!!ATTENTION!!

If you are plan to buy "Kyoto Sea Area Pass", I recommend you to bring or take a picture of the brochure of the pass which I uploaded on this blog.
I met a Dutch boy today who took a train to visit Amanohashidate with JR Pass and he got no advise or no info about the Kyoto Sea Area Pass on the train and train conductor just asked him to pay extra fare of KTR line after Fukuchiyama. Although he saw a poster at Fukuchiyama station but he didn't knew of how good deal for him.
I think this means train staff don't suggest you about Kyoto Sea Area Pass, you need to tell them by yourself if you want to buy the pass. The train company recruited many new staff this spring although seems no improvement of speaking or contacting in English :(

2nd cherry blossom report 2014!

Cherry blossom in some area is already full blooming. The pictures are taken on 2nd April 2014 at on the way to Miyazu junior high school and Takigami park.

Shuttle bus to the panoramic view spot during spring 2014!

Date: (April): 6th(Sun),13th(Sun),20th(Sun),26th(Sat),27th(Sun),29th(Public holiday) (May): 3rd(Sat),4th(Sun),5th(Public holiday),6th(Public holiday),11th(Sun),18th(Sun),25th(Sun) *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. 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 300yen/person then next to the temple, there is a way to go up to the panoramic view point for about 30mins walk.

Cherry Blossom report 2014!

(The pictures are taken on 29th March 2014 at Takigami Park.)

 

You can see from the pictures, in Tango region, cherry blossom is not blooming yet.

Scenic trains running in Tango region!!

The trains started running from April 2013, their name is "Akamatsu(あかまつ)" for red one and "Aomatsu(あおまつ)" for blue one.

If you would like to try "Akamatsu", you need to pay (540yen/person) extra. This price include one drink(can choose from tea, coffee, apple juice and orange juice).

Taking "Aomatsu" is without any extra charge than ordinal fare.

I personally recommend Miyamai・Miyatoyo line which train runs by the sea in some part. Although in autumn season, Miyafuku line can offer beautiful coloured mountain view.
On the trains only Japanese style toilet available.

For timetables, please check on hyperdia.  http://www.hyperdia.com/en/

Finally, the official Kyoto Sea Area Pass info in English came up!

Please click the link below!
Kyoto Sea Area Pass Official Info in PDF

If you would like to check comparison between using the pass and NOT using the pass, please check my blog page.  I calculated with the fares which used before 1st April 2014 so the total fares of NOT using pass will be more than what you can see.

Anyway, there is almost no reason to don't purchase this pass for travellers.
For a day trip, absolutely buy it! (Except you are plan to stay on the beach entire your stay ;))
For more than 1 night stay travellers, to buy 2days pass or 1day pass is depends on your arrival time and your plan. Please be aware of you can buy this pass only on limited express trains from Kyoto or at train stations.

*CAUTION*

New timetables for trains and buses are introduced and reached on 15th March 2014.
My blog is unfortunately not updated yet for that.
From 1st April 2014, consumer tax in Japan will be rise from current 5% to 8%. So almost of goods in Japan will get higher prices. I will try to update the new fares and prices.