Accommodations
One night is never enough
Come stay in the quiet retreat of the mountain village of Miyama. Majestic mountains create a brilliant backdrop, and each season reveals a new beauty.
UNIQUE LODGINGS
Stretch out in spacious accommodations, from a traditional Japanese
thatched roof home to a private French cottage.
Miyama Futon and Breakfast Thatched Cottages
Families visiting the area may we recommend one of the thatched roofed cottages? Spacious cottages are fully equipped to make your stay as comfortable as possible. Perfect for families with children, unlike ryokan where you have to be quiet and reserved; at these cottages children are welcome to be to children and to run around the grass grounds, explore the woods and fields.
Haruo Nishio, owner of these thatched cottages, is one of around 50 working thatchers left in Japan. He feels that just looking at thatched roofs is not enough, he wants people to feel the beauty of thatch. This passion led him to open a series of thatched cottages in the Miyama region that he rents out to guests.
For over 5000 years people have been using grass as a roofing material; as long as there is water, air, soil and sunshine, there is a sustainable supply of ecological roofing material.
A thatched roof allows a building to breathe and it absorbs the sound of the falling rain, creating a unique environment inside. Spending a night under a thatched roof is the best way to experience this ancient art form.
Choose from 4 different cottages
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Miyama FUTON & Breakfast Honkan
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A classical example of a Miyama thatched cottage, Miyama FUTON & Breakfast Honkan is 160 years old and is registered as a site of cultural heritage. It is very spacious and comfortably sleeps ten guests (on traditional futons), with four separate sleeping areas divided by Japanese sliding doors.
The cottage has been renovated to have more comfort and convenience, with a modern bathroom, toilets and a fully-equipped modern kitchen.The loft in a thatched cottage is traditionally used for storage, but Miyama FUTON & Breakfast Honkan's loft has been renovated into a sleeping and relaxing area, in which you can see the inside of the thatched roof and the workings of how it’s bound to the house with ropes.
The Japanese garden around the house is also part of the rental space, along with the thatched chicken coop. Check in the morning to see if there are any eggs.
We recommend Miyama FUTON & Breakfast Honkan to anyone who loves Japanese culture and history and is coming in a larger group size.
A cooked breakfast is provided and you can choose to self-cater or have food prepared for you for lunch and dinner (see the dining options).
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KAYA Villa
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Kaya villa is a fusion between western and Japanese influences. It has a fully thatched roof, but the design is more compact inside and has been fitted with underfloor heating and modern amenities. Beds are provided for five guests, and two additional futons are available.
This charming little cottage is surrounded by rice fields and bamboo forests with no neighbours to worry about; it has an outside deck area with tables and chairs so you can eat outside or perhaps read a book while you take in the view. A spacious lawn in front of the house is perfect for a morning yoga session or a picnic. The lawn also makes a good star-gazing spot at night and a telescope is provided.
We recommend Kaya villa to families and couples who want to immerse themselves in nature for a few days.
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Mitoya
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Mitoya is a rare example of thatched cottage with architectural features from the Edo period (1603-1868). With classical Japanese décor on the inside with large wooden beams and earthen walls, there is a hearth in which you can burn charcoal and cook grilled fish or boil water for a cup of tea.
There two large double beds as well as futons, and the cottage comfortably sleeps seven guests.
The kitchen and bathtub have been modernized for your convenience, and you can self-cater or choose from one of our dining options.
The surrounding area has some charming walks and bicycle rides and will give you a taste of life in a small Japanese village.
We recommend Mitoya to smaller groups of guests that want to stay in an old Japanese thatched cottage full of history and character.
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Eisa
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Located in the heart of a small hamlet adjacent to the clear flowing waters of Yura river, Eisa cottage has a large wooden deck from which you can admire the surrounding landscape. The fragrant cedar wood bathtub is positioned under a thatched roof and has a fantastic view that you can enjoy while you bathe. This modernized farmhouse retains its rustic charm, though we have added new features such as a small bar and a wine cellar. You can also visit this cottage with your pet if you like which is rare in Japan. Anyone wanting a traditional experience in a luxurious mountain getaway is sure to be delighted with a stay at Eisa.
About meals when staying at one of these cottages
Our cottages are in the deep countryside so there is nowhere nearby to buy food. Customers with a car can drive to the local markets to buy food, but we recommend you visit a shop and stock up before you come to Miyama. For visitors coming by train we can stop at a supermarket on the way from the train station to the cottage, our staff can help you find what you need. We also provide sets of ingredients for a barbecue and other snacks, but these must be ordered at least 3 days before your arrive.
We also offer activities including JAPANESE COOKING EXPERIENCE, in which you can learn about and take part in preparing a traditional Japanese meal with the help of local Japanese housewives.
We can also prepare meals on request and vary the menu for long stay guests, on request we can cook vegetarian or vegan food.
*Pictured meals
Top: Chinsenro (Japanese Ryokan) Kaiseki course meal; Bottom left: Japanese style evening Meal Miyama Futon and breakfast; Bottom right: Full breakfast (only available when staying at Miyama FUTON & Breakfast Honkan).
- FEATURED ACTIVITIES
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Activities through Miyama Futon and Breakfast Thatched Cottages
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Central Miyama Cycling Tour
Guided tour of central Miyama will take you to some of the most beautiful, hidden spots and provide insights and understanding of the local Satoyama culture.
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Japanese cooking experience
Local housewives will cook traditional everyday Japanese meals and give you a chance to join in the process.
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Bamboo craft workshop
In this workshop we will take you to a bamboo forest and cut some bamboo together before using it to make all kinds of items. Perfect for kids.
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- SAMPLE ITINERARIES
- ACCESS
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Access
- By train
- Miyama Futon and Breakfast will come and pick you up from Sonobe JR train station by car as part of their service.
Take the train to Sonobe JR from Kyoto JR which takes 46 minutes (or 30 by express). A member of staff will pick you up and transport you to your accommodation via shuttle bus (40 minutes’ drive).
In order to have a shuttle waiting when you arrive please let us know your rough arrival time as soon as possible (at least several days in advance).
Once you arrive in Sonobe JR please wait just outside the turnstile.
- By car
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Many customers choose to rent a car, as the roads here in Miyama are largely free of traffic and quite easy to drive on. This also gives you the freedom to move around the area at will during your stay. You can drive straight to Miyama Futon and Breakfast if you have a rental car and a navigation device, using the address:
Hanabusa-29 Miyamacho Shima, Nantan, Kyoto Prefecture, Post code 601-0751
The phone number can also be used on most car navigation devices:
+81 (0)771-75-5125Miyama Futon and Breakfast's check-in centre is located about 50 kilometers from Kyoto station. By car it takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes.
Chinsenro Ryokan
This Japanese-style hotel or ryokan is situated in the Chii region of Miyama, a 20-minute walk from the thatched village (Kayabuki no Sato). Family owned and run, Chinsenro's motto is ‘service from the heart’.
Staying at Chinsenro Ryokan offers a truly unique experience of Japanese hospitality and while they do not speak much English, their sincerity and care goes beyond the limitations of language.
The ryokan itself is decorated in beautiful minimalist Japanese style, whilst maintaining a warm cosy atmosphere.
Dining
Chinsenro take great pride and care in serving their cuisine. They preferentially use local ingredients, offering classical Japanese dishes and multi-course meals as well as some western dishes and fusions.
You can eat breakfast, lunch and dinner here, and there is plenty of variety to choose from. The wild boar hotpot is a must in the winter.
Rooms
Each guest room has an en-suite washroom and a balcony that overlooks the adjacent forest and a small tributary stream. The décor is traditional Japanese, futons on rice straw mats. The sound of gently flowing water outside will lull you to sleep at night and chirping birds will greet you in the morning.
Bathing Area
With both indoor and outdoor tubs, you definitely want to take advantage of the beautiful bathing area. The water is taken from the clear mountain stream and heated up; full of minerals, the water is said to be good for arthritis, muscle and nerve pains. The outdoor bath is a real treat and you can often hear birds singing as you bathe.
It is customary in Japan to have a bath when you arrive, to refresh after your journey. Japanese people often have another bath just before going to bed as being warm and relaxed can help you fall asleep more quickly.
The Japanese love bathing so much that they often have another in the morning before departing.
For anyone who is not comfortable with the communal bathing area (the baths are separated into male and female areas), you can reserve a private bathing time for just you and your family from 3pm to 3:50. This is the only time slot that is not open to the other guests, and if you would like to reserve it you must do so in advance (fee for private bath is 2000 Yen).
- FEATURED ACTIVITIES
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Activities through Chinsenro Ryokan
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Make your own BENTO
In this workshop, you will be guided through the process of making your own Bento lunchbox wrapped in a bamboo leaf. The contents of the Bento include Dashimaki (eggs), Onigiri (rice balls) and more.
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- SAMPLE ITINERARIES
- Sorry, we are still working on creating the perfect 2 day stay itinerary for you. Please check back soon.
- ACCESS
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Access
- By train and bus
- First take the train to Sonobe JR from Kyoto JR which takes 46 minutes (or 30 by express).
Next you must change trains at Sonobe and take the train to Hiyoshi JR station which is 10 minutes from Sonobe JR.
Then take the bus service from Hiyoshi JR train station that stops two minutes’ walk from Chinsenro at Chimiguchi – many people choose this option, but be sure to confirm the bus times as there are only a few per day.
Bus Schedule Monday to Saturday Leave Hiyoshi JR --- Arrive at Chimiguchi (Chinsenro) 8:16(depart) --- 9:04(arrive) 9:05 (depart) --- 9:57(arrive) 11:00(depart) --- 11:52(arrive) 13:44(depart) --- 14:32(arrive) 16:00(depart) --- 16:52(arrive) Bus Schedule Sundays Leave Hiyoshi JR --- Arrive at Chimiguchi (Chinsenro) 9:05(depart) --- 9:53(arrive) 11:00(depart) --- 11:54(arrive) 15:00(depart) --- 15:49(arrive) 18:00(depart) --- 18:48(arrive) ---
- Pick up service from Sonobe JR
- Chinsenro will also pick you up from Sonobe station with a private shuttle service to and from the station, for an extra fee of 15,000 Yen.
A member of staff will pick you up and transport you to your accommodation via shuttle bus (50 minutes’ drive).
Please wait at the turnstile in Sonobe JR station when you arrive, and let us know your rough arrival time as soon as possible.
- By car
- Many customers choose to rent a car, as the roads here in Miyama are largely free of traffic and quite easy to drive on. This also gives you the freedom to move around the area at will.
You can drive straight to Chinsenro if you have a rental car and a navigation device, using the address:
Miyama-cho, naka, Nantan, Kyoto Prefecture 601-0713.
Chinsenro is located about 60 kilometers from Kyoto station.
By car it takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes.
Kigusuriya Ryokan
Kigusuriya is a family-run Japanese ryokan (a Japanese-style hotel) steeped in tradition and history. For 15 generations, the Koda family have been taking care of the land their ryokan is built on. Since the 1800s they have been providing accommodation for guests; three generations of the family currently run the ryokan together, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
A stay at Kigusuriya, where the Koda family tends to many of the surrounding fields and mountain trails, offers a unique insight into Japanese rural life. The family will happily provide guided activities for visitors, drawing on their wealth of local knowledge and the vast experience handed down by their ancestors.
Rooms
Ryokans typically have many small guest rooms, but at Kigusuriya multiple rooms have been consolidated to create three extremely comfortable and spacious (roughly 30 square meters) suites, each with their own toilet facilities. Full of charm and authentic Japanese decor, each of the rooms is connected to the dining and communal bathing area via an array of quaint stairways and passages.
Bathing Area
Overlooking the forest, the spacious bathing area is very pleasant and if you contact them in advance, you can book a completely private bathing time for your group or family.
Gardens
Within the ryokan itself, there are several small ornate Japanese gardens. You can walk through these tranquil spaces and also view their beauty from the dining area.
Dining
Each area of Japan has its own regional specialities, and Miyama is no exception, having a rich variety of seasonal produce and cuisine. Since Miyama is surrounded by mountains with rich forests there is a wealth of edible wild plants and mushrooms. In spring and autumn the Koda family will happily take you with them to pick some of the wild bounty. Using locally and often home-grown rice, vegetables and herbs, Kigusuriya offers a wide range of Japanese cuisine for you to enjoy. Kigusuriya can make vegetarian or vegan food on request, so please advise them of any special requirements at the time of booking.
- FEATURED ACTIVITIES
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Activities through Kigusuriya
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Ikebana
Mrs. Koda will show you the elegant and simple principles behind Ikebana and help you make your own unique arrangement. (4000 Yen per person)
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Matcha green tea
You will learn how to make green tea. This activity is 4,000 Yen per person and lasts around an hour.
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- SAMPLE ITINERARIES
- ACCESS
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Access
- By train
- Kigusuriya will come and pick you up from Sonobe JR train station by car as part of their service.
Take the train to Sonobe JR from Kyoto JR which takes 46 minutes (or 30 by express).
A member of staff will pick you up and transport you to your accommodation via shuttle bus (50 minutes’ drive).
In order to have a shuttle waiting when you arrive please let us know your rough arrival time as soon as possible (at least several days in advance).
Once you arrive in Sonobe JR please wait just outside the turnstile.
- By car
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Many customers choose to rent a car, as the roads here in Miyama are largely free of traffic and quite easy to drive on. This also gives you the freedom to move around the area at will during your stay.
You can drive straight to Kigusuriya if you have a rental car and a navigation device, using the address:
Imayasu-8-1 Miyamachō Tsurugaoka, Nantan-shi, Kyōto-fu 601-0762The phone number can also be used on most car navigation devices:
+81-(0)771-76-0015Kigusuriya is located about 60 kilometers from Kyoto station. By car it takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes.
Auberge Nakazawa
The heart of Kyoto's rural interior might not seem like the obvious place for a French restaurant with an auberge (getaway cottage), but the owner Mr Nakazawa has always been enchanted by French food and he wanted to bring a little bit of that culture into Miyama. Having studied as a chef extensively in several different regions of France, he returned to Japan and opened Auberge Nakazawa around 20 years ago.
Ever since, he has been welcoming guests and has acquired a loyal following in Japan both for his unique cuisine and his small, but cosy, cottage.
Accommodation
One group per night (maximum four guests) - this is a comfy little cottage surrounded by fields and streams.
The décor is western-style and the two double beds provide a comfortable place to sleep.
There is an outdoor wooden deck, and when the weather is nice you can enjoy your simple self-service breakfast outside whilst taking in the view.
The cottage is 19,080 Yen per night per person, including a full evening course meal and the ingredients for a self-service breakfast in the morning (children under the age of 10 are 10,080 Yen per night).
Dining
French cuisine is chef Nakazawa's speciality, and he will prepare a multi-course gourmet meal using the finest local ingredients that he takes great care in sourcing directly from farmers, fishermen and hunters who he knows personally. His open plan kitchen and dining area means you can watch him prepare your dishes as you enjoy the friendly atmosphere.
Course meals (either lunch or dinner) are 7000 Yen.
- ACCESS
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Access
Auberge Nakazawa does not offer a pick-up service for guests, so the best way to come for a meal or to stay is with a rental car and a navigation device (it's an 80-minute drive from central Kyoto).
You can drive straight to Auberge Nakazawa if you have a rental car and a navigation device:
Address: Funenomukai−16−1, Miyamachō Itahashi, Nantan-shi, Kyōto-fu.The phone number can also be used on most car navigation devices.
Tel: +81 (0)771-75-2001Auberge Nakazawa is located about 45 kilometers from Kyoto station.
By car it takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes.