From 1st October 2017

Kyoto Tango Railway(KTR, Tantetsu)'s train timetables will be change.
If you already planned to travel to Tango region by trains, I recommend you check the time again!

Express bus to Amanohashidate&Ine from Kyoto!

There are already three direct express buses running from Kyoto to Amanohashidate daily. Although, there is no direct bus to Ine from Kyoto until now and it will be offered seasonally.

This bus is a good option for tourists who would like to arrive earlier time in a day to Tango region cause this is the earliest arrival time of direct public transportation from Kyoto(For example, the direct express train arrives at Amanohashidate station at 11:25).

Date: everyday from 29th July 2017 to 1st Oct 2017(3rd-6th May is not running)

Timetable:

  8:10 Kyoto station

  8:33 Kosoku-Nagaokakyo(For Hankyu line "Nishiyama-tennozan" station)

10:10 Amanohashidate station

10:28 Amanohashidate Cable-shita(For Kasamatsu Park)

10:50 Ine-wan-meguri-Hide(For sightseeing boat in Ine) 

10:59 Ine(Central)

15:36 Ine(Central)

15:45 Ine-wan-meguri-Hide(For sightseeing boat in Ine) 

16:07 Amanohashidate Cable-shita(For Kasamatsu Park)

16:25 Amanohashidate station

18:02 Kosoku-Nagaokakyo(For Hankyu line "Nishiyama-tennozan" station)

18:27 Kyoto station

Fare(single):

From Kyoto station(Kosoku-Nagaokakyo) to Amanohashidate station 2800JPY

From Kyoto station(Kosoku-Nagaokakyo) to Amanohashidate Cable-shita 3000JPY

From Kyoto station(Kosoku-Nagaokakyo) to Ine-wan-meguri-Hide(Ine) 3200JPY

For this bus, booking is only possible by call(Please ask someone who can speak Japanese to call for you). TEL:0120-15-8814(From domestic phone)

Please prepare exact cash and remember your seat number when you book(Make sure to sit on the correct seat.)

From Kyoto station, bus leaves from C2(bus stop).

Free wifi and toilet are available on the bus.

Enjoy art in Tango!

New art museum is opened on 23rd June 2017 in Kumihama.
The museum was designed by one of world renowned Japanese architects, Tadao Ando and exhibiting works from Mitsumasa Anno who is famous as a picture book artist.
The exhibited collections will be change each 3 months.

Name of the museum: Mori-no-naka-no-ie Anno Mitsumasa kan(森の中の家　安野光雅館)
Open: 9:30-17:00(Last admission at 16:30)
Closed on Tuesdays(if Tuesday is public holiday, the museum is open and Wednesday is closed instead of Tuesday) and 29th Dec.-1st Jan..
Admission fee: 1000JPY/adult
Access: You can access the museum by bus from Kumihama station or Mineyama station. Please click here for google map.
★From Kumihama station, take a bus #71 for about 15mins and get off at Tani-Kogyo-danchi-mae(谷工業団地前) and walk about 10mins to the museum. Bus fare: 200JPY/person
Departure at Kumihama station;
11:24(not available on weekends&public holidays&30th Dec.-3rd Jan.)/13:05/15:50
Departure at  Tani-Kogyo-danchi-mae(bound for Kumihama station);
11:39(not available on weekends&public holidays&30th Dec.-3rd Jan.)

★From Mineyama station,  take a bus #71 for about 25mins and get off at Tani-Kogyo-danchi-mae(谷工業団地前) and walk about 10mins to the museum. Bus fare: 200JPY/person
Departure at Mineyama station;
10:23(not available on weekends&public holidays&30th Dec.-3rd Jan.)/11:35/14:05
Departure at  Tani-Kogyo-danchi-mae(bound for Mineyama station);
10:49(not available on weekends&public holidays&30th Dec.-3rd Jan.)/12:01/14:31/17:07(not available on weekends&public holidays&30th Dec.-3rd Jan.)

There is also an Italian restaurant called "wakuden MORI" is located in the same location. The restaurant open 10-18(Last call at 17:30).

***At the moment, I still couldn't visit this place so I will report it sometime soon!

Miyazu Marine Fest 2017! (Miyazu-wan Nigiwai Festa宮津湾にぎわいフェスタ2017)

http://www.city.miyazu.kyoto.jp/www/info/detail.jsp?id=1545

Date:16th July 2017
Time: 9:00-15:00

If you would like to try sea activities(not swimming) in Japan, this is one of good oppotunity!
This event is held already 11 years and this year, it became more easy to access.

The picture above is a typical fishing style experience in this region called Jibikiami(地引き網) so in fact it is possible to try for all year round if you are dare to wake up 3 in the morning or something like that :D Although, at this event, you don't need to force you to wake up so early.

☆Jibikiami experience 10:00 and 13:00(No charge)

☆Yacht experience(45mins) 9:30/10:20//11:10/13:00/13:50 Must be over 8 years old.
(No charge,on a first-come, first-served basis. Limited number of people can experience.)

☆Discover Kunda peninsula from motorboat(20mins)
Price:800JPY(Adult), 400JPY(Under 11 years old)
11:15/12:15/13:15

And some more things are available......

Place:
Tai-Miyazu Yacht Harbor(田井宮津ヨットハーバー)
Please use the Japanese word to see on google MAP.

Access:
There is a local bus from Miyazu station although only one bus to reach there on time of the event and no bus to go back. So I recommend to go there by bicycle. About 45mins from Amanohashidate station by bike. About 30mins from Miyazu station by bike(No bikes rent out at Miyazu station). Nothing difficult, just keep stay on the coastline then you will be there :D
But from this year, there is a motorboat which run specially for this event from Miyazu pier.
Walk about 10mins from Miyazu Station to Miyazu pier(Click here for the google map.) and take the direct boat.
Fare(return): 1400JPY(Adult), 700JPY(Under 11 years old)
Departure from Miyazu pier 8:45/9:45/10:45/11:45/12:45/13:45
Please check on the spot for return timetable.
Please do not consider visiting there by car because of parking space is rarely available.

24th July - Defune Matsuri Festival

The festival is called Defune Matsuri Festival, every year it is held on 24th July, so excuse me but I'm going to use my old blog post from the past years to describe the festival here because the festival is the same, nothing change for years.
The festival run between 19:30 to 20:45.
It is a traditional story play in open-air and the stage will be on the sea and the bridge.
Story is; There was a bad dragon in Tango region's sea in the past and Monju-Bosatsu god who alter the dragon to good one! ;) So that's what you will see in the play. You don't need to understand language because it is a non-verbal play, only music.
In the first 30mins, children will dance with Taiko drums, they are usually very cute to see.
Chion-ji temple area&the first bridge to Amanohashidate sandbar(near by station side) will be lighted up with bonfire. Around 20:40-21:00 you can also watch small fireworks. 

Access: 3mins walk from Amanohashidate station
Free admission.

Amanohashidate will be illuminated from tomorrow!

(The picture was taken at last summer.)

The same as the last year, you can also enjoy illuminated Amanohashidate this summer.

Are you plan to stay overnight in Amanohashidate or Miyazu area?

If so, you can visit the romantic sandbar(Amanohashidate) in the night.

The illumination is 15mins cycle. 

Date: From 15th July 2017 to 31st August 2016

Time:19:00-22:00(everyday during the period)

Place: Amanohashidate (about 10mins walk from Amanohashidate station)

Outdoor bar on 15th&16th July 2017

http://hamakaze-pjt.com/beernight2017/

Are you staying Miyazu on these days? 

Hesitating to go out in the night to eat or drink because of worrying about your budget?

No worries, this bar doesn't offer any expensive price drink nor plate.

Price range of drink: 150JPY-400JPY

Price range of food: 200JPY-450JPY

This event is supported by Asahi Breweries, Ltd. 

OPEN:17:00-22:00(Last call at 21:30)

Access: about 10mins walk(800m) from Miyazu Station. The event will be hold in front of the farmer's market called Magokoro-ichi(まごごろ市) which located near the largest shopping store in Miyazu called "Mipple(ミップル)". Click here for the google map.

Enjoy clean water beach in Tango!

This year's quality of water for swimming beach is announced. As same as the other years, sea in Tango region is keeping the good condition of water.
The quality is ranked as AA(Top quality), A(Good), B(OK), C(Possible) and Inappropriate.
All of Tango region's beaches are ranked as at least A.

AA
Kanzaki, Tango-Yura, Amanohashidate, Nakahama, Hei, Takeno, Kotohikihamaasobi, Kotohikihamakakezu, Hamazume, Hakoishihama, Shotenkyo, Kuzunohama, Kamaihama

A
Nohara, Ryuguhama-kobashiku, Ryuguhama-mihama, Amanohashidate-Fuchu, Kyuzo, Takashima, Tateiwa-Nochigahama, Sunakata, Kohama, Hacchohama-Asamogawa, Tomari, Honjohama

In Amanohashidate, you can find floats in the sea which you can use it for jumping in the water!
Have a nice time in AA quality water beach, only 10mins walk from Amanohashidate Station :) The picture was taken on 11th July 2017 at 18:40.

New hostel opened in Fukuchiyama!

(The pictures are from their website and if you like to see more pictures please visit the website.)

This place can be an option to choose for you, if you are travelling to Tango region in late in the night or need to leave Tango region in the early morning or you prefer to have private bathroom with low budget(as far as I know this place offer one of the cheapest room which comes with private bathroom in Tango region).
 
Name:
North Front Hostel
http://northfronthostel.jp/

Only a minute walk from Fukuchiyama station.
Supermarket and convenient store located nearby.
All the rooms comes with private bathroom(toilet&shower) and non-smoking. Smoking space is available. They provide bath towel, face towel tooth brush, shampoo.

Price:
Single room :4500JPY/night
Twin room : From 6000JPY-6500JPY/night

How to book:
You can find them in expedia and hotels.com and so on. Of course you can book through their official website as well.
https://uk.hotels.com/ho700795/north-front-hostel-fukuchiyama-japan/
https://www.expedia.com.au/Fukuchiyama-Hotels-NORTH-FRONT-HOSTEL.h18651363.Hotel-Information

Beach activities, SUP(Standup paddle boarding)&Windsurfing

Are you interested to try SUP or Windsurfing? Even still not proper summer season yet in here but already you can do these activities in Tango region. 

The area is known for beautiful sunset, please check out the video.

*SUP(1 hour experience)

Price: 3000JPY/person
Time: 10:00/11:30/14:00/15:30/17:00
Min.1 person, Max.4 people.

*Windsurfing(1 hour experience)
Price:6000JPY/person
Time:14:00

You can borrow wet-suits and life jacket for free of charge(perhaps better to bring your own swim wear to secure when your size is not available).

You can check availability and book online from the link below(Unfortunately only Japanese is available so please ask at your accommodation staff or tourist information staff to help you). 

https://coubic.com/kyotango135e/services

Public shower(cold water) and public changing place is available on the spot. 

All the activities are run by 京丹後135°EAST. 
Access:
*From Yuhigaura-Kitsu-Onsen station walk about 30mins
*From Amino station, take a bus number Y4 and get off at Hamazume(浜詰) and walk about 3mins. Bus fare 200JPY.
* From Yuhigaura-Kitsu-Onsen station, take a bus number Y4 and get off at Hamazume(浜詰) and walk about 3mins. Bus fare 200JPY.
Address: 京都府京丹後市網野町浜詰756-3(Click here and you can jump to google map)
TEL:0772-74-0222(From Japanese domestic phone)
        or 090-9616-4221(From Japanese domestic phone)

Free wifi available on board from 1st May 2017

Finally, you can surf the internet while you are on the highway buses which I described below.
Like the other free wifi service in tourist spots, you need to register your email address to use. For the first 10mins, you don't need to log in but if you like to use it longer, you need to verify your email address so use this 10mins for verification. I think they said you can use the internet up to 60mins/log in and up to 5times? per day or something like that.
  
Between Osaka and Tango region(via Miyazu, Amanohashidate)
http://seasidekyoto.blogspot.com/2013/01/direct-bus-from-osaka.html

Between Kyoto and Tango region(via Miyazu, Amanohashidate)
http://seasidekyoto.blogspot.com/2013/01/direct-bus-from-kyoto.html

Between Kyoto and Ine(via Amanohashidate)
http://seasidekyoto.blogspot.com/2017/03/express-bus-to-amanohashidate-and-ine.html

Wadatsumi - new Sushi-Kappo restaurant in Ine

First of all, there is no reason to don't visit this place to eat in Ine. Absolutely, worth for the money and view from wide windows are excellent! I'm sure, sun setting time is also beautiful. I ordered a set meal for lunch which comes with sashimi, grilled fish, stewed fish&vege., steamed egg custard, sushi and soup. Price:3240JPY. If you sit on the counter seat, chef will make sushi in front of you. I could see professional's work especially on grilled fish, kept good moisture and could eat all part except head and backbone.
Open:11:30-15:00(lunch), 18:00-22:00(dinner) (closed on Wed)
Reservation is recommended(We visited without reservation on weekday at just after the opening time, so depends on the day and time).
Access: From Miyazu or Amanohashidate station, take a bus and get off at "Ine". Then walk about 5mins.
 

INE CAFE

A week after the new cafe is opened in Ine, I finally visited there. They have two floors and I liked both floors. Even a view from the window along the stairs was picturesque. They serve coffee, tea and juice also homemade cakes. Price range is around 450-700JPY. I tried their lunch of the day and a cake. The lunch is you can see on the last picture, include 3 locally caught fresh fish dishes(Sashimi, grilled fish, soup with fish), sorts of fish is depends on each day. The lunch costs 2160JPY. I especially recommend their cakes :D You need to order and pay at the counter then you get a number which will be collected when they will bring beverage or food to your table later. The location and cosy atmosphere, worth to visit while stroll around Ine.

Open:10:00-17:00(closed on Wed)
Access: walk about 5mins from "Ine" bus stop. I don't recommend to drive into Ine village. Please take a public transportation.

Local express bus running on weekends and public holidays

Date: On weekends&public holidays from 29th Apr.-5th Nov.2017
Fare: the same as ordinal local bus

For tourists who likes to visit Ine from Miyazu or Amanohashidate, this bus gives you more option to choose time. If you like to enjoy the full coastal scenery, please take timetable of E or G. Bus stop#10 include 15mins break so you can go to the toilet or purchase snack or ice cream on the spot(please eat up before you get on the bus again), if you needed. Bus stop #10 is a photo spot so the bus stops 5mins and you can get off the bus for taking picture. **No toilet on the bus. Bus timetable "I" is ordinal local bus, so the bus stops at each bus stops which include bus stops not listed on here.

Timetable:

	A	B	C	D	E
1	9:00	10:00	11:00	12:00	13:00
2	9:06	10:06	11:06	12:06	13:06
3	9:13	10:13	11:13	12:13	13:13
4	9:27	10:27	11:27	12:27	13:27
5	9:32	10:32	11:32	12:32	13:32
6	9:54	10:54	11:54	12:54	13:54
7	9:58	10:58	11:58	12:58	13:58
8					14:15
9					14:35
10					14:48(Arrival) 15:03(Departure)
11					15:16(Arrival) 15:21(Departure)
12					15:24
13					15:36
14					15:44
15					15:58
16					16:11

	F	G	H	I	J
16		9:47
15		10:00
14		10:14
13		10:22
12		10:34
11		10:37(Arrival) 10:42(Departure)
10		10:55(Arrival) 11:10(Departure)
9		11:23
8		11:43
7	11:00	12:00	13:00	14:03	15:00
6	11:04	12:04	13:04	14:07	15:04
5	11:26	12:26	13:26	14:33	15:26
4	11:31	12:31	13:31	14:42	15:31
3	11:45	12:45	13:45	15:02	15:45
2	11:52	12:52	13:52	15:09	15:52
1	11:58	12:58	13:58	15:15	15:58

1.Miyazu Station(宮津駅）

2.Michi-no-eki Umi-no-Kyoto-Miyazu(道の駅　海の京都宮津)

3.Amanohashidate Station(天橋立駅)

4.Amanohashidate Winery(天橋立ワイナリー前)

5.Amanohashidate Moto-Ise-Kono Jinja Shrine&Kasamatsu Park(天橋立元伊勢籠神社＆傘松公園)

6.Ine-wan-meguri Hide(Ine Bay sightseeing boat)(伊根湾めぐり日出)

7.Ine(伊根)

8.Urashima-densetsu-no-sato(浦嶋伝説の里)

9.Kyogamisaki-tenbosho(lighthouse)(経ヶ岬展望所)

10.Ukawa-Onsen Yoshino-no-sato(宇川温泉よし野の里)

11.Byobuiwa(Rock)(屏風岩)

12.Tenki-tenki-mura, Tateiwa(Rock)(てんきてんき村、立岩)

13.Kotohikihama(琴引浜)

14.Tango-okoku Shoku-no-miyako(丹後王国食のみやこ)

15.Amino Station(網野駅)

16.Hamazume-Yuhigaura(浜詰・夕日ヶ浦)

Special timetable for sightseeing boat in Amanohashidate 2017

I recommnd taking the sightseeing boat from Miyazu pier where located about 10mins walk from Miyazu station. If you get on the boat from Miyazu, you can enjoy a full view of Amanohashidate from the sideways and the boat pass through a narrow canal. If you get on the boat from Amanohashidate pier that located about 5mins walk from Amanohashidate station, you can only see 2/3 of Amanohashidate.

Available date:
April:29th,30th
July:15th-17th,22nd,23rd,29th,30th
August:5th,6th,11th-16th,19th,20th,26th,27th
September:16th-18th,30th
October:1st,7th-9th,15th,29th
November:3rd-5th

Miyazu→Amanohashidate→Ichinomiya                 Ichinomiya→Amanohashidate→Miyazu
*夏symbol run on :22nd,23rd,29th,30th July,  5th,6th,11th-16th,19th,20th,26th,27th August.

Date:3rd - 6th May
Miyazu→Amanohashidate→Ichinomiya                 Ichinomiya→Amanohashidate→Miyazu

Shuttle bus to the panoramic view spot in Amanohashidate 2017!

Why not visit the highest viewpoint of Amanohashidate?
I don't recommend to go straight up to the highest view point for first, better to step up each viewpoint. Start from Kasamatsu Park, then 2nd Kasamatsu Park(5mins walk from Kasamatsu Park using the stairs, no transportation available to get there) and viewpoint at Nariai-ji Temple, finally to the panoramic viewpoint!

Available date:
April: 29th, 30th
May: 3rd,4th,5th,6th,7th,13th,14th,20th,21st,27th,28th
July: 15th,16th,22nd,23rd,29th,30th
August: 5th,6th,12th,13th,19th,20th
September: 16th,17th,23rd,24th,30th
October:1st,7th,8th,14th,15th,21st,22nd,28th,29th
November:4th,5th,11th,12th,18th,19th,25th,26th
*Black days run twice a day, Red days run 4 times a day. Please check the following timetable.

Black days		Route(経路)	Red days
11:30	13:30	DEP: Kasamatsu Park (傘松 発)	10:00	11:30	13:30	14:30
11:37	13:37	ARR: Nariai-ji temple (成相寺 着)	10:07	11:37	13:37	14:37
11:39	13:39	DEP: Nariai-ji temple (成相寺 発)	10:09	11:39	13:39	14:39
11:45	13:45	ARR: Panoramic view point (パノラマ展望所 着)	10:15	11:45	13:45	14:45
12:00	14:00	DEP: Panoramic view point (パノラマ展望所 発)	10:30	12:00	14:00	15:00
12:06	14:06	ARR: Nariai-ji temple (成相寺 着)	10:36	12:06	14:06	15:06
12:08	14:08	DEP: Nariai-ji temple (成相寺 発)	10:38	12:08	14:08	15:08
12:15	14:15	ARR: Kasamatsu Park (傘松 着)	10:45	12:15	14:15	14:15

Fare:1500yen/person(Adult), the fare include admission fee to Nariai-ji temple. So you can visit Nariai-ji temple as well and can get on and get off at Nariai-ji temple. (The mountain bus to visit Nariai-ji Temple is running every 20mins from Kasamatsu Park.)

I think this is the best way and easiest way to get to the panoramic view point. Originally, to visit Nariai-ji temple by bus is cost 1100yen(include the admission fee), so it's mean you only pay 400yen extra to visiting the panoramic view point by bus.

Of course, if you have time and have enough energy to walk up all the way to the panoramic view point, that's the cheapest way! From Kasamatsu Park walk 20mins to Nariai-ji temple then pay admission fee of the temple for 500yen/person, then next to the temple, there is a way to go up to the panoramic view point for about 30mins walk.