Guest house Origin

※Bookings are accepted for 2 guests or more※

Guest house Origin is a renovated traditional Japanese farmhouse (kominka) nestled in the peaceful satoyama countryside of Ayabe, Deep Kyoto.
Just under two hours from central Kyoto, you’ll arrive in a nostalgic rural landscape surrounded by untouched nature.

With no convenience stores or traffic lights nearby, this is a place to slow down, reconnect with yourself, and rediscover your “origin.”
Guest house Origin was named with the hope of offering guests a calm retreat to reflect, breathe, and experience authentic rural Japan.

Walk through forest trails, touch the soil, cook with wild herbs and mountain vegetables you harvest yourself.
Here, you truly feel what it means to live in harmony with nature.
These simple countryside experiences become unforgettable memories.

Although we are farmers, we mainly grow ingredients used for traditional Japanese sweets—such as azuki beans, soybeans, and pumpkin.
We also use locally foraged mugwort, wild vegetables, and regional plants for tea, meals, and desserts—living season by season with all five senses.

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◆ About Ayabe City｜A Satoyama Town Preserving Deep Kyoto’s Original Landscape
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Ayabe City lies in northern Kyoto Prefecture, close to the Sea of Japan, and is rich in mountains and rural scenery.
In less than two hours from Kyoto City, you’ll find quiet villages and traditional rice fields. Snow falls in winter, offering surprisingly diverse seasons for the Kansai region.
Hiking, hot springs, cycling, and farming experiences await—this is a place for a truly authentic Japanese countryside experience, untouched by mass tourism.

Guest house Origin is located in a small village called Torigaki, about 40 minutes from central Ayabe.
Nearby is Mt. Shide, part of the Kyoto Tamba Highland Quasi-National Park, with beautiful hiking paths and abundant nature.
A local shrine just minutes away offers a scenic viewpoint overlooking the village.

A short walk brings you to forest trails and Ayabe Onsen, where you can relax after exploring.
E-bike rentals are also available nearby, perfect for enjoying the countryside breeze on pleasant days.

If you’d like to explore the area, we’re happy to suggest spots based on your interests.

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◆ About Your Stay
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The guest room is an 8-tatami Japanese-style room.
Bathroom and toilet (flush) are shared with the host family.
Ayabe Onsen is about 5 minutes by car, and guests receive discounted entry.

Futons are provided, but please bring your own pajamas and towels.

We’ve built a pergola for relaxing outdoors—enjoy rice field views by day, or lie back and stargaze at night.

Although part of Kansai, Ayabe is close to the Sea of Japan, and from October to May it can feel chilly.
We use a wood-burning stove made in Kyotango.
Seasonal activities include firewood chopping in summer, azuki and soba harvesting in autumn, winter stove cooking, and wood-burning crafts.

Feel free to ask about seasonal experiences.

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◆ Meals
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Breakfast is included.

All seasonings are additive-free and mostly handmade.
We use many fermented foods.
Eggs come from locally raised free-range chickens fed non-GMO feed.
Vegan meals are also available upon request.

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◆ Experiences｜Farm Stay, Rural Life & Japanese Sweets Making
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At Guest house Origin, we offer optional hands-on experiences such as seasonal countryside sweets making.

Guests can harvest wild vegetables, cook together, make rice balls, and enjoy a homestay-style Japanese rural life experience.

Please add experiences as options when booking.

▼ Color Card Therapy Experience
Create collages and explore emotions through color, helping organize inner feelings.
＊Advance reservation required (2 days prior)
＊Approx. 90 minutes

▼ Seasonal Countryside Sweets Making
Make traditional ohagi using wild herbs and our home-grown organic azuki beans.
Spring: cherry blossoms & mugwort
Autumn: chestnuts & azuki
Summer: agar desserts, shaved-ice syrup, herbal drinks
Enjoy with homemade wild herb tea afterward.

＊Minimum 2 adults
＊Reservation required (3 days prior)
＊Approx. 1.5 hours
＊Ages 5+
＊May be canceled depending on weather
＊Bring: apron, bandana, hand towel

We also ship handmade Japanese and Western sweets and local goods nationwide.
Advance orders can be picked up at the guesthouse.

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◆ About the Host
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Inspired by travel during university, I dreamed of running a B&B-style place connecting people.
With experience in product development and pastry making, I now operate Guest house Origin while creating sweets and wild herb teas from local ingredients.

I moved from Osaka to Ayabe in 2013, opening this guesthouse to offer urban travelers a peaceful countryside retreat.

In 2023, I became a certified color therapist and color welfare specialist, creating rural therapy experiences using nature and creativity.

Therapy plans are available upon request.
I also run “Natural Origin,” selling handmade sweets online.

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◆ Access
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▼ Public Transportation (Train/Bus)

・JR Sanin Main Line to “Ayabe Station” (about 1 hour by limited express from Kyoto Station)
・From Ayabe Station South Exit, take Ayabus Kanbayashi Line → transfer at Omachi (about 40 min)
・At Omachi, transfer to Ayabus Omi-Ichinose Line → get off at “Yama no Ie Mae”
・About 10 minutes on foot to Guest house Origin

※ Pick-up available to Omachi Bus Terminal (advance notice required)

▼ Taxi
Approx. 30 minutes from Ayabe Station
Estimated fare: around ¥10,000