Recommended Winter Travel Spots: Kyoto Nara Area
Here are some destinations around hotels in Kyoto / Nara area which are perfect for enjoying Winter.
Fairfield by Marriott Kyoto Amanohashidate
303-1 Kitahara, Oe, Fukuchiyama, Kyoto
From autumn to early winter, Mt. Oe offers breathtaking views of vast seas of clouds. The best viewpoint is at the Onidake Inari Shrine at the eighth station, which is accessible by car.
Monju, Miyazu, Kyoto
Amanohashidate is one of the most famous scenic views in Japan. Normally you see green pine trees and white sandy beaches, but when snow piles up, the area turns into a beautiful white landscape.
1980-1 Shinhama, Miyazu, Kyoto (Hotel Tango 1st floor)
Open 17:30-23:00 (L.O.22:30) Closed Tuesday
If you want to eat seafood in Miyazu, please visit “Kappou Tango” on the first floor of Hotel Tango. It offers excellent hospitality with fresh seafood purchased at the Miyazu Port auction every morning.
Fairfield by Marriott Kyoto Kyotamba
Miyama Kayabuki-no-Sato Yukitouro
MiyamachoKita, Nantan, Kyoto
Period Jan 30 to Feb 6, 2027 Open 17:00-19:00
*Deadline for reserving a parking space: 23:59 the day before the visit. Reservations close once parking capacity is reached.
Handmade snow lanterns and alley lanterns create a fantastic winter scene in Miyama Kayabuki Village. The illumination of the snow-covered roofs of kayabuki is a spectacular sight.
Otani Sogabecho Nanjo, Kameoka, Kyoto
Open 24/7
From fall to spring, dense fog called "Tanbagiri" covers all over the Kameoka Basin. You can enjoy the fascinating view from the terrace.
1 Satonouchi, Yagi, Nantan, Kyoto
Date December 31, 2026
Temples in Japan normally ring the New Year’s Bell 108 times around midnight on New Year's Eve and you can experience this at Fukuju-ji.
Fairfield by Marriott Kyoto Minamiyamashiro
Minamiyamashiro Farmers Market
1-3, Kitaokawara, Minamiyamashiro, Soraku District, Kyoto
Open 9:00-13:00 Weekends 9:00-15:00
"Shiitama-Yaki" is their specialty which is shiitake mushroom inside instead of octopus. This farmers market is just next to the river so enjoy the tranquil atmosphere.
102 Tonda, Kita-okawara Minamiyamashiromura, Soraku District, Kyoto
Open 8:30-9:30 / 11:00-16:00 (L.O.15:30)
This restaurant is located in the Michi no Eki Ocha no Kyoto Minamiyamashiro Village. Recommended in winter is the matcha soba (green tea soba), which is richly flavored with high-quality spring-picked matcha from Kyoto. The Nishin-soba is also very popular.
90-1 Kasagi Nishidori, Kasagi, Soraku District, Kyoto
You can see a mysterious view where the mountains of Kasagi appear to float on a sea of clouds.
Fairfield by Marriott Nara Tenri Yamanobenomichi
229 Kawarajo, Tenri, Nara
Open Sunday-Thursday 17:00-24:00 / Friday-Saturday 17:00-26:00 Closed Monday
The restaurant specializes in creative oden dishes using homemade soup stock and Miyazaki ajibuta (pork) dishes. You can also enjoy our special locally brewed sake, selected from over 100 sake breweries throughout Japan.
Kasuga Shrine Precincts, 160 Kasugano, Nara, Nara
Period Jan 10, 2027 to Feb 28, 2027 (Sundays and public holidays only)
*The event will not be held on January 24, 2027.
The Deer Calling ceremony originated in 1892 (Meiji 25) when a trumpet was used during the completion ceremony for the Deer Park. The sight of numerous deer gathering from deep within the forest, drawn by the natural horn's call, is truly spectacular. Held in spring, summer, and winter, it is a seasonal tradition of Nara. Experience this serene scene enveloped in the crisp, clear air of the morning.
Kasugano, Nara, Nara
Period Feb 8 to 14, 2027 Open 18:00-21:00
Connecting the three World Heritage shrines and temples—Kasuga Taisha, Kofuku-ji, and Tōdai-ji—with a fantastical path of lapis lazuli-colored light. During the event, the area around Nara Park is illuminated, and special nighttime viewing of the three shrines and temples is available.