Japan · Art & Craft

3-Day Art and Nature Tour in Nishiawakura with Local Craft Encounters

3 Days Round trip from Nishiawakura Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Explore Awakura Shrine and the architecture of Awakura Village Hall/Library
02 Discover natural dye techniques with artist Nanako Suzuki at Someya
03 Experience a kimono-wearing session and choose an antique kimono to take home
04 Meet a musical instrument maker at Mori no Oto and learn about his woodland-focused social business

Nishiawakura Village, winner of the 2021 Japan Times Excellence Award for its sustainable forestry and revitalisation efforts, is tucked away deep in the mountains of northern Okayama Prefecture. This 3-day experience invites you to observe the local people's wisdom and practices for living in harmony with the natural environment through meaningful interactions with artisans, artists, entrepreneurs, and farmers. Along the way, you will gain deeper insight into Japanese aesthetic ideals such as "yo-no-bi" and wabi-sabi, while discovering the village's history, environmental initiatives, and creative community.

This 3-day experience invites you to observe the local people's wisdom and practices for living in harmony with the natural environment through meaningful interactions with artisans, artists, entrepreneurs, and farmers.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 3 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Arrival and Village Heritage Walk

Please arrive at Nishiawakura Station in Okayama Prefecture.
After dropping your luggage at Nokishita Toshokan B&B, just a one-minute walk from the station, you will enjoy a 2 to 3-hour walking tour of the village to learn about its history, industry, and environmental initiatives.
- Awakura Shrine
- Awakura Village Hall/Library (architecture tour)
- Visit natural dye artist Nanako Suzuki at her studio, Someya
- Coffee break at Base 101%

Hot spring and dinner.

Day 02

Kimono Culture, Picnic, and Forest Craft

After a homemade healthy vegetarian breakfast, you will have an in-house kimono-wearing session with a professional kimono dresser. You will learn about the history and culture of kimonos. At the end of the session, you are invited to choose one of the antique kimonos to take home.
Enjoy a rice ball-making session, weather permitting, followed by a picnic lunch outdoors.
Visit a musical instrument maker at Mori no Oto.
Learn why he moved to the village and be inspired by how he combined his passion for music with care for the woodland in his social business.

Hot spring and dinner.

Day 03

Historic Trail Hike or Potter Visit

Have breakfast and then hike on the historic Wakasugi Forest trail, or visit Mr. Miyazaki, a local potter.
Lunch at a local eatery.

Goodbye, and thank you!

Where this trip takes you

Awakura Shrine, Awakura Village Hall/Library, Someya, Wakasugi Forest trail

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Guiding fee

Activity fee

Transport within the village (except for the electric car rental fee)

Two meals per day

Three nights' stay

Hot spring entry fee

What's Not Included

Dinner on each day and transport to arrive in the village

Electric car rental fee

What to bring

Walking shoes
Hat

Know before you go

If you would like the freedom to go around the village and nearby towns, you can rent an electric car (one- or two-seaters). To do this, you need to register before you arrive. If you are interested, please let me know. There are limited options for dinner and nightlife in the village.

This tour is for travellers looking for authentic connections with locals who appreciate immersing themselves in rural Japanese life in a village engaged in sustainable practices. Through interaction with the people you meet, you will learn about our initiatives to tackle depopulation and ageing problems and attract young migrants into this mountainous area.

You will meet a wooden instrument maker and a textile artist on the tour.

In addition, you will get to wear a kimono and choose an antique one to take home.

Finally, your home away from home is a bed and breakfast renovated from a typical traditional house in the area. Each night, you will be treated to a soak in an open-air hot spring bath to relax and rejuvenate.

Logistics