A Day in Fukuchiyama Relaxing in a tranquil corner of Kyoto’s historic countryside

Rustic meets elegance at Yanagimachi. Traditional wooden latticework and warm, low accent lighting greet you as you enter this renovated machiya townhouse from the Meiji era. Whether for lunch in between sightseeing, or a one-of-a-kind dinner at the end of your day, this is a wonderful location to experience traditional Fukuchiyama dining.

Yanagimachi prides itself on serving up this Fukuchiyama specialty: thinly sliced, locally-sourced duck that’s briefly simmered at the table in a steaming hot pot, together with a generous amount of fresh kujo negi leeks, a Kyoto vegetable. If you’re visiting during lunchtime, opt for the hearty kyojidori oyakodon (chicken and egg rice bowl made with local Fukuchiyama chicken).

Tempted to stay for a weekend in this charming corner of Kyoto? Fukuchiyama has a range of accommodation options to suit any budget, ranging from business hotels to traditional ryokan and more unique stays — like Yakuno House and Furumaya.

A traditional 200-year-old Japanese house, Yakuno House has a new lease of life as a cozy guesthouse. Guests are welcomed to truly make themselves at home — cook in the kitchen, relax in the tatami rooms or hop on one of the bikes to cycle around the area and over to nearby Takeda Castle. This secluded mountain guesthouse makes for a tranquil, rejuvenating stay.

To embrace country life, stay at Furumaya; a traditional family-owned farmhouse where nature and hospitality harmonize throughout all four seasons. The family grows their own produce in the surrounding fields and rice paddies, and guests are welcome to get involved harvesting vegetables, chopping wood, and dining on meals made from the garden’s ingredients.

A unique overnight stay is the perfect way to end your day in Fukuchiyama. The city offers a wonderful, tranquil getaway into deep Kyoto, where you can experience its history in castles, shrines, and even eateries, as well as a twist on the traditional with its marvelous sweets and tasty local dishes.

Fukuchiyama is easy to reach from either Kyoto or Osaka, or from the popular Kinosaki Onsen area in neighboring Hyogo Prefecture.
To reach Fukuchiyama by train, the journey is approximately 1 hour 20 minutes from Kyoto Station on the Hashidate Limited Express Kinosaki, or approximately 2 hours on the JR San’in Line.

For access from either Osaka or Kinosaki, take the Limited Express Konotori to Fukuchiyama Station (approximately 1 hour 40 minutes from Osaka Station, or approximately 1 hour 5 minutes from Kinosaki Onsen Station).

If you’re really hoping to get off the beaten path and explore all the locations we’ve shared here and more, you might find it easiest to travel around by car. Cars can be rented close to the station from either Times Car Rental or Toyota Rent-a-Car. If you’d prefer to make your whole journey by car, you can cruise into Fukuchiyama from Kyoto in about two hours.