Last Monday, my husband and I took a motorcycle trip to Miyama, a village known for its traditional Japanese thatched-roof houses. It was my first time riding on the back of his bike for such a long distance.

We drove through several mountains. It was so refreshing that we enjoyed viewing the scenery and feeling the clean air.

As heading to the destination, the view was getting more rural and peaceful.

We stopped by a drive-in on the way to Miyama. There was a milk shop, and I bought milk flavored ice cream.

Before taking the photo, my husband had already started eating it. We shared it, and the ice cream was very good.

Eventually, the village came into view! When I saw it, it associated me with the village from Japanese folk-tales. It also reminded me of Shirakawago, which I visited a couple of years ago. The roofs in this village is called kayabuki that is traditional style for a roof. Nowadays, we don't see such a style of roof. About half of the houses there was built in the Edo period.

At the entrance of the village, I came across a very nostalgic looking shop.

Since the village is a sightseeing spot, many tourists go there. I couldn't help but wonder how the local residents feel about strangers constantly staring at their homes. It must be annoying, and that day I was one of annoying people. We can't get in their properties.

I spotted another nostalgic looking thing, a post! It looked just like one that used to stand near my parents’ house when I was a child.

Last year, when I visited my British friend in England, he and his wife took me to Cotswolds. I definitely think this place is a Japanese version of that. If you are curious about my trip in Coswolds, click here. Cotswolds is formed by lots of tiny villages that have old style houses.

Each house has a charming garden, and I really enjoyed exploring.

There was a tiny museum introducing their lifestyle in the Edo period.

I came across a cafe, but unfortunately, it wasn't open that day.

When I found goats, I was surprised! I wonder why a villager keeps them. My husband told me they might drink fresh goat milk.

When I spotted the same rose bush I have at home, I was happy.

The scenery was so quiet and peaceful that we heard birds singing, especially Japanese bush warbler.

A friend of mine has their second house in this area, and according to her, her house is near around the homemade ham shop. She and her husband owned some rice fields too, and every year she gives me their homegrown organic glutinous rice. She told me that they probably will move in the area to focus on rice farming in near future. I tried to find their house and rice fields, but there were so many rice fields. So, it was impossible. I'll see her at the end of this month, so I'm looking forward to chatting with her all about my trip.

We came across a soba (Japanese noodle) restaurant and stopped in.

The restaurant had been renovated but still kept some old-fashioned, traditional atmospheres. I enjoyed the nostalgic atmosphere and imagined inside of the village houses. Probably, they look similar like the restaurant.

I didn't order soba, even though my husband recommended it. I saw the sigh said they use free range chicken in front of the restaurant. Since I was very curious about it, I ordered the dish with the chicken.

The picture below shows my husband's dish. The green noodle is called chasoba including matcha.

The picture below shows my dish.

I first ate free range chicken, and it was too hard to chew. When I said that to my husband, he laughed and said, "Off course, it was hard because they play and run around everywhere. So, their muscles must very improved." That made sense. Even though the chicken was hard, the dish itself was tasty.

That day was hot, but inside of the restaurant was chilly. I looked around to find an air conditioner but I couldn't find it. I guess thanks to the special roof, inside must be cool.

After lunch, my husband and I shared a parfait, which was made by ice cream and red shiso (Japanese herb) jelly. Since the combination was so good that I'd love to make it at home when I make shiso syrup.

The place where my husband and I went is unexplored spot for foreign tourists. If you want to experience the deeper side of Japan, I highly recommend there. You'll see a part of real Japan.

I'd love to go back there in the fall when the leaves changing season. It'll definitely be breathtaking!

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