Amanohashidate...Bridge to the Heavens

Our latest adventure took us to Amanohashidate – otherwise known as the “bridge to the heaven”. For some reason it has been ranked as one of Japan’s top three scenic places to visit. Now, I must admit, winter is not the greatest time to see things at their most gorgeous. Also, the low lying clouds defeated the best photographer. The driving rain didn’t help either and, come to think of it, neither did the freezing cold at night.
The best way to view the bridge is from the top of the hill on one side or the other. There is, of course, a chairlift available to take you up to whichever top you want – we, of course, did both. It gives you a better view of the bridge – and, of course, the opportunity to view it. Now, according to tradition, one is supposed to bend over and look at it between your legs – thus giving you a view of the bridge “heading for the heavens”. It’s traditional and has been for thousands of years (and here, I’d believe it).

Amanohashidate Sand Bar

It is basically a long sand bar that spans across Miyazu Bay on the west coast of Japan. It is tree covered with a path that you can walk from one side to the other. In true Japanese fashion, it has numerous toilet facilities- no searching here - shrines and lots of beaches. I’m sure they’ll be far more popular in the nicer weather. Still, the scenes were pretty and we enjoyed the walk…when it wasn’t pouring rain or freezing cold.

Amanohashidate

Jeff spent quite a bit of time, stalking the wild herons. He has a gorgeous picture that he took (I’ll post it as soon as I get it from him.) Here’s my picture of him, patiently waiting out the birds. The dragons were found at the shrine. There have been many dragons at the fountains in front of shrines around Japan, this is the first time I’ve found one that has been twinned like this.

Amanohashidate Bridges

There are a couple of more standard bridges, connecting the sand bar to the mainland on the north side. One of them is a pivoting bridge, allowing boats and barges to come into the lagoon. They were very busy hauling out loads of what looked like black sand. Tourist boats also came in – caught this one on its way in with the bridge open.

Amanohashidate Ring

Yet another tradition … when you go to the top of the hill, they have this ring sitting on the hillside. They also have small, round, flat wafer like rocks that you can purchase (honor system …and it works) 3 for 100 yen (roughly a dollar). Now…you take this rock thing, make a wish, and try to throw it through the hoop – if it goes through – your wish will come true. They have these rings all over the place – though one is RIGHT in front of the train station – solid glass window behind it – bet that’s not one you’re supposed the through a rock through (smile). The granite rings found around town actually represent wisdom (hmmm...think that supports the decision to NOT throw rocks through the one by the station.)

Amanohashidote Mysteries

We did find some mysteries on our walk. The first one was the presence of hoses on many of the trees! Nothing at the foot to hook into, just hoses, painstakingly snaked up through the branches to the top and then the lower portion neatly coiled at head height. Once again the challenge is on…if you have any ideas…post it in the comments.

Here’s the next mystery…what is it? It’s just sitting out on the beach. And then...there are the fans tied carefully to the trees. Someone has gone to a lot of trouble to come up with these puzzles for the average tourist to think about.