【The Perfect Getaway】Kyoto’s No. 1 Roadside Station is a Hidden Gem with a Marriott! Exploring Michi-no-Eki Minamiyamashiro Village

This is just a little write-up about a recent trip, mainly for my own record, but I hope it serves as a good reference for anyone planning a little trip!

A little while ago, I visited a “Michi-no-Eki” in Kyoto.

A quick definition for those unfamiliar: 

A Michi-no-Eki is a unique Japanese “roadside station.” They are designated rest stops, but they’re much more—they function as community hubs where you can buy fresh local produce, regional specialty products, and enjoy local cuisine. It’s a treasure box of regional gems!

The official name of this particular one is “Michi-no-Eki Ocha no Kyoto Minamiyamashiro Village.”

Apparently, this is the most popular Michi-no-Eki in all of Kyoto Prefecture. And the surprising part? It has a Fairfield by Marriott hotel right next door!

A Hotel in the Middle of Nowhere? The Mystery of the Location

Michi-no-Eki are usually located in the countryside. While “Kyoto” is world-famous, this spot is far from Kyoto City—it’s located in a quiet village (Minamiyamashiro is actually Kyoto’s only village!). There are no major famous tourist spots nearby.

To be honest, I was puzzled: “Why build a Marriott hotel way out here in the sticks?”

The drive to get here was quite scenic, involving winding mountain roads. We drove with a mountain on the right and a river on the left (I saw a sign that warned of road closures if the river floods!). After navigating those roads, what did we find at the end?

Quite a lot of cars parked! It was bustling.

Since this is a tea production region (the name Ocha no Kyoto means “Tea Kyoto”), the station sold all kinds of Japanese tea: green tea (sencha), matcha, hojicha, and more.

Besides tea, they had a great selection of local sweets made with regional ingredients, seasonings, and of course, fresh vegetables!

We arrived after lunch, and unfortunately, most of the vegetables were already sold out. What a bummer!

They also sold lunch boxes (bento),

and believe it or not…

They even had medaka (killifish) for ornamental purposes!

They also sold the food and supplies needed to raise the fish. How thoughtful! (LOL) They really do sell everything here!

Affordable & Delicious Local Lunch

There was also a restaurant inside the station. It was a normal, cozy, local restaurant. We were guided to our seats by the staff, who then came to take our order.

Prices for everything seem to be soaring these days, especially at major tourist destinations, making it difficult for locals to visit. However, I was relieved to see that the prices at this restaurant were very reasonable! A pleasant surprise!

Since it’s a tea area, I had the “Cha Soba” (green tea buckwheat noodles). 

The kids’ meal was a children’s favorite dream plate: a hamburger steak, fried chicken (karaage), shrimp tempura, and an omelet! 

A unique side dish was the “Ocha no Tsukudani” (tea leaves simmered in a sweet soy glaze). 

It was surprisingly delicious and unique!

The dessert selection was equally tempting: matcha soft-serve, matcha dango (dumplings), tea parfait, matcha lattes…

They were also running a limited-time “Black Tea Fair.” 

You purchase a ticket from a vending machine for desserts and take it to the counter. I was too full from lunch to try a dessert this time, but I definitely want to try one on my next visit!

A Destination in Itself

Despite its remote location, this Michi-no-Eki was truly crowded. There wasn’t much traffic on the roads around it, so it’s clear that everyone was coming here specifically.

With the hotel attached, I wondered if guests stay here and use it as a base. 

This is the Fairfield by Marriott hotel.

I’ve heard that Fairfield by Marriott is popular among international travelers, but I didn’t see many Western tourists that day.

However, the people sitting next to me at the restaurant were speaking Chinese, so perhaps the majority of international visitors are from nearby Asian countries like China and Korea. It’s possible I simply couldn’t tell the difference! (It’s often hard to distinguish Japanese, Korean, and Chinese people without hearing them speak.)

I think this location would be perfect for travelers who have visited Japan multiple times and have already seen the main tourist spots. It offers a wonderful taste of rural, authentic Japan.

I came here just for the Michi-no-Eki, but it felt like a fulfilling mini-vacation! I think it’s the perfect spot when you want to get out of the city for a little road trip on the weekend.