Miyama heimat — Hotel in Nantan

I stayed at the Miyama Heimat Youth Hostel for 3 nights in May 2016. When I arrived, having caught the bus service that Eiji had so kindly explained for me, I was greeted with a warm smile and a welcome umbrella to shelter me from the torrential rain that evening. From this point until the moment I said goodbye to get on the train back to Kyoto, I was made to feel more welcome and at home than I have at any other hotel or hostel in my life.||||Despite English not being a first language for either Eiji or Michie, both made such a fantastic effort to include me in conversations, telling me about the local area, Japanese customs, the food we were eating and the animals I had seen whilst out during the day. I opted to pay for home-cooked meals for the duration of my stay, and I am so glad I did - each meal was delicious and so new to me, coming from the UK (although I wasn't quite strong enough to brave the legendary natto beans!)||||The local area of Miyama-cho is indescribably beautiful, from the hills adorned with woodland to the glistening river flowing alongside the road, to the utterly breathtaking views of Kayabuki-no-sato, the nearby traditional Japanese village set against a stunning backdrop of forests and mountains. From the kites circling overhead to the occasional monkey spotted scurrying through the woods, I found myself entirely immersed in what I truly felt to be the real Japan, away from the bustling cities.||||I was extremely pleased that the beds were very comfortable, and the showers were very warm, and everything was provided that I could have asked for to my make my stay as pleasant as possible. I was given a short lesson in Japanese calligraphy from another guest staying there, at Michie's request, and was also fortunate enough to be given a taste of genuine Japanese sake as well as a lesson in how to properly conduct a Japanese matcha, and make a classic egg roll (which I never did really learn how to get the hang of!)||||This was my first trip away from home by myself; having flown halfway around the world and finding myself in a country where I could barely speak two words of the language, knew next to nothing about the culture, and most importantly knew no one in the entire country, I cannot put into words how grateful I still am to Eiji and Michie for providing me with one of the single best experiences of my life. I honestly cannot recommend this place enough to anyone, whoever you are or wherever you are from. I am certainly determined to return here in the future so I can enjoy this unique and wonderful experience all over again, and I hope you will do the...

We spent three nights at Miyama Heimat and couldn’t recommend it more. The breakfasts and dinners were absolutely delicious, and we got to try several dishes we’d never had before. The couple running the place are so welcoming and made us feel completely at home. We even got a little calligraphy lesson, and the host speaks excellent German!

Our one-year-old daughter also had a wonderful time — and she slept really well, which was a huge bonus 😅. It was such a peaceful, heartwarming stay, and we truly hope to come...

I cannot recommend this hostel enough. I've never stayed in a Japanese youth hostel before and didn't know what to expect. It turned out to be one of the best places I've ever crossed paths with. The owners prepare delicious meals that are full of local ingredients and are happy to answer any question you might possibly have. The place is a thatched roof house just like the ones in Kayabuki no Sato further down the road. Absolutely magical experience, I am definitely coming back. Thanks...