Major city · Japan
Nikahoにかほ市
Spend a half‑day in Nikaho for the onsen and waterfalls; add a night if you want a ryokan stay.
Nikaho is a small coastal city in Akita with a handful of on‑sen, waterfalls and a science museum. It can be explored in a few hours, but an overnight lets you enjoy the hot springs and local ryokan.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- JPY
- Best months
- May–Oct
- avoid Jan–Feb (cold, snow) ; heavy rain Jun–Jul
- Airport
- AKJ
- Nights
- 0–1
Rules in force · 5
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- Japan ↗IC cards (ICOCA/Suica) are topped up with cash at station machines.
- Japan ↗Smoking while walking is banned in most city centres; use designated areas.
- Japan ↗Shinkansen bags 160–250 cm (L+W+H) need a seat reserved with the oversized-baggage area.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Nikaho110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Nikaho, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Cities are increasingly cashless; temples, small restaurants and some lodging taxes still want cash.Japan-wide
- SIM or eSIMData-only eSIMs are the easy route: buy before you fly; voice SIMs need a residence card.Japan-wide
- Tap waterSafe from the tap everywhere; stations and parks have fountains.Japan-wide
- TippingRestaurants and bars: No tip; staff will chase you to return money left on the table.Japan-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 100 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Japan-wide
- SafetyNikaho is low‑risk; main concerns are cold winter weather and late‑night train schedules.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree, clean public toilets in stations, parks and konbini; paper goes in the toilet.Japan-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire and ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMuseums close on Mondays (Tuesday when Monday is a holiday); many family restaurants close one weekday, often Tuesday or Wednesday…Japan-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckAKJ Akita Airport (about 70 km (43 mi) north, bus or rental car to Nikaho (check)).AKJ Akita Airport (about 43 mi (70 km) north, bus or rental car to Nikaho (check)).
- Getting aroundJR Uetsu Line stops at Nikaho Station; local buses run along Highway 7 to attractions.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a café¥300–¥500 (≈ US$3–4)
- Budget bedSun‑Nemunoki room, a night, per room¥7,000 (≈ US$50)
- Mid-range bedIchie ryokan room, a night, per room¥15,000 (≈ US$110)
- High-end bedIchie ryokan room, a night, per room¥20,000 (≈ US$140)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ¥6,000 (≈ US$45) · Mid ¥9,500 (≈ US$65) · High ¥15,000 (≈ US$110)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- AKJ Akita Airport (about 70 km (43 mi) north, bus or rental car to Nikaho (check))AKJ Akita Airport (about 43 mi (70 km) north, bus or rental car to Nikaho (check))
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Feb
Avoid
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Mar
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Apr
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
May
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jun
Care
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jul
Care
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Aug
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Sep
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Oct
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Nov
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Dec
not flagged
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Best: May, Aug–Oct. Mixed: Jun–Jul. Avoid: Jan–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)), coolest Jan (−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C) low), wettest Jul (10 rain days), driest Jan (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Nikaho: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
5 rd
Feb
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
5 rd
Mar
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
6 rd
Apr
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
7 rd
May
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
8 rd
Jun
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
9 rd
Jul
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
10 rd
Aug
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
9 rd
Sep
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
8 rd
Oct
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
7 rd
Nov
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
6 rd
Dec
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
6 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
JR Uetsu Line stops at Nikaho Station; local buses run along Highway 7 to attractions. Walk or rent a bike for nearby sites.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Yurihonjo
goDoor to door: ≈30 min
JR Uetsu Line north, about 15 min
Small town with a historic district.
Mt. Chokai
cautionDoor to door: ≈1 h
Bus from Nikaho Station to trailhead, about 40 min
Seasonal trail; check weather.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Ichie ryokan
¥12,000 per night, includes two meals
Sun‑Nemunoki hotel & onsen
¥7,000 per night, two meals
Nakajimadai Forest Campground
free site, basic facilities near Shishigahana Wetlands
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥5,000–8,000 (≈ US$35–55) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥8,000–12,000 (≈ US$55–85) excl. bed
Trip budget
| Ichie ryokan room1 × 1 night × ¥15,000 | ¥15,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ¥9,500 | ¥19,000 |
| JR Uetsu line round‑trip ticket2 × ¥2,400 · check | ¥4,800 |
| Onsen entry (Hamanasu)2 × ¥500 · check | ¥1,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ¥3,980 |
| Trip total≈ ¥21,890 per person per day, bed included | ¥43,780≈ US$300 |
2026 estimate in yen; transport to/from Akita Airport excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at a café | ¥300–¥500 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Bento box | ¥500–¥1,200 (≈ US$4–9) |
| Onsen bath | ¥300–¥500 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Local sake (180 ml) | ¥400–¥800 (≈ US$3–6) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Last train from Nikaho departs around 22:00; plan return early.Last train from Nikaho departs around 10:00 PM; plan return early.
- Onsen water may be hot in summer; check temperature before entering.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 119
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Nikahoにかほ市
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
ここまでお願いしますTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
Embassy
US consulate in Osaka; Japanese embassy in Tokyo.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Akita Airport → Nikaho (bus): about ¥2,400 (≈ US$17), 1 h 30 min (check)
- JR Uetsu line Nikaho → Yurihonjo: about ¥1,200 (≈ US$9), 15 min
Say or show
- すみません — Excuse me / Sorry (sumimasen)
- ありがとうございます — Thank you (arigatō gozaimasu)
- いくらですか？ — How much is it? (ikura desu ka)
- 温泉はどこですか？ — Where is the onsen? (onsen wa doko desu ka)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Nikaho. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Oct · avoid Jan–Feb (cold, snow) ; heavy rain Jun–Jul · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a night at Ichie for onsen relaxation.
- Combine with a visit to Yurihonjo for a full day itinerary.
Sources
Ask about Nikaho
Loading…