3-day itinerary from Kyoto Station! Relaxing trip around Minamiyamashiro Village, Kyoto and Tenri, Nara

This service includes sponsored advertisements.

Would you like to go on a road trip to experience the rich nature and history of Japan? This time, we will introduce a three- Tomari , two-night tour plan that starts from Kyoto Station and includes one Tomari each at the "Fairfield by Marriott Kyoto Minamiyamashiro" and "Fairfield by Marriott Nara Tenri Yamanobenomichi ."

Written by

Fairfield by Marriott Michi no Eki Project

The Fairfield by Marriott Michi no Eki Project is a regional revitalization project by Sekisui House and Marriott International, which develops hotels close to roadside stations "Michi no Eki" nationwide from Hokkaido to Kyushu. The hotel does not have any dining facilities, but instead has guests use "Michi no Eki" and local restaurants, interacting with local people and enjoying food, and creating a system where guests can fully experience the charm of the area. Hotel staff who are familiar with the area will recommend seasonal information and spots unique to the area. The guest rooms are simple and calm, with comfortable Simmons beds and rain shower-type bathrooms without bathtubs. The hotel's lobby lounge is equipped with a large table, microwave, toaster oven, coffee machine, Japanese tea, and miso soup. Relax in your room and enjoy your purchases from roadside stations, local supermarkets, wineries, sake breweries, etc. in the lobby lounge. After enjoying the area to your heart's content, spend your time relaxing at the hotel as if you were back home. Free high-speed Wi-Fi and tables with power outlets make it ideal for workation. Enjoy a new style of travel, traversing Japan freely while experiencing the charms of each region.

Table of Contents
Depart for a 3-day driving trip from Kyoto Station!
Day 1: From Kyoto Station to Minamiyamashiro Village: A relaxing time in the tea village
Day 2: Experience history and nature in the Nara and Tenri areas
Day 3: Visit power spots and mythical shrines and head to Kyoto
Take a road trip to experience the local charms of Kyoto and Nara

Depart for a 3-day driving trip from Kyoto Station!

This trip will take you to tea fields, old temples, and hidden attractions while staying at a hotel adjacent to a Michi-no-Eki (Roadside Station). This is a trip that allows you to enjoy the freedom that only a driving trip can offer and the charm of the region.

Day 1 Itinerary

・Depart from Kyoto Station

・Ishidera Tea Fields (approximately 1 hour 30 minutes by car)

・dan dan cafe (next to Ishidera Tea Fields）

・Fairfield by Marriott Kyoto Minamiyamashiro (about 25 minutes by car from dan dan cafe)

・Michi-no-Eki "Ocha-no-Kyoto Minamiyamashiromura" (next to the hotel)

Day 2 Itinerary

・Depart from the hotel

・Kasagi-dera Temple(about 20 minutes by car from the hotel)

・Lunch at Samanara Garden (about 45 minutes by car from Kasagi Temple)

・Chogakuji Temple (about 10 minutes by car from Samanara Garden)

・Check in at Fairfield by Marriott Nara Tenri Yamanobenomichi(about 10 minutes by car from Chogakuji Temple)

・Nara Historical Art and Culture Village (next to the hotel)

Day 3 Itinerary

・Depart from the hotel

・Momoo Falls, Daishinji Temple (approximately 25 minutes by car from the hotel)

・Isonokami Shrine (about 10 minutes by car from Momoo Falls)

・Hiraso Benrikan (about 15 minutes by car from Isonokami Shrine)

・To Kyoto Station (approximately 1 hour 30 minutes by car from Hiraso Benrikan)

Day 1: From Kyoto Station to Minamiyamashiro Village: A relaxing time in the tea village

1. Depart from Kyoto Station

The journey begins from JR Kyoto Station. After driving south for about an hour and a half, you will arrive at the lush mountain village of Minamiyamashiro Village. This is the start of a journey away from everyday life and surrounded by tranquil nature.

2. Ishidera Tea Fields (about 1 hour 30 minutes by car from Kyoto Station)

The most representative scenery of Minamiyamashiro Village is the beautiful tea fields that spread across the hills. In particular, the "Ishidera Tea Fields" are a spectacular sight, with overlapping lines of tea ridges spreading across the gentle slopes, like waves of green. From spring to early summer, new buds grow and the area is enveloped in a dazzling green. It is also a popular photo spot, so it's sure to look great on social media.

3. dan dan cafe (next to Ishidera tea plantation)

Surrounded by tea fields, "dan dan cafe" is a cafe that is well-known for its dishes made with local ingredients and stylish interior. We recommend the sweets made with tea from Minamiyamashiro Village and the hearty lunch menu. From the large windows and terrace seats, you can relax while looking at the magnificent view of the tea fields. It's also a great place to refresh yourself during a drive.

4. Fairfield by Marriott Kyoto Minamiyamashiro (about 25 minutes by car from dan dan cafe)

Check in to the Fairfield by Marriott Kyoto Minamiyamashiro on the first day. Located next to the Michi-no-Eki Ocha-no-Kyoto Minamiyamashiro-mura, the hotel is conveniently located for both sightseeing and dining. You can relax after your trip in high-quality rooms that exude the warmth of wood. The lobby lounge also has a free café and a simple kitchen space that you can use freely. You can enjoy a stay where you can experience hospitality rooted in the local community.

Fairfield by Marriott Kyoto Minamiyamashiro

6191411 Kyoto Prefecture, Soraku District, Minamiyamashiro Village, Ki...

Fairfield by Marriott Kyoto Minamiyamashiro offers a luxurious stay where you can enjoy the charm of the only village in Kyoto Prefecture. This hotel is located right next to the roadside station in Minamiyamashiro Village, and you can see the beautiful tea fields from the windows of your rooms. The special experience of enjoying tea grown on the spot while looking out over the tea fields is something you can only experience here. There are historic temples and shrines in the surrounding area, as well as the beautiful scenery created by the nature of the Kizu River. You can also purchase Minamiyamashiro Village's specialty products, such as tea, tomatoes, and log-grown shiitake mushrooms, at the roadside station. The vast tea fields that spread beautifully across these mountains, which are said to be the birthplace of Kyoto's tea culture, are a sight to behold. Enjoy a pleasant time in this simply sophisticated hotel while feeling the refreshing air.

Book Fairfield by Marriott Kyoto Minamiyamashiro at the best rates

5. Michi-no-Eki Ocha-no-Kyoto Minamiyamashiro-mura(next to the hotel)

After dropping off your bags at the hotel and taking a rest, head to the popular Michi-no-Eki (Roadside Station) where you can find Uji tea from Minamiyamashiro Village , as well as fresh local vegetables and specialty products. A Toyotomi variety of tea leaves are on display in the store, so you can have fun choosing souvenirs. The matcha soft serve ice cream is very popular at the shop. Don't miss the pound cakes and puddings made with the local specialty tea "Muracha."

6. Dinner

There are many restaurants around the hotel that use local ingredients. We also recommend purchasing a bento lunch box at the Michi-no-Eki (Roadside Station) and enjoying it at your leisure at the hotel. You are free to bring your own food and drinks into the Fairfield by Michi-no-Eki (Roadside Station) Hotel. You can also use the microwave and toaster oven in the lobby lounge, so you can enjoy dinner in your own style.

Day 2: Experience history and nature in the Nara and Tenri areas

1. Enjoy a hotel breakfast box

In the morning, a breakfast box filled with plenty of local ingredients will get you in the mood for your trip. The menu is a well-balanced mix of Japanese and Western cuisine, and is both visually appealing and healthy. Another appealing point is that you can enjoy your morning at your leisure in the lobby, guest rooms, or on the terrace.

2. Kasagi dera Temple(about 20 minutes by car from the hotel)

This ancient temple is located on Mount Kasagi level, and has been known as a sacred place for Shugendo since the Nara period. The temple grounds are packed with things to see, including the Miroku Mahagi Buddha carved into a huge rock, and the view from the observation deck. You can spend a relaxing time listening to the birds chirping in the quiet mountains. This is a recommended spot for history buffs as well as those who want to be soothed by nature.

3. Lunch at Samanara Garden (about 45 minutes by car from Kasagi dera Temple)

An Indian restaurant quietly nestled in the mountains. The curry and vegetarian dishes, which combine aromatic spices with local ingredients, are healthy and perfect for recharging energy during your trip. The owner-chef's warm hospitality and homely atmosphere are the reasons for its popularity. It is well-known among locals as a hidden gem.

4. Chogakuji Temple (about 10 minutes by car from Samanara Garden)

Chogakuji, an ancient Shingon Buddhist temple located along the Yamanobe-no-michi road, the oldest road in Japan, is said to have been founded by Kobo Daishi in the early Heian period. Of particular note is the impressive "Hell Painting" painted in the Edo period. This painting, which has themes of life and death, good and evil, is said to have been used to teach morality and faith to the people of the time, and leaves a strong impact. It will be a memorable visit where you can feel the depth of history and faith.

5. Check in to the hotel (about 10 minutes by car from Chogakuji Temple)

Check in at the Fairfield by Marriott Nara Tenri Yamanobenomichi, located right next to the Yamanobe no Michi trail. This is the base for your trip to experience the charm of Tenri, shrouded in ancient romance. The calming design of the building allows you to spend your time truly relaxing. It is also easily accessible to nearby tourist spots, making it perfect for those who want to enjoy an active trip.

Fairfield by Marriott Nara Tenri Yamanobenomichi RESERVE

632-0032 438-7 Motoyamaguchi, Somanouchi-cho, Tenri-shi, Nara Prefectu...

Fairfield by Marriott Nara Tenri Yamanobe no Michi stands alongside the roadside station "Nara History and Art Village" in the ancient capital of Nara. At Nara History and Art Village, you can experience the precious techniques of preserving and restoring cultural properties up close, and there are plenty of events to satisfy your curiosity, such as exhibitions of traditional crafts and workshops where you can experience making things. If you stroll along the adjacent ancient road "Yamanobe no Michi", you will encounter place names and legends related to the "Kojiki" and "Manyoshu", as well as numerous historical sites, and will be drawn into the world of ancient romance. Enjoy a trip to fully enjoy the profound charm of Nara, including its world-class history, culture, and traditions, from a hotel in Tenri with a great location.

6. Nara Historical, Art and Cultural Village (next to the hotel)

Nara Historical, Art and Cultural Village is a complex cultural facility where you can enjoy art, history, food and nature with all five senses. The site also features an exhibition area on art and the restoration of cultural properties, experience programs, and restaurants and cafes where you can taste local ingredients. This is a place where tradition and creativity intersect, where you can discover new charms of Nara. You can also purchase local specialties at the adjacent shop, making it an attractive place to enjoy both sightseeing and shopping.

7. Dinner at Harumichi

"Harumichi" is popular for its creative cuisine that makes use of seasonal ingredients from Nara. The refined flavors and beautiful presentation will add color to your special evening. A leisurely dinner with local sake in a relaxed atmosphere is the perfect way to end your trip.

Day 3: Visit power spots and mythical shrines and head to Kyoto

1. Enjoy a hotel breakfast box

On the last day of your trip, recharge your energy with a healthy breakfast box offered by hotel. Spending time in the lobby bathed in morning light while eating a breakfast box made with plenty of ingredients unique to Nara will also help clear your mind.

2. Momoo Falls and Daishinji Temple (about 25 minutes by car from the hotel)

Momoo Falls, known since ancient times as a place of asceticism, is a powerful waterfall with a drop of 23 meters. At the adjacent Daishinji Temple, you can experience zazen surrounded by tranquil air, refreshing both body and mind. Take a deep breath in nature and relieve the fatigue of your journey.

3. Isonokami Shrine (about 10 minutes by car from Momoo Falls)

Isonokami Shrine, said to be one of the oldest shrines in Japan, is a historic shrine that appears in the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki. The shrine grounds are filled with a sacred atmosphere, and you can see free-ranging chickens walking around as messengers of the gods. Enjoy a tranquil moment while feeling the romance of history.

4. Hiraso Benrikan (about 15 minutes by car from Isonokami Shrine)

Hiraso is a long-established store that sells Nara specialty, persimmon leaf sushi. At the convenience store, they sell souvenir assortments and freshly made sushi. The convenient size makes them perfect as a souvenir of your trip.

5. To Kyoto Station (about 1 hour 30 minutes by car from Hirasou Benrikan)

The final destination, Kyoto Station, is about an hour and a half away by car. This three Tomari, two-night trip where you can experience nature, history, and the warmth of the local area is sure to be a memorable experience.

Take a road trip to experience the local charms of Kyoto and Nara

Using Fairfield by Marriott Michi-no-Eki hotels as your base for a trip is a new way to travel and rediscover the charms of various parts of Japan. In this three-day itinerary, we enjoyed the unique culture and nature of Minamiyamashiro Village, and Tenri, an ancient town. When traveling by car, the driving is also part of the fun. On your next day off, why not go on a trip to explore the charms of the Kyoto and Nara regions?

Fairfield by Marriott Michi-no-Eki Project Official Website

Written by

Fairfield by Marriott Michi no Eki Project

Osaka

The information presented in this article is based on the time it was written. Note that there may be changes in the merchandise, services, and prices that have occurred after this article was published. Please contact the facility or facilities in this article directly before visiting. Some of our articles contain affiliate links. We kindly ask our readers to exercise careful judgement when making a purchase or booking a service online.

The contents on this page may partially contain automatic translation.