Miyama / KyotoKyoto thatched-roof dwellings transport you back in time

Begin your break with a guided walking tour around the village. For 2,000 yen (discount available for children), an English-speaking guide will meet you at Kayabuki-no-sato Bus Stop and take you on a 90-minute tour through the village, providing historical background and context on village life. Despite being centuries old and requiring much more upkeep than contemporary dwellings, people still live in many of these thatched homes. Though private residences are off-limits to the public, catching a glimpse of villagers maintaining this pre-modern rural lifestyle is sure to fill you with a sense of nostalgia.

A morning and afternoon course are available to suit your travel schedule. Tours take place Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The tour grants access to the Miyama Folklore Museum, where you can see the kinds of furniture and household implements that thatched-roof dwellers would have used in the past. Reservations can be made up to one day in advance. After the guided tour, consider taking a hike to the Yura River 2 kilometers away, where you can enjoy fishing for sweetfish, or simply relax in the tranquil natural environment.

While day trips from Kyoto are convenient and hassle-free, some visitors may wish to spend more time immersed in Miyama's serene countryside. While there are numerous inns and guesthouses in the area, one particularly unique option is Miyama Futon and Breakfast, which boasts four separate thatched-roof cottages. The spacious homes are a great option for families or groups, and the outdoor grounds provide plenty of space for children to play. Hanabusa is perhaps the most notable of the four domiciles.

As a registered cultural heritage site, this 150-year-old home accommodates up to eight guests, and has a modern bathroom and kitchen. Outside you'll find a thatched chicken coop - replete with hens - and a Japanese garden. Catering services are also available. In the morning, staff prepare breakfast using local ingredients. At night, meanwhile, guests can enjoy an expansive kaiseki-style course meal of fish, vegetables, steamed hot pot, and rice. Additional amenities include an outdoor BBQ set and rental bicycles (free for guests staying more than two nights). A bicycle tour to sightseeing spots in the area is also available.

The four properties of Miyama Futon and Breakfast are scattered throughout the Miyama area. While Hanabusa offers the most authentic thatched roof architecture, the other properties cater to those looking for more Western-style amenities, or more remote locations.

To get an indulgent taste of Miyama's culinary culture, head to Kajikaso, a welcoming restaurant that serves local produce, including fish, deer, and poultry. Kajikaso uses rice and vegetables grown in the surrounding fields, and wild vegetables and game from the nearby mountains in their menus. Several courses allow you to try regional delicacies. The Wild Game Course showcases animals native to the region and includes dishes such as roasted venison, grilled venison, and wild boar stew.

The Chicken Kyo Jidori Sukiyaki Course presents the village's local poultry in a seasoned sukiyaki broth that you can cook right at your table. The Seasonal Kaiseki Course focuses on Japan's traditional kaiseki banquet food, which consists of numerous small dishes that are equally visually appealing as they are delicious.

Courses include an all-you-can-eat Tajima beef sukiyaki hot pot starting from 6,600 yen; a chicken hot-pot meal from 4,400 yen; and an all-you-can-eat branded beef and matsutake mushroom hot pot from 8,800 yen. An a la carte and set-meal menu are also available. For drinks, consider trying local doburoku sake, a type of unrefined home-brewed spirit that is shaded milky white from the rice. All prices are inclusive of tax.