Kyoto Countryside Tours
Explore the mountains and experience local culture, organic farming and beautiful natural surroundings.
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Escape the city to enjoy nature and explore our gardens
Discover another world of natural beauty an hour from Kyoto city.
The scenery changes as you pass through the tunnels and small villages.
Experience the breathtaking surroundings in the high mountain valleys.
Ready to step out of the city and into the countryside?
Join us for a day in rural Kyoto, exploring farms, nature, and places most visitors never see.
Our experiences are rooted in satoyama—the traditional landscape where people live in balance with the land.
Choose from different areas to explore farms, hikes, waterfalls, and historic villages.
Wear clothes you don’t mind getting a little dirty, and let’s talk about lunch along the way.
Destinations
- Keihoku -
This is our main base, home to our largest farms and facilities, where we host bigger groups and events.
The surrounding village has supplied timber to Kyoto for over a thousand years,
shaping a landscape rich in history, shrines, and temples set in nature.
Located in a wide valley about 300 meters above sea level,
the area enjoys four clear seasons and clean water—ideal for growing delicious vegetables.
Here, we use a large traditional Japanese house to welcome and host our tours.
- Kutsuki -
Set in a narrow valley over 350 meters above sea level, this is a place of true natural beauty.
Clear mountain streams feed a small river rich with fish and wildlife,
and we have special access to nearby private mountains for fishing, hiking, and river swimming.
Our gardens here focus on carefully chosen cultivars that even the local monkeys tend to leave alone.
For overnight stays, guests can camp with tents and sleeping bags provided,
or we can help arrange a stay at a nearby onsen hotel.
- Ohara -
Long an agricultural center serving the ancient capital, this area is often called Kyoto’s garden.
Easily reached by public transportation, it offers visits to local farmers’ markets,
historic shrines, and scenic hiking trails.
Enjoy a barbecue lunch near our fruit garden or choose from nearby cafés.
This visit works well as a half-day trip, combined with a visit to Kutsuki, or as part of an overnight stay.
Prices and details
One person (Adult) Day trip
¥15,000
One child (2 years-12 years old) Day trip
¥10,000
Infants (0-1 year old)
¥5,000
One person (Adult) Overnight stay
¥30,000
One child (2 years-12 years old) Overnight stay
¥20,000
Infants Overnight stay
¥10,000
Tour schedules are planned around the weather and your interests,
so feel free to tell us what you’d like to explore.
Day tours usually run from around 9:00 am to 4:30 pm, starting and ending in Kyoto city.
Overnight experiences typically last 24 hours, and we’re happy to help arrange accommodations,
including options with onsen baths or special meals.
Transportation can be tricky for visitors, so please contact us for the best options.
Get in touch to plan your perfect countryside experience.
Grow Your Vision
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“Chuck Kayser is a friendly American midwesterner, long-time resident of Japan, making a go of organic farming in this beautiful countryside area of Shiga - about a 45 min drive from Kyoto.