Idyllic Scenery and Traditional Crafts: 10 Destinations in Kyoto’s Mountainside

The area northwest of Kyoto City, comprising the cities of Kameoka, Nantan, Kyotamba, Fukuchiyama, and Ayabe is often referred to as Mori no Kyoto, or “woodland Kyoto.” In this mountainous area, the proximity of the forests, rivers, and fields has shaped lifestyles centered around craftsmanship and occupations rooted in century-long traditions.

A trip north of Kyoto will be full of inspiring encounters. We’ll introduce ten facilities where you can experience the countryside of Kyoto through artisanal crafts, beautiful scenery, and products that are made locally with expertise and dedication.

Kameoka can be reached in 20 minutes by rapid train or 30 minutes by local train from Kyoto. A former castle town, Kameoka still preserves elements of traditional architecture such as fireproof namako walls made with lacquer, and clay roof tiles or windows with an ultra-fine lattice that was specific to old samurai residences.

Kameoka is known for its many artisan studios. From bamboo and wood crafts to glass art and traditional dyeing, Kameoka is the best place to see artisans at work. Many of these studios can be visited, and offer hands-on experiences of their crafts.

There are several guesthouses in the city that offer visitors a chance to experience rural lifestyles, such as Farmhouse NANA and Bishamon House. The elegant charm of traditional interiors can also be enjoyed at dining facilities like Hekitei and KIRI CAFE.

Kameoka is well-known for the beauty of the cherry blossoms along Nanatani River, and the Hozugawa riverboat tours that offer a chance to enjoy the breathtaking scenery of the ravine between Kameoka and Arashiyama.

Indigo dyeing, called aizome, has a long tradition in Japan; people have enjoyed this distinguished deep blue hue for centuries. Tokushima and Okinawa are particularly famous for indigo dyeing techniques. Less known, however, is Kyoto’s own indigo dying tradition!

Kyoto indigo dyeing was revived through the efforts of a research group. The indigo plant that produced this hue was traced and its cultivation resumed in Kameoka seven years ago. Currently, Kyoto Hozuai Studio specializes in the cultivation of this plant and indigo dyeing.

To learn more about indigo and traditional dyeing techniques, we suggest taking part in a workshop at Kyoto Hozuai Studio. You can try your hand at dyeing a handkerchief, a T-shirt, a scarf, or other textiles. (*Workshop fee: 1,100 yen; the fee differs depending on the size of the textile you wish to dye.)

The handkerchief-dyeing workshop takes from 30 to 45 minutes and follows the same steps as in professional textile dyeing: deciding upon the design, creating patterns by wringing, soaking the material in indigo dye then cleansing it with water several times, and drying. The result will be a pattern that is one of a kind!

If you fell in love with indigo, check out some of the products made by the artisans at Kyoto Hozuai Studio. They also sell aicha, powder tea made of indigo plant leaves, which is highly praised for its antioxidant content and anti-inflammatory effects.