Kyoto Miyama
Winter Lantern
Festival
Tour 2026
From Kyoto / Osaka
Kyoto Miyama Snow Lantern Festival & Kinkakuji Temple
The hidden gem annual event "Miayma Winter Lantern Festival" is held from Jan 19 to Jan 23 in 2026!
This is a day trip to a fantastical village illuminated by beautiful thatched roofs, hundreds of winter lanterns, and countless candles.
Our plans cover access from Osaka and Kyoto to the event site at Miyama village and Kinkakuji Temple.
This is a tour that guarantees entry to the Winter Lantern event, which is exclusively accessible to tour participants.
Only the tour buses are allowed to enter the village during the event.
Tour Highlights
Take in the World Heritage Site Kinkaku-ji Temple and fantastic scenery illuminated by the winter stone lanterns of Miyama Kayabuki no Sato!
Take in the magnificent scenery of the World Heritage Site Kinkaku-ji Temple and the fantastic Miyama Kayabuki no Sato village lit by the glow of winter stone lanterns. Experience both urban Kyoto and a rural satoyama setting to encounter the diverse attractions of Japan.
The fantastical village view illuminated by winter lanterns
The Miyama Winter Lantern Festival, held in a village famed for its thatched roof architecture, takes place for a short period in January. Here, snow and thatched roofs come together in breathtaking scenery of photogenic perfection.
January 21 only: Experience the votive ritual of traditional Japanese dance
A ritual dedication performed through the Haruno school of traditional Japanese dance will take place at a historic regional shrine built in 1058. Observe traditional Japanese dance in a singular lantern-lit space.
Heartwarming dishes made with local ingredients
Enjoy a meal that warms both your body and soul at the food stalls featuring heartwarming dishes made with local ingredients.
Additionally, on January 21st only, there will be a mochi pounding experience using Miyama rice and servings of zenzai (sweet red bean soup).
*Please note that the number of participants for the mochi pounding experience and the number of zenzai servings are limited.
Event Schedule
2026 Event Schedule & Availability
| Jan 19 (Mon)
|
Jan 20 (Tue)
|
Jan 21 (Wed)
|
Jan 22 (Thu)
|
Jan 23 (Fri)
|
- 〇: Available
- ✕: Sold out
- ▲: Only a few seats are available
*Please check the calendar on the booking page for the latest availability.
*The confirmed departure date will be reflected in the calendar when the specified number of participants has been reached.
Schedule
-
12:00
PMDeparting from in front of Osaka Mode Gakuen -
1:10
PMDeparting from the Kyoto Station Hachijo Exit Tour Bus Platform -
2:00
PMKinkakuji TempleFree time for 60 min
-
4:30
PMMiyama's thatched village Winter Lantern FestivalFree time for 150 min
-
7:00
PMDeparts from Miyama's thatched village -
8:00
PMArriving at the Kyoto Station Hachijo Exit Tour Bus Platform -
9:00
PMArriving near Osaka Station
*The schedule may vary depending on the traffic condition.
*Visiting spots and scheduled time may be changed depending on the situation.
Spot information
Miyama's thatched village (Kayabuki no Sato)
Miyama Kayabuki no Sato is a beautiful village lined with thatched-roof houses. It is a remote, rural area in the mountains 30 kilometers north of central Kyoto. The area is famous for its traditional, thatched roof (kayabuki) farmhouses of which over 200 can be seen dotting the countryside.
Miyama Village is a place where more than 1 meter of snow accumulates every winter. Enjoy the pristine winter scenery of Japan with this special light-up event.
Kinkaku-ji Temple
Kinkaku-ji Temple, also known by its official name of Rokuon-ji Temple, is a famed World Heritage site in Kyoto. The gold leaf of its shariden reliquary hall catches the sunlight to dazzle with a majestic beauty.
Those who visit Kinkaku-ji Temple on a snowy day will be treated to a view that takes the breath away. White snow blanketing the roof and the trees of the garden contrasts gorgeously with the gold of the reliquary hall, creating a fantastic scene that further enchants with reflections in the water's surface.
Terms & Conditions
| Tour price |
Osaka plan: 14,000 yen Please choose either Kyoto or Osaka as your departure location on the reservation page. |
|---|---|
| Departure dates |
January 19 to January 23, 2026 |
| Booking period | Until 11:59 AM on the day before each departure date |
| Meeting time / Departure time |
From Osaka Meeting time: 11:50 AM From Kyoto Meeting time: 1:00 PM |
| Assembly place |
Osaka plan: In front of Osaka Mode Gakuen Kyoto plan：JR Kyoto Station Hachijo Exit Tour Bus Platform |
| Duration of trip | One day |
| Minimum number of participants required | 23 people |
| Tour guide | Available (English and Japanese) |
| Included in the tour |
|
| Meal | Not included |
| Bus operating company | SAYAMAKOTSU,Inc., or an equivalent bus company. |
| Notice |
|
Miyama Winter Lantern Festival Tour 2026
From 13,000 yen
Book now