Miyama’s Thatched Village Snow Lantern Festival
Period
The snowfalls start in mid-December in Miyama and the region is covered by snow in January and early February. During harsh winter period, there were few visitors in Miyama. Villagers organized the event wishing to welcome visitors in this period by sharing the stunning monochrome village landscape covered by snow with snow lantern illumination.
Lanterns (electric light) as well as LED lanterns also create fantastic and nostalgic scenery of thatched roofs covered by snow. Snow lanterns will be handmade by visitors, locals and event supporters. Please join making snow lanterns to create beautiful landscape together!
Located 80 minutes drive distance from central Kyoto, meeting authentic rural old Japan landscape at Kayabuki-no-sato in Kyoto Miyama.
“Kayabuki-no-sato,” or Miyama’s thatched village, is one of 57 hamlets in Miyama Town, Nantan City of Kyoto Prefecture. Miyama region lies between the Japan Sea of Fukui Prefecture and Kyoto City, the ancient capital. From Fukui coastline, prized mackerels packed in salt rushed down to Kyoto crossing the region surrounded by mountains. The paths through the hills, known as the mackerel highway or sabakaido, still exist in the village crossing from east to west.
The cluster of thatched-roof houses remain in this village, 39 houses out of 50 households have thatched-roofs, most of them are between150 and 220 old, built in the 19th century.
Main buildings are built parallel to the river, window side facing south side. Their style is known as Kitayama style of farmhouse architecture that developed in the villages north of Kyoto. Kitayama houses are square with wooden walls and a slightly raised earthen-floored entrance area. Kayabuki-no-sato was designated a Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings on 8th December 1993, in recognition of the highly valued degree of preservation of the historical landscape including a group of building using traditional architectural techniques.
Since then, the historic houses and traditional environment are maintained by Kayabuki-no-sato Preservation Association and Kayabuki-no-sato Co., Ltd. which have been organized by local residents of the village.
Event
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EVERYDAY
Kayabuki-no-sato illumination
The lanterns, including approximately 78 snow lanterns, 200 LED lanterns, 50 paper lanterns (and others), will be lit up to illuminate the thatched village at night with their light.
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EVERYDAY 17:00-20:00
Food Stalls
We hold daily food stalls featuring warm menus made with local ingredients! The stall menu is scheduled to be updated around December, so please look forward to it.
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EVERYDAY 15:00-19:30
Snow Lanter Making Activity
“Yukitouro” is not only a place to enjoy beautiful nightscapes but also a participatory event where our visitors can create creatively designed snow lanterns and display them throughout the venue.
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31st January/ 3rd February 2024 18:00-
Japanese traditional Dance performance
We will offer a performance of the Harunori-style Japanese dance at a historic shrine in the region, established in 1058. Please enjoy Japanese dance in the special space illuminated by lanterns.
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28th January/ 2nd February 2024 17:30-
Mochi Pounding Activity
Give it a go for Japanese traditional mochi making. No reservation is required. First come first serve!
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31st January/ 3rd February 2024 18:30
Winter Fireworks
The fireworks set off to complement the fantastical landscape of swirling snow will bring a mysterious radiance to the tranquil village.