Miyama Kayabuki no Sato (Kyoto Prefecture): How to Visit, When to Go and What It Costs
美山茅草屋之里 · かやぶきの里 · Miyama Kayabuki no Sato · Kayabuki no Sato · かやぶきの里・北村 · 美山 茅草屋之里 · 茅葺之里·北村
Miyama Kayabuki no Sato — Kyoto Prefecture
| Also known as | 美山茅草屋之里 · かやぶきの里 · Miyama Kayabuki no Sato · Kayabuki no Sato · かやぶきの里・北村 · 美山 茅草屋之里 · 茅葺之里·北村 |
| Region | Kyoto Prefecture, Japan |
| Coordinates | 35.314286, 135.622617 |
What it is
Miyama Kayabuki no Sato is a mountain village in Kitamura, Miyama, Nantan City, Kyoto Prefecture. It consists of around 50 houses, 38 of which have thatched roofs, including a community hall, a folklore museum, and guesthouses. The houses are built on leveled slopes with stone walls at the front, and most of the surviving thatched-roof homes date from the mid to late Edo period. They are classified as Kitayama-style folk houses, characterized by tall hip-and-gable roofs with decorative finials similar to shrine chigi. The village was designated a National Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings in 1993, covering 127.5 hectares including surrounding rice paddies and forest. A local preservation society was formed, and residents established a company to manage the buildings and operate tourist facilities. Visitors can walk through the settlement, visit the folklore museum and shrine, and eat at the village restaurant.When to go
The village is a residential area with no stated seasonal closures. Allow half a day for the visit, accounting for the limited bus frequency on the approach.Getting there
The village is in the Kitayama mountains of northern Kyoto Prefecture. From Sonobe Station or Hiyoshi Station on the JR Sanin Main Line, take a Nantan City Bus to the "Kita" stop; buses run roughly once every one to two hours. The approach road is Kyoto Prefectural Road 38.What it costs
The source material does not list an admission fee for entering the village. The restaurant and souvenir shop are operated by the village company.Frequently asked questions
Are the houses open to the public?
Some buildings serve public functions, including a folklore museum, a community hall, and guesthouses. The rest are private residences.
Is the village still inhabited?
Yes. Residents live in the thatched-roof houses and participate in the preservation society. The village company is run by local shareholders.
How are the thatched roofs maintained?
Thatched roofs need to be replaced every few decades. In the past, villagers did this collectively; now, subsidies from the local government allow specialist contractors to handle the work. Local residents have recently begun training as thatchers again.
Are there fire risks in the village?
Thatched-roof houses are vulnerable to fire. The community hall burned down in 2000 and was rebuilt two years later. Each main house is equipped with a water cannon stored in a shed-shaped box that opens by remote control when deployed.
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Reference: Wikidata · Wikipedia (ja)