Amanohashidate, one of Japan’s Three Scenic Views, resembles a blue-green dragon stretching across the bay, lined with thousands of pine trees. The scenery is magnificent and captivating.
Take the monorail slowly up the mountain to Amanohashidate View Land, which offers the best angle for the classic “Flying Dragon View.” When you stand on the platform and look between your legs, the sandbar appears like a giant dragon soaring through the clouds. There are also some nostalgic amusement rides on the mountain, as well as a fun pottery plate-throwing game. It is said that if you can throw a small pottery plate through the metal ring, it will bring you good luck and wisdom. The breeze at the summit is still slightly chilly in early spring. Enjoying a bottle of the local specialty pudding at this time, with its smooth, delicate texture and rich milky flavor, is the most delightful treat while taking in the view.
For the trip down, I recommend taking the open-air single-seat chairlift instead. With your feet dangling as you descend into the wind, the unobstructed panoramic view is both thrilling and exhilarating. Back at the cable car station at the foot of the mountain, don’t forget to browse the small shop selling fresh produce and processed agricultural products from local small farms in the Tango area, and take home some of the region’s simple, authentic flavors.
