At the far eastern end of the San-in coast, some 90km from Tottori, the stubby peninsula of Tango-hanto leans protectively over Wakasa Bay, shielding the sand spit AMANOHASHIDATE , the "Bridge to Heaven". As one of the trio of top scenic views in Japan (the other two being Matsushima and Miya-jima), Amanohashidate has a lot to live up to. The "bridge" is actually a 3.6-kilometre ribbon of white sand and pine trees slinking its way from Monju to Fuchu across the bay, and the recommended way to view it is from the hillside on either side with your head stuck between your legs.

Once you're standing upright, you'll find that Amanohashidate and the surrounding attractions of the Tango-hanto are to northern Kyoto-ken what Hakone is to Tokyo - a pleasureland of scenic delights, old temples and shrines and, rare for Japan, good beaches. Expensive and limited public transport keeps the crowds down, particularly out of season, but this also means that your own transport will help you get the most out of this cut-off corner of the Japan Sea coast.

On Mount Nariai above Fucho, the splendidly atmospheric Nariai-ji is one of the 33 temples on the Saigoku Kannon pilgrimage route, while closer to the summit there is a fantastic view of the bay and coast as far as away as the Noto-hanto, some 500km northeast. East along the Tango-hanto lies the picturesque fishing hamlet of Ine, while across the bay in Monju, another attractive wooden temple, Chion-ji , stands on the brink of the sandbar, which is a lovely area for a quiet stroll or cycle ride, or lazing on the beach.