Discover Kyoto’s Most Healing Scenery: Miyama Village, and the Upside-Down View of Amanohashidate

Text by Qidou Travel Network | Photos by Phoenix Travel

Backed by vast forests and the Miyama River, Miyama Village is a tapestry of pastoral scenery where fields and thatched cottages blend seamlessly. Its ethereal, otherworldly ambiance, clean air, and spiritual energy have led Japanese media to dub it: the spiritual homeland of the Japanese people.

This secluded village has no railways or major roads, making transportation somewhat inconvenient. It’s also smaller in scale compared to Shirakawa-go, but that means fewer tourists and less commercialization—qualities that give Miyama its unique charm. The Phoenix Travel Japan tour “Discover the Original Countryside Charm in 5 Days” takes you deep into Miyama Village’s thatched-roof cottage district, one of Japan’s Three Views—Amanohashidate—and the stunning maritime boat houses of Ine Town, capturing the most authentic scenery of Kyoto.

Miyama’s Kitamura district has 38 thatched-roof houses. The craftsmanship and historical landscape preserved here have been designated as an Important Traditional Buildings Group Preservation District. The steeply pitched roofs are made from locally sourced reeds and straw, layered and trimmed, then secured entirely by wooden joints and ropes. Due to natural wear over time, the roofs need to be replaced roughly every twenty years. Today, only a few master craftsmen still practice this technique. The annual mandatory fire drills, where water is sprayed over the thatched roofs, have unexpectedly become a popular attraction.

The most famous and popular attraction in Kyoto Prefecture is likely Amanohashidate, located on the Tango Peninsula. Along with Miyajima in Hiroshima Prefecture and Matsushima in Miyagi Prefecture, it is ranked as one of Japan’s Three Views. Amanohashidate was formed by tidal sand deposits creating a sandbar, atop which around eight thousand pine trees grow, forming a picturesque scene of white sand and green pines.

Taking a cable car to the summit’s Kasamatsu Park offers one of the best views of Amanohashidate. The park features several “thigh-view outlooks.” By bending down and looking between your legs, the sky and sea appear inverted, making the sandbar look like a bridge stretching up to the heavens—this is the origin of its name.

Additionally, in the northeastern part of the Tango Peninsula lies another unique attraction: the maritime boat houses of Ine Town in Ine Village. These are actually residences of an ancient fishing village, built along the bay to facilitate fishing. During high tide, the houses appear to float on the sea. The water here is extremely clear, allowing visitors to enjoy boat rides through Ine Bay, surrounded by reflections of green mountains and seascape boat houses like a living painting.

On the 5-day Original Countryside Charm tour, aside from natural scenery, a highly recommended highlight is: the dual-sword style—hometown of Miyamoto Musashi. Miyamoto Musashi was a swordsman, military strategist, and artist from the early Edo period, who founded the Niten Ichi-ryu (two-sword style) of swordsmanship and authored The Book of Five Rings. He is a household name in Japan, familiar to fans of Japanese dramas and films, with even some ramen shops drawing inspiration from his spirit. The tour includes visits to Musashi’s dojo, Sanzu Shrine, the memorial monument of Miyamoto Musashi’s birthplace, and the museum, offering a deeper understanding of this legendary figure.

Additionally, the quaint and historic town of Hirafuku Juku, another lesser-known hidden gem, is located in western Hyogo Prefecture. Originally a town from the Warring States period, it later evolved into a post town. Strolling along its streets, you’ll find buildings that retain the ambiance of the Edo period. Stone walls line the Sayo River, and old storehouse complexes along the riverbanks offer a strong sense of time travel.

The itinerary also features Tottori Sand Dunes, shaped by 30,000 years of natural forces. From November onwards, the tour includes famous autumn foliage spots such as the “Red Leaf Mountain” at Mozume Highland and Yufuin Shrine, immersing you in the seasonal beauty of Japan’s countryside.

More Related Information

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Recommended Tour: Discover the Original Countryside Charm – Miyamoto Musashi, Kyoto Miyama Village, Amanohashidate (5 Days)
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