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Thatched-roof Village in Miyama

HOME > Japan’s Local Treasures > Thatched-roof Village in Miyama

Sustainable tours around Kyoto's mountain village Miyama awarded as one of 44 Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO

Kyoto Miyama Tourism Association

Miyama of Kyoto Prefecture, best known for its sceneries of thatched roof houses, has been promoting sustainable tourism, letting visitors experience nature and the traditional lifestyles of the region for more than 30 years. With an English-speaking guide available all year round, tour the Miyama Folklore Museum and learn about Miyama's history and its sustainable way of life.

At the UNWTO’s annual general meeting held in Madrid, Spain on December 2021, Miyama was chosen as one of the Best Tourism Villages (BTV), a selection of villages that seek new tourism programs based on SDGs to preserve local communities and cultures. A total of 44 villages from 32 countries across the five world regions were granted recognition in 2021, and Miyama is one of them. This recognized the locals’ longstanding efforts to promote sustainable tourism for preserving the existing traditional landscape and culture of thatch in Miyama.

The region’s signature site, Miyama’s thatched village and surrounding landscape, represent a long history of people living with nature in Japan. Still to this day, locals of the village use thatched roof houses as their private dwellings. Additionally, Miyama offers seasonal events for everyone to enjoy, such as the sceneries of the snow-covered thatched village during the Snow Lantern Festival, which takes place every year from late January to early February.

How to get there

From Kyoto Station, take a local or rapid train along the JR Sagano Line (Sanin Line) to Hiyoshi Station (about 45 minutes). Most trains require a transfer at Sonobe along the way. From Hiyoshi take a Nantan Bus into Miyama (50 minutes). Direct bus service from Kyoto to Miyama is available from Spring to Autumn (April to November).

MIyama-cho, Nantan-shi, Kyoto-fu