Explorer’s Collection JAPAN

Situated adjacent to the old capital Kyoto, Miyama is a village of thatched roof houses.

For more than 1,000 years, people in Miyama have lived here together with nature, appreciating the bountiful blessings it brings.

Even now, about 3,500 residents live here in harmony with the environment, preserving and nurturing an original landscape of Japan woven by nature and the village of thatched roof houses.

Miyama aims for a tourism that provides a sustainable experience symbolized by thatching culture so that travelers can enjoy a quality stay in the village.

In 2021, it was recognized as a “Best Tourism Village” by the UN World Tourism Organization.

We believe that travelers, local residents, and migrants all have a responsibility, as people who love Miyama most dearly, to pass on to the next generation the beautiful scenery of the village forest and the sustainable living.

Miyama, Kyoto achieves harmony between people and nature and offers a sustainable experience.

Here, you can find a “new form of journey” to achieve a sustainable society.

About the thatched village

The thatched village is a settlement located in the northern area of Miyama Town, Nantan City, Kyoto Prefecture. It preserves many of the thatched roof houses built about 150 to 220 years ago (from the Edo to Meiji periods). Even today, 39 of 50 houses there have a thatched roof.

The northern settlement is highly recognized for the well-preserved historical scenery, including a group of structures built with traditional techniques. It was designated as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings on December 8, 1993. Residents of the settlement then formed the Kayabuki no sato preservation group and Kayabuki no sato Co., Ltd. to maintain the historical scenery and protect their way of living.

About Ashiu Forest

Situated to the east of Miyama’s thatched village, Ashiu Forest has a vast area of about 4,200 hectares.

The natural forest, which is a cool temperate forest, is one of the largest forests in western Japan. The whole area including Ashiu Forest was designated as Kyoto Tamba Kogen Quasi-National Park in 2016. It is a very rare forest that is inhabited by many different species of flora, fauna, and insects and lies in a low mountain area near a big city.

Ashiu Forest has received many visitors as a place to physically experience the marvels of nature.