Miyoshi(Japan) Travel 2026: Cheap Flights, Hotels & Top Attractions

In Mitoyo City, the top choice for nature views is Yamato Valley Lodge, nestled beside the Yoshino River and surrounded by Shikoku Mountains. Its large glass-walled rooms offer panoramic views of lush forests and seasonal wildflowers. Guests can enjoy sunrise hikes along the Mitsuke Trail, while the on-site eco-cabin provides an immersive forest experience with treehouse-style accommodations. The hotel also hosts guided birdwatching tours and night stargazing sessions under the clear mountain skies, making it ideal for nature lovers seeking tranquility and connection with the outdoors.

The Kōyama District in Mitoyo City offers the deepest cultural immersion, home to traditional Awa Dance practice halls and local craft workshops. Visitors can join handmade washi paper sessions at the Mitoyo Paper Art Studio, learn Shikoku pilgrimage rituals at the Kōyama Shrine, and attend evening folk music performances in village courtyards. Many family-run guesthouses here host seasonal festivals, such as the Sakura Matsuri and Harvest Festival, where guests participate in rice-planting ceremonies and taste homemade sake brewed from local barley. This area preserves authentic rural life and is perfect for travelers seeking genuine Japanese heritage.

Stay at Kōyama Nature House, a boutique eco-lodge that offers forest bathing (Shinrin-yoku) guided walks led by certified therapists. Each room features natural ventilation systems and locally sourced wood furnishings. Guests can take part in traditional tea ceremony workshops, wood carving classes, and sake brewing demonstrations using ingredients from nearby farms. The hotel also organizes moonlit river boat rides on the Yoshino River, where storytellers share legends of the Kōyama Gorge. These immersive experiences blend wellness, craftsmanship, and storytelling into a truly memorable stay.

Yes, Mitoyo Family Forest Resort is designed for families, featuring a kids’ adventure trail, tree-top rope course, and on-site farm where children can feed goats and collect eggs. The resort offers family cooking classes teaching how to make kamaboko (fish cake) and shiruko (azuki bean soup) using local ingredients. Daily programs include nature scavenger hunts, firefly watching, and river exploration with safety gear. With spacious cabins and a heated pool, it’s ideal for parents and kids alike who want a safe, engaging, and educational getaway in the heart of Shikoku’s countryside.

Yamato Onsen Inn stands out with its natural sulfur-rich baths fed by underground springs over 300 meters deep. The open-air rooftop bath features a glass ceiling for stargazing, while the private rock baths are carved directly into the mountainside. Each room includes a rooftop garden terrace with views of the Yoshino River Valley. The inn also offers thermal therapy consultations and hosts monthly hot spring wellness retreats, combining traditional healing practices with modern relaxation techniques. It’s a sanctuary for those seeking both physical rejuvenation and spiritual peace.

Stay at Kōyama Trailhead Inn, located just 5 minutes from the Mitsuke Trail and Gokuraku Gorge Pathway. This mountain lodge offers direct access to multiple hiking routes, including the Twin Waterfall Loop and the Sunrise Ridge Trail. The property features a trail information center, free rental gear (hiking poles, rain gear), and nightly briefings from local guides. Rooms open onto private balconies overlooking the valley, perfect for morning coffee before a hike. Its central location makes it ideal for multi-day trekking across the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage route.

At Yamato Valley Lodge, guests enjoy a daily local cuisine dinner featuring Awa beef sukiyaki, wild mountain vegetable tempura, and home-brewed plum wine. Ingredients are sourced from nearby farms and fishing cooperatives. Special highlights include dried persimmon snacks made by elderly villagers and shiso-flavored rice balls served during seasonal festivals. The hotel also runs cooking workshops where guests learn to prepare Kōyama-style miso soup and fermented soybean paste (nattō) using traditional methods. These meals reflect the region’s agricultural roots and culinary authenticity.

Plan a loop starting from Tokushima City, driving through National Route 56 into Mitoyo. Stay first at Yamato Valley Lodge, then head west to Kōyama District for a night at Kōyama Nature House. Next, visit Gokuraku Gorge and Yoshino River Bridge, stopping at scenic viewpoints like Hana no Sato Lookout. Return via Route 440 for a scenic coastal detour. Each stop has well-maintained parking, rest areas, and local eateries. Renting a compact SUV ensures easy navigation through narrow mountain roads. This itinerary covers culture, nature, and gastronomy in a balanced, flexible format.

Yes, Snowfield Mountain Retreat in Mitoyo City offers a rare winter mountain experience with snow-covered forests and frozen waterfalls. The lodge features heated indoor-outdoor pools, snowshoe rental services, and ice lantern-making workshops. Each cabin has underfloor heating and panoramic windows facing the snowy peaks. During December–February, they host New Year’s Eve firelight gatherings with Shinto purification rites and traditional taiko drumming. It’s a peaceful, magical escape for those wanting to embrace the quiet beauty of winter in Shikoku.

Green Valley Eco-Lodge is a certified zero-waste accommodation powered entirely by solar energy and rainwater harvesting. Built with reclaimed timber and bamboo, it uses compost toilets and plastic-free amenities. Guests can join organic farming days, biodiversity surveys, and reforestation projects in nearby hillsides. The menu features 100% local, seasonal produce, and leftovers are turned into biogas for cooking. The lodge also partners with local schools for youth environmental education, making it a model of responsible tourism in rural Japan.