The Higashiawakura district of Mimasaka City Okayama Prefecture , at the foot of Mt. Ushiroyama , the highest mountain in the Okayama Prefecture . Here, you can spend your own special "country time" at FARM RESORT Awanowa, a Entire house rental accommodation facility.
2025.11.21This time, we will introduce the charms of this farmhouse inn, as well as the attractions that can only be experienced in Higashiawakura, such as hiking to enjoy breathtaking mountain scenery and making musical instruments using materials from the forest.
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Table of Contents
- What is "FARM RESORT Awanowa"?
- Enjoy a private space! Entire house rental house at Fukuya
- A trip to experience the nature and culture of Higashiawakura
- Making a wood kazoo (wooden flute) that plays the sounds of the forest
- summary
- Facility information
What is "FARM RESORT Awanowa"?
"FARM RESORT Awanowa" is not the name of a single facility, but a platform (comprehensive service) for experiencing the beautiful nature of Higashiawakura and rural Japanese life.
Based around the Entire house rental house, Fukuya, the resort works with local farmers and fish farms (facilities for raising fish) to offer a variety of experience programs to guests.
For people who normally live in urban areas, spending time relaxing in the countryside is something very special. How you spend your time during your stay is completely up to you.
With the desire to "encourage people to cherish the time they spend in this place,"Tsuruta, a former local revitalization volunteer (a local supporter working to revitalize the local area) who moved to Higashiawakura and has over 10 years of experience, will kindly provide information on recommended experiences and spots.
Enjoy a private space! Entire house rental house at Fukuya
The base of your trip, Fukuya, is a traditional Japanese house renovated and run by Tsuruta, and is a Entire house rental accommodation facility that only accepts one group per day.
Stepping onto the wooden deck (wooden terrace), you'll be greeted by an open view. Children will love running around on the large lawn right next to the deck.
Higashiawakura has a topography resembling a fan spreading out from Mt. Ushiroyama, and its charm lies in the fact that the sky feels wider than in the valley.
In the spacious garden, you can have a bonfire, barbecue, or simply enjoy glamping (a comfortable camping experience).
If you look up at the night sky, you will be greeted by a beautiful starry sky that can only be seen in Higashiawakura, where there are almost no city lights. It will surely be an unforgettable memory.
You can also enjoy the "outdoor theater" (the experience of watching a movie outdoors). Watching a movie while feeling the night breeze is a completely different experience than watching it in a movie theater.
This allows you to enjoy the true joy of the outdoors while still having the comfort of a bath and bedroom indoors, creating an ideal stay.
There are three Japanese-style rooms (tatami rooms) inside, which can be connected to accommodate up to 10 people. There is also a fully equipped kitchen, so you can enjoy cooking your own meals using fresh local ingredients. It is often used for trips with close friends and their families, for making memories together with three generations including grandparents, or for reunions where friends can chat together.
There is also a Day-use Hot Spring about 10 minutes away by car, where you can relax and soothe your tired body after a day of fun.
There is also a fish farm nearby where you can try your hand at catching fish with your own hands. After returning to the inn, you can grill the fish you catch with salt on a barbecue and enjoy it.
In addition, agricultural experiences are also available. Please ask when making a reservation to find out what experiences are available.
A trip to experience the nature and culture of Higashiawakura
"I'd like to visit spots where I can experience the nature of Higashiawakura. Also, are there any places where I can enjoy casual mountain hiking?"
In response to this request, Tsuruta recommended some spots, and with a map in hand, we set off to explore Higashiawakura.
Our first stop was the "Ai no Mizu Water Station." This natural spring springs from the foot of Mt. Ushiroyama, and many people from Okayama Prefecture and even the Kansai region come to buy this famous spring water. You can even take home 20 liters for 100 yen.
Our next stop was Ushiroyama Furusato Park , where there is a monument marking the source of the Yoshii River River.
The surrounding area is filled with beautiful flower fields, planted with Fujibakama flowers, which attract the Chestnut Tiger butterfly, a butterfly that migrates long distances across the sea.The bridge with its cute butterfly design is also attractive.
Unfortunately, we didn't see any chestnut butterflies that day, but the clear air and the pleasant sound of the babbling brook made it a soothing spot.
In response to a request for a casual hike in the mountains, I was told about Belpire Nature Park.
Located on the slopes of Mt. Hinakurayama , it is known for its large "Bell of Love."
There is a walking trail (a well-maintained path that is easy to walk on), and just a short walk from the parking lot will take you to a breathtaking view.
Apparently this place is also a famous spot for watching the sunset, so next time I would like to visit at that time.
For those who want to try serious mountain climbing, we recommend Mt. Ushiroyama , the highest peak in Okayama Prefecture .
Founded over 1,200 years ago, it is a sacred place for Shugendo (a traditional Japanese religious culture of ascetic training in the mountains), where faith continues to this day. If you stand at the summit, on a clear day, you can enjoy a spectacular view of the Seto Naikai, Shikoku, and even Daisen in the distance.
For those who are confident in their physical strength, there is also a full-scale traverse trail (a hiking course along the mountain ridge) stretching approximately 8.5 km from Mt. Ushiroyama to Oogaya Campsite in the neighboring Nishiawakura Village .
They also offer rental of mountain climbing equipment so you can enjoy hiking without having to bring anything with you, so why not feel free to ask them for more information?
Making a wood kazoo (wooden flute) that plays the sounds of the forest
After the walk, the children tried their hand at making forest instruments at the interactive facility Kobushi-an.
This time, we made a wooden kazoo using cedar (a typical Japanese conifer) from the neighboring Nishiawakura Village.
This is a mysterious flute that produces a unique and gentle "bububu" sound when blown out loud.
Using a kit, it was very easy to file down the corners and assemble the parts. It will be a wonderful souvenir that will remind you of the natural scenery of Higashiawakura.
At Kobushi-an, you can buy souvenirs such as Higashiawakura's specialty rice cakes (rice cakes pounded using traditional methods) and hand-stretched somen noodles (thin handmade noodles), as well as rent out camping gear. It was like an information station for the local area.
summary
Higashiawakura in Mimasaka Mimasaka City is surrounded by rich nature and is a warm-hearted area that has been developed under the slogan "Village of Love."
With the comfortable inn "Fukuya" as our base, we enjoyed playing in the river, hiking in the mountains, and experiencing craftsmanship. The natural environment refreshed our minds and bodies.
It's perfect for families looking for an active getaway, couples looking for some quiet time, or groups looking for a lively getaway with friends. At FARM RESORT Awanowa, you can make your ideal Japanese countryside experience a reality.
Facility information
FARM RESORT Awanowa, a Entire house rental Fukuya
Address: 1439-2 Mt. Ushiroyama , Mimasaka City, Okayama Prefecture
TEL: 090-1181-7851 (Contact: Tsuruta)
Access: Approximately 15 minutes from Tottori IC on the Ohara Expressway, or approximately 10 minutes by taxi from Ohara Station on the Chizu Express Line
Reservations: by phone, email, or internet
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