The weeks from late January to early February each year bring an event of sheer magic to Kayabuki no Sato, a nestled Miyama village in the mountains of northern Kyoto. Coined the Miyama Kayabuki no Sato Snow Lantern Festival, expect a special time first started by the locals in celebration of the onset of deep snow season.
Festival time brings a glitter of lights to the entire village, complete with snow lanterns, street lanterns, LED lanterns, and hanging paper lanterns. The famed thatched-roof houses are also threaded with lights for a dreamy scene of snow-capped village life that glows like a Japanese folktale.
If there's enough snowfall, visitors can also take part in building their own snow lanterns (rental fee for tools required). With provided buckets and shovels, you can create a unique snow lantern, and add your own piece to the display of exquisite wintry bliss.
Throughout the event, food stalls serve warm dishes made with local ingredients, so you can enjoy a bite and get back to all the joys of this picturesque setting. Please note that if you’re arriving by car, parking must be reserved in advance through the official website.
Highlights
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A light-up event held in "Kayabuki no Sato," nestled in the mountains of Kyoto.
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Join in the snow-lantern making with available tools for rent/
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Warm food stalls with plenty to pick and choose.
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Temperatures can drop below freezing, so be sure to dress warmly.
