The beautiful villages of Northern Kyoto
The beautiful villages of Northern Kyoto
The beautiful villages of Northern Kyoto
5 Days Starting and ending in Kyoto
Visiting: Kyoto, Miyama Kayabuki-no-Sato, Miyazu, Amanohashidate, Ine, Kinosaki Onsen
Tour operator:
Tour code:
131
Group Type:
Independent
Recommended For:
Guide Type:
Self Guided
Physical rating:
Low
Age range:
0-99
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Venture out into the rural mountains of wider Kyoto Prefecture to the north and discover the wonderfully preserved villages of this regions long history. Visit the beautiful village of Miyama, featuring lovingly maintained traditional Kayabuki thatched-roof houses. The village offers excellent exploration opportunities by bicycle and on foot, while overnighting in one of these historic houses. From here, stopover in the Onsen Spa area of Miyazu bay facing the Japan Sea to the North, before travelling via the scenic Amano-Hashidate sandbar to the secluded maritime town of Ine-cho. This port, situated on the northern sea-front, provides wonderful photography opportunities from both land and sea. In addition to overnight stays in a Kayabuki Minshuku and Funaya boathouse inn, the tour also features two nights in excellent Onsen Ryokan. Our Northern Kyoto tour enables guests the opportunity to explore the villages on foot or by bicycle; for those that wish to undertake the tour with our premium folding bicycles, we offer an orientation in Kyoto city before the main tour and free use of the bikes until you return these to us back in Kyoto at the end of the tour.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Travel From Kyoto To The Emotive Village Of Miyama
Location: Kyoto, Miyama Kayabuki-no-Sato
Accommodation: Kayabuki thatched-roof Minshuku
Meals Included: Dinner
Travel by train from Kyoto city, and finish the journey by bicycle or a local bus to the charming settlement of Miyama 美山, a small nostalic village of Kayabuki (thatched-roof) houses, built to withstand the heavy snowfall northern Kyoto experiences in winter. Overnight in one of these traditional dwellings in the evening.
Optional cycling distance: 29km / 18 miles
Elevation gain: 180m / 590 feet of ascent, 320m / 1050 feet of descent
Time required: About 2-3 hours
Day 2 : Head North To The Seaside Town Of Miyazu Onsen
Location: Miyazu
Accommodation: Onsen Ryokan - Traditional Japanese Inn
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Head further north to reach the seaside Onsen town of Miyazu 宮津. As the gateway into the northern coast of Kyoto, Miyazu boasts excellent views out over Wakasa bay and the Japan Sea. Experience delicious local cuisine and excellent Onsen Spa baths.
Optional cycling distance: 29km / 18 miles (in reverse)
Elevation gain: 320m / 1050 feet of ascent, 180m / 590 feet of descent
Time required: About 2-3 hours
Day 3 : Visit Secluded Ine-Cho Via Via The Amano-Hashidate Sandbar
Location: Amanohashidate, Ine
Accommodation: Funaya Boathouse Inn
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning, head south to the iconic sandbar of Amano-Hashidate on Miyazu Bay, which features a spot ranked as one of the three most scenic views of Japan. You may wish to undertake the walk over the sandbar and back to the station before returning to Kyoto city by train.
Head up to the Tango Peninsula, the northernmost region of Kyoto on the Japan Sea, to reach the excellently preserved and secluded sea-front port town of Ine-cho ä¼Šæ ¹ç”º. Enjoy the wonderful scenery from your room at one of the relaxing Funaba boathouses where you will stay, enjoying meals with deliciously fresh seafood caught in the local bay.
Optional cycling distance: 19km / 12 miles
Elevation gain: negligible
Time required: About 2 hours
Day 4 : Experience The Historic Village Of Kinosaki Onsen
Location: Kinosaki Onsen
Accommodation: Onsen Ryokan - Traditional Japanese Inn
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Leave Kyoto prefecture for a short excursion to historic Kinosaki in Hyogo Prefecture, an Onsen Spa town with over 1,300 years of history.
In the evening, explore the myriad of bathhouses and traditional game arcades before overnighting in an Onsen Ryokan.
Optional cycling distance: 43km / 27 miles
Elevation gain: negligible
Time required: About 4-5 hours
Day 5 : Travel On To Kyoto City
Location: Kyoto
Meals Included: Breakfast
Spend the morning further exploring Kinosaki Onsen before heading onwards by train to Kyoto.
If you have opted to use our included bicycles, you are free to use these in and around Kyoto until returning them to our staff in Kyoto in the afternoon.
What's Included
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Four nights at traditional Japanese Funaya, Kayabuki and Onsen Ryokan inns
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4 breakfasts and 4 dinners
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Round-trip train tickets from Kyoto
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Local support by telephone with our Kyoto Office, including optional orientation
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Detailed day-by-day itinerary and topographical maps
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Optional high-quality road or folding bike rental, plus helmet, tool kit, inner tube, bicycle lock
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GPS device rental with detailed route information
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Meals – Half Board
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Train Tickets
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Accommodation
What's Not Included
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Airport Transfers at Destination
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Country Entry Visas
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Drinks with Meals
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Entrance Fees
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Fully Guided
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Flights
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Pay locally for bus journeys on each day (for those not cycling)
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Train Tickets
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Single room supplement(s) if required
Check out our Q&As
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Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?
No. Assistance by phone and email will be provided by our local Kyoto branch. Optional orientation session is also provided pre-tour.
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
Yes, if over the age of 14 and can confidently ride on the road - If under 14 optional cycling and bike rental cannot be provided
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
No
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
All travellers get our Preparing for your Trip and Travelling in Japan documents, as well as a detailed personalized itinerary. Those travelling on one of our self-guided tours receive our bespoke topographical maps and walking instructions.
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Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?
No
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
For our small-group guided tours, if you would like to share with another traveler we will seek to match you up. If we are successful then you need not pay the solo supplement.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 2005
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
Our travellers are typically English speakers from around the world. On our small-group guided tours, you travel in the company of one of our professional local guides.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
As per our booking terms and conditions, change fees would apply. If you have to change your dates due to the prevailing entry requirements for Japan please contact us and we would be happy to work with you to change your dates without charge.
Reviews of this Operator
Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
Oku Japan requires a minimum deposit of 20% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of oku japan charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 41 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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