Uncover Kyoto you never knew about; enjoy the nature of Kameoka and its friendly locals on this sustainability-themed tour.
Kameoka is a city adjacent to Saga Arashiyama, a popular tourist destination in Kyoto. Its rich natural environment produces high-quality water, and due to its geographical location in a basin, it is said to be the second foggiest city after London.
While diverse crops are grown and traditional industries closely related to water are passed down, citizens also actively strive for sustainability, such as using renewable resources as much as possible to preserve the environment.
This tour offers you a chance to escape the busy and overcrowded Kyoto and venture into the countryside, where you can meet the warm and friendly locals who keep their traditional crafts alive even today.
After meting your guide at the Umahori Station you will walk a short distance to a spot where we have prepared your bikes and helmets. From there you will enjoy a scenic bike ride off the beaten path, both through the scenic countryside and quiet outskirts to your first stop, KIRI Cafe.
After lunch the afternoon portion of the cycling will take you further east, focusing on both massive rice fileds typical for Japan and the more contemporary parts of Kameoka, before reaching your next destination - a local organic farm with a major focus on sustainability.
The first eco-themed experience of the day will take place in a unique local cafe. Originally a traditional house, a so-called "kominka", the cafe has been redesigned together with the Kyoto University of Arts and Design into its present charming form.
Under the gentle guidance of a professional, you will have the opportunity to design and make your very own one-of-a-kind eco bag from upcycled paraglider fabric.
Whilst you are waiting for the finishing touches on your bag, you will get to reward yourself with a delicious lunch made completely from locally grown seasonal organic vegetables.
The final stop of the day will be the Rokuya Wonder Village, a unique organic farm that aims to revitalize the local arable land through co-op farming and damaged bamboo grove restoration.
Here yo ucan meet the warm and friendly locals and learn about the future goals of the farm focused on sustainability, visit a private bamboo grove and even harvest organic seasonal vegetables from the farm fields.
After that you will take part in a bamboo utensil making workshop under the guidance of a true professional, who will also explain the contemporary challenges of bamboo and its potential as a sustainable material.
Finish the day with a barbecue including Kameoka beef that surpassed even the legendary Kobe beef, organic vegetables and locally grown organic rice, nicely accompanied by flavored soy sauces and sake rice wine from local breweries with over 150 years of history.
Your guide will be waiting for you on the other side of the ticket gate, holding a yellow "DeepExperience" sign.
Price varies by option