Amanohashidate and Ine driving guide: viewpoints, boathouses and the Tango coast

The Amanohashidate–Ine area spans Miyazu, Ine, Yosano and Kyotango on the Tango Peninsula in northern Kyoto Prefecture. From Amanohashidate, one of Japan's three celebrated scenic views, Route 178 follows the eastern coast past Ine's boathouses to Cape Kyogamisaki, the northernmost point of the Kinki region. It then continues along the Sea of Japan coast toward Tateiwa and Kotohikihama. This guide follows a day drive from Miyazu through Amanohashidate, Ine and Kyogamisaki to Kyotango, with roads and stops listed below.

Map of the Amanohashidate–Ine area

The line follows the first-day route from Amanohashidate through Ine and Cape Kyogamisaki to Kyotango. Numbers mark stops: green for viewpoints and nature, blue for roadside stations. Tap a number to see its name.

Recommended drives

A first day from Amanohashidate through Ine and Kyogamisaki to Kyotango

Start at Michi-no-Eki Umi-no-Kyoto Miyazu, visit Amanohashidate View Land and Chionji Temple, then drive around Aso Bay to Motoise Kono Shrine and Kasamatsu Park on the northern side. Follow Route 178 to the Ine Bay sightseeing cruise, the boathouses and Michi-no-Eki Funaya-no-Sato Ine. Continue past Cape Kyogamisaki, Tango Matsushima and Tateiwa to Kotohikihama and Michi-no-Eki Tango Kingdom. The route is about 81km, with roughly 1 hour 30 minutes of driving. Distances and times are calculated from map data and exclude traffic. The route uses ordinary roads throughout and has no tolls.

Cars cannot cross the Amanohashidate sandbar. To get from Monju on the southern side to Fuchu on the northern side, drive around Aso Bay. Crossing the sandbar on foot takes about 50 minutes each way, or about 20 minutes by bicycle.

See Amanohashidate from the south and north

Reach Amanohashidate View Land on the south side by monorail or chairlift. A return ticket costs ¥1,000, including admission. On the north side, a return cable car or chairlift ticket to Kasamatsu Park costs ¥800. The combined ticket for both viewpoints costs ¥1,700 for adults and is valid for 2 days.

See Ine's boathouses from the water and hillside

Ine Bay sightseeing boats leave on the hour and half-hour from 9:00 to 16:00, with adult tickets at ¥1,200. For a view from above, head to Michi-no-Eki Funaya-no-Sato Ine on the hillside. The boathouses are private homes: do not enter their grounds. Keep noise down at night and early in the morning, and avoid leaving your engine idling in car parks.

Roads you can drive

The rainfall closure sections on Route 178 are Yura–Kunda in Miyazu (200mm over 48 hours), Satohami–Nagae in Miyazu (170mm), and Kamanyu in Ine–Sodeshi in Kyotango (150mm). In winter, winter tyres or chains are required on snowy or icy roads and mountain passes.

Places to stop

Views and nature

Numbers match the map.

Roadside stations

Best seasons and crowds

Sunset in Kyoto City is at 17:04 on 31 October and 16:52 on 15 November.

Busy places and times

• Roads around Amanohashidate get busy during the tourist season. On long holiday weekends, a park-and-cruise service uses Miyazu's municipal multi-storey car park (437 spaces, free for up to 5 hours), with a sightseeing boat onward to Amanohashidate.
• Miyazu municipal Amanohashidate car park charges a special rate from 27 April to 6 May and 10–16 August: ¥500 an hour, maximum ¥2,000.
• Roads around the Ine boathouses are narrow, and Ineura Park has just 22 parking spaces. Michi-no-Eki Funaya-no-Sato Ine on the hill has 137 free spaces.

Road closures and restrictions (26 October)

• The Kyoto Jukan Expressway between Sonobe IC and Miyazu-Amanohashidate IC closes in both directions from 20:00 to 6:00 the following morning on 26–30 October.
• Amanohashidate View Land closes for works on 15–17 December. The chairlift also stops for part of the day on 18–19 November and for the whole day on 14 and 18 December. Only the monorail runs during these stoppages, increasing waiting times.
• Kasamatsu Park closes on 18 December.
• Cars cannot drive up to Nariaiji from 16:00 on 14 and 15 November.

Getting there and fuel

Refuel in Miyazu or central Kyotango before heading along the outer peninsula between Ine and Kyogamisaki. EV charging is available at Michi-no-Eki Tenki-Tenki Tango and Tango Kingdom.

If you don't have a car

Before hiring a car, read the guides to driving documents in Japan and airport car rental pickup.

Frequently asked questions

Where should I go for a day around Amanohashidate and Ine?

From Miyazu, visit Amanohashidate View Land and Kasamatsu Park, then follow Route 178 to Ine's boathouses. Continue around Cape Kyogamisaki to Tango Kingdom in Kyotango. The route is about 81km, with roughly 1 hour 30 minutes of driving and no tolls.

Can I drive across Amanohashidate?

No. Walk or cycle across the sandbar: about 50 minutes on foot each way, or about 20 minutes by bicycle. Cars must go around Aso Bay.

Can I park near Ine's boathouses?

There are paid car parks at Ineura Park (22 spaces), Onishi (37) and Shichimensan (57). Michi-no-Eki Funaya-no-Sato Ine has 137 free spaces.

Is the San-in Kinki Expressway free?

It has been tolled since 1 April 2025. Ordinary cars pay ¥150 at the Miyazu-Amanohashidate mainline toll plaza.

Can I drive in winter?

Winter tyres or chains are required on snowy or icy roads and passes.

Nearby areas and guides

• Kyoto driving and travel guide