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Winter Scenery · Kansai

Miyama Kayabuki-no-Sato in Snow

Miyama, KyotoSnowy village❄ Best season: Early Dec – Late Feb✦ Illumination
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Overview

Overview

Kita in Miyama, in the mountains of Kyoto Prefecture, is a village where 39 of its 50 houses have thatched roofs, preserving the classic scenery of rural Japan. It gets relatively heavy snow in winter, and you can see rows of snow-covered thatched roofs.

Address
Kita, Miyama-cho, Nantan, Kyoto 601-0712
Official website
https://yukitouro.jp/
Peak Time

When to Go

Best seasonWinter (December to late February)
December
January
February

The amount of snow varies greatly by year, and the Yuki Tourou event is held even without snow. Check the live camera for snow conditions

This season’s events & operating dates

2027 Yuki Tourou: January 30 – February 6, illumination daily 17:00–19:00

Seasons are typical guides. Snow, ice and drift ice depend heavily on each year’s weather.

Highlights

Highlights

The village is designated an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings, and its snow-covered thatched roofs line up against the mountains. During the Yuki Tourou (winter lantern) event, about 80 alley lanterns and about 200 LED lanterns are lit, illuminating the village and its houses.

📷 Best views
Paths through the village

Snow-covered thatched roofs up close

Spot overlooking the whole village

A snowy scene of thatched roofs lined up against the mountains

Illumination

Illumination & winter lights

Period
January 30 – February 6, 2027
Hours
17:00–19:00
Admission
Free admission (parking requires advance reservation and is paid)

About 80 alley lanterns and about 200 LED lanterns are lit

Hours

Opening hours

Parking lot (winter, December–March)10:00–16:00

Advance reservations required during Yuki Tourou

Yuki Tourou illumination (2027)17:00–19:00

Food stalls 15:00–19:00

In winter, hours can change and services can be suspended because of the weather. Check the official website before you go.

Admission

Admission & fares

Visiting the villageFree

People live in this village, so please mind your manners

Parking (regular)Regular car ¥500, motorcycle ¥200
Parking during Yuki Tourou (2027)Regular car ¥1,500

Advance reservation and prepayment required for all vehicles on all dates

Prices may change. Check the official website before you go.

Tips

Tips for travelers

  • ✓There are no ATMs or e-money top-up machines nearby, so bring cash
  • ✓There are no coin lockers or luggage storage
Access

Getting there

Nearest station / bus stop
  • Kita (Kayabuki-no-Sato) bus stopMunicipal bus from Hiyoshi Station on the JR Sanin Line
From major stations & airports
  • Kyoto Station: Train and bus connections to the Kita bus stop (About 2 hr)
  • Central Kyoto: Car (via National Route 162) (About 1 hr 30 min)
  • Sonobe IC: Car (via Prefectural Route 19) (About 45 min)
Driving & winter roads
The village parking lot costs ¥500 for regular cars. During Yuki Tourou, advance reservations are required for all vehicles (regular car ¥1,500). Winter tires are essential, and roads ice up easily in the shade and in the morning and evening
Getting back
  • The last bus from Kayabuki-no-Sato toward Hiyoshi Station is at 18:25 on weekdays, 17:01 on Saturdays and 16:54 on Sundays and holidays (per the Yuki Tourou guide). A day trip to the evening illumination by public transport alone is difficult, so stay overnight or join a tour
Open in Google Maps ↗
Weather

Temperature & staying warm

Typical temperatures
January normals for Kyoto: high 9.1°C, low 1.5°C; February: high 10.0°C, low 1.6°C (Japan Meteorological Agency). Miyama is 2–3°C colder than Kyoto City, and with snow it can drop below freezing at night
What to wear & bring
A warm jacket such as a down coat and waterproof snow boots with good grip. Cold-weather gear is not sold at the venue
☁ Kansai weather by month
JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Rules

Rules & safety

  • !Much of the forest around the village and the house grounds is private property. Do not enter without permission
  • !Visitors are asked to refrain from flying or using drones, day or night
Facilities

Facilities

Toilets
Available during parking lot hours (10:00–16:00 in winter)
Payment
Yuki Tourou food stalls accept cash only
Accessibility
Wheelchairs not designed for snow or rough ground may have difficulty getting around
Where to Stay · Agoda

Places to Stay near Miyama Kayabuki-no-Sato in SnowPR

PRSee more places to stay near Miyama Kayabuki-no-Sato in Snow on Agoda →

Prices and availability are shown on Agoda.

Events

Events & festivals in Kyoto City

February

Baikasai (Plum Blossom Festival)

Kansai ・ Kyoto City

Every year on February 25 (outdoor tea ceremony 10:00–15:00)

Every year on February 25 (Feb 25 in 2027)

May

Aoi Matsuri

Kansai ・ Kyoto City

Every year on May 15 (postponed to the 16th if it rains; if it also rains on the 16th, the procession is canceled). Preliminary rites such as Yabusame horseback archery (May 3) and the Saio-dai purification ceremony (May 4) are held in early May

2027: May 15 (held every year on May 15; postponed to the 16th if it rains)

May–October

Noryo Yuka / Kawadoko (Kamogawa & Kibune)

Kansai ・ Kyoto City

Kamogawa Noryo Yuka usually runs May 1 – October 15, and Kibune Kawadoko usually runs May 1 – September 30 (season and hours vary by restaurant). In 2026, Kamogawa Noryo Yuka runs until October 15

July

Gion Matsuri

Kansai ・ Kyoto City

Usually July 1–31 (Yamahoko procession: Saki Matsuri July 17, Ato Matsuri July 24; Yoiyama eves: Saki Matsuri July 14–16, Ato Matsuri July 21–23)

See all events →
Attractions

Attractions in Kyoto City

Aquarium

Kyoto Aquarium

Kansai ・ Kyoto City

An inland aquarium in Umekoji Park, within walking distance of Kyoto Station. Its exhibits explore Kyoto's waterside nature and how it connects, from the "Kyoto River" to the "Kyoto Sea." With a dolphin stadium and jellyfish displays, it's an easy stop between Kyoto sightseeing spots.

Zoo

Kyoto City Zoo

Kansai ・ Okazaki, Kyoto

A city-run zoo inside Okazaki Park, home to Heian Shrine and several art museums. In its compact grounds you can see elephants, gorillas, and wild animals from Kyoto's forests. Admission is free for junior high students and younger, and just ¥750 for adults.

Photo coming soonExperience

Nintendo Museum

Kansai ・ Uji

A museum in Uji, Kyoto, that displays Nintendo's products through the years and lets you play hands-on exhibits. Tickets are date- and time-specific and must be reserved in advance, through a monthly lottery or first-come, first-served sales of slots that open up. If you want to include it in your itinerary, applying from the lottery 3 months before your visit is the surest way.

☂ Mostly indoors · rain-friendlyAdvance, date-specific tickets required
Photo coming soonTheme park

UZUMASA KYOTO VILLAGE

Kansai ・ Uzumasa

Toei Kyoto Studio Park, a samurai-drama theme park that opened in 1975, reopened on March 28, 2026 as UZUMASA KYOTO VILLAGE after the first phase of its renewal. It is now an immersive park for adults built around the concept of wandering into Kyoto in the Edo period, with the second phase scheduled to open in spring 2027. It stays open until 21:00.

See all attractions →
Winter Scenery

Winter Scenery in Kansai

See all winter scenery spots →

Seasons, hours, prices and access are based on official sources such as the spot’s own website, local governments and tourism associations. Winter weather often causes suspensions and road closures, so check the official website before you go.

Last checked: 2026-10-06

PRKlookIne Funaya, Amanohashidate & Miyama Kayabuki-no-Sato Day Tour from OsakaDeparts from Osaka. Visits the Ine funaya boathouses, Amanohashidate and Miyama Kayabuki-no-Sato. Choose a plan by language and whether the cable car and sightseeing boat are includedView