Hydrangea is full blooming in Amanohashidate area!

 

(Pictures from 28th June 2013)

 

This area is not in Amanohashidate itself(sand bar). You can find this area in the cycling path from Amanohashidate towards Miyazu. There are not that many hydrangea but still nice to see them with pine trees and sea ;)

 

Access: about 15mins walk from Amanohashidate train station or 5mins by bicycle.

On 1st&2nd July 2013, the official start of the sea-bathing season!

Still it will be not a peak season of swimming so facility on the beach can be not well-prepared or not available. Although you can avoid a crowd of people ;)
On 1st July 2013 at Amanohashidate beach. You can check further info on the following link.
http://seasidekyoto.blogspot.jp/2013/03/enjoy-swim-in-one-of-most-beautiful.html

On 2nd July 2013 at Tango-yura beach. You can check further info on the following link.
http://seasidekyoto.blogspot.jp/2013/03/15km-long-shallow-beach-in-tango-yura.html

Sumo match in Ayabe city in Autumn!

This is not a tournament(which usually last 2weeks everyday) and only one day special sumo match by proffessional sumo wrestlers!

Date: 21st October 2013

Place: Ayabe-shi sougou undou kouen taiikukan(綾部市総合運動公園体育館)

Time:8:00-15:00

Ticket: 5000yen-10000yen/person (depends on the seat, I called them(on 21st June 2013) and about 20-30% of seats are left but most expensive class seats(over 10000yen) are already sold out!)

The ticket include lunch(Bento box style) plus original cushion.

You can purchase the ticket at Ayabe tourist information which located opposite side of Ayabe train station(綾部駅).

FREE shuttle bus is available from Umezako station (梅迫駅) on the match day!

The shuttle bus run from Umezako station between 7:30 to 10:50. From The match place 15:20-16:00. 

Amanohashidate&Miyazu Bay Tour

This is the special sightseeing boat tour only for summer!!
You can enjoy Amanohashidate from the sea also this boat trip is the longest boat trip so you have time to relax. Seats&toilet are available on the bottom level which is inside and if you prefer to stay in outside, there are no seats but lots of space available on the top level.

Duration: 45mins
Time: depart 16:45 return 17:30
Date 2013: 15th&16th June + every Saturday of July&August
Fee: 500yen/person
Ticket office will be open from 16:00.
Departure&return point: Miyazu pier(Miyazu-sanbashi宮津桟橋)
Access: From Miyazu train station about 10mins walk. From Amanohashidate train station about 30mins walk. You can also take a bus from Amanohashidate train station.

Got a problem to withdraw money from ATM in Japan?

Since 19th April 2013, credit cards or bank cards issued by Mastercard brands are not possible to withdraw money from ATM in Japan.
This case only applied to the cards issued outside of Asia/Pacific region + the Netherlands+Canada.

I personally experienced this situation a couple of days before. So just be prepared to have a VISA card for example, to avoid this situation!

Futher information you can read by the follwing links. Unfortunately, there is no exact date when they will solve this issue.
  http://www.jp-bank.japanpost.jp/en/ias/en_ias_index.html
http://www.mastercard.com/jp/personal/jp/cardholderservices/atmlocations/notification.html

FREE footbath(In Japanese "ashiyu=足湯") in Amanohashidate!

OPEN: between 12-16(except WED&bad weather days,maintenance days).
Location: Next to Amanohashidate train station(天橋立駅).

Firework festival in Miyazu!

http://www.jalan.net/jalan/img/9/event/0119/XL/e119749.jpg

Date: 16th(FRI) August 2013
Time: 19:30-20:30
Place:Shimasaki park(島崎公園)

This is the biggest event of the year in Miyazu.
Floating lanterns, boats and reflexion of the fireworks on the sea!
Usually people sit down in the park along Miyazu bay to watch the fireworks. Although you can see it from many different places in the city, if you prefer less crowded places.

Access: 10mins walk from Miyazu train station(宮津駅)