Amanohashidate & Ine Funaya Day Tour
Got this on Klook as the DIY tour to this place is kind of challenging. It was our first time to get a tour in Japan and personally I will never do that again. The guide speaks in Chinese and English so she has to do twice the work in explaining where we are and where we are heading next and what time the meet up would be.
Anyway, the tour was fun though. I just felt that the start of the tour is so late and that we don't have much time in the attraction.
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| meeting place, parking lot just outside the Hotel Keihan Kyoto |
So first stop was the Funaya Ine Bay where we get to experience feeding the Seagulls. You can buy the cracker from the store for a 100 yen.
From the bus, the guide keeps on promoting the delicious ice cream available in the area. We got so sold that we bought one before boarding the boat only to realize that it was a big mistake. Because we have icecream, we could not feed the seagulls yet and that worry our ice cream will get that bird poop topping or worse get attacked by eagles. Lol. We hid under the shade first while trying to finish the icecream before the tour ends.
It was a fun experience having to offer the cracker in the air and just wait for the seagull to get it. The guide did warn us to avoid the eagles as they are kind of aggressive and might harm us. But even the seagulls beak is so strong, I felt it must have taken a bit of my finger. I was giggling while waiting for them to dive and scoop the snack.
It was a nice experience and it was a first.
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| this ice cream that caused us to panic on the boat! lol |
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| Us hiding from the birds |
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| the bird whisperer eyy! |
The feeding activity lasts for 30mins. After disembarking the boat, we went back to the bus again and was driven to a higher place where we can view the INE BAY from above.
Then there's a stair you can take going down to the BoatHouses. We entered the INE CAFE and took pictures of the bay. You can also buy coffee and lounge here but we opted to explore more in the area.
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the manhole cover outside the INE CAFE
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| some pictorial here |
We then walked away from INE cafe to get the view of the boathouses along the coastline. Passed by some houses.
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| We passed by a museum as well but we did not go inside as we want more of the sceneries |
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| view at the back of the parking lot where our bus was parked. We boarded the bus again to our next stop which is the souvernir shop and in time for lunch. |
After minutes of scouting the best place to dine in we saw this small restaurant ran by an old couple. Meal is just right but a little pricey than the usual meal we have.
Our guide called us and asked us to get back to the souvenir shop for our tickets to Amanohashidate. There we will ride the chair lift going up.
Amanohashidate, in Northern Kyoto Prefecture, is one of the three most beautiful scenic spots in Japan, along with Matsushima in Miyagi Prefecture and
Miyajima in Hiroshima Prefecture. I've been to Miyajima already so my next target would be Matsushima to complete the three. Amanohashidate means "bridge to heaven".
this chair lift does not have a seat belt so
better hold the handrail just in case of a sudden stop.
There are nets installed for places that are high but mostly in case you fall, the ground is not too far for most of the ride.
I saw pictures and videos before of this ride and I thought it was scary but after trying one myself, I find it enjoyable. It's like the Flying Fiesta in Enchanted kingdom but kind of chill ride.
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| see my happy face.. |
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| view on my back going up, pardon my forehead |
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my view going up, there's a cable car you can ride also
if you are not comfortable riding a chair lift
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| arriving at the top of Amanohashidate |
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| now I see the dragon without even bending down..hahahaha |
There are rides you can avail at the top, mostly and best for children- train, carousel, and a ferris wheel.
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| train |
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| carousel |
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| ferris wheel |
We were greeted by Cherry Blossoms here, so we took pictures as it was my first to see this in Japan.
Time to go back down to explore the temple and the sand.
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the view going down, notice that the chair lift is tilted to the back
to avoid you from submitting to gravity |
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Chionji Temple
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You can explore the sandbar on foot or by bike but given the short time provided by the tour we do not have the luxury to do so. The guide keeps reminding us not to venture too far and be mindful on the schedule of the passing boat since you will not be able to return in time. While we are watching the bridge to part, yeah the process was too slow that you will indeed miss the meeting time in case you are at the other side.
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bridge has already parted in order to make way for the small boat to pass
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| the manhole near Chionji Temple |
And this ended our tour for this day. Not a fan of tours, but we really just availed this due to transportation difficulty. If ever given the chance, would love to diy this and explore the sandbar area from end to end.
This is the tour we availed in Klook:
Cost: P 2,270
Click to see 3rd Day
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