Exploring an underrated Hidden Gem in Kyoto | Snow Lantern Festival

Hi guys! It’s been so long since we posted here.
For today’s blog, we would like to share with you a hidden gem in Kyoto.

You might have heard about the very famous Shirakawa-go - the small village in Gifu prefecture known for its traditional thatched-roof houses. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Did you know that there’s a village similar to Shirakawa-go in Kyoto? If it’s your first time visiting Japan and want to see Shirakawa-go but also want to go to Kyoto, you might want to consider Kayabuki No Sato instead.

Last January 27, 2024, we went to Kayabuki No Sato with friends from Cebu who were in Japan for a vacation. It’s the first day of Kayabuki No Sato’s Snow Lantern Festival. It is a yearly festival that lasts for a week. This year 2024, the Snow Lantern Festival was celebrated from January 27 to February 3. During the event, the whole village transforms into a magical paradise illuminated by candles and lights. Many people also showcase their artistry in the snow lantern-making event.

Our excited faces as we are about to take our very first snow trip this 2024!

Travel time to Kayabuki No Sato takes more or less 3 hours from Osaka. A day trip is possible if you depart early. We’re traveling with a baby so we already know we could not do a day trip. Our friends are staying in Kyoto so they went ahead to spend more time enjoying the village and playing in the snow. As for us, we rented an Airbnb near the JR Hiyoshi station in Nantan, Kyoto - an hour away from Kayabuki No Sato by bus.

However, the public bus’ last schedule back to Kyoto is at 5:45 pm - it's too early! We needed to stay longer at night to witness the snow lantern festival and see the snow-covered thatched houses being illuminated by candles and lights. We decided to rent a private car from our Airbnb host so that we could stay longer in the night. Renting a private car was a good decision. Our host, Atsushi-san, offered us a ride from Kyoto to his house for free!

Here are some travel options available. We are using Google Maps.

We left Osaka around 11:30 am. Atsushi-san messaged us last minute to meet him at Mukomachi station instead of Kyoto station. It was easier for him to fetch us from Mukomachi station because it only has 1 exit, unlike Kyoto where there are multiple exits and we might have a hard time looking for him. We arrived at Mukomachi station at 12:30 pm.

Mandatory arrival photo and the beautiful manhole cover for Mukomachi.

Our Airbnb check-in time is at 3:00 pm. Traveling from Mukomachi Station to our Airbnb by car takes only 30-40 minutes. Since it’s still early, we explored the area looking for some restaurants to eat our lunch. Since this is not a touristy city, there’s nothing much in the area. We found a Sushiro place not so far from the station but the line was long. If we wait, we might cause an inconvenience to our host for being late. We found a konbini (7/11) up ahead and decided to buy our lunch there. We then went back to the station. We ate and played with Aya while waiting for Atsushi-san to arrive.

Blessed with a good weather! A sunny day is perfect for a winter adventure! Photo taken outside the Mukomachi station.

Two excited cuties~

Atsushi-san arrived at 1:30 pm. We rode the car and like little kids, we were very happy seeing the snow outside from the car window. Before the trip, we kept checking the weather for possible snow forecasts. We were lucky it snowed 3days before we arrived here or else there will be no snow in Kayabuki No Sato. The weather says there will be snow for that week.

Our first car ride in Japan (car that is not a taxi)

Upon arriving at the house, Atsushi-san and Huan went inside and did the paperwork for the check-in process. Aya and I stayed outside because Aya kept crying about the new things she was seeing - new house, new people, plus she's sleepy, so things were overwhelming to her.🥹

Aya playing in the garden. This is her first time seeing and touching snow.

We think we found our favorite Airbnb by far. A spacious traditional Japanese house with a zen Garden! We love how this house can make you feel relaxed. It also has a quiet neighborhood. The only downside of this is it’s far from supermarkets. Atsushi-san left us food in the fridge to cook in the morning.

This is the note pasted on the fridge. Please use 2 or more translation apps to be sure. 🤣

After the check-in process, we then traveled to Kayabuki No Sato. We realized we forgot to pack diapers for Aya along the way. Thankfully there’s a local store before we can reach the village. We stopped by and Huan bought diapers and food. Atsushi-san offered to buy Aya their local (Miyama) ice cream. We know we should have said no, given their culture but we also want to try their ice cream, plus it’s FREE! 😂 If we said no and still bought the ice cream, that would be more embarrassing right? We chose the blueberry flavor. Oh dear! It tastes so good! Their local ice cream is one of the best we’ve tasted!

The ice cream shop. A vending machine outside the shop is used to order and pay. Bring the slip inside to get your ice cream.

We then went straight to Kayabuki No Sato. The village looks so magical with its snow-covered thatched houses!

We walked around the village for a while and appreciated how they were able to maintain their houses. We were told that each house in this village has its crest displayed at the center of the house. The crest represents their family. Amazing, right?

After touring the village, we grabbed some food from the food stalls. While eating we saw our friends playing in the snow. They participated in the snow lantern-making. After eating we went with our friends and waited for the illumination to start.

They started to light the candles and electric lights at 5:00 pm. Around 5:40 pm, the sun set, and alas the magic started. The village transformed into a wonderland, with the participation of a thick fog that added beauty and a mystic vibe. 🪄

Kayabuki No Sato illumination

Snow Lanterns. The center was made by our friends.

We decided to walk around the village once again with our friends and see the village up close with the illumination. Fewer people were remaining and it was getting colder. After the tour, we grabbed some food again from the food stall, this time the line was slightly longer as fewer food stalls were open. At 7 pm we bid our goodbye to this fairy-tale-like village with good memories and a hope to come back next year to see the fireworks and make our snow lantern! We will know next winter. 🤭

Kayabuki No Sato at night.

Family picture again before going home.

We went home. Atsushi-san dropped us off at his house and then drove our friends to Kyoto station. The next morning, we spent quality time in the house - took a bath, cooked and ate breakfast, relaxed in the zen garden, and did a house tour!

We were a little sad when we checked out. We wished we could stay longer. That's how good our stay was!

It's still early to go back to Osaka so we did a side tour in Kyoto. We had our lunch at Kyoto Center and did a short walk in Arashiyama Bamboo Forest.

From left to right:
Chicken Curry, Fried Rice Cake, Fried Beef Katsu? (Sorry, forgot the name but this was so delicious!), and Pork Tonkatsu Curry)

Arashiyama Bamboo Forest

We went home with tired feet, painful bodies, full stomachs, and new core memories for our little family. <3

Here's a short video summarizing our trip. Enjoy!