Inspiration
2025.08.21
The overnight immersion option offers all the incredible experiences of the day trip, plus some exciting new ones. It begins with a smooth arrival at Ayabe Station, followed by a bus transfer to the welcoming Nio-no-Sumika area.
The morning and afternoon are dedicated to exhilarating exploration, featuring a guided e-bike tour through rice fields and mountains, complete with visits to natural landmarks and fascinating insights into local history from your guide. The e-bikes, of course, make light work of the terrain, letting you truly immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, and scents of Ayabe’s changing seasons.
Lunch is, naturally, a delightful affair at Nio-no-Sumika, where you’ll once again enjoy their fresh, local, “farm-to-table” fare. You also have the option of trying lunch at Auberge Kikuya, but more on that later!
The afternoon continues with cultural and recreational visits to the historical Niomon Gate, the serene Komyo-ji Temple, Ayabe Onsen for a relaxing soak, and a playful challenge in the maze.
You’ll find Komyo-ji Temple on a mountain slope in the forests of Ayabe City. It was said to have been founded by the legendary Prince Shotoku (572-622). The temple’s main Niomon Gate was constructed …
Ayabe Onsen Nio-no-yu, surrounded by the nature of Kanbayashi in Ayabe, is a natural hot spring that boasts a rich and incredibly effective set of hot spring ingredients that is one of the finest in k …
You’ll end your day with an exceptional dinner at Auberge Kikuya. This auberge is located in a charming renovated traditional house that’s over 100 years old, run by a couple whose family once owned a ryotei. The husband, who is also the chef, carefully prepares each dish using seasonal ingredients.
*Ryotei are traditional high-end Japanese restaurants.
As you step inside, the couple and their adorable dog will warmly greet you, and you’ll quickly notice dog motifs playfully decorating every corner. It feels far more homey and welcoming than many other “high-end” auberges.
They also offer accommodation on the second floor, just watch your head on the way up and down the stairs!
Auberge Kikuya prides itself on using incredibly fresh, local ingredients. Their tempura is particularly noteworthy, and dinner is a multi-course kaiseki experience, while lunch typically features two types of soba, tempura, two main dishes, and dessert.
When our dinner arrived, it was truly a work of art. Each dish was carefully arranged on the plates, with flavors and motifs that perfectly mimicked the season.
In true kaiseki fashion, each course arrived one by one, allowing us to savor every dish. This time we enjoyed grilled eel, fresh seasonal vegetables, a refreshing ice cream dessert, and other summer favorites.
The beauty of it all? The menu is different with every visit, ensuring that each experience is unique.
It is clear from our experience that the owners are passionate about food and genuinely want guests to savor the flavors and experiences that Ayabe has to offer. So, why not treat your taste buds to an unforgettable meal at Auberge Kikuya during your Ayabe adventure?
Auberge Kikuya official website: https://kikuya-komai.com/ (Japanese only)
