A Different Side of Kyoto: 7 Lodgings with Unique Activities

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.