Minamiyamashiro, Kyoto ─the must visit village in Kyoto / Discover the charms and hotels guaranteed to impress

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Matcha, scenic views, and ninja culture—all that awaits you

Minamiyamashiro—the must visit village in Kyoto. Discover the charms of this area and hotels guaranteed to impress.

 Located in the southeastern end of Kyoto, Minamiyamashiro borders the prefectures of Shiga, Nara, and Mie, making it a uniquely positioned blend of cultures. It is easily accessible, located about 1.5 hours from both central Kyoto and Osaka by train.

 Surrounded by mountains with the Kizu River flowing through its centre, Minamiyamashiro is abundant in natural offerings. It is famous for producing Uji tea and sencha, and hosts many scenic spots to visit, such as the famous tea fields of Ishidera. Activities such as tours of the tea fields and tea-picking experiences are popular ways to enjoy the wonders of matcha. During tea-picking tours, visitors can experience making and drinking tea from freshly picked leaves on-site, providing a unique insight into tea agriculture. Traditional houses converted into cafes are scattered throughout the town of Wazuka, where in visitors can enjoy local teas. At the Wazuka Tea Café, the owner personally guides guests through tea fields, explaining the subtleties between different varieties of tea and offering tea-picking experiences. The dan dan café offers sweeping views of Ishidera, and serves dishes and desserts made with local ingredients.

 Another one of Minamiyamashiro’s claims to fame is that it was once a ninja village or a “Shinobi no Sato.” It is close to Iga City in Mie Prefecture, where the Iga-ryu Ninja Museum is located. Here, visitors can try their hand at throwing shuriken (ninja stars), explore the ninja house of tricks, and learn about the history of Iga-ryu ninjutsu (ninja martial arts). There are also live ninja shows which feature real weapons and tools. Popular with both local and international audiences, these shows play an important role in spreading an understanding of ninja culture worldwide. Over in the Iga Danjiri Museum are displays of danjiri ( festival floats) used in the Iga Autumn Festival, and a “Ninja Transformation Place” where visitors can rent ninja costumes. Exploring the stone walls, castle, and main keep at Iga Ueno Castle is also recommended as part of a ninja-related tour.

 For accommodation, visitors can’t miss the chance to stay at Fairfield by Marriott Kyoto Minamiyamashiro. A unique feature of the hotel is that it does not have an in-house restaurant, instead encouraging guests to enjoy local offerings. With 29 Fairfield by Marriott Michi-no- Eki hotels across Japan, they are perfect for uncovering regional treasures to delve into a deeper travel experience in Japan (https://fairfield-michinoeki-japan.com). Next to the hotel is the Roadside Station Ocha no Kyoto Minamiyamashiro Village, where visitors can purchase fresh local products such as fragrant Uji tea drinks and sweets, as well as fruits and vegetables grown in Minamiyamashiro.

 Just a bit further from Minamiyamashiro are a number of interesting tourist spots in the Yagyu no Sato area of Nara Prefecture. Known as the home of the legendary swordsmen of Yagyu Shinkage-ryu, Yagyu no Sato features a must-see attraction– the Itto-Seki, a massive seven-metre-wide stone split into two. It is said to have been cut by a single stroke that felled a tengu (a long-nosed mythical creature). This stone is believed to have inspired the giant rock split by Kamado Tanjiro during his training in the anime Demon Slayer. If a visit here is on the cards, then Fairfield by Marriott Nara Tenri Yamanobenomichi serves as a convenient option. A trip that starts in Minamiyamashiro, one of Japan’s hidden gems, can lead to a profound exploration of Nara’s rich history, culture, and traditions that are renowned around the world.



Fairfield by Marriott Kyoto Minamiyamashiro

Address: 105 Tonda, Kita-okawara Minamiyamashiromura, Soraku-gun, Kyoto, Japan, 619-1411
Tel: +81 743-93-1555
Access: Approx. 1 hour and 20 minutes by car from Kyoto Station, approx. 1 hour and 30 minutes by car from Osaka Station, or approx. 10 minutes on foot from JR Tsukigaseguchi Station (approx. 1 hour and 30 minutes from Kyoto Station to Tsukigaseguchi Station, and approx. 1 hour and 40 minutes from Osaka Station to Tsukigaseguchi Station).

Fairfield by Marriott Nara Tenri Yamanobenomichi

Address: 438-7 Moto Yamaguchikata, Somanouchi cho, Tenri, Nara, Japan, 632-0032
Tel: +81 743-62-3150
Access: Approx. 1 hour and 10 minutes by car from Osaka Station, approx. 1 hour and 30 minutes by car from Kyoto Station, approx. 45 minutes by car from Nara Station, and approx. 10 minutes by car from JR/Kintetsu Tenri Station (approx. 1 hour and 30 minutes from Osaka Station to Tenri Station, and approx. 1 hour and 30 minutes from Kyoto Station to Tenri Station).

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