Major city · Japan
Kitaaiki北相木村
Skip unless you are an archaeology enthusiast or want a remote mountain walk: half a day is enough for the Jōmon cave site and a forest stroll.
Kitaaiki is a tiny mountain village in eastern Nagano, 90% forest, with a population under 700. Its only draw is the Tochibaraiwakage ruins, a Jōmon-period cave dwelling designated a National Historic Site. No rail, no national highway, and almost no tourist services. Worth a stop only if you are already in the area and interested in prehistoric archaeology.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- JPY
- Best months
- Apr–Oct
- avoid Dec–Feb (snow, road closures possible)
- Airport
- check
- Nights
- 0
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
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Kitaaiki110 ▾
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 Kitaaiki, 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; the main risk is driving on narrow mountain roads, especially in winter.
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.
- Airportcheckcheck Closest major airports: Tokyo Narita (NRT) or Tokyo Haneda (HND), then drive or Shinkansen + car (No airport within 2 h drive…
- Getting aroundNo public transport within the village.
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
- check Closest major airports: Tokyo Narita (NRT) or Tokyo Haneda (HND), then drive or Shinkansen + car (No airport within 2 h drive; nearest practical gateway is Tokyo.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Feb
Avoid
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Mar
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Apr
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
May
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jun
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jul
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Aug
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Sep
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Oct
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Nov
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Dec
Avoid
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Best: Apr–Oct. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Jan (−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C) low), wettest Jun (14 rain days), driest Jan (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Kitaaiki: 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
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
6 rd
Feb
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
7 rd
Mar
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
10 rd
Apr
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
10 rd
May
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
11 rd
Jun
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
14 rd
Jul
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
14 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
12 rd
Sep
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
12 rd
Oct
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
9 rd
Nov
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
7 rd
Dec
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°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
No public transport within the village. You need a car to reach the ruins and move around.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
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.
Kitaaiki village
Very limited accommodation; check the village site for minshuku or book in nearby Chikuma or Ueda.
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
- ¥0 (≈ under US$1) (day trip from nearby town)
- Mid
- ¥5,000–10,000 (≈ US$35–70) if staying overnight
Watch out
Safety
- No rail or bus service: you must drive.
- No restaurants or shops confirmed; bring food and water.
- The village website is Japanese-only.
- Snow can close minor roads in winter.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 119
Pocket card
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Kitaaiki北相木村
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
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Car from Chikuma to ruins: about 15 min, no toll
Say or show
- すみません — Excuse me / Sorry (sumimasen)
- ありがとう — Thank you (arigatō)
- 洞窟住居はどこですか？ — Where is the cave dwelling? (dōkutsu jūkyo wa doko desu ka)
- レストランはありますか？ — Is there a restaurant? (resutoran wa arimasu 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 Kitaaiki. 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 Dec–Feb (snow, road closures possible) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Kitaaiki
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