Amanohashidate — Kyoto’s Hidden Coastal Escape Amanohashidate is officially recognized as one of Japan’s Three Most Beautiful Scenic Spots (日本三景 Nihon Sankei ), and it absolutely lives up to the title. Even though it’s part of Kyoto Prefecture, it feels worlds away from the busy temples and tourist crowds. This coastal paradise is about a two‑hour drive from central Kyoto, and the moment you arrive, everything slows down — the air, the scenery, even your thoughts. Amanohashidate might technically be part of Kyoto, but it feels like a completely different universe. Instead of temples, crowds, and busy streets, you get a quiet coastal town that feels almost untouched. It’s about a two‑hour drive from the main tourist areas, and the moment you arrive, the whole atmosphere shifts — slower, softer, and almost dreamlike. The town itself is small, almost like a traditional fisherman village tucked along the water. Wooden houses, calm waves, and a peaceful rhythm that makes you forget how cl...