Your portal to Japan’s hidden gems

Michi no Eki is scattered on the scenic roads and trails in Japan, and the roadside rest stops provide not only a driving break. In these beloved local hubs, travelers can taste regional cuisine, learn about local history and culture, and connect with the surrounding communities. Fairfield of the Marriott Michi-No-No-Eki project conveys the same hotel and exploration spirit, operating 29 hotels across Japan, each located near Michi no Eki.

Heading to the difficult roads of nearby cities, the Fairfield at Marriott Michi-No-No-Eki takes a step forward, which allows guests to enter areas with rich cultural experiences that are often missed by major tourist routes. Featuring elegant, bright, airy rooms, as well as well as well-crafted public areas, each area serves as an elegant portal for regional travel.

Two sites in Kyoto and Nara Prefecture can glimpse the little-known side of these areas, which are often obscured by their famous capital cities. In the village of Minamiyamashiro in Kyoto, guests can relax in the rolling tea farms and riverside scenery while savoring local specialties such as Uji tea and fresh produce. In the historic Tenri area of ​​Nara, visitors can explore the ancient Yamanobe-no-Michi trail and immerse themselves in the deep cultural roots of Japan’s earliest chronicles.

Minamiyamashiro, Kyoto by Fairfield: Food and Natural Abundance

Minamiyamashiro village is located on a hill in the southern part of Kyoto, with the kizu river flowing through its center, and the natural supply is abundant. Marriott Kyoto Minamiyamashiro enjoys the views of the green tea fields in Fairfield, praising the simplicity of the warm, minimalist decoration. Breakfast is available at a relaxing pace (a selection of bento boxes) and is available for reservations with fresh meat and vegetables. It is best to taste when watching the morning mist rise from the landscape.

A short walk from the hotel is the roadside station Ocha-no-kyoto, a Michi no Eki that celebrates the tea culture of the region. The specialty tea is next to cakes and snacks infused with local mixtures, visitors can enjoy matcha at the café, paired with crispy tempura and regional vegetables. For those who are keen on hands-on practice, an afternoon trip to nearby Tsujimoto Tea Factory can stroll along the quiet rolling hills. The local guide offers a group tasting – there is a chance to learn how to grow and soak sencha and matcha tea before savoring a cup of freshly harvested leaves.

Another culinary highlight in the area is Hanzo sake, which is produced by OTA Sake Brewery in nearby IGA, an operation of family operations since 1892. HanzoSake’s award-winning Junmai Daiginjo Sake is known for its clean, versatile profile. Close to the brewery is Shukura Rikako, a store offering tastings in a relaxing setting, with the subtle flavors of each sake being easily tasted.

In the evening, Dengakuza Wakaya offers a delicious ending. This intimate restaurant specializes in Tofu Dengaku, a traditional dish on grilled charcoal coated with a thick flavor that highlights the quality of local soybeans and water in the region.

Nara Tenri Yamanobenomichi by Fairfield: Health and Culture of the Ancient Path of Nara

The Tenri area is far from the crowds of Nara City and offers timeless culture and delicious local cuisine. Fairfi Eld’s Tenri location shares the name with Japan’s oldest roads – nearby trails provide you with the proper landscape that can slow down and run through life’s history.

Isonokami jingu Shrine is located near the hotel and provides a great starting point for a 2.5-hour hike along Yamanobe-no-Michi. It is one of Japan’s oldest shinto ruins, and it is a peaceful and picturesque starting point, with towering Sugi cedars and historic wooden structures buzzing with the sound of music and prayer.

From there, the trails open to the countryside through fields and fruit orchards in the main areas. On your walk you will pass the Kofun Burial Hill in the shape of the keyhole, which is a glimpse of the ancient dynasty landscape of Japan. The stalls are also decorated with locally grown fruits and snacks. The ideal end point is Yoshoku Katsui, a charming restaurant with an outdoor dining area that offers delicious food and European flavors, and you may want to reward your efforts with a western platter before browsing the in-house shops of local merchandise and souvenirs.

For those seeking traditional culture and relaxation, the Fairfield of Marriott Nara Tenri Yamanobenomichi is a stone from the NARA County Historical and Arts and Culture Complex, a center dedicated to restoring the characteristics of traditional culture, restoring historical buildings, paintings, paintings, paintings, paintings, paintings, paintings, paintings, paintings, paintings, paintings, paintings, paintings, paintings, paintings, paintings, paintings, paintings, paintings, paintings, paintings, paintings, paintings, paintings, paintings, paintings, paintings, paintings, paintings, paintings, and Buddhists. Start your morning here and learn more about how Nara preserves its cultural history with sophisticated expertise.

Afterwards, escape to the center of the Amatto Mountains and enjoy an organic dining experience in Yatakiya, which is just a 45-minute drive from the hotel. Walk through soft rolling Norren curtains into the traditional 300-year-old house of Yatakiya, a comfortable experience like a time-recovery. Chef Takeshi Tanagi offers nutritious seasonal lunch options that mainly include plant-based ingredients pulled from the house’s on-site farm in a Japanese-Italian fusion style. Diners can choose to accompany their meals in live-made herbal soft drinks or a selected sake pairing.

Yatakiya can also be the basis for afternoon foraging experiences provided by Japanese hotels alone, which allow visitors to walk through surrounding mountain trails to find organic herbs and ingredients used in traditional medicines.

In the evening, back to the city centre and stroll along the covered Tenri Hondori shopping street, it’s best to visit nearby Sugino, a restaurant that looks at fresh local produce, an impressive sake selection paired with pork Shabu-Shabu-Shabu shabu and Oden dishes.

More information

For more information on Fairfield at the Marriott Michi-No-No-Eki Hotel, click here.
To learn more about Fairfield about Marriott Kyoto Minamiyamashiro, click here.
To learn more about the Fairfield of Marriott Nara Tenri Yamanobenomichi, click here.