A Stay with a Sense of Place

Experience a Private Stay at an Authentic Traditional Thatched Home in Miyama

When you arrive at Miyama Futon & Breakfast, spare a moment to take in your surroundings. Ringed by forests and rice fields, these 6 thatched-roof villas provide guests with the authentic sense of staying in a traditional rural house. With this Wabunka plan, you will be staying in the Honkan, a 150-year old thatched-roof house that has been recognized by the Japanese government as a Tangible Cultural Property.

Traditional Aesthetics with Modern Comfort

As you explore downstairs and upstairs, you will notice that there are some nods to the comforts of modernity in the Honkan, including comfortable tables and chairs. Nevertheless the traditional rural aesthetic is maintained throughout the building, with wooden beams and thatch left openly visible to the eye just as they would have been hundreds of years ago. Soft lighting is provided to enhance the deep glow of the natural materials that comprise the interior of the Honkan.

Other Villa

Hotaruan

The Hotaruan is your exclusive Miyama retreat, set within a vast 5,000-square-meter sanctuary ideal for intimate, smaller-group stays. The property seamlessly pairs traditional aesthetics with modern comforts, including a cypress bath, sauna, and full kitchen. Framed by seasonal beauty—from spring sakura to deep autumn foliage—Hotaruan offers a refined, peaceful escape.

*Please note that room assignments may be subject to change based on availability. If a change is necessary, the rate may vary, and we will notify you of the details beforehand.

Deepen Your Connection to the Region

Mastering Ancient Craftsmanship with Hands-On Cultural Experiences in Miyama

Thatching is a traditional building technique, passed down through generations over thousands of years (in England, the surname Thatcher belonged to artisans of the practice long before it arrived at 10 Downing Street). Thatching generally utilizes whatever local vegetation works best, with Japanese thatched roofs (kayabuki-yane) most often constructed using susuki grass, yoshi reeds and wara straw.

To try your hand at this ancient art yourself, don a traditional blue happi coat and white tenugui head towel to participate in Miyama FUTON & Breakfast’s unique thatching experience. Led by seasoned thatchers, this unique hands-on experience offers the opportunity to understand the fascinating levels of thought and craftsmanship involved with transforming living plants into the graceful structures that adorn the tops of buildings all around you in Miyama. Division of labor is crucial to thatching, so your leader will be sure to show you the different roles and different tools required to produce a perfect thatched roof.

While the thatching experience is only available from late-March to November, guests who arrive outside the thatching off-season can participate in the Japanese tradition of mochitsuki. Mochitsuki, a beloved tradition at New Year among many Japanese families, is the process of preparing mochi, a soft and slightly chewy Japanese treat made by pounding steamed rice. Led by local residents, you can try this in the traditional way, striking the rice with a wooden mallet until it is ready to be enjoyed as delicious chewy mochi.

Please note as well that if you wish to explore more of the local area during your stay in Miyama, you can borrow bicycles free of charge as a special benefit only available to Wabunka customers. Pedal leisurely along meandering country roads through rustic villages with thatched-roof houses set against a background of lush forests and clear fast-flowing rivers.

Immerse Yourself in the Traditions of the Japanese Countryside with an Overnight Stay in Miyama

It might be said that while the cities of a nation often stand at the cutting edge of cultural innovation, the countryside is often the guardian of long-cherished traditions. Many travelers search far and wide for a place in Japan where they can catch a glimpse of traditional rural life, where houses are still built in the way they were for hundreds of years. Despite being located just an hour and a half’s drive from the city of Kyoto, Miyama is still a place where this is possible.

At Miyama FUTON & Breakfast, you can catch more than just a glimpse or a couple of photographs of traditional thatched-roof buildings. Rather, you can actually stay overnight and experience a sense of how these lovingly crafted homes have brought generations of people together around their warm irori hearths.