Lush green valleys and sparkling rivers, historic streets and vibrant cultural traditions, natural hot springs and art and crafts shaped by human hands… Yamanaka Onsen is a historic onsen (hot spring) town that draws visitors in and welcomes them with genuine warmth. In 2022, Ariya Omi moved with her family from Kyoto to Yamanaka Onsen in Kaga City. As the founder of KIOKU LLC, she fosters community-based tourism, while engaging local residents.
Born in Kyoto and raised in California, Ariya returned to Japan after university and continued her service as a Buddhist priest at her family’s Jodo Shinshu temple. While revitalising the temple-centric community, she also supported international artists and helped organise art events. Later, she met her husband, who worked as a rick-shaw guide in Kyoto, and together they renovated an old machiya house and opened a guesthouse.
With such a unique and rich life story, what drew Ariya to move to Kaga City?
“A friend invited me to a music event in the Takigahara district, about a 20-minute drive from Yamanaka Onsen. At the time, my husband and I were looking for a place where we could raise our child freely, and we were im-mediately captivated by the local climate, culture, and people. By chance, we found an ideal vacant house in the heart of Yamanaka Onsen. Even without a job or concrete plans, we began our new life there as a family in March 2022.”
After moving, Ariya took a position at Kaga City Hall, where she worked on public relations materials and un-covered the rich diversity of local resources, while expanding her network.
After leaving her City Hall position, Ariya co-founded her own business, and now she works to create opportuni-ties that connect international visitors with the local community. In particular, she serves as a local guide, sharing the charms of Kaga City in English and collaborating with local businesses to develop hands-on experience pro-grams. Ariya’s approach is to share her ideas and passion with the community. Organically she befriended indi-viduals from diverse backgrounds have begun working as local guides. Sometimes, her husband even operates a rickshaw in the breathtaking valleys for which Yamanaka Onsen is famous.
“Exploring the charms of the place we live, and in sharing them with travellers also makes us reflect on how we want to work and live in this community,” Ariya explains.
Ariya’s home/KIOKU office occupies an 80-year-old building with a distinctive blend of Japanese and Western styles. The upstairs tatami-floored room is being renovated into a homestay-style lodging, scheduled to open in spring 2026. A friend runs a vintage clothes and bookstore COSMO downstairs, drawing young people interested in fashion, art, and literature. A fresh breeze of creativity is sweeping through this historic onsen town.
Traditional Japanese onsen towns are built around communal baths, which are treasured local spaces shared by the community. Yamanaka Onsen is no exception; residents still visit the baths every morning and evening, and Ariya is no stranger to this daily ritual.
“Communal baths are places where people of all ages—from children to the elderly—come together, with their lives and stories intersecting as they soak in the water. Having such a space is truly enriching,” she explains.
A quick stroll through town may not reveal Yamanaka Onsen’s true character. By walking with a local guide, experiencing the rhythms of daily life, and sometimes simply allowing for quiet moments of reflection, visitors can discover hidden treasures that quietly shine.
