Kyoto | The independent Miyama Town, Kyoto Kogassho Village, Kayabuki Village

The three major Gassho villages in Japan are Ouchijuku, Shirakawa-go, and Miyama-cho. There are about 50 households in the settlement, 38 of which live in traditional thatched houses. It is smaller than Shirakawa-go and transportation is not very convenient. Miyama Town is located in Nantan City, northwest of Kyoto. Residents began to settle there more than 200 years ago. It takes about an hour and a half to drive from Kyoto or Amanohashidate. If you take public transportation, take the JR to Hiyoshi and then transfer to the Nantan city bus, which will arrive in about an hour. Since the intervals between buses are long, it is recommended to check the return schedule in advance to avoid waiting too long. The most famous attraction in Kayabukinosato is this red mailbox. The bright color contrasts with the quaint thatched house, and it is also the place where most tourists stop to take pictures. What is more special is that in addition to the crisscrossing chigi on the roof, there is also a long wooden strip called yukirari, which is the wisdom of the ancients to protect the roof from heavy snow in winter. Miyama’s milk is quite famous and can be bought in supermarkets in Kyoto, but when you go to Miyama-cho, you might as well try the ice cream made from Miyama milk. Finally, what moved me the most was the doll in the bus stop. Because I didn’t check the return time that day, I had to wait for a long time. When I was strolling around and saw the doll in the bus stop, I knew that I still had someone to accompany me, and I smiled knowingly. 📍Address: 〒601-0712 Miyama-cho North, Nantan City, Kyoto Prefecture #JanuaryGoodPlaces2025