Nearby Sightseeing Spots

Miyama Town is best known for its traditional thatched (kayabuki) houses. In December 1993, Kitamura (North Village) in the town was designated as the national preservation site which has the most buildings with kayabuki (“thatched roofs”) – 38 out of 50 houses – the thickest concentration of thatched roof houses in Japan.

Kayabuki-no-sato is the most visited attraction in Miyama Town where you can meet with classical rural Japan landscape.

The Ashiu Forest in Miyama is a large primary forest with a huge variety of flora and fauna, preserved and administered by Kyoto University. Much of Ashiu Forest is off limits to anyone but researchers or those on a guided tour, serene atmosphere won’t be ruined by hoards of tourists. If you intend to do hiking, you should register at the office in Ashiu before entering the forest.
https://fastjapan.com/en/p115533

The shop Furatto Miyama has a great assortment of products made by local farmers – from fresh vegetables and fruit to pastry and sweets, as well as craft items made of wood and Japanese paper, all of which make great souvenirs.

Ohno Dam is the first multi-purpose dam constructed in Kyoto Prefecture in 1961. The dam lake is named “Rainbow Lake” and selected as one of the “100 Best Dam Lakes in Japan.”

In spring, more than 1000 cherry trees bloom and, more than 500 maple trees change their leaves into beutiful autumn colors in autum. There are festivals to entertain locals as well as visitors when blossoms and leaves are in their best season.

Amanohashidate (the Bridge to the Heaven) is rated as one of Japan’s “three great views.” The sandbar that spans the mouth of Miyazu Bay is really a long, narrow sand spit, 3.5km in length and covered with 8000 pine trees. Viewed from the mountains at either end of the bay, the sandbar looks like a pathway between heaven and earth.

Several attractions can be explored on foot or by rental bycycle at either end of the sandbar. Visitors can further take sightseeing cruises around the bay.

Hozugawa River Cruises are sightseeing boat rides down the Hozugawa River from Kameoka to Arashiyama. The cruises utilize traditional style, flat bottomed boats piloted by boatmen who guide the craft with oars and bamboo poles. The boats take about two hours to leisurely make their way down the river and are a relaxing way to see the natural scenery of the largely undeveloped ravine.

The river cruises are often combined with a ride on the Sagano Scenic Railway or Sagano Torokko Train. It’s charming, old fashioned trains wind their way through the mountains at a relatively slow pace, taking about 25 minutes to make the seven kilometer journey and giving passengers a pleasant view of the scenery as they travel from Arashiyama through the forested ravine and into rural Kameoka.

Rurikei Valley Natural Park is a Kyoto Prefectural Natural Park located in southwest area of Sonobe Town, Nantan City. A 4 km stroll course alongside the river will take you to waterfalls and rocks of all sizes and show you the marvel of nature. Cherry blossoms in spring and leaves in autumn are also beautiful.

Obama, one of the port town on the Sea of Japan side since ancient times, had become the cultural capital with 130 temples, known as Little Kyoto. The “Mackerel Road” is the route various marine foods from Wakasa Bay, especially fresh mackerels quickly salted in Obama, had been sent from Obama to Kyoto for long time and various cultures had come to Obama through this road.

A number of picturesque landscape sites, including Sotomo Arch in the bay of Wakasa, which has been selected as one of the Japan’s 34 most beutiful places by CNN, the U.S. broadcasting company.

Wakasa area including Obama has good fishing grounds of Wakasa Bay where warm and cold currents mix together. Highly regarded local delicacies include Wakasa flounder (Wakasa Karei), Wakasa sea bream (Wakasa Amadai) and Wakasa blowfish (Wakasa Fugu).