Let's go see the fireflies in Nishiawakura Village. [Okayama] A carpet of light appears in the forest for a limited time!

The glow of the fireflies shining through the trees is a spectacular sight! It's like a "carpet of light." We will introduce recommended spots in Nishiawakura Village that you should visit before nightfall, when you can see this limited-time spectacle.

• Table of Contents
• What are fireflies?
• When is the best time to see the cherry blossoms in Nishiawakura Village?
• Precautions when viewing
• Stopover spot 1: "BASE101% -NISHIAWAKURA-"
• Stopover spot 2: "Arunomori"
• Stopover spot 3: Awakura Onsen Motoyu
• Stopover spot #4: Roadside Station Awakurando

What are fireflies?

Himebotaru is a species of firefly endemic to Japan that lives on the mainland. Unlike the Genji and Heike fireflies that can be found near water, Himebotaru lives in forests and is therefore also known as the "forest firefly." The light it emits is a powerful golden color. It flashes repeatedly in short bursts like a flash.

When is the best time to see the cherry blossoms in Nishiawakura Village?

In Nishiawakura Village, from early July to around the third week, you can see a mystical sight of lights dancing through the forest, moving gradually north from around the Okaya Ski Resort to the Wakasugi Natural Forest . It is especially beautiful on clear, moonless nights, so be sure to check the weather before heading out.

*The official Facebook page of the Nishiawakura Village Industry and Tourism Division, "Nishiawa Club," provides local information in conjunction with the firefly flight season.

Nishiawakura Village Industry and Tourism Department Official Facebook | Nishiawakura Club

Precautions when viewing

The flowers stop glowing when hit by car headlights, so we recommend parking your car in the Ogaya Campground parking lot and then walking to the viewing spot.

Stopover spot 1: "BASE101% -NISHIAWAKURA-"

Located along National Route 373, this complex was renovated from part of a lumber factory warehouse and now houses a restaurant and cafe, select shops, a lumber market, a strawberry picking house, and more. At the restaurant and cafe, you can enjoy game dishes and sweets unique to Nishiawakura Village, and there is also a shop selling works by artists who live in Nishiawakura Village.

Address: 461-1 Nagao, Nishiawakura Village, Aida District, Okayama Prefecture

TEL: 090-2466-9378

Business hours: 10:00-17:00 *Lunchtime 11:00-14:00

Closed: Tuesdays

Parking: Available

Article introducing this spot

BASE101%-NISHIAWAKURA-

461-1 Nagao, Nishiawakura Village, Aida District, Okayama Prefecture　...

BASE101% is a multi-purpose center designed to “create discovery.” We offer wood supplies for DIY at reasonable prices and host stores recommending an original range of local souvenir goods. Part of the woodworking factory premises is refurbished to café and restaurant. You can buy the artworks of local artisans and specialty food at the stores. The restaurant welcomes you with a menu of various vegetables and fresh wild game meat prepared at their kitchen, and for dessert, you can enjoy additive-free waffles and soft serve ice cream made of 100% Nishiawakura milk. Strawberry picking activity is also available from January to May at the Strawberry house alongside the center.

Stopover spot 2: "Arunomori"

This old-style cafe is run by a Japanese and Thai couple. The building is about 130 years old and has a thatched tin roof. You can enjoy authentic Thai dishes such as green curry, Khao Man Gai, Gapao rice, and Pad Thai. Their parfaits made with seasonal fruits such as blueberries, cherries, loquats, peaches, and figs are also popular. They also operate as a private lodging, and each room becomes a guest room or living room after the cafe closes.

Address: 818-1 Nagao, Nishiawakura Village, Aida District, Okayama Prefecture

TEL: 090-8531-6189

Business hours: 11:00-15:00 (last orders 14:00)

Closed: Mondays, 1st and 3rd Tuesdays

Parking: Available

Article introducing this spot

Stopover spot 3: Awakura Onsen Motoyu

A guesthouse with a natural hot spring located along the river. Thinned wood is turned into firewood and used for cooking and heating, and the hot spring heated by firewood can be enjoyed on a day trip (500 yen for adults, 250 yen for elementary school students, free for infants and toddlers). The restaurant serves dishes that allow you to fully enjoy the bounty of the forest, such as a gibier menu using venison and bread made with cypress yeast from Nishiawakura.

Location: 2050 Kageishi, Nishiawakura Village, Aida District, Okayama Prefecture

TEL: 0868-79-2129

Business hours: [Day bath] 15:00~21:00, [Restaurant] 17:00~ (Food last order 20:30 / Drink last order 21:00)

Closed: Wednesday

Parking: Available

Article introducing this spot

Awakura Onsen Motoyu

707-0503 2050 Kageishi, Nishiawakura Village, Aida District, Okayama P...

This is a guest house with a natural hot spring that you can take a day trip to. Thinned wood taken from Nishiawakura Village's 100-year forest project is turned into firewood and used for meals, heating, and hot springs. You can also enjoy meals full of the blessings of the forest that can only be tasted here, such as game dishes made with venison caught by the village's hunters, cypress bread made from the village's cypress trees, and cypress beer. In the bath, there is a floating tree that is not just a bath salt, but a scent of Nishiawakura cypress.

Stopover spot #4: Roadside Station Awakurando

This roadside station is located close to the Nishiawakura Interchange on the Tottori Expressway. The sales floor is lined with agricultural products and processed goods grown by local farmers, mainly from within the village, and the attraction is that you can buy fresh vegetables grown with water from the source at reasonable prices. As it is located halfway between San'in and San'yo, you can purchase not only products from within Okayama Prefecture, but also famous sweets and local specialties from the San'in area. Colorful windmills line the corridor next to the building, making it a popular photo spot!

Address: 418 Kageishi, Nishiawakura Village, Aida District, Okayama Prefecture

TEL: 0868-79-2331

Business hours: [Shop] Weekdays 9:00-17:00 *Saturdays, Sundays and holidays 9:00-18:00 [Restaurant] 10:00-17:00 (LO 16:20) [Outdoor shop] 10:00-17:00 [Vegetable market] 9:00-17:00

Closed: None *Vegetable market is held from December 31st to January 3rd

Parking: Available

Roadside Station awakuland

707-0503 418 Kageishi, Nishiawakura Village, Aida District, Okayama Pr...

The restaurant's recommendation is the Awa Land special menu, which is recommended seasonally by the cooking staff. We carry a wide selection of souvenirs, including famous confections from San'in and famous Okayama confections, as well as regional specialties and handmade products.