Territory capital · Japan
Okura
Visit Okura for a half‑day on a day‑trip from Shinjo, add an overnight if you want onsen bathing.
Okura is a small mountain village in Yamagata Prefecture, famed for Hijiori Onsen and traditional kokeshi. It can be seen in a few hours from Shinjo, but a night lets you enjoy the hot‑springs and local ryokan meals.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- JPY
- Best months
- Apr–Oct
- avoid Jan–Mar (cold, possible snow road closures)
- Airport
- GAJ
- Nights
- 0–1
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
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Okura110 ▾
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 Okura, 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
- SafetyOkura is safe; main risk is winter road conditions and occasional hot‑spring water temperature extremes – ask staff about safe bathing limits.
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.
- AirportcheckGAJ Yamagata Airport (Shuttle or bus to Shinjo Station, then local bus to Okura (check schedules)).
- Getting aroundShinjo Station is the nearest JR station (Yamagata Line).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealRamen at Okura Shokudo¥700–1,200 (≈ US$5–9)
- Budget bedRyokan room (double), a night, per room¥8,000 (≈ US$55)
- Mid-range bedRyokan room (double), a night, per room¥13,000 (≈ US$90)
- High-end bedRyokan room (double), a night, per room¥25,000 (≈ US$170)
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
- GAJ Yamagata Airport (Shuttle or bus to Shinjo Station, then local bus to Okura (check schedules))
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
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
Mar
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°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
Best
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
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Dec
not flagged
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Best: Apr–Oct. Avoid: Jan–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)), coolest Jan (−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C) low), wettest Jan (9 rain days), driest May (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Okura: 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
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
8 rd
Mar
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°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)
9 rd
Aug
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9 rd
Sep
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
8 rd
Oct
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
7 rd
Nov
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
8 rd
Dec
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°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
Shinjo Station is the nearest JR station (Yamagata Line). From there take a local bus (about 30 min) to Hijiori Onsen; most ryokan provide a shuttle. Walkable village centre.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Hijiori Onsen
goDoor to door: ≈1 h total
JR Shinjo → bus 30 min, then walk to ryokan
Enjoy onsen baths; stay overnight for full experience.
Jizokura shrine
goDoor to door: ≈15 min round‑trip
Walk 10 min from village centre
Small jizo shrine with 5‑yen coin offerings.
Shikamura rice terraces
goDoor to door: ≈30 min
Local bus or walk 20 min uphill
Top‑100 rice terraces; good photo spot.
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.
Maruya Ryokan
Traditional onsen ryokan; meals with local vegetables.
Motokawarayu
Ryokan with seasonal menu; free shuttle from Shinjo Station.
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
- ¥7,000–12,000 (≈ US$50–85) excl. bed
- High
- ¥12,000 (≈ US$85)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Ryokan room (double)1 × 1 night × ¥13,000 | ¥13,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ¥9,500 | ¥19,000 |
| Bus Shinjo → Hijiori (round‑trip)2 × ¥800 · check | ¥1,600 |
| Onsen entry (if not included in ryokan)2 × ¥500 · check | ¥1,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ¥3,460 |
| Trip total≈ ¥19,030 per person per day, bed included | ¥38,060≈ US$300 |
Includes dinner and breakfast at most ryokan.
2026 estimate in yen; transport from Shinjo not included.
Prices of common things
| Soba at Kotobukiya | ¥600–900 (≈ US$5–7) |
| Ramen at Okura Shokudo | ¥700–1,200 (≈ US$5–9) |
| Hijiori Morning Market veg basket | ¥200–400 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Kokeshi souvenir | ¥1,000–3,000 (≈ US$7–25) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Winter snow can block the mountain road; check bus schedules in Jan–Mar.
- Onsen baths may close early in the off‑season; confirm opening hours.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 119
Pocket card
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OkuraOkura
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 Sendai (check address); other embassies in Tokyo.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Shinjo → Hijiori bus: about ¥800 (≈ US$6) one‑way, 30 min (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)
- 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 Okura. 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 (cold, possible snow road closures) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a night at Maruya Ryokan for onsen bathing.
- Use the free shuttle from Shinjo to Motokawarayu if staying there.
Sources
Ask about Okura
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