Amanohashidate by train
#天橋立
#japantravel
#trains
Songs used in this video:
Welcome to Vlog number 3. Last month I decided to take a trip to one of Japan’s top three beauty spots. I set out from platform 31 of Kyoto station, and headed up to Ayabe station where I had to change trains. Here’s a train arriving at Ayabe station. From Ayabe I headed north to Nishi-Maizuru. The beauty spot Amanohashidate is located in Northern Kyoto prefecture, which is 2 hours north of Kyoto. It can be reached by using the Kyoto Tango Railway. The platform is to the right of Nishi-Maizuru station, where the blue train is standing. As it’s a private railway, it is separated from the JR Maizuru line. Nishi-Maizuru is the terminal station of the Kyoto Tango Railway and there is a small depot here where the trains are cleaned and maintained. I got up bright and early, full of plans of places that I wanted to film at. The beauty spot is seven stops away down the line. At stop number two, I was lucky enough to capture a train heading the other way. The windscreen may be in need of a wash however. The first station I planned to visit was Tango – Kanzaki, where I wanted to film the train that had just left station number four, Tango Yura, passing over the bridge towards me. At Tango – Kanzaki I disembarked and walked 15 minutes through a small village to reach the Yuro River. It was a beautiful day although a little chilly as I waited for the train to come. After filming this train I walked back through the village to Tango – Kanzaki station to catch the next train. The next place of interest to me was stop number four, Tango- Yura. I placed my camera on the platform and then ran up the stairs to film the train leaving from the footbridge. I then walked 15 minutes back to the bridge, this time to film the trains from the West bank of the river. I got out my new drone and waited. I was pleased with this shot, although obviously I have much to learn. It was at this point that it started raining so I headed back to station 4. I decided to travel directly to the beauty spot, skipping the stations along the way. The rain briefly stopped and then the heavens opened. It was really raining but I exited the station to see what fun awaited. Kyoto by the Sea it might be, but I quickly realized I had chosen the wrong day to come, and ran to buy an umbrella. The station is located at the south side of the strip, and you can see the Buddhist temple straight ahead as I walk towards the strip. The Beauty Spot is a 3.3 km thin strip of land connecting two sides of Miyazu bay. I can’t help thinking it might be more romantic on a sunny evening, but I pushed ahead through the rain. Turning back towards the South you can see the place where the View Land monorail goes up Mount Monju. I walked a bit further down the strip and reached this nice sandy area, but with wet shoes and socks, I decided that the monorail would at least be dry, so I started heading in that direction. I crossed over the train track, so of course I had to stop and film this train going by. And… the monorail was closed, so up I went on the chairlift. Amanohashidate is known as a "Flying dragon up in the heavens". I’m not sure the dragon was in the mood for flying this day. Despite the rain, the view was very beautiful and I thought about sitting down to enjoy it, but changed my mind at the last minute. Eagle-eyed train fans can see the station down at the bottom left. Sadly the fun had to end. and… the monorail was still closed. The reason for closure I was given was that "Customers would have umbrellas". Stupid umbrellas. So I took the chair lift down again, thus allowing me another chance to enjoy the wind and the rain of "Kyoto by the sea". The chairlift did at least allow me to capture this train going by. When I reached the bottom I walked East where I was able to see the same blue train heading back towards Nishi-Maizuru. There seemed to be little chance of the rain stopping anytime soon, so I decided to head back to the station. Most of my plans for filming had been ruined, but at least I managed to capture some of the trains, and some of the views the beauty spot offers. Part two of this vlog shows my journey back to Nishi-Maizuru. Will the rain finally stop? Tune in to find out! Thanks for watching. Comment below if you hate umbrellas too. Like and subscribe and all that good stuff. Bye~