Self-renovated thatched cottage in Fukuchiyama

Furumaya - Traditional Japanese House


・Price: Room Only (meals not included), price per person
・Closed from December to mid March during Winter Holidays
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Furumaya stands still in a mountain village in Fukuchiyama city. It offers a quiet environment and the possibility for you to enjoy a peaceful vacation far from the hustle and bustle of the city, and for children to play freely in the nature, surrounded by typical Japanese landscapes.
You will have the opportunity to exchange with many people, including probably tourists from different countries since Furumaya is a place where people can learn and practice English, experience the countryside lifestyle and reconnect with nature, among other things.


●Description
Traditional thatched-roofed house built during the Edo Period (1603-1868), with 2 private Japanese-style guestrooms (15m2 each).
Can accommodate a maximum of 8 people (4 in each room).


In April 2009, I discovered this house that was vacant at the time, and decided to turn it into a place people could use. For 2 years and a half, I renovated it with the precious help of my parents, relatives, friends and even neighbors. We used old materials and a soft rock powder to build and insulate the house, and decorated it with a Canadian firewood stove, fabrics from Asian and African countries I’ve been to, and large pictures of Japan to create a distinct atmosphere and design and make this place unique.


●Room Amenities
・Face/bath towels, shampoo, conditioner, body soap, toothbrush, hair dryer, yukata (casual kimono)


●Details
□Closed during Winter Holidays
　Furumaya is closed from December to mid March.　
□Meals
　・I will prepare simple meals with fresh and local products, including pesticide-free vegetables. You can choose between a Japanese or Western-style meal.
The menu changes according to seasons and harvests.
You might be seated at a table with other guests, but it’s a great opportunity to exchange and discover more of the Japanese culture!


　・Local sweets are offered on your arrival.


　・During summertime, you can enjoy BBQ style meals outside (reservation required).


　・You are free to bring alcoholic beverages in your room, but please refrain from drinking during meals.


　・Sample menu:
Western-style dinner: aperitif, appetizer, salad, venison (boar) stew cooked on a wood stove,
lasagna, cheese assortment, dessert


Japanese-style: aperitif, appetizer, grilled fish, simmered vegetables, main dish, homemade pickles, fruits, Tanba chestnuts prepared the local way 　


Western-style breakfast: toast or bagel, homemade jam, cheese, cereals, yoghurt, eggs, salad, milk, fruit juice, tea or coffee


Japanese-style breakfast: rice, miso soup, homemade pickles, grilled fish, eggs, tea or coffee


□Child price: ¥3,000 discount for children aged 10 or under
□Pick-up: available from the JR Ayabe station (綾部駅)
□Parking: free parking lot available
□Other Stay Plans:
　Breakfast included ¥9,000 / Dinner included ¥11,000 / Breakfast and dinner included ¥12,000


●Activities and experiences
Fruit and vegetables harvest, rice harvest, wood chopping


●Access
→ Get off at Ayabe station (綾部駅), on the JR San-in line (JR山陰線). There are express trains every hour. It takes about 1h, 1h30/2h if you take a local train
→ Take the South Exit at Ayabe station, and take a bus on the Kawai bus line (川合線)
→ Get off at the Gakko-ka (学校下) bus stop (23 min ride, ¥200)
→ Walk for 1 minute to the accommodation

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Accommodation type: Traditional Japanese House, Farm stay