[Hyogo] Stunning views of the Sea of ​​Japan and delicious seafood! 4 ways to enjoy Amarube

Take a trip along the JR San'in Main Line and encounter breathtaking views of the Sea of ​​Japan. The popular "Amarube" is a nostalgic spot where railway history and the original landscape of Japan come alive. Why not take a ride on the retro orange train to Amarube? Don't miss the delicious seafood at "Michi-no-Eki Amarube" (Roadside Station Amarube)!

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Visit North Kansai

We are a voluntary tourism group dedicated to promoting the attractions of the northern Kinki region, specifically the areas of Tamba, Tajima, Tango, and Wakasa. The flavors of northern Kinki are not limited to crab, a representative winter seafood delicacy, but also include oysters, yellowtail, and pufferfish, as well as summer delicacies such as surf clams, rock oysters, and white squid. Mountain delicacies include Tamba chestnuts and Tamba black beans, and summer fruits such as sand dune melons, making it an area where you can enjoy gourmet food all year round. I would be happy if I could share information that allows people to visit this vast northern Kinki region many times and enjoy train travel.

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• Table of Contents
• Railway heritage remaining in Amarube: The Amarube Viaduct, which supported local transportation for approximately 100 years.
• How to enjoy Amarube 1: Amarube Viaduct "Sky Station" Observation Facility
• How to enjoy Amarube, Part 2: Go meet "Kameda Sora," the tortoise!
• How to enjoy Amarube#3: Enjoy delicious seafood at the Amarube roadside station!
• How to enjoy Amarube#4: Go see the Amarube Crystal Tower lit up at night.
• In conclusion

Railway heritage remaining in Amarube: The Amarube Viaduct, which supported local transportation for approximately 100 years.

Built in 1912, the Amarube Viaduct is 309 meters long with piers 41.5 meters high, and at the time of its construction, it was said to be the largest trestle-type iron bridge in East Asia. Until it was replaced with a concrete bridge in 2010, it served as a symbol of the JR San'in Main Line and supported local transportation.

Currently, the three bridge piers on the Amarube Station side have been preserved and now serve as the Amarube Viaduct "Sky Station" observation facility. While you can't cross the Amarube Viaduct by train, visiting this site allows you to learn about the history of the San'in Main Line. We'll introduce more ways to enjoy Amarube later.

There was a reason why the Amarube Viaduct was constructed using the latest technology in 1912. The San'in coast has a unique ria coast topography where mountains extend all the way to the sea, and in particular, there was almost no flat land to run a railway horizontally through in this area. For this reason, numerous bridges and tunnels were constructed, including the 309-meter-long Amarube Viaduct and the 1841-meter-long Momokan Tunnel. A trestle-type railway is a railway constructed with an iron tower, and it was designed using the latest technology by the then-railway engineer Haruichi Furukawa, incorporating the opinions of American bridge engineer Paul Elwolfell.

For about 100 years, it was used while undergoing repeated repairs to withstand the sea breeze, but in 2010 it was replaced with a concrete bridge. Only the three bridge piers, which have been converted into observation facilities, remain, but the people of Amarube still hold the Amarube Viaduct in a special place as a symbol of their lives.

How to enjoy Amarube 1: Amarube Viaduct "Sky Station" Observation Facility

At the Amarube Viaduct "Sky Station," the original rails of the Amarube Viaduct remain intact. This is a great place to take photos.

From the "Sky Station," you can see a quintessential Japanese landscape with rows of tiled roofs. It's a scene of Japan that hasn't changed since ancient times, something you won't find in the city.

How to enjoy Amarube, Part 2: Go meet "Kameda Sora," the tortoise!

Kameda Sora, a tortoise, is the idol of the Amarube Viaduct "Sky Station." She came to the Amarube Viaduct from Kobe in 2018. Her home is in the park next to the Amarube Crystal Tower, and she takes walks around the park several times a day.

[Official Website] Roadside Station Amarube

How to enjoy Amarube#3: Enjoy delicious seafood at the Amarube roadside station!

"Michi-no-Eki Amarube" is a souvenir shop located right at the bottom of the elevator from the Amarube Viaduct "Sky Station." Here, you can not only buy souvenirs such as railway goods made from the steel of the Amarube Viaduct, but also enjoy casual meals made with fish caught in the Nihon Sea.

Particularly popular here are the easy-to-eat burger dishes made with fish caught in Kasumi. The photo shows a burger made with sand lance, and the acidity of the tomato sauce perfectly complements the fried sand lance, making it absolutely delicious. They also have burgers made with local crab.

Amarube Railway Bridge, Amarube Crystal Tower, Amarube Sky Statio...

669-6671 1861-2 Amarube, Kasumi-ku, Kami-cho, Mikata-gun, Hyogo Prefec...

A must-visit spot if you're in Amarube! ~Amarube Viaduct and Sky Station Amarube~ The Amarube Viaduct, which has watched over the JR San'in Main Line for approximately 100 years since its completion in 1912, was replaced with a new concrete bridge in 2010. However, the three bridge piers on the JR Amarube Station side were preserved on-site and reborn as the Amarube Viaduct "Sky Station" observation facility. Below the Amarube Viaduct, there is also a park where visitors can relax in a gazebo made from the remains of the bridge piers and in a grassy open space. ~Amabe Crystal Tower~ This tower connects the ground to the Amarube Viaduct "Sky Station," and you'll reach the observation deck in about 45 seconds. The all-glass Crystal Tower offers viewing windows that allow you to see below the viaduct, providing a thrilling 41-meter-high experience and panoramic views of the Sea of ​​Nihon Sea. The nighttime illumination, which changes color with the seasons, is also a must-see! Enjoy the feeling of floating 41 meters high while gazing at the magnificent view of the Sea of ​​Nihon Sea.

How to enjoy Amarube#4: Go see the Amarube Crystal Tower lit up at night.

The elevator that takes you to the Amarube Viaduct "Sky Station" observation deck in about 45 seconds has been given the nickname "Amarube Crystal Tower." The Amarube Crystal Tower is lit up in different colors depending on the season (until 9:30 p.m.).

[Official Website] Kami Town Tourism Guide - Light-up Information

In conclusion

Amarube offers beautiful, quintessential Japanese scenery perfect for unwinding after a long journey. It's also close to Kinosaki Onsen and Kasumi, where you can enjoy hot springs and seafood. Why not extend your trip to Amarube for a day when you're sightseeing in Kyoto or Osaka?