Please select your preferred meeting place by choosing an option in the calendar:
Option 1: Osaka Namba 2-chome Exit, located at 1-3-6 Nipponbashi, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0073, Japan. Departure time: 8:40 AM
Option 2: Kyoto-Hachijoguchi Bus Loading Area, located at Higashikujo Nishisannocho, Minami Ward, Kyoto, 601-8003, Japan. Departure time: 9:50 AM
Your journey begins at the Tsurugi sandbar in Miyazu Bay, a 3.6-kilometre stretch of sandy beaches flanked by 8,000 pine trees. This remarkable landscape is named for its bridge-like shape reaching towards the sky.
From Funju Mountain, you'll enjoy the view of Tsurugi, evoking images of a dragon soaring into the sky. Following this, you'll visit the serene Chinen-ji Temple, dedicated to Manjushri, the deity of wisdom. Here, many come to pray for academic success.
Your exploration continues with a stroll through a tranquil pine forest leading to the Tsurugi Shrine, famed for love prayers, followed by a visit to "Isonosu" well. Close to JR Tsurugi Station lies a hot spring renowned for its skin-friendly natural waters, offering a soothing experience.
The tour concludes in Iga, where you can appreciate the tranquillity away from tourist crowds and admire the unique boat houses in Iga Bay. Here you can take a boat tour around the bay or rent a bicycle to explore the village's quiet lanes. This journey promises not only scenic beauty but also a deep dive into local culture.