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

Nishiawakura Village is one of the few places in Okayama Prefecture where fireflies live. Every July, you can see a beautiful and fantastical sight from Ogaya Ski Resort to the Wakasugi Natural Forest.

Written by

Okayama Prefecture Tourism Federation

Okayama Prefecture is located in the Center of Western Japan and is known as the "Land of Sunshine" due to its warm climate and little rain throughout the year. It's conveniently located halfway between famous tourist destinations like Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima! It's also the gateway to Shikoku via the Seto. Okayama is also known as the "Fruit Okayama," and the fruits that are sun-drenched in the warm climate of the Setouchi are of the highest quality in terms of sweetness, aroma, and flavor. You can enjoy seasonal fruits such as white peaches, Muscat grapes, and Pione grapes! Okayama is also home to world-class tourist spots, including Okayama Castle, Okayama Korakuen Garden, one of Japan's three most famous gardens, and Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter, which boasts history, culture, and art!

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The light of the fireflies shining through the trees is a spectacular sight! It's like a carpet of light. We'll also introduce some recommended spots in Nishiawakura Village that you'll want to 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?
Things to note when viewing
Stop-by spot 1: "BASE101% -NISHIAWAKURA-"
Stopover spot 2: "Mori"
Stopover spot 3: Awakura Onsen Motoyu
Stopover spot 4: Awa Land Roadside Station

What are fireflies?

Himebotaru is a species of firefly endemic to Japan, living on the mainland. Unlike the Genji and Heike fireflies that are found near water, Himebotaru lives in forests, so it is also known as the "Mori firefly."The light it emits is a powerful golden color, with repeated short flashes like a flash.

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

Every year from early July through the third week in Nishiawakura Village, you can see mystical light dancing through the forest, gradually moving north from around Ogaya Ski Resort to the Wakasugi Natural Forest . It's 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 during the firefly flight season.

Nishiawakura Village Industry and Tourism Division Official Facebook | Nishiawakura Club

Things to note 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.

Stop-by spot 1: "BASE101% -NISHIAWAKURA-"

Located along National Route 373, this complex is part of a renovated lumber factory warehouse and includes a restaurant and cafe, select shops, a lumber market, a strawberry picking house, and more. The restaurant and cafe serves game dishes and sweets unique to Nishiawakura Village, and there is also a shop selling works by artists living in Nishiawakura Village.

Address: 461-1 Okayama Prefecture, Nishiawakura Village, Aida County, 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: "Mori"

This traditional Thai cafe is run by a Japanese-Thai couple. The approximately 130-year-old building has a thatched tin roof and serves 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 guesthouse, and after the cafe closes, each room becomes a guest room or living room.

Address: 818-1 Okayama Prefecture, 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

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

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

TEL: 0868-79-2129

Opening hours: [Daytime bathing] 15:00-21:00, [Restaurant] 17:00 onwards (Food last order 20:30 / Drink last order 21:00)

Closed: Wednesdays

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: Awa Land Roadside Station

This roadside station is located close to the Nishiawakura Interchange on the Tottori Expressway. Its sales floor is lined with agricultural products and processed goods grown by local farmers, mainly from within the village, and its appeal lies in the fact that you can buy fresh vegetables grown with water from the source at reasonable prices. As it is located Nakama between San'in and San'yo, you can purchase not only products from within Okayama Prefecture, but also famous sweets and specialties from the San'in area. The 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

Opening 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.

Written by

Okayama Prefecture Tourism Federation

Okayama

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