Time
approx. 4 hoursStarts 10am
Active Level
Group Size
1–4 guestsPricing
Spend a slow and enriching day in a peaceful mountain village where the legends of water still flow.
- Try hands-on farming with local families in a peaceful mountain village.
- Enjoy a fresh, home-cooked lunch made with seasonal ingredients from the village harvest.
- Create your own indigo-dyed textile in a fun, hands-on workshop.
- Meet artisans and discover how age-old crafts are evolving in rural Japan at Kimono Shits Studio.
- Meet friendly locals and discover how people live in harmony with nature, both now and in the past.
- Guided by residents who share stories and foster real connections.
Course Details
After meeting your guide at JR Maibara Station, take a short local train ride and then head by car into the hills to Kamiyamada, a hidden satoyama settlement nestled among rice fields and forest.
Blessed with abundant spring water flowing from the surrounding mountains—once revered as sacred—this quiet village feels like a timeless scene from Japan’s rural past. Depending on the season, you’ll join a local farmer for a glimpse into rice field work, from planting young seedlings to harvesting the golden crop.
Next, explore the region’s natural craft culture with a hands-on indigo dyeing workshop. Using leaves grown locally, you’ll create your own beautifully hand-dyed tenugui to take home as a keepsake. Then, visit a small shirt-making studio that breathes new life into old kimono fabric—an inspiring example of sustainability rooted in tradition.
Lunch is a quiet highlight: a fresh, homemade meal made with the village’s own rice and seasonal vegetables, prepared with care by members of the local community. Vegetarian and vegan meals can be arranged upon request.
This experience is especially well-suited for families looking to connect with rural Japan at a gentle pace—where nature, culture, and warm hospitality come together in everyday life.
Course Notes
- Available year-round (except during the New Year holiday season)
- This one-day course starts at 10 am.
- Meeting point is JR Maibara Station, but your guide may conclude the tour at Takatsuki Station
- Suitable for all ages. No strenuous activities.
- For child participants, please ensure that those under age 18 are accompanied by an adult. Adult rates start from 13 years old.
- Children under 13 can join for ¥8,800 each. Children under 6 are free, but the base price (which covers up to 2 participants) still applies even if joining with just one adult and one child.
- Rain or shine.
- We strongly recommend purchasing appropriate travel insurance in advance. Although minimal insurance is included.
What’s Included
- Professional bilingual (EN/JA) guide
- Farm fresh lunch
- Farming experience
- Indigo dyeing workshop
- All admission
Not Included
- All train fares
- Souvenirs, snacks, etc.
Meeting Point
Meet your guide right at the ticket gate of JR Maibara Station. By bullet train, Maibara is 1 stop east (20 min) from Kyoto. The guide will then join you for a short local train ride to Takatsuki, the actual tour site. The tour will conclude at Kinomoto Station.
Pricing
This is an exclusive private tour — just for your group.
Private Tour Pricing (effective June 1, 2025)
| Description | Price (excl. tax) |
|---|---|
| Base Rate (2-guest group) Solo travelers pay a 2-guest rate (¥60,000) |
¥30,000 / person |
| Additional guest (up to 4 guests total) | +¥15,000 per person |
*10% consumption tax will be added to the above prices.