Major city · Japan
Okuwa
One day is enough for Okuwa: visit Atera Valley, Joshoji temple and a Nakasendo post town, then stay overnight if you prefer a relaxed pace.
Okuwa is a small mountain village in Nagano Prefecture, served by three JR Chuo Line stations. Its main attractions – Atera Valley, Joshoji temple and the historic Nojiri‑juku post town – are close together, making a half‑day itinerary feasible. Overnight options exist in Suhara and Nojiri for those who want to rest after hiking.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- JPY
- Best months
- Apr–Oct
- avoid Jan–Mar (snow), heavy rain Jul–Aug
- Airport
- MMJ
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
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 Okuwa110 ▾
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 Okuwa, 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
- SafetyOkuwa is a quiet rural area with low crime; main risks are mountain weather changes and occasional train delays.
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.
- AirportMMJ Matsumoto Airport (Bus or taxi about 1 h from Okuwa).
- Getting aroundJR Chuo Line connects Nojiri, Okuwa and Suhara stations; walk or local bus to sights.
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
- MMJ Matsumoto Airport (Bus or taxi about 1 h from Okuwa)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
Feb
Avoid
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Mar
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Apr
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
May
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jun
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jul
Care
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Aug
Care
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Sep
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Oct
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Nov
not flagged
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Dec
not flagged
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Mixed: Jul–Aug. Avoid: Jan–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)), coolest Jan (−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C) low), wettest Jul (10 rain days), driest May (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Okuwa: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
9 rd
Feb
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
8 rd
Mar
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
7 rd
Apr
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
6 rd
May
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
5 rd
Jun
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
7 rd
Jul
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
10 rd
Aug
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9 rd
Sep
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
8 rd
Oct
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
7 rd
Nov
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
8 rd
Dec
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
9 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 Chuo Line connects Nojiri, Okuwa and Suhara stations; walk or local bus to sights. Most attractions are within 10‑15 min walk from a station.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Atera Valley
goDoor to door: ≈30 min total
Walk from Okuwa Station, about 20 min
Scenic 15 km (9.3 mi) valley with emerald water; no fee.Scenic 9.3 mi (15 km) valley with emerald water; no fee.
Joshoji temple
goDoor to door: ≈20 min total
Bus or walk from Okuwa Station, 10 min
Entry ¥300, open 08:30–17:00.Entry ¥300, open 8:30 AM–5:00 PM.
Nojiri‑juku
goDoor to door: ≈40 min total
JR to Nojiri Station, then 5‑min walk
Historic post‑town on the Nakasendo route.
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.
Minshuku Suhara
Traditional inn in Suhara‑juku, 5‑min walk from Suhara Station, ¥6,000 per night
Miwa House
Renovated historic house in Nojiri‑juku, ¥8,000 per night
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
- ¥5,000–7,000 (≈ US$35–50) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥7,000–10,000 (≈ US$50–70) excl. bed
Trip budget
| Minshuku Suhara2 × 3 nights × ¥6,000 | ¥36,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 3 days × ¥8,000 | ¥48,000 |
| JR Chuo line round‑trip fare (Nojiri‑Okuwa‑Suhara)2 × ¥2,500 | ¥5,000 |
| eSIM, 7‑day data2 × ¥2,500 | ¥5,000 |
| Trip total≈ ¥15,670 per person per day, bed included | ¥94,000≈ US$650 |
check
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Joshoji temple entry | ¥300 (≈ US$3) |
| Soba at Inaho | ¥800–¥1,200 (≈ US$6–9) |
| Coffee | ¥300–¥500 (≈ US$3–4) |
| JR local ticket per ride | ¥300–¥500 (≈ US$3–4) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- JR trains run infrequently in early morning and late evening; check the timetable.
- Joshoji temple opens 08:30–17:00; entry ¥300 (≈ US$3).Joshoji temple opens 8:30 AM–5:00 PM; entry ¥300 (≈ US$3).
- Atera Valley trail can be slippery after rain; wear proper shoes.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 119
Pocket card
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OkuwaOkuwa
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- JR Chuo line Nojiri–Okuwa–Suhara round trip: about ¥2,500 (≈ US$17) per person
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 Okuwa. 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: Apr–Oct · avoid Jan–Mar (snow), heavy rain Jul–Aug · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- JR Chuo line schedule check for early/late trains.
- Reserve a room at Minshuku Suhara or Miwa House for overnight stays.
- Map walking routes between stations and attractions.
Sources
Ask about Okuwa
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