Major city · Japan
Nishiawakura西粟倉村
Go only if you want forest, onsen and quiet: one night, a car or booked taxi, and no plan to fill a day with sights.
Nishiawakura is a forested village of about 1,400 people in northeast Okayama, on the Chizu Express line between Okayama and Tottori. There is one onsen cluster, a handful of walks and a rest stop, and almost no public transport beyond the two stations. It works as a single quiet night between Okayama and Tottori, or as a base for hiking if you have a car or can call a taxi.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- JPY
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Oct–Nov
- avoid Jan–Feb (snow, closed forest facilities)
- Airports
- OKJ · KIX
- Nights
- 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.
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
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Nishiawakura110 ▾
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 Nishiawakura, 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
- SafetyVery safe.
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.
- AirportOKJ Okayama Momotaro Airport (Bus or train into Okayama, then the Chizu Express line; about 2–2.5 h total).
- Getting aroundTwo Chizu Express stations, Nishiawakura and Awakura-Onsen, cover the valley.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Sit-down mealBuffet lunch at Awakura Shun no Sato¥1,200 (≈ US$9) adults
- BeerHinoki Beer, one bottle¥800 (≈ US$6)
- Museum or sight ticketOnsen day entry¥500–700 (≈ US$4–5)
- Budget bedPrivate Japanese-style room, a night, per room¥6,500 (≈ US$45)
- Mid-range bedPrivate Japanese-style room, a night, per room¥11,000 (≈ US$75)
- High-end bedPrivate Japanese-style room, a night, per room¥20,000 (≈ US$140)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ¥6,000 (≈ US$45) · Mid ¥10,000 (≈ US$70) · High ¥18,000 (≈ US$130)
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
- OKJ Okayama Momotaro Airport (Bus or train into Okayama, then the Chizu Express line; about 2–2.5 h total) · KIX Kansai International (Rail via Okayama, then Chizu Express; allow 4 h+)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Feb
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Mar
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Apr
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
May
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jun
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Jul
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Aug
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
not flagged
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Oct
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Nov
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Dec
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Oct–Nov. Avoid: Jan–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)), coolest Jan (−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C) low), wettest Jan (14 rain days), driest Oct (10). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Nishiawakura: 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
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
14 rd
Feb
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
13 rd
Mar
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
13 rd
Apr
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
11 rd
May
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
11 rd
Jun
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
13 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
14 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12 rd
Sep
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
13 rd
Oct
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
10 rd
Nov
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
11 rd
Dec
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
13 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
Two Chizu Express stations, Nishiawakura and Awakura-Onsen, cover the valley. Everything else — trailheads, the stone circles, the ski slope — is up mountain roads with no bus. There is no taxi company in the village; Ohara Taxi in Mimasaka serves it, with about a 20-minute wait. A rental car from Okayama or Tsuyama is the practical option.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Tsuyama
goDoor to door: 1.5–2 h
Chizu Express to Chizu or Tsuyama via JR, or drive about 1 h
Kakuzan Park and the old castle town; a full day.
Tottori sand dunes
overnightDoor to door: 2.5–3 h
Chizu Express to Tottori, then bus to the dunes
Too far for a comfortable return day; sleep in Tottori.
Mimasaka
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Drive or Chizu Express then taxi
Ohara Taxi base; useful for onward transport.
Door to door: 1.5–2 h
Chizu Express limited express
Koraku-en garden and the rail hub for the rest of Japan.
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.
Awakura Onsen area
Motoyu, Awakura-So and the onsen baths; 15 min on foot from Awakura-Onsen Station.
Kageishi / village centre
Awakurando rest stop, B&B and farmhouse stays; near Nishiawakura Station.
Ogaya (ski and camp area)
Campground and ski slope; car needed, no rail access.
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
- ¥6,000–9,000 (≈ US$45–65) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥9,000–14,000 (≈ US$65–95) excl. bed
- High
- ¥14,000 (≈ US$95)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Private Japanese-style room1 × 1 night × ¥11,000 | ¥11,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ¥10,000 | ¥20,000 |
| Onsen day entry, one visit2 × ¥700 | ¥1,400 |
| Ohara Taxi, station to trailhead, one way1 × ¥2,500 · check | ¥2,500 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × ¥2,500 | ¥5,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ¥3,990 |
| Trip total≈ ¥21,950 per person per day, bed included | ¥43,890≈ US$300 |
2026 estimate in yen; travel to the village excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Awakura Deai Burger at Awakurando | ¥450 (≈ US$4) |
| Hinoki Beer, one bottle | ¥800 (≈ US$6) |
| Onsen day entry | ¥500–700 (≈ US$4–5) |
| Buffet lunch at Awakura Shun no Sato | ¥1,200 (≈ US$9) adults |
| Berry picking entry | ¥700 (≈ US$5) |
| Camp site, one night | ¥1,500 (≈ US$11) |
| Do Yashiki entry | ¥500 (≈ US$4) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No buses to the hiking areas and no local taxi firm: book Ohara Taxi or drive.
- Wakasugi Primeval Forest toilets and car park close in winter.
- Do Yashiki opens irregularly — call before you go.
- Several restaurants are weekend-only or close two days a week; check hours the day before.
- Village tourism information is Japanese-only.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 119
Pocket card
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Nishiawakura西粟倉村
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
No embassies in the village; consulates-general in Osaka, embassies in Tokyo. US citizens in Okayama use the Osaka consulate (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Awakura-Onsen Station → Awakura Onsen: about 15 min on foot
- Ohara Taxi to Awakura-Onsen Station: about 20 min wait, fare by meter (check)
- Chizu Express Okayama → Nishiawakura: about 1.5–2 h with a transfer (check)
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)
- タクシーを呼んでください — Please call a taxi (takushī o yonde kudasai)
- いくらですか？ — How much is it? (ikura desu ka)
- カードで払えますか？ — Can I pay by card? (kādo de haraemasu ka)
- トイレはどこですか？ — Where is the toilet? (toire wa doko desu ka)
Village tourism pages are Japanese-only; carry the Japanese place names.
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 Nishiawakura. 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–Jun, Oct–Nov · avoid Jan–Feb (snow, closed forest facilities) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Station-to-bed contract for Awakura-Onsen: last Chizu Express departures, Ohara Taxi fallback, onsen-area overnight rung.
- Three walking clusters with anchors: Awakura Onsen, Kageishi village centre, Ogaya camp and ski area.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Wakasugi Primeval Forest, Do Yashiki, Awakura Shrine, the stone circles) and eat pages with last orders.
- Winter and hostile-arrival fixtures so gates A–D can go green.