It has a history of about 350 years and is one of Japan’s three major lantern offering festival on the water. It took its present form in 1924 (the 13th year of Taisho).
About 10,000 lanterns, the spirit ship, and 3,000 fireworks vividly color the end of summer. It is the largest traditional event in Miyazu and attracts around 80,000 people. It is held on August 16 around Shimazaki Park every year.
It is a marine safety prayer festival held by Chion-ji Temple. A fierce battle between the Monju-Bosatsu who came from China and a bad dragon that damaged the sea in Tango in ancient times is recreated on the specially-installed stage in the sea based on the legend.
A brave dance of the dragon is dedicated according to the sounds of Dora and drum in the light-up by 300 torches, and it invites the people to see a fantasy world. It is held on July 24 around Kaisenkyo bridge every year.
It is a festival of the good match accomplishment on the stage of Amanohashidate on Marine Day.
After the ignition ceremony by an engaged couple, selected from among the public, the 300 torches, set up on both shores of Amanohashidate, are lit all together.
Amanohashidate emerging from Miyazu bay of twilight becomes "a bridge" joining two hearts together. It is held on from middle to end of July.
| July 24 | Monjudo outgoing ship festival | around Kaisenkyo bridge |
| middle to end July | Amanohashidate "Bridge of flame" | both shores of Amanohashidate |
| August 16 | Fireworks and lantern offering on the water in Miyazu | Miyazu bay region |
By car... It is about 10 min. from Miyazu Amanohashidate IC of the Kyoto-jukan Highway.
Nearby station ... Kita-Kinki tango railway Amanohashidate Station. It is about 5 min on foot.
Nearby station ... Kita-Kinki tango railway Amanohashidate Station. It is about 5 min on foot.
According to the ancient book “Ko-Fudoki”, a ladder was placed so that the male God
Izanagi-no-Mikoto could go back and forth between the heavens and Manaihara in the north of the
beach of Kushibi where Izanami-no-Mikoto lived.
Izanagi-no-Mikoto named this ladder Amanoukihashi,
and went back and forth between the heavens and the earth.
One day Izanagi-no-Mikoto was careless and failed to return to heaven. While sleeping on the earth, Amanoukihashi fell to the ground and became Amanohashidate. So the ladder that connects the Gods in the heavens and the men on the earth was lost.
However, the relationship between the Gods and the people was strengthened after all, and there was no end to the number of people who visited the mysterious road with the white sands and green pine trees. “Kaminoyoni Kaminokayoishi Michinareya Kumoinitsuzuku Amanohashidate” (Amanohashidate, which rises to the clouds, used to be the road the Gods went back and forth in the ancient Gods’ time.)
“Ohe-yama Ikunonomichino Tookereba Madafumimomizu Amanohashidate”(The road to Mt.
Ohe is so far that we cannot reach Amanohashidate yet.) Total length of this sand-spit is 3.6km,
and its width varies from 20m to 170m. About 8,000 pine trees are growing thick in the sand,
and its appearance is like a bridge swinging in the heaven.
The park is dotted with historic sites such as the poetry monument of the Showa Emperor and famous poets, and you can feel the thoughts that ancestors gave to Amanohashidate. As a present of God which enriches people's heart, Amanohashidate is maintaining the figure in now.
One day Izanagi-no-Mikoto was careless and failed to return to heaven. While sleeping on the earth, Amanoukihashi fell to the ground and became Amanohashidate. So the ladder that connects the Gods in the heavens and the men on the earth was lost.
However, the relationship between the Gods and the people was strengthened after all, and there was no end to the number of people who visited the mysterious road with the white sands and green pine trees. “Kaminoyoni Kaminokayoishi Michinareya Kumoinitsuzuku Amanohashidate” (Amanohashidate, which rises to the clouds, used to be the road the Gods went back and forth in the ancient Gods’ time.)
“Ohe-yama Ikunonomichino Tookereba Madafumimomizu Amanohashidate”(The road to Mt.
Ohe is so far that we cannot reach Amanohashidate yet.) Total length of this sand-spit is 3.6km,
and its width varies from 20m to 170m. About 8,000 pine trees are growing thick in the sand,
and its appearance is like a bridge swinging in the heaven.The park is dotted with historic sites such as the poetry monument of the Showa Emperor and famous poets, and you can feel the thoughts that ancestors gave to Amanohashidate. As a present of God which enriches people's heart, Amanohashidate is maintaining the figure in now.
It is an old temple of the Rinzai sect, which is known by "Sanninyoreba Monjunochie" (Out of the counsel of three comes wisdom).
The two-storied pagoda in the precincts next to the gate, which is called Ogonkaku, is designated as a national important cultural property.
There is also a song monument of Izumishikibu, and the people who wish for academic accomplishment visit from all over the country.
Famous place for observing Amanohashidate from between the legs. It is located further and higher than Kasamatsu Park. It is 28th stamp place in the western part of the country and is said that Saint Shinno built it in 704 (the first year of Keiun).
There are a lot of famous places, such as “Honzon-bijin-kannon” statue, "Tsukazunokane" – the bell that tells a sad story, "Mamukinoryu" sculpture by Jingoro Hidari and “Heisei-Gojunoto” (five-storied pagoda). It also is a viewing spot of the rhododendron.
It is located in the northern bosom of Amanohashidate, and is the greatest old shrine in Tango, with the national treasure and a lot of important cultural properties. It is said that the Gods of Ise-jingu Shrine moved from this place.
Kono-jinja Aoi-matsuri Festival, the oldest festival in Tango, is held on April 24, and the sword wielding, which is designated as a prefectural intangible cultural heritage, is dedicated.
It is a merchant house of the Edo period and a national important cultural property. The family flourished as a brewer, shipping agent, and a string dealer in the Edo period, and is also deeply related to the finance of the Miyazu domain. It became the lodging house of Kinmochi Saionji (later to become Prime Minister, and initiator of "Ritsumeikan” University) in time of Boshin War in the fourth year of Keio.
Closed December 29 –January 3.
The historical, cultural and archeological valuables of Tango region are exhibited, the planning exhibitions are held through the four seasons and a special exhibition is held in autumn.
The site of Tango Kokubun-ji Temple still remains. It was built as a glorious view point of Tango and Old Nagashima Family House, which is the house of the local leader at the end of the Edo period.Closed every Monday(In case of public holiday, closed next day)
It is the oldest cathedral in service in Japan built by the French Father Lous Lerave in 1896 (the 29th year of Meiji).
Its combination of Japanese and Western style construction including wooden construction with tatami mats is rare in the country, and it is a valuable cultural heritage. The stained glass windows are also beautiful.
You can get it in Yonken-Chaya teahouse in front of the gate of Chion-ji Temple. It has been a specialty since the Kamakura period and it is said that wisdom is given to those who eat it. You can buy it for souvenirs, or enjoy it fresh in the teahouse.
100% fruit wine made with non-heat-treatment. Its tastes vary abundantly from fruity sweet to exhilarating dry. It won the bronze prize and encouragement prize at domestic wine contest in 2006 (the 18th year of Heisei). Wine tasting at Amanohashidate is a great experience
