Amanohashidate, the gateway to Ine, may not be internationally famous but it boasts a treeclad sandbar that is one of the original “Three Views Of Japan” sites considered since the 17th century to be the country’s most acclaimed scenic spots.Measuring over 2km long, the sandbar, which also serves as a park, connects to the mainland at both ends. In this picture, it isseen from Amanohashidate View Land, a hilltop lookout that points to the north and can be reached either via cable cars or chair lifts.The latter, which carry one person at a time, is faster because, unlike the cable cars, you don’t need to wait for passengers to fill up. On the hilltop, those who are not afraid of heights can try the pedal-propelled ride that runs along an elevated rail. By the way, the other two places listed as the original Three Views of Japan are Matsushima Bay in Miyagi Prefecture and the iconic “floating”torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine in Hiroshima Prefecture.