A Different Side of Kyoto: 7 Lodgings with Unique Activities

Let’s take a trip outside the bustling metropolis of Kyoto City to other areas of Kyoto Prefecture. We’ll find peaceful, culturally rich lifestyles that developed through communion with nature. These serene lifestyles may coincide with the very image of Japan that brought you here in the first place!

In this article, we introduce accommodations that are worth visiting for the unique activities they provide. From cooking a Japanese home meal to workshops on traditional crafts or staying in a thatched-roof house, these activities will enrich your image of Japan and give you an insider’s view of traditional culture. The following eight lodgings are located on the seaside and mountainside of Kyoto, as well as in regions famous for tea or bamboo production.

The charming town of Ine on Kyoto Prefecture’s coast is best known for the historic funaya boathouses lining the water. However, this picturesque scene isn’t just for viewing from afar–you can actually spend the night here!

WATER FRONT INN Yosaso, a lodging renovated from a boathouse, is an excellent option for anyone wishing to learn about the local lifestyle and unwind.

This charming guest house has just eight rooms and is right on the water, featuring simple, traditional Japanese-style rooms with tatami mats and futons that provide a relaxing stay. The waterfront rooms come with a balcony–be sure to step outside onto the deck in the morning for a refreshing sea breeze, and a fantastic view of the boathouses and residents embarking on their daily fishing trips.

Yosaso also offers breakfast and dinner made using local ingredients, making it a convenient solution as there aren’t numerous options for meals in Ine. Be sure to make an advanced reservation if you’re interested in staying here as the rooms become fully booked quickly. Check here to inquire about bookings.

For an extraordinarily delicious lodging experience, stay the night at Maruyasu in Amanohashidate, an accommodation facility run by a Japanese sake sommelier on the staff. Maruyasu is a short walk from the famous land strait of Amanohashidate, giving guests the freedom of leisurely exploring this beautiful area, known as one of Japan’s best three scenic sites.

The rooms at Maruyasu are comfortable and have traditional Japanese fixtures, like tatami mats and futons. Guests will feel relaxed resting in the rooms after a day of sightseeing in the area!

Maruyasu specializes in seafood dishes. The owner, a certified sake sommelier, will pair the ideal sake that suits your tastes and the dish it accompanies. The owner and staff will try their best to accommodate your preferences and speak basic English.

A small shopping street with stores and cafes is close by. Amanohashidate Viewland, a theme park overlooking the area, is a short walk away, and crossing the strait will bring visitors to Kasamatsu Park, another great place to experience Amanohashidate.

For a comfortable experience outdoors any time of the year, stay a night at Glamp Dome Kyoto Amanohashidate. Ideal for those traveling in groups or with family, the spacious tents here provide the right balance of nature and luxury in a quiet location near Amanohashidate.

The lodgings here are not what you’d expect when camping: the spacious glamping domes (dome-shaped tents) are complete with beds and a sofa, and have a big window overlooking the natural surroundings––including a spectacular sunrise. For a meal, you can rent a barbecue to grill up something outdoors, or bring in food and drink to enjoy in your private space.

This relaxing option is ideal for a laidback trip to one of Kyoto’s most famous regions. Each glamping dome comes with modern amenities, and guests can use a private natural hot spring bath on the grounds, too (available on a reservation basis).

If you dream of recharging amid nature by taking forest walks or resting by a clear river, Ayabe is the perfect destination for you. Ayabe Station can be reached in about 70 minutes by limited express train from Kyoto.

Our recommended lodging in Ayabe is Satoyama Guest House Couture, run by a married couple who moved here from Osaka in search of a lifestyle closer to nature.

At Couture, guests can enjoy a dormitory-style room-share stay for 3,000 yen/night per person, or rent the whole house for 5,000 yen/person.

One of the activities that can be enjoyed at Couture is home-cooking with Mrs. Kuchu, your hostess. You can help out with chopping vegetables for dinner or breakfast dishes. All the ingredients are acquired from local farmers.

If you’ve always wanted to learn to cook Japanese cuisine, this is your chance to learn how daily dishes are cooked and served. At Couture, you can experience living in a Japanese household.

Another exciting activity that can only be enjoyed at Couture is the “Night Safari.” Mr. Kuchu, a licensed guide, will take you on a drive through Ayabe at night when the animal inhabitants of the forest come out into the village!

It’s not rare to spot deer even during the day, but at night the fields and streets of the village are filled with deer! During a 30-minute drive, we had several encounters with deer, as well as with foxes and raccoons crossing our way just two or three meters away.

Komyoji Temple, with a gate designated a national treasure, Ayabe Onsen – a resort with excellent hot springs, as well as a cedar forest famous for fringed irises are all located nearby, so it’s worth spending several days at leisure in Ayabe.

If the rustic atmosphere of the Kayabuki-no-Sato village in Nantan’s Miyama district has stolen your heart, you might want to spend some time here and experience the traditional lifestyle yourself. The locals take pride in preserving their thatched-roof houses. Some of these are century-old, and their residents will be happy to tell you how the thatch roofs are made and maintained.

If you want to stay right in heart of Miyama Kayabuki-no-Sato, the area designated a historical building preservation district, we recommend Minshuku Matabe (Japanese). An overnight stay with two meals included starts from 9,000 yen/person. The lodging has three individual Japanese-style tatami rooms and an irori fireplace where guests and the hosts can gather for a chat.

Another beautiful guesthouse in Kayabuki-no-Sato is Minshuku Hisaya (Japanese). The price for an overnight stay with meals depends on the number of guests but is around 14,000 yen per person. If you visit as a family or group, the whole house can be rented. The meals consist of homecooked dishes prepared with flavourful local ingredients.

For those who wish to stay in a thatched-roof house all by themselves, we suggest Miyama Futon & Breakfast. You can choose from four different cottages that have been renovated and provided with all the necessary amenities for a comfortable, stylish stay. The facility offers support in English.

LOGOS LAND is a leisure facility in Joyo City, southern Kyoto. It is close to Uji and located midway between the centers of Nara and Kyoto.

The spacious rooms are perfect for families with children and groups. Even beginners can enjoy wonderful camping experiences as tents are set up indoors. You can enjoy an exciting stay regardless of the weather. The guest rooms are equipped with only the basic necessities, without Wi-Fi or TVs. This allows you to fully immerse yourself in the present moment, just like a real camping trip.

Guests can choose between two buildings, Plum Inn Joyo and Iris Inn Joyo. Both have various rooms for groups of two or more. The largest room can accommodate up to 16. Plum Inn Joyo has rooms with tents or bunk beds, as well as a barrier-free room. Iris Inn Joyo also has several types of rooms, including ones on the first floor with terraces for private barbecue. Among these, you will find a perfect room for you.

The rooms with tents (like the photo above) are charming, and may remind you of your childhood if you’ve played in a small tent in your bedroom. Also, children can enjoy a pretend barbecue time with an electric campfire that recreates the look of real flames.

Logos Land has a restaurant, so you can have breakfast, lunch and dinner there. (Separate fee required. If you have any dietary restrictions, inquire in advance.) Furthermore, there is a cafe and shop. Logos is a Japanese outdoor brand known for its attractive designs and quality, and most of Logos Land’s room furnishings and rental gear are of this brand. It would be fun to use them while staying, and get your favorite.

Discover Kyoto Nagaokakyo is a stylish hotel located a 30 second walk away from Nagaoka-tenjin Station. The first floor is a dining area connected to the cafe-bar SUBACO, which has become a favorite place to meet and socialize for many locals.

Discover Kyoto Nagaokakyo offers several cultural activities, including Japanese calligraphy, tea ceremony, origami, and others. One of their unique activities is the bamboo crafts workshop held by a professional bamboo artisan. You can make either a bamboo basket or a ring out of bamboo.

Nagaokakyo, where the hotel is located, is famous for its bamboo production. The artisan will tell you about the features of bamboo and what makes it an ideal material for crafts. After that, you’ll be making your own bamboo object, which will become a lovely keepsake from your stay in Kyoto.

To apply for this activity, please make a reservation in advance at discover@irodorifactory.com . For more details, please visit the official website of Discover Kyoto Nagaokakyo.

Another activity you can sign up for is a free 30-minute English conversation session with locals. Mrs. and Mr. Uchino, who are also hotel owners and have many years of experience introducing Japanese culture to the world, are happy to interact with travelers in English. You ask the locals about the great places to visit and things to do in the area. If you want to make friends in Japan, Discover Kyoto Nagaokakyo is a great place to start from!

If you wish to get a deeper insight into authentic Japanese lifestyles, take a trip outside of Kyoto City to districts like Ine and Miyazu, Ayabe, Nantan, Joyo, and Nagaokakyo. You’ll be amazed to discover that each area has distinct features that form the roots of traditional Japanese culture. Take your time to enjoy the unique ambiance and activities offered by the lodgings introduced above, where a stay becomes an unforgettable life-time experience.