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).
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.
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.
Visited Kayabuki no Sato in late January 2026 and got to see snow for the first time! It had snowed heavily the night before, so when we arrived the next day the snow had already settled. The view overlooking the village was absolutely beautiful and serene.
There was also a small market selling food near the bus stop, which was nice to explore. It happened to be the last day of the Miyama Snow Lantern Festival as well. As we strolled past the traditional houses, many of them had lanterns placed outside that would light up after 5pm. Unfortunately we had to miss that part since the last bus back to the train station was at 5pm.
Still, it was a really lovely experience and a memorable first time seeing snow.
Visiting Kayabuki no Sato 美山かやぶきの里 was a fantastic experience and felt like stepping into a traditional countryside village from the past. The thatched-roof houses surrounded by mountains create a very peaceful atmosphere, and walking around the village feels relaxing and refreshing.
The scenery is beautiful in every direction—old wooden houses, quiet small paths, and the natural landscape make the whole place look like a living postcard. It’s amazing to see how well the traditional houses are preserved, and you can really feel the history and rural charm of Japan.
The village also feels calm and not crowded, which makes it easy to take your time, enjoy the view, and take photos. Being able to walk close to the houses, hear the river nearby, and see the mountains in the background makes the visit truly memorable.
Overall, Kayabuki no Sato is a wonderful place to enjoy nature, history, and traditional Japanese village culture all in one peaceful setting. It was a fantastic experience and one of the highlights of visiting the area. 🌾✨
