the lift or cable car up to Kasamatsu Park. From the observation deck, you get a sweeping view of Amanohashidate stretching long and narrow across Miyazu Bay, seen from the north side.

Kasamatsu Park is also known as the birthplace of matanozoki, the practice of looking at the view upside down. Turn your back to Amanohashidate and peer through your legs, and the world flips: the sandbar looks like a bridge reaching up into the sky. You will have seen it from the sea first, and now you see it from the heights.

Being able to enjoy the same Amanohashidate from two different viewpoints is one of the biggest appeals of this tour.

What Will You See at the Thatched-Roof Village?

You will visit a mountain village of thatched-roof farmhouses and explore on foot, seeing a rural Japanese landscape that still survives today. In stark contrast to modern townscapes, traditional houses with thick thatched roofs line the village.

The sea views of Amanohashidate and the scenery of a village tucked into the mountains: two very different landscapes, connected in a single day. That combination is what makes this itinerary so appealing.

Please remember that the village is also a place where people live, so be mindful of residents and observe good manners during your visit.

Things to Check Before You Book

• Meeting points and departure/return times differ between Osaka and Kyoto departures
• Please arrive at the meeting point at least 10 minutes before departure
• Guidance is available in Chinese and English
• The sightseeing boat, the lift/cable car at Kasamatsu Park, and lunch are included in the tour price
• About 50 minutes of free time to explore Miyama Thatched-Roof Village
• Full refund for cancellations made up to 48 hours in advance

The itinerary, departure times, stops, and lunch menu may change. Please check the latest information before booking.

Summary

This is a day-trip bus tour from Osaka or Kyoto that takes you to Amanohashidate, one of Japan's Three Scenic Views, and to Miyama Thatched-Roof Village in a single day.

At Amanohashidate, you start with a stroll around Chionji Temple, then cross to the opposite shore by sightseeing boat. After admiring the pine-lined sandbar from the sea, you ride the lift or cable car up to Kasamatsu Park for a panoramic view from above. After lunch, the afternoon takes you to Miyama.

At Miyama Thatched-Roof Village, you can wander freely through a mountain hamlet lined with thatched-roof houses. From the sea and pine trees of Amanohashidate to a mountain village where old-fashioned homes still stand, you will experience two completely different landscapes in one day, all within Kyoto Prefecture.

View one of Japan's Three Scenic Views from a boat and an observation deck, then spend the afternoon walking through a quiet mountain village. This tour is ideal for anyone who wants to venture a little beyond the cities of Osaka and Kyoto and experience both the sea and the mountains of Kyoto.