Kayabuki-no Sato

A beautifully preserved historic village hidden in the mountains about 50 kilometers north of Kyoto City. While the oldest standing farmhouse in the area (the Ishida House) dates back over 350 years, the village as a whole feels entirely frozen in time, capturing the essence of old rural Japan. What Makes It Special The Thatch Architecture: "Kayabuki" means thatched roof. The village contains 50 houses, and 39 of them still feature original, traditional miscanthus grass thatched roofs built using ancient techniques. A Living Village: Unlike an open-air museum, this is a real, functioning community. Local families still live in these historic homes, farming the surrounding fields just as generations did before them. The Fire Sprinklers: Because the entire village is highly flammable, it has a famous hidden fire defense system. Twice a year (usually in May and December), they hold a water hose festival where all the hidden sprinklers pop up simultaneously and spray massive arcs of water over the entire village roofs—a stunning sight for visitors. Top Things to Do There Miyama Folklore Museum: One of the few traditional homes open to the public. You can step inside, see the old hearth (irori), and even climb up into the attic to look closely at the complex timber framing and underside of the thatch. Little Indigo Museum: A 200-year-old thatched building converted into an indigo-dyeing studio and textile museum run by a local master artist. Try Local Treats: Don't leave without tasting the famous Miyama milk gelato, fresh local buck wheat (soba) noodles, or locally caught sweetfish (ayu).

A beautiful step back in time. The village has about 30 traditional thatched-roof houses still used as homes. It’s peaceful, quiet, and perfect for photos. Feels like old Japan.

Title: A peaceful and harmonious escape Visiting this village felt like stepping back in time. The traditional thatched-roof houses are in perfect harmony with the surrounding mountains and forests. It is incredibly peaceful and harmonious, offering a quiet beauty that you can't find in the big cities. A perfect place to relax and enjoy the scenery.

One day trip to Kayabuki no Sato, Miyama, Kyoto, where you can find the traditional thatched roof villages since Edo period. We came here in the early of June, take us around two hours from Kyoto to get here, there are many things we learn along the way, people, country side, food, nature and culture. How to get there? 🚞 Ride train from Kyoto station to Sonobe station 🚉 Change train to Hiyoshi station 🚌 Take Nantan city bus no 4 for Miyama and stop at Kita or Kayabuki no Sato

Visiting Miyama-cho in the heart of winter was an unforgettable, soul-soothing experience. While many tourists flock to Shirakawa-go, Miyama offers a more peaceful, authentic glimpse into traditional Japan. Walking through the village as the sun set was magical. The soft yellow glow from the lanterns against the blue twilight created a serene, cozy ambiance that you can’t find in the city.