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.
- 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.
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.
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.
- 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 →
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+)
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°C43°F
−2°C28°F
14 rd
Feb
7°C45°F
−2°C28°F
13 rd
Mar
12°C54°F
1°C34°F
13 rd
Apr
18°C64°F
6°C43°F
11 rd
May
23°C73°F
11°C52°F
11 rd
Jun
26°C79°F
16°C61°F
13 rd
Jul
30°C86°F
21°C70°F
14 rd
Aug
31°C88°F
22°C72°F
12 rd
Sep
26°C79°F
17°C63°F
13 rd
Oct
20°C68°F
10°C50°F
10 rd
Nov
15°C59°F
4°C39°F
11 rd
Dec
9°C48°F
0°C32°F
13 rd
High / low °C°F · rd = rain days
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.
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 & 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.
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
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
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 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.