Kayabuki No Sato — Attraction in Nantan

Must stop for photos of a traditional Japanese village. Beautiful thatch-roof village only an hour from Kyoto City. The village is beautifully maintained, and has so many thatch-roofed houses with amazing gardens at practically every house. I was very impressed with the signage on the street corners, tastefully done in Japanese and English, helping visitors decide which little street they want to take next. There are guesthouses you can stay in, a café, bakery, museum, and other places to explore. I was also quite impressed by the restroom facilities. They blend into the town, and some of them even have mini-thatched rooves. I came on a whim by car, but wished I had planned a little more time, because I would love to have rented an e-bike from the Miyama tourist center (a few miles away), and ridden into the town. The road and village are along a winding river. The ride would have been really pleasant, even in summer. My parting comment will be about how this village compares to other thatch-roof villages like the famous Shirakawa-go. I have been to Shirakawa-go, and while the village is on a much larger scale, with larger houses, it feels very commercial, and it usually packed with tourists and tour buses. I managed to get some beautiful pictures in that village, but I had to time my shots in between people walking by. The pictures might be idyllic, but my experience wasn't. But Miyama wasn't like that at all. It felt more natural, it felt like people actually live there, and I also liked the scale of it as well. I was more impressed by Miyama, its gardens, gorgeous houses, mountain and river landscape, and the little roadside streams running through the village. Highly recommend if you are going to be visiting Kyoto, especially to spend a little time out...

One of the best scenic and beautiful village in Japan and listed in top 3 . A small ride from Kyoto station and it is a half day trip via Hozukyo station free with JR pass via San-in line and then 600 yen bus ride to this valley surrounded by Hills. Can be chilly and have snowfall all over white in winter but enjoyable cold breeze in Summer. Though a small blanket is preferred in summer for summer country visitors. There is a unique lighting festival held once a year in the evening and the village besomes very picturesque that day in evening glowing with calmness can be seen from a long distance. The last bus in 6:30 if you don't want to waste money or stay there it is recommended. This valley already famous for its heritage culture of preserving old houses and to really feel like you are interested edo period while the nature of a calm valley of mountain sorrounds you. Miyama snow festival or water hose festival is a must try for a leisure trip. Along with Amanohashidate and Kayabuki no sato they are considered best half day trip from Kyoto to fully explore the culture and nature of Kyoto. There are cafe and restaurants in a edo period style so you can enjoy the true feeling of the era and also have a museum of their thatched roof and accessories for time pass. But overall the nature and calmness is the most attractive part to visit there with its unique...

Our visit to Miyama Village was an absolute delight and easily deserves a 5-star review! After a scenic 2-hour bus ride from Ine Funaya, we arrived at this picturesque village, known for its beautifully preserved thatched-roof houses and serene countryside ambiance.

Everything in Miyama is within walking distance, making it perfect for a leisurely exploration. The local treats were unforgettable—we tried the buckwheat cookies, fried yam, and black soybean soft ice cream, all of which were delicious. But the real highlight was their milk pudding—truly the best pudding we’ve ever had! Its creamy texture and rich flavor were simply unmatched.

The village feels like a step back in time, offering a peaceful escape from the bustle of city life. While our day trip was wonderful, we’re already planning to return for an overnight stay to soak in more of Miyama’s charm.

Miyama Village is a must-visit for anyone exploring the Amanohashidate and Ine areas. Its combination of scenic beauty, warm hospitality, and amazing local food makes it an unforgettable...