Kyoto Countryside Tours
Explore the mountains and experience local culture, organic farming and beautiful natural surroundings.
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Price per day
One person (Adult)
¥15,000 (including lunch)
One child (2 years-12 years old)
¥10,000 (including lunch)
One child (0 years-1 year old)
¥5,000
Overnight plans available, please contact us for details.
Duration:
5-7 hrs per your request
Language:
English/Japanese
Transportation:
Bus service available from Kyoto Station
Pickup Service from Nijo Station for an additional fee.
OVERNIGHT OPTIONS
Contact us for more information about staying in a traditional Japanese home, camping out in a tent or staying in an onsen hotel.
Escape the city to enjoy nature and explore our gardens
A short bio film where Chuck explains his feelings about being an organic farmer and its impact on the world.
Ready to get out of the city? Curious about the countryside and farming in Japan? Join us for a day in the beautiful countryside no tourist gets to see. Learn about the wilderness and history of old Kyoto. In Japan, the word ‘satoyama’ generally refers to the border zone between the mountain foothills and flat land near a village. It is a place where people live in harmony with nature, harvesting its bounty but also being stewards of the land. On our tours you can choose from a few different Satoyama areas to explore farms, hikes, waterfalls, historic villages and more. Be sure to wear clothing which can get a bit dirty, and let's talk about lunch plans!
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.
Destinations
- Keihoku -
This idyllic village has been supplying timber to the ancient capital of Kyoto for over a thousand years. This long history has allowed Keihoku to develop some distinctive shrines and temples situated in natural surroundings. The wide valley located about 300 meters above sea level has 4 distinct seasons and clean water, perfect for growing delicious vegetables. This is our headquarters with the largest farms and buildings, where we host the largest groups and events. At this location we have a large, traditional Japanese house which can accommodate overnight guests, or there are other accommodations available we can help you to arrange, even in Miyama.
- Kutsuki -
Located in a narrow valley over 350 meters above sea level, this is a place more of nature than humans. Crystal-clear streams trickle down the mountains feeding a small river full of fish and other wildlife. We have special access to the private mountains and know the best places for fishing, hiking, and swimming in the river. Our gardens here are for flowers, herbs, and some vegetables specially chosen which the local monkey troop won’t pilfer. For an overnight stay, there is a lovely campground with tents and sleeping bags available for rent or we can help you arrange accommodations at a lovely onsen hotel nearby.
- Ohara -
A thriving agricultural town for centuries, this was essentially the gardens of the ancient capital. This location is easily reached by public transportation. We will visit their local farmers’ market, historic shrines, and beautiful hiking trails. We can also have a bbq lunch at our fruit garden, or select one of the nice cafes. This is possible as a half-day trip or in conjunction with a trip to Kutsuki. Overnight accommodations available.
Price and details
One person (Adult)
One child (2 years-12 years old)
¥15,000
¥10,000
Overnight options are available, please contact us for more details
The tour starts at 8:00 in Kyoto city and ends around 4:30. We will determine the schedule based on the weather, season, and our guests’ requests, so feel free to let us know what you would like to do.
Pickup Service Option at JR Nijo Station for any of the above destinations
We can offer you a ride from JR Nijo Station for ¥3,000 per person.
*Our vehicle can hold 3 passengers, for larger groups a larger vehicle can be arranged with additional notice.
If you are traveling with young children who require a child seat, please contact us immediately so we can arrange to have one for you.
Public Transportation to the Keihoku location
If you are using public transportation, we can help you find the most suitable bus stop to meet your needs.
It takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes from JR Kyoto Station and runs northwest from there stopping along the way.
Please take the JR bus of Takao/Keihoku Line from Kyoto station (terminal no.3). Shuzan is the final destination.
From Shuzan, please transfer to the Keihoku Furusato Bus and get off at Tanukicho (田貫町).
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*JR Bus Website *Keihoku Furusato Bus
Please contact us when you have arrived at the Tanukicho bus stop and we will meet you there.
If you use a car, it takes about 1 hour from Kyoto City to the north on Route 162.
Public Transportation to the Ohara location
There are a few options available with several departure times throughout the day. Depending upon your preference it can take up to an hour and twenty minutes to arrive at Todera, the bus stop nearest the persimmon field, or Ohara, the nearest stop to the temples.
Public Transportation to the Kutsuki location is not available
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation 5 days before is a 0% cancellation fee.
50% of the cancellation fee will be charged 4 days prior to the tour date.
Cancellation from 3 days before the day of the tour will incur a cancellation fee of 100% of the total number of participants.