Kyoto Miyama Thatched Village Snow Lantern Festival Day Tour | 2027 Winter Exclusive - Mochi Pounding & Red Bean Soup Experience, Amanohashidate, Ine Boat Houses | Departing from Osaka

Kyoto's Thatched Village—Miyama Thatched Village Snow Lantern Festival, along with Shirakawa-go in Gifu Prefecture and Ouchi-juku in Fukushima Prefecture, is one of the three remaining thatched house settlements in Japan. The thatched houses in Miyama belong to the Kitayama-style folk house architecture, characterized by a kirizuma-zukuri roof on the upper part and a yosemune-zukuri roof on the lower part, known as irimoya-zukuri.

Amanohashidate, hailed as one of the "Three Views of Japan," is a natural sandbar stretching approximately 3.6 kilometers, lying across the sea like a bridge in the sky. Amanohashidate is particularly enchanting in winter—the white sandbar and pine forests are covered in a thin layer of snow, resembling a silver ribbon floating between the blue sea and the white snow.

Take the cable car to the observation deck and overlook Amanohashidate under a snow-covered landscape. The sea and sky blend seamlessly, and the pine forests are picturesque—a romantic and unique winter spectacle. The cool sea breeze and tranquil atmosphere intertwine, allowing you to forget the hustle and bustle and immerse yourself in the unique serenity of winter in Japan.

Amanohashidate View Land - A bird's-eye view of Amanohashidate. Located on Manju Hill, View Land offers panoramic views of Amanohashidate from an observation deck. The hill features a sightseeing bus and rides suitable for all ages. From this vantage point, Amanohashidate resembles a dragon soaring into the sky, hence the name "Flying Dragon View." Here you can enjoy a vibrant and dynamic view of Amanohashidate. (Cable car tickets not included.)

My Son Village has about 50 buildings, including about 40 thatched houses (most of which are residential) and was selected as an Important National Preservation Area for Groups of Traditional Buildings in 1993.

The most beautiful photo spot – the little red mailbox! Take a picture with the thatched hut in front as the main subject, and the rows of thatched huts behind it – it's absolutely gorgeous! Also, don't forget the old-fashioned mailbox with its bright red sign at the entrance; it's the iconic symbol of Miyama Kayabuki no Sato!

Ine Town, located in northern Kyoto Prefecture, is known as the "Venice of Japan." Its most distinctive feature is the boathouses (funaya) built along the coastline. These boathouses are characterized by their ground floor, which faces directly into the bay and serves as a parking area for small boats—essentially a "garage on the sea." The second floor is used as living space. Currently, there are approximately 230 boathouses in Ine Town, neatly arranged along the arc-shaped coastline of Ine Bay, creating a unique maritime landscape. The history of the boathouses dates back to the Edo period, and fishermen still live and work here today. Due to this unique architectural style, the Ine boathouses have been designated as an "Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings" in Japan.

Take a cruise on Ine Bay to tour the entire bay area from different angles, admiring the unique landscape of neatly arranged boathouses. Seagulls often fly alongside the boat, creating a captivating seaside village scene under the cool winter sun. Through the mist-shrouded bay shore, you can feel the tranquility of time flowing by and glimpse the wisdom of generations of fishermen along the Sea of Japan coast. In winter, Ine Bay lacks the hustle and bustle of summer tourists, gaining a beauty that seems frozen in time. Whether you are a photography enthusiast, a couple, or a traveler seeking to experience "authentic Japanese scenery," you can find peace and inspiration here.

One of the best ways to explore the Ine Boat Houses is by taking a sightseeing boat tour of Ine Bay. Tour Itinerary: The boat departs from the pier in Ine Bay, circling the bay for approximately 25 minutes. From the second-floor deck, you can enjoy panoramic views of the rows of boat houses and experience the picturesque traditional fishing village scenery. Highlights: On board, passengers can observe the boat houses and the daily lives of the fishermen up close, and may even encounter flocks of seagulls. Many tourists buy snacks to feed the seagulls, which is quite a fun activity. (Boats depart every hour and half-hour; tickets are at your own expense.)