Miyama's Thatched Village Winter Lantern Festival
Miyama's Thatched Village Winter Lantern Festival 2026
The schedule and program details for the 2026 Winter Lantern Festival are now available.
Due to ongoing concerns over the lack of snowfall in recent years, the event—formerly known as Yukitoro (Snow Lantern Festival)—will be renamed to “Fuyutoro” (Winter Lantern Festival) starting with the 21st edition in 2026. Please note that the duration and contents of the event will differ from previous years.
Event Period
19th January (Mon) 2026 – 23rd January (Fri) 2026
*5 days in total
Main Highlights
・Illumination of the Miyama's Thatched village: Daily from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
・Food stalls (approx. 5 stalls): Open daily from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM
・Mochi Pounding & Sweet Red Bean Soup (Zenzai) Sales: 21st January, 5:00 PM – 5:40 PM
・Traditional Japanese Dance Performance: Wednesday, January 21, 5:40 PM – 6:00 PM
Important Notes
Programs such as the winter fireworks display and snow lantern-making experience will not be held this year.
For Visitors Coming by Car or Sightseeing Bus
All parking spaces require advance reservations.
Reservation start date: 1st September 2025 (Mon) from 9:00 AM
For more details, please access the official website.
Due to ongoing concerns over the lack of snowfall in recent years, the event—formerly known as Yukitoro (Snow Lantern Festival)—will be renamed to “Fuyutoro” (Winter Lantern Festival) starting with the 21st edition in 2026. Please note that the duration and contents of the event will differ from previous years.
Event Period
19th January (Mon) 2026 – 23rd January (Fri) 2026
*5 days in total
Main Highlights
・Illumination of the Miyama's Thatched village: Daily from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
・Food stalls (approx. 5 stalls): Open daily from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM
・Mochi Pounding & Sweet Red Bean Soup (Zenzai) Sales: 21st January, 5:00 PM – 5:40 PM
・Traditional Japanese Dance Performance: Wednesday, January 21, 5:40 PM – 6:00 PM
Important Notes
Programs such as the winter fireworks display and snow lantern-making experience will not be held this year.
For Visitors Coming by Car or Sightseeing Bus
All parking spaces require advance reservations.
Reservation start date: 1st September 2025 (Mon) from 9:00 AM
For more details, please access the official website.
Kyoto Miyama Snow Lantern Festival One Day Excursion Tour
The Winter Lantern Festival takes place in the Miyama's Thatched Village, Kyoto. With 39 preserved thatched-roof houses, the village offers a rare glimpse of Japan’s rural life, where people continue to live in these historic homes.
Only during this festival period each year is the village softly illuminated. Lanterns along the paths and glowing LED lights create a gentle, dreamlike atmosphere that feels completely different from the daytime. It is a special time when the beauty of the thatched roofs blends with the warm glow of the lights. Come and experience this unique winter scenery in Miyama.
Only during this festival period each year is the village softly illuminated. Lanterns along the paths and glowing LED lights create a gentle, dreamlike atmosphere that feels completely different from the daytime. It is a special time when the beauty of the thatched roofs blends with the warm glow of the lights. Come and experience this unique winter scenery in Miyama.
Highlights
-
Illumination of the Thatched Village
-
Food Stalls
-
Traditional Japanese Dance Performance (One-Day Only)
🌟 Illumination of the Thatched Village
Street lanterns and LED lights softly illuminate the village and around 20 thatched-roof houses are lit up at night. This special lighting takes place only during the festival, creating a magical scene unlike the daytime.
📅 Time: Every day during the festival, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
🍢 Food Stalls
Around five food stalls will be open each day, offering local flavors and seasonal dishes.
📅 Time: Every day during the festival, 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM
🍵 Mochi Pounding & Sweet Red Bean Soup (One-Day Only)
Visitors can watch a traditional mochi-pounding and enjoy warm zenzai (sweet red bean soup). A perfect treat for a cold winter night.
📅 Date: 21st January 2026
Mochi pounding starts at 5:00 PM
Zenzai available until around 5:40 PM (JPY 300 per bowl, first-come-first-served)
📍 Place: Chii Hachiman Shrine
💃 Traditional Japanese Dance Performance (One-Day Only)
Enjoy a graceful Japanese dance performance, held at Chii Hachiman Shrine under the soft glow of lanterns.
📅 Date: 21st January 2026, 5:40 PM – 6:00 PM
📍 Place: Chii Hachiman Shrine
Street lanterns and LED lights softly illuminate the village and around 20 thatched-roof houses are lit up at night. This special lighting takes place only during the festival, creating a magical scene unlike the daytime.
📅 Time: Every day during the festival, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
🍢 Food Stalls
Around five food stalls will be open each day, offering local flavors and seasonal dishes.
📅 Time: Every day during the festival, 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM
🍵 Mochi Pounding & Sweet Red Bean Soup (One-Day Only)
Visitors can watch a traditional mochi-pounding and enjoy warm zenzai (sweet red bean soup). A perfect treat for a cold winter night.
📅 Date: 21st January 2026
Mochi pounding starts at 5:00 PM
Zenzai available until around 5:40 PM (JPY 300 per bowl, first-come-first-served)
📍 Place: Chii Hachiman Shrine
💃 Traditional Japanese Dance Performance (One-Day Only)
Enjoy a graceful Japanese dance performance, held at Chii Hachiman Shrine under the soft glow of lanterns.
📅 Date: 21st January 2026, 5:40 PM – 6:00 PM
📍 Place: Chii Hachiman Shrine
Parking Information for Visitors Arriving by Car
To ensure smooth traffic flow and protect the daily lives of local residents, all vehicles must use the event parking lot with advance reservation only. Spaces are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Parking Hours
4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
*From 4:00 PM onward, advance reservation is required for all vehicles.
*If you wish to enter before 4:00 PM, an additional daytime parking fee will be charged on-site, in addition to the event fee.
Parking Fee (Event Contribution)
・Standard-sized Car・Taxi Van: JPY 1,500/vehicle
・Tour Bus (minibus~full-size coach): JPY 10,000/vehicle
Payment Method
Advance payment only (credit card).
Reservation Period
Opens: 1st September 2025, 9:00 AM
Closes: 11:59 PM on the day before your visit (or earlier once full).
Important Notes
・No temporary or alternative parking lots are available nearby.
・Street parking and use of private land are strictly prohibited. Please be considerate of local residents and traffic.
・There is no dedicated drop-off area for taxis. Even for drop-off only, the event parking lot must be used.
Parking Hours
4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
*From 4:00 PM onward, advance reservation is required for all vehicles.
*If you wish to enter before 4:00 PM, an additional daytime parking fee will be charged on-site, in addition to the event fee.
Parking Fee (Event Contribution)
・Standard-sized Car・Taxi Van: JPY 1,500/vehicle
・Tour Bus (minibus~full-size coach): JPY 10,000/vehicle
Payment Method
Advance payment only (credit card).
Reservation Period
Opens: 1st September 2025, 9:00 AM
Closes: 11:59 PM on the day before your visit (or earlier once full).
Important Notes
・No temporary or alternative parking lots are available nearby.
・Street parking and use of private land are strictly prohibited. Please be considerate of local residents and traffic.
・There is no dedicated drop-off area for taxis. Even for drop-off only, the event parking lot must be used.
Access Information for Visitors Arriving by Public Transportation
Using JR trains and Nantan City buses
・Please check the timetable and access from JR Kyoto Station to Miyama Thatched Village via the link below.
・There are no buses returning late at night, so visiting and returning by public transportation alone can be difficult. Be sure to check the timetable carefully.
Public transportation [JR train and Nantan city bus]
Important Notes
・City bus services are limited, so please confirm your return time in advance.
・Last bus from the Thatched Village to JR Hiyoshi Station: 6:25 PM
・Buses may be full during busy periods. We recommend using them as early as possible.
Direct Bus from Kyoto City
Operation of direct buses from Kyoto City in 2026 has not yet been confirmed. You may also consider using tour buses provided by travel companies.
・Please check the timetable and access from JR Kyoto Station to Miyama Thatched Village via the link below.
・There are no buses returning late at night, so visiting and returning by public transportation alone can be difficult. Be sure to check the timetable carefully.
Public transportation [JR train and Nantan city bus]
Important Notes
・City bus services are limited, so please confirm your return time in advance.
・Last bus from the Thatched Village to JR Hiyoshi Station: 6:25 PM
・Buses may be full during busy periods. We recommend using them as early as possible.
Direct Bus from Kyoto City
Operation of direct buses from Kyoto City in 2026 has not yet been confirmed. You may also consider using tour buses provided by travel companies.
Guidelines for Visitors to the Winter Lantern Festival
Respect the local community
The Thatched Village is a living community. Most thatched houses are private homes, not tourist facilities. Please enjoy the scenery from the walking paths and do not enter private buildings or gardens. Keep your voice low as it gets dark to respect the daily life of residents.
Drone use is prohibited
Drone flights and aerial photography are not allowed. This event attracts many visitors, and drones could cause accidents if they fall, so please refrain from using them.
Use crosswalks when crossing roads
Always use crosswalks when crossing streets. Cars may not be able to stop suddenly, especially during snow or at night when visibility is reduced. Never step out into the road unexpectedly.
Watch your step near irrigation canals
Many roadsides in the village have uncovered irrigation canals. They may be hard to see in snow, so please watch your step and stay safe.
The Thatched Village is a living community. Most thatched houses are private homes, not tourist facilities. Please enjoy the scenery from the walking paths and do not enter private buildings or gardens. Keep your voice low as it gets dark to respect the daily life of residents.
Drone use is prohibited
Drone flights and aerial photography are not allowed. This event attracts many visitors, and drones could cause accidents if they fall, so please refrain from using them.
Use crosswalks when crossing roads
Always use crosswalks when crossing streets. Cars may not be able to stop suddenly, especially during snow or at night when visibility is reduced. Never step out into the road unexpectedly.
Watch your step near irrigation canals
Many roadsides in the village have uncovered irrigation canals. They may be hard to see in snow, so please watch your step and stay safe.
Information
| Event Name | Miyama's Thatched Village Winter Lantern Festival |
|---|---|
| Date | 2026/1/19 [mon]～2026/1/23 [fri] |
| Organizer | Miyama's Thatched Village Winter Lantern Festival Executive Committee |
| Location | Miyama’s Thatched Village (Kayabuki no sato) Address: Kita, Miyama Town, Nantan City, Kyoto Prefecture 〒601-0712 GoogleMap |
| Bus stop | Kita (北)/ Nantan City Bus |
| Access | ■Access by Car ・From Sonobe IC on Kyoto-Jukan Expressway: take Prefectural Route 19 → National Route 162 → Prefectural Route 38 (Approx. 45 minutes from Sonobe IC) ・From Kyoto city center: take National Route 162 → Prefectural Route 38 (Approx. 90 minutes from Kyoto city) ■Access by Public Transport Take the Sagano Line from JR Kyoto Station to JR Sonobe Station (transfer trains), then to JR Hiyoshi Station. From there, take the Nantan City bus and get off at Kita Bus Stop. (Approx. 2 hours one way from JR Kyoto Station) *Please be sure to check the bus timetable as the number of services is limited. |
| Parking | Available *All vehicles require advance reservation and payment. |
| Official Website | https://yukitouro.jp/en/ |
| Inquiry | Please use the contact form. |
