Amanohashidate (天橋立) actually means 'Bridge to heaven' and is considered to be one of the three most beautiful views in Japan (two others are Islands of Matsushima Bay and 'Floating Torii' at Miyajima Island). The sandbar with about 8,000 pine trees on it is about 3.5 kms long and the walk was quite pleasant (apart from snow, rain and wind) - I had the Bridge to Heaven all to myself, have not seen a single person... (which overrides any unpleasant weather, of course). From Ichinomiya (north end) you can get on the cable car to Kasamatsu Park - for the best views of Amanohashidate. An interesting note: I've read that people look at it upside down between their legs since it's supposed to appear like a bridge suspended in air... I did try this and it did work - but this may have something to do with me being there pretty much straight after about 15 hours on the airplanes and airports... Walking further in the park was quite difficult since it was all covered by more than 1 metre of snow and I did not have much time left as well. Please note that there are too many connections for this relatively short journey (including the ones to and from non-JR trains), which may be quite confusing...