Miyama

What to know

Miyama (美山) is a remote, mountainous area about 30 kilometers north of central Kyoto. It is famous for its traditional thatched-roof farmhouses (kayabuki), with over 200 scattered across the countryside. Unlike many historic towns in Japan, most of Miyama's old houses are still lived in and used as homes, giving the area a nostalgic, authentic feel of rural Japan.

Miyama consists of several small villages and hamlets along narrow, winding valleys. The main attraction is the northern village of Kayabuki no Sato, which has nearly 40 thatched-roof farmhouses—the highest concentration in Japan. Visitors can stroll through the village, but most houses are private residences and not open to the public.

One building open to visitors is the Kayabuki no Sato Folk Museum, a former residence displaying traditional tools and household items from past decades, along with exhibits on thatched roof construction and maintenance. Nearby is the Little Indigo Museum, another thatched building converted into an indigo dyeing studio and gallery. Besides these two museums, the village has three minshuku (guesthouses) and a cafe, plus a few souvenir shops at the tourist parking lot across the street.

One of the best ways to experience Miyama's thatched roofs is to stay overnight in one. Three farmhouses in Kayabuki no Sato and several others in the area offer lodging. An overnight stay gives you a closer look at the houses and a chance to experience a traditional Japanese home, often with tatami floors, futon beds, and open hearths (irori).

The old wooden homes have a pleasant, rustic atmosphere but are equipped with simple modern amenities. Baths and toilets are usually modern but shared among guests. Overnight stays start from around 15,000 yen per person, depending on meals, which often feature local dishes like sweetfish (ayu) from the Yura River.

Miyama also offers outdoor activities such as sweetfish fishing and hiking along the Yura River. A walking trail follows the river for about two kilometers from Kayabuki no Sato to the Shizen Bunkamura Kajikaso, a nature center and accommodation.