Authentic Rural Japan Landscape - Miyama's Thatched Village
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Miyama Folklore Museum
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Little Indigo Museum
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Chii Hachiman Shrine
The Thatched Village or Kayabuki no Sato is the most visited attraction in Miyama. Almost the whole village is composed of old thatched houses and is carefully maintained as a cultural heritage site. You can walk around the village and enjoy the atmosphere and the breathtaking views of the thatched roofs with a mountain backdrop. To get the best sense of the area and avoid the crowds, we recommend getting here early in the morning or visiting later in the day. Staying in one of the accommodations within the village will give you the most authentic taste of village life.
There are 2 cafes (Cafe Gallery Saika and Cafe Milan) and 2 B&B (Matabe thatched B&B and B&B Hisaya) in the village. Almost all houses in the village are private houses used as living place of villagers. If you'd like to see the inside of a thatched-roof house, visit Miyama Folklore Museum.
If you have plenty of time to explore the village, we recommend you to book our tour, Thatched Village Guided Walk. Our local English speaking guide shares the history and traditions of Miyama.
There are 2 cafes (Cafe Gallery Saika and Cafe Milan) and 2 B&B (Matabe thatched B&B and B&B Hisaya) in the village. Almost all houses in the village are private houses used as living place of villagers. If you'd like to see the inside of a thatched-roof house, visit Miyama Folklore Museum.
If you have plenty of time to explore the village, we recommend you to book our tour, Thatched Village Guided Walk. Our local English speaking guide shares the history and traditions of Miyama.
Opening Hours Information in the Thatched Village
（Updated at 11:30 a.m. on 04th September 2026）
| Name | Opening Hours / Regular Holidays |
|---|---|
| Restaurant Kitamura | Open: 10:00–15:00 Regular Holiday: Wednesdays |
| Souvenir shop Kaya-no-Sato | Open: 9:00-17:00 Open daily |
| Cafe Gallery Saika | Open: 10:00-17:00 *L.O.16:30 Regular Holiday: Tuesdays September 5, 11, 18, 24, and 25: Temporary Closure September 22: Temporary Opening |
| Yuyuhiroba | Open: 10:30-16:00 Regular Holiday: Thursdays |
| Cafe Milan | Open: Weekdays: 10:00–17:00 *L.O.16:30 Weekends and holidays: 9:00–17:00 *L.O.16:30 Regular Holiday: Mondays, Wednesdays September 19, 20, and 27: Temporary Closure September 23: Temporary Opening |
| Sakaya | Open: 11:00–17:00 Regular Holiday: Weekdays |
| Miyama Folklore Museum | Open: 10:00-16:00 Regular Holiday: Mondays *Open when Monday is a national holiday and closed the following Tuesday. |
| Little Indigo Museum | Open: 11:00-17:00 Regular Holiday: Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays September 19, 20, and 27: Temporary Closure September 23: Temporary Opening |
| Noda Shoten | Open: 10:00-17:00 Regular Holiday: Fridays |
| Kamitsure | Open: 9:00-until evening Irregular holidays |
| Matabe thatched B&B | *Please contact us for accommodation availability. |
| B&B Hisaya | Regular Holiday: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays *Please contact us for accommodation availability. |
| Parking | Open: 9:00-17:00 Regular cars: JPY 500/vehicle Motorcycles: JPY 200/vehicle Tourist buses: JPY 3,000/bus Microbuses: JPY 2,000/bus *Bus parking must be reserved in advance. |
Thatched Village Guided Walk - Stroll around the village with local English speaking guide
Find out more about the village by participating the village guided walk (in English). The local guide will explain details of thatched-roof houses as well as history and traditions of the village.
| Tour Name | Thatched Village Guided Walk (English) |
|---|---|
| Available | Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat and Sun |
| Minimum/Maxmum | Minimum：2 people Maximum: 15 people |
| Price | ・A group of less than 5: JPY11,000/group ・A group of more than 6: Adult…JPY2,200/pp; Age13-15…JPY1,100/pp |
| Deadline | 3 days prior to the tour date |
◆ Highlights of Miyama's Thatched Village
Miyama Folklore Museum
You can see the inside of thatched roof house and learn about lifestyle of villagers. Going up to the attic where you can view the backside of the thatched roof.
| Name | Miyama Folklore Museum |
|---|---|
| Open Hours | 10:00～16:00 |
| Closed | ・Closed Mon ・Summer Obon Holiday Closure Period ・New Year's Holiday Closure |
| Admission | Adult ：300JPY Child (15 or below) ：free |
| Map | Google Map |
Little Indigo Museum
Located within Miyama's thatched village.
It's a privately owned museum of indigo dyeing artist, Hiromichi Shindo.
1st floor is his studio where you can view jars for indigo dyeing.
On the 2nd floor, you'll be impressed by beatiful collections of dyed fabrics from East and West, from Japan and abroad, such as tie-dye from Indonesia and Nigeria, soctumes of the Miao people of China as well as work clothes from 18c in Japan.
It's a privately owned museum of indigo dyeing artist, Hiromichi Shindo.
1st floor is his studio where you can view jars for indigo dyeing.
On the 2nd floor, you'll be impressed by beatiful collections of dyed fabrics from East and West, from Japan and abroad, such as tie-dye from Indonesia and Nigeria, soctumes of the Miao people of China as well as work clothes from 18c in Japan.
| Name | Little Indigo Museum |
|---|---|
| Open Hours | 11:00～17:00 |
| Closed | ・Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays（Open on holidays） ・Closed during winter period ・September 19, 20, and 27: Temporary Closure ・September 23: Temporary Opening |
| Admission Fee | 300JPY |
| Map | |
| Website | http://shindo-shindigo.com/ |
Chii Hachiman Shrine
Chii Hachiman Shrine is the main shrine of 9 surrounding hamlets (including Miyama's Thatched Village) in the region. The precinct of the shrine is designated as the heritage site by Kyoto Prefecture. Also, the main building of the shrine is designated as the Kyoto Prefectural Cultural Property.
| Name | Chii Hachiman Shrine |
|---|---|
| Map | Google Map |
◆Restaurant and cafe in Miyama's Thatched Village
Restaurant Kitamura
Handmade soba noodle using 100% soba buckwheat grown in the village is highly recommended!
If you want to try making soba, make reservation for "Soba making workshop." (Prior Reservation is required)
If you want to try making soba, make reservation for "Soba making workshop." (Prior Reservation is required)
| Name | Restaurant Kitamura |
|---|---|
| Open Hours | 10:00～15:00 |
| Closed | ・Wednesdays ・New Year's Holiday Period |
| Reservation | Seat reservations are not accepted If you prefer to have handmade soba, we recommend you to make reservation for handmande soba in advance. Only a limited number of handmade soba dishes are served per day. |
| Map | Google Map |
Cafe Gallery Saika
Thatched roof old folk house cafe near Miyama Folklore Museum.
Relax and enjoy homemade sweets using Miyama's fresh ingredients.
Relax and enjoy homemade sweets using Miyama's fresh ingredients.
| Name | Cafe Gallery Saika |
|---|---|
| Open Hours | 11:00～17:00（l.o. 16:30） ※subject to change depending on the season |
| Closed | ・Tuesdays ・New Year's Holiday Period ・September 5, 11, 18, 24, and 25: Temporary Closure ・September 22: Temporary Opening |
| Map | Google Map |
Cafe Milan
Cream custard using free range eggs in Miyama and Miyama Milk gelato are popular menu. Have a break after exploring the village.
| Name | Cafe Milan |
|---|---|
| Open Hours | Weekdays 10:00～17:00 Weekends 9:00~17:00 |
| Closed | Mondays, Wednesdays ・September 19, 20, and 27: Temporary Closure ・September 23: Temporary Opening |
| Map | Google Map |
Kamitsure
Located within Miyama's thatched village, our shop specialises in hot sandwiches.
We offer signature items, such as our Japanese rolled omelette sandwich made with free-range Miyama eggs, as well as a popular hot sandwich featuring a Japanese rolled omelette and teriyaki chicken.
Enjoy our selection of homemade drinks as well.
We warmly invite you to stop by and savour the flavours of Miyama.
We offer signature items, such as our Japanese rolled omelette sandwich made with free-range Miyama eggs, as well as a popular hot sandwich featuring a Japanese rolled omelette and teriyaki chicken.
Enjoy our selection of homemade drinks as well.
We warmly invite you to stop by and savour the flavours of Miyama.
| Name | Kamitsure |
|---|---|
| Open Hours | 9:00∼afternoon (Around 16:30, closed after sold out) |
| Closed | Check our Instagram |
| @kamitsure_miyama | |
| Map | Google Map |
◆Thatched Roof House Inn in the village
Matabe Thatched B&B
Stay in a traditional thatched-roof house surrounded by the beautiful rural scenery of Japan.
Matabe offers a peaceful and relaxing stay, welcoming every guest with heartfelt hospitality so that it may feel like a home away from home.
Breakfast is included with your stay. For dinner, guests can enjoy a meal at a nearby restaurant.
Matabe offers a peaceful and relaxing stay, welcoming every guest with heartfelt hospitality so that it may feel like a home away from home.
Breakfast is included with your stay. For dinner, guests can enjoy a meal at a nearby restaurant.
| Name | Matabe Thatched B&B |
|---|---|
| Map | Google Map |
B&B Hisaya
Thatched roof house old folklore house B&B since 1995. One group of guests per night. Staying at Hisaya gives you a sense of what it is like to live in a Japanese country village. Hisaya is also open for lunch during weekends (closed day on an irregular basis)
| Name | B&B Hisaya |
|---|---|
| Closed | Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays |
| Map | Google Map |
◆Car Parking
●Parking Fee
●Parking Hours
Summer (April - November) 9:00 - 17:00
Winter (December - March) 10:00 - 16:00
* Public restrooms in the parking space is only available during parking hours.
* Please put the above fees into the parking fee payment box during outside parking hours.
| Sightseeing bus | \3,000/car |
|---|---|
| Mini-coach | \2,000/car |
| Standard-sized car | \500/car |
| Motorbike | \200/car |
●Parking Hours
Summer (April - November) 9:00 - 17:00
Winter (December - March) 10:00 - 16:00
* Public restrooms in the parking space is only available during parking hours.
* Please put the above fees into the parking fee payment box during outside parking hours.
