Top 5 Popular Spots in Tango and Tamba (Kyoto)

What Kind of Places are Tango and Tamba?

Tango and Tamba are both charming in their own way. What kind of characteristics do they have?

Tango

Tango faces the Sea of Japan, and is surrounded by magnificent nature, as well as historical and cultural views like remains. This area offers fresh seafood cuisine, such as crab, yellow-tail, and egg cockles, along with many hot spring spots. It is around 2 - 3 hours by train from JR Kyoto Station.

Tamba

Tamba is an area surrounded by mountains that offers a peaceful countryside-like atmosphere. This area lets you enjoy outdoor activities and river rafting. You can also enjoy cuisine with ingredients from the mountains, such as matsutake (mushroom), chestnuts, black beans, boar, and sweet fish. It is around 1 - 2 hours by train from JR Kyoto Station.

Amanohashidate (Tango)

Amanohashidate is one of Japan\'s three scenic views. Here, you may find Nature\'s Bridge, which is an array of about 5,000 pine trees that stretch over approximately 3.6km of white sand. It is believed that the deities, Izanagi (male) and Izanami (female), crossed this bridge from the heavens, which has a certain mysterious beauty. Amanohashidate consists of must-visit places like the rare Kaisenkyo Bridge, where you can ride a boat that rotates at a 90-degree angle.

Shizushi Shonyudo Cave (Tamba)

Shizushi Shonyudo, which has been designated as a natural monument of Kyoto, is the prefecture\'s only limestone cave. It stretches up to 52.5m, and consists of four parts. You may notice a large difference in height within the cave, which comes with a lot of twists and turns. The most spacious area is 8m in height and 4m in width. This cave is famous for encasing fossils from the Permian period, such as the fusulinida and sea lily. There is a park within the area, where you may camp.

Sodeshi Rice Terraces (Tango)

Sodeshi Rice Terraces refers to water paddies that have been formed like stairs, due to the sloping terrain of the mountain. This rice terrace has been selected as one of the Top 100 Terraced Paddy Fields in Japan, and has gained popularity for its harmonious, marvelous view. It is located in-between harsh mountain slopes and the beautiful Sea of Japan. It may be a refreshing sight on a sunny day in the afternoon, but you can witness another type of beauty in the evening.

Tango Matsushima (Tango)

Tango Matsushima at San\'in Kaigan Global Geopark has been registered as one of the Top 100 Scenic Views in Kyoto. If you face east from the Konoshiro area, you can see a view that is said to be similar to Matsushima Bay in Sendai, Miyazaki Prefecture, which is one of Japan\'s Top Three Scenic Views. The rias coastline just keeps extending, which makes it look like a tranquil, picturesque panorama.

Amenoiwato Shrine (Tamba)

Last on the list is the mysterious Amenoiwato Shrine. At a certain area that is covered with peculiar rocks, clear streams, and dense, old trees, you can find a large Gozaishi that has been said to have been the place where "a deity descended and sat on”. The vicinity within the mountain area is said to be sacred, so it cannot be stepped on. Mt. Iwatoyama, which is shaped like a pyramid and located beyond the river, has been said to represent the descent of a deity, and has been subject to faith up till this day.

Why not stop by Tango or Tamba during your visit to Kyoto?