Nantan

Day Trips

Arrive at Kyoto Station and transfer to Nantan via JR. Settle into a traditional ryokan near Sonobe. Enjoy a welcome tea ceremony in the garden.

Stroll along the banks of the Kameoka River and capture the scenic rural landscapes. Explore the local farmers' market for regional produce. Meet a local guide to learn about Nantan’s history and culture.

Savor a kaiseki dinner featuring seasonal mountain vegetables and Ayu river fish. Relax with a soak in a hot spring bath under the stars. Unwind with a traditional incense meditation session in the ryokan.

Drive toward Miyama Kayabuki no Sato, a preserved thatched-roof village. Walk through the narrow lanes lined with ancient houses. Chat with local craftsmen weaving bamboo baskets.

Participate in a hands-on workshop to weave your own hanafukin fan from bamboo. Savor a rustic lunch of handmade soba noodles served with mountain vegetables. Explore the nearby folk museum to discover local customs.

Return to Sonobe and dine at a family-run izakaya serving Daisen chicken. Sample local sake from Tamba region breweries. End the evening with a stroll under lantern-lit streets.

Visit the Chikumagawa Stream Park and wander through a serene bamboo forest. Listen to rustling leaves and birdsong echoing in the grove. Join a local environmentalist to learn about bamboo conservation.

Head to a traditional tea house in Sonobe for a hands-on tea ceremony. Learn the proper etiquette of whisking matcha under the guidance of a tea master. Pair your tea with locally made wagashi sweets.

Enjoy a farm-to-table dinner highlighting chestnuts, wild mushrooms, and freshly harvested rice. Take part in a nighttime forest walk to spot fireflies near the bamboo grove. Return for a foot bath infused with aromatic herbs at your accommodation.

Travel to the Hozu River in Kameoka and meet your rafting guide. Receive safety instructions and don a wetsuit for the rapids. Glide through canyon walls framed by cedar trees on an inflatable raft.

Break for an outdoor riverside bento lunch with grilled fish and steamed rice. Paddle through gentle rapids while taking in the surrounding mountain vistas. Pause at a sheltered cove to swim in the clear river water.

Warm up with a hearty bowl of hot ramen at a riverside shack. Relax in a nearby outdoor onsen overlooking the river. Share stories around a fire pit under the starry sky.

Hike up to Kurama-dera Shrine nestled in the Oeyama mountains. Traverse moss-covered stone steps lined with towering cedars. Offer a prayer at the main hall and ring the sacred bell.

Continue along the forest trail to Kibune Village and stop at a riverside restaurant. Dine on kawayuka plates over the flowing forest stream. Visit a small shrine dedicated to water festivals.

Descend back to Nantan and indulge in a yakitori dinner paired with local craft beers. Attend a lantern-lit night walk through Sonobe’s temple gardens. Reflect on the day’s blessings beneath ancient cherry blossoms.

Check in to a hillside ryokan in Hiyoshi region that boasts private hot spring baths. Start your day with a slow soak among bamboo groves. Enjoy a healthy breakfast of grilled fish, miso soup, and fresh rice.

Join a cooking class led by a local chef at the ryokan. Learn to prepare gohei-mochi and vegetable tempura using mountain herbs. Share techniques with fellow travelers over a steaming pot of dashi broth.

Feast on the dishes you prepared alongside other seasonal specialties. Sip on yuzu-infused sake while overlooking the valley lit by fireflies. End the night with a guided stargazing tour on the ryokan terrace.

Rent bicycles in Sonobe and cycle along peaceful country roads. Pass fields of rice paddies and rustic farmhouses. Stop to greet farmers tending to morning chores.

Arrive at Kawasaki Dam for panoramic views of the surrounding hills. Picnic on packed onigiri and tamagoyaki by the water’s edge. Hike a short trail around the reservoir to spot kingfishers.

Cycle back to town and dine at a café serving wood-fired pizza topped with local produce. Indulge in a refreshing gelato made from seasonal fruits. Enjoy a quiet evening walk under lantern-lit alleys.

Check into a restored machiya townhouse on the outskirts of Sonobe. Help the host family feed chickens and collect fresh eggs. Join in sweeping the courtyard and tending to potted plants.

Try your hand at planting rice seedlings in the paddies. Learn about traditional irrigation practices from local farmers. Cool off with shaved ice flavoured with matcha syrup under the shade of a persimmon tree.

Share a home-cooked dinner of nishime stew and pickled vegetables. Exchange stories with your host around a cozy hearth. Doze off to the sound of crickets and soft breeze through sliding doors.

Attend a local matsuri festival in Sonobe featuring taiko drumming. Watch colorful mikoshi processions parade through narrow streets. Sample festival snacks like yakisoba and kakigori.

Visit Tamba Sake Brewery for a guided tour of the fermentation rooms. Learn how region’s soft water produces a delicate sake. Sample three different junmai-style sakes paired with light appetizers.

Celebrate at a traditional dance performance in a historic teahouse. Try on a yukata and join in the communal bon dance. Wrap up the night with late-night soba at a standing noodle bar.

Participate in a silent forest meditation near a sacred cedar grove. Feel the morning sun filter through misty pines as you focus on your breath. Bless the land with a small ritual offering.

Enjoy a final meal of chirashi sushi and seaweed salad at a riverside café. Stroll through souvenir stalls to pick up local crafts like woven baskets. Say farewell to friends and family at Sonobe Station.

Board the train back to Kyoto or Osaka while reflecting on your immersive journey. Sip green tea and gaze out at passing countryside scenery. Carry home memories of Nantan’s warm hospitality and serene landscapes.