mrwunrfl

Have read that Amanohashidate is one of the three greatest scenic spots in Japan (the others being Matsushima and Miyajima). Have been to Matsushima and was underwhelmed. Will be on Miyajima in two weeks. Actually, isn't it, specifically, the torii in the water the Miyajima beauty spot? I expect that the view of the Seto Nai Kai would be great.

Am travelling from Hiroshima and will stop at Himeji. From there I may go to Arima onsen, Kobe, or just on to Takayama, but am considering making it 3 for 3 on those beauty spots. Couple of hours and train connections to make to get to Amanohashidate, so I am wondering if it is worth it. Any opinions?

KimJapan

Miyajima is lovely and won't dissapoint you. The gate in the water is a lovely view, and the temple complex is also very interesting and quite beautiful. As far as other great beauty spots, keep in mind that the declaration that they are beautiful was made long, long ago. Modernization changes many things.

There is a special talent that I think many people have to see the beauty yet ignore all the ugly surroundings. I specifically remember visiting a waterfall by the sea a few years ago in Noto...Locals recommended that we definitely stop by and spend some time viewing this absolutely breathtaking scene, and then picnic on the beach for lunch. The reality was (and I'm sure still is) that yes, the waterfall next to the sea was lovely...nice sounds, nice pines surrounding it, a little stream leading down to the sea. The sea view from the waterfall was also nice. UNTIL you opened your eyes...garbage everywhere, concrete hotels, parking lot. But, people were ooohing and aaaahing over the beauty and picnicing on the beach and barbequing and everything. We just couldn't...it was disgusting..onigiri wrappers, burned out fires, broken bottles, plastic containers. But, the waterfall WAS nice...I'm just of a more western mindset where surroundings count.

Moral of the story...go if you want to complete the circuit of seeing all 3 scenic beauty spots. There will be some beuaty there, for sure. You just might have to seek it out and block out what isn't beautiful.

Kim

mrwunrfl

Thanks, KimJapan, for the thoughtful reply. Maybe the beauty, the real depth of the beauty, was there in Matsushima in front of me and I just didn't see it.

mrwunrfl

Or maybe I did see it, just not as much to see as I might have expected. Maybe it's the uniqueness of these beauty spots that gets them listed as the top three.