Sea of Kyoto: Ine Boathouses & Miyama Thatched Village Snow Lantern Festival 2-Day Tour

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Sea of Kyoto: Ine Boathouses & Miyama Thatched Village Snow Lantern Festival 2-Day Tour
US$329.00

This itinerary is for reference only. The actual schedule, order of visits, and duration at each attraction may be adjusted according to weather, traffic conditions, or on-site circumstances.

Winter 2026 Limited Edition

Explore the hidden gem of Ine Boathouses, ride the Amanohashidate cable car, and experience the winter-only Snow Lantern Illumination in Miyama’s traditional thatched mountain village

Tour Highlights

  • Departure Dates: Daily departures from January 19 (Mon) to January 23 (Fri), 2026

  • Guaranteed Departure: Minimum 4 guests

  • Winter Limited Experience: Traditional Miyama Kayabuki-no-Sato Snow Lantern Illumination

  • Professional Local Driver-Guide: Experienced, reliable service with in-depth local knowledge

Day 1

12:00 – Osaka | Tour Begins

Meeting & Drop-off Package

  • 12:00 Nipponbashi Exit 2 (Namba / Shinsaibashi area)

  • 13:20 Kyoto Station Hachijo Exit – Station Front Sightseeing Bus Parking
    Please arrive at least 10 minutes early. Late arrivals cannot be accommodated.

13:50 – Kyoto | Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)

⏱ Approx. 60 minutes | Admission included

Kinkaku-ji, officially named Rokuon-ji, is a Zen Buddhist temple of the Rinzai sect and a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site (since 1994).
The iconic gold-leaf-covered pavilion reflects beautifully in the surrounding pond, creating one of Kyoto’s most iconic scenes.

The temple is also famously referenced in Yukio Mishima’s novel The Temple of the Golden Pavilion and appears in the classic anime Ikkyu-san.
Admission tickets are issued as protective charms, perfect as souvenirs.

16:30 – Miyama | Kayabuki-no-Sato Snow Lantern Illumination

⏱ Approx. 150 minutes | Free exploration

Known as the “Kyoto Thatched-Roof Village”, Miyama Kayabuki-no-Sato is one of Japan’s three best-preserved thatched-roof settlements, alongside Shirakawa-go and Ouchi-juku.
About 40 traditional thatched houses remain, forming a tranquil village reminiscent of Japan’s Edo period.

Snow Lantern Illumination (Jan 19–23)

  • Snow lanterns & floral lanterns: approx. 78

  • LED lanterns: approx. 200

  • Traditional paper lanterns: approx. 50

✨ The glowing lanterns combined with snow-covered rooftops create a magical winter atmosphere.

Special Events

  • Daily food stalls (15:00–19:00): grilled items, fried snacks, hot soups, and local venison dishes

  • Jan 21 only:

    • Sacred dance performance at Chii Hachimangu Shrine (17:40–18:00)

    • Mochi-pounding experience & red bean soup (limited availability)

📌 Winter Notice: Snow conditions depend on weather. Tours operate regardless of snowfall levels.
🎁 Complimentary Miyama Milk (200ml) or Milk Coffee (200ml) – non-refundable if not consumed.

20:30 – Kyoto | Hotel Check-in

Accommodation: The Royal Park Hotel Kyoto Umekoji or equivalent
No breakfast or dinner included

Day 2

09:30 – Departure from Kyoto Hotel

11:20 – Amanohashidate (One of Japan’s Three Scenic Views)

⏱ Approx. 3 hours | Lunch at own expense

Amanohashidate is a 3.6 km natural sandbar lined with over 8,000 pine trees, stretching across Miyazu Bay.
Its shape resembles a bridge to the heavens, offering stunning coastal and mountain scenery.

Included & Optional Experiences

  • Chion-ji Temple & Monjudo Hall (free entry)

  • Rotating Bridge (free viewing)

  • Walk along the sandbar, visit Amanohashidate Shrine

  • Chie-no-Yu Onsen Foot Bath (free) / Indoor bath optional (¥800)

Amanohashidate Viewland – “Flying Dragon View”

🎟 Cable car & monorail ticket included

Optional activities (self-pay):

  • Tile-throwing for good luck (¥300)

  • Sky bicycle ride (¥300–¥500)

15:00 – Ine Funaya Boathouses

⏱ Approx. 1 hour

Known as the “Venice of Japan”, Ine Village features over 230 traditional boathouses lining Ine Bay.

🚤 Ine Bay Sightseeing Boat Cruise – Included

  • Approx. 25 minutes

  • Includes 1 pack of shrimp snacks for seagull feeding

  • If canceled due to weather, replaced with free exploration or local specialty dessert (non-refundable)

Ine Bay Observation Deck (Roadside Station)

⏱ Approx. 30 minutes

Enjoy panoramic views of Ine Bay and the boathouse village from above.
Local seafood restaurants and souvenir shops are available on-site.

Return

  • 19:00 Kyoto Station Hachijo Exit

  • 20:20 Shinsaibashi / Dotonbori, Osaka

Guests using the meeting-point package will be dismissed in the Shinsaibashi area.

What’s Included

  • Transportation & fuel, tolls, highway fees

  • 1-night hotel accommodation

  • Driver-guide service

  • Kinkaku-ji admission

  • Amanohashidate cable car ticket

  • Ine sightseeing boat ticket + shrimp snack

  • One piece of luggage per person (extra luggage: ¥100 RMB/item)

Not Included

  • Meals not specified

  • Optional activities & personal expenses

  • Any items not listed under “What’s Included”

Important Notes

  1. Once an order is confirmed, the travel date cannot be changed. Any resulting loss must be borne by the traveler.

  2. Please provide complete booking information (full name, number of participants, phone number, WeChat ID, and boarding location) at the time of reservation to avoid errors that may affect the itinerary.

  3. During the tour, please keep your passport and valuables with you at all times. Any loss, theft, or damage shall be the traveler’s own responsibility.

  4. Elderly travelers, guests with high blood pressure, heart disease, or other cardiovascular conditions, as well as pregnant travelers, are advised to participate with accompanying family members.

  5. Travelers under 18 years old are not permitted to register alone and must be accompanied by a legal guardian.

  6. This is a shared fixed-route tour. Guests are required to follow the scheduled stop durations and the driver-guide’s instructions.
    If you require a more flexible itinerary, please consider our private charter service.

  7. No refunds will be provided for non-participation or early termination of the tour due to personal reasons, including late arrival.

  8. Guests who leave the group without authorization during the tour will be deemed to have voluntarily abandoned the service. No refunds will be issued, and any personal or property-related risks shall be borne by the traveler.

  9. Arrival times may vary due to traffic, weather, holidays, or crowd conditions. Delays, changes, or cancellations caused by force majeure do not qualify for refunds.

  10. Please wear comfortable clothing and suitable walking shoes.

  11. Guests must comply with Japanese laws and regulations. Carrying prohibited items is strictly forbidden and may result in legal consequences.

  12. During free time, guests are responsible for their personal safety and belongings. Any accidents or losses caused by failure to follow advice shall be the traveler’s own responsibility.

Participant Guidelines

  1. Travelers aged 70 years and above must be in good health and accompanied by a family member or friend aged 22 or above throughout the trip.

  2. Travelers under 18 years old must be accompanied by at least one adult at all times.

  3. Elderly travelers are required to provide a health certificate prior to departure (electronic version accepted).

  4. Pregnant travelers, individuals with heart conditions, fear of heights, or other special medical conditions are not recommended to join this tour and may be refused participation.

  5. This tour accepts non–Mainland China passport holders, but services are provided only in Chinese and Japanese. Other language services are not available.

Itinerary & Safety Notice

Due to unpredictable factors such as traffic conditions, weather, holidays, or crowd levels, arrival times may change.
In accordance with Japanese law, drivers are limited to a maximum working time of 10 hours per day. To ensure safety, the itinerary may be adjusted when necessary, including shortening visit durations or canceling certain attractions.

We sincerely appreciate your understanding that no refunds can be issued for delays or changes caused by force majeure, as these measures are taken to ensure the safety of both guests and drivers.

Force majeure events include, but are not limited to:

  • Natural disasters: earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, floods, typhoons

  • Traffic incidents: accidents, severe congestion

  • Weather conditions: heavy snow, rainstorms, dense fog

  • Government regulations: emergency orders, traffic control

  • Medical emergencies: sudden illness of participants

  • Social events: strikes, protests, public disturbances

  • Mechanical failures: vehicle malfunctions

Cancellation & Refund Policy

  • 14 days or more before departure: Full refund

  • 7–14 days before departure: 30% cancellation fee

  • 4–7 days before departure: 50% cancellation fee

  • 1–3 days before departure: 100% cancellation fee (no refund)

Travel Guidelines

1. Pickup & Meeting

Please arrive at the designated pickup location on time. Late arrivals cannot be accommodated.
This product cannot be changed, transferred, or joined mid-route. Failure to participate due to personal reasons will result in loss borne by the traveler.

2. During the Tour

  • Early departure or leaving the group mid-tour is not permitted. Any unfinished portion will be considered voluntarily forfeited, with no refund.

  • Departure times may be adjusted during peak seasons or special circumstances. Please follow the guide’s instructions.

  • Transportation, sightseeing, and stop durations are subject to actual conditions on the day.

  • Meals are not included. Some restaurants do not allow outside food or seat-only use without ordering.

3. Local Customs & Laws

Please respect local customs and regulations during your journey.

4. Weather Conditions

  • The itinerary may be adjusted due to weather conditions for safety reasons.

  • Facilities or performances may be delayed, modified, or canceled without prior notice due to severe weather.

  • Seasonal conditions (such as flower blooming or snowfall) depend on weather and do not affect tour departures.

5. Meals

All meals are at your own expense unless otherwise stated.

6. Shopping

  • Some attractions, restaurants, or rest areas may contain shops not arranged by the tour operator. Please shop responsibly and retain receipts.

  • Privately operated entertainment or shopping venues may lack legal licensing and pose risks. Guests are advised to exercise caution.

Warm Reminders

  1. Please keep your mobile phone powered on and reachable during the tour.

  2. If you are prone to motion sickness, prepare appropriate medication in advance.

  3. Wear comfortable clothing and footwear; bring sunscreen, insect repellent, windproof outerwear, and a camera.

  4. Please take good care of your personal belongings. Loss or damage is the traveler’s responsibility.

Safety Warning

Activities such as swimming, rafting, diving, skiing, ice skating, and snow play involve inherent risks.
Please assess your physical condition carefully and follow official local guidance before participating.