Nokishita Toshokan B&B
True Wealth Tours
are part of my True Wealth Project
to explore ways for our community to survive and thrive.
True Wealth is not something you find.It is something you remember.We invite you into a living village story — shaped by forests, rice fields, and people who choose to live in alignment with what truly matters.This is more than a journey through tradition or craft. It is a space for reflection, connection, and quiet transformation — where your own life story meets ours.Your presence here matters.Your perspective helps us see our home with new eyes, just as our way of living may help you see your own path more clearly.Come not only to visit, but to belong —and to carry this form of wealth back into your life, wherever you go.
I am happy to tailor-make a tour just for you and your companions.
The information below shows some of the past tours I have done.
Prices (16,500 yen - 18,000 yen) for 2 people (3 hrs tour)
* All plans include guide fee and transport
Plan 1 (Crafts & Nature): Visit a craftsperson/artist available, a historical area and a picnic up the mountain.
Plan2 (Hands-on activity): Visit a local potter/musical instrument maker and have an activity making a piece yourself.
*Note: Both activities cost 3,000 yen per person. Shipping fee (pottery) is excluded.
Plan3 (Food tour!): Visit an organic farmer or a mushroom farm and have lunch at Mitaki-en (info. below)
*Note: Lunch (Vegetarian course 3,600 yen ~ excluded)
Plan4 (Traditional Japanese culture experience): Kimono wearing or origami making plus cooking experience & lunch)
All day (8 hours) and more than a day tour can be arranged.
Please get in touch to discuss your interests and budget.
There is more information (about the people and activities (natural dye, wood/metal work, cooking) available here.
www.nishiawakuravillage.com
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Hiromi Charles
Licensed tour guide (No.EN00117) , Nokishita Toshokan B&B owner and Mindvally Certified Life Coach
Returned to Okayama in 2009 after having lived abroad for
18 years studying and working as a school teacher. She has
been leading tours for overseas travellers since 2014.
Passionate about sharing how focusing on one's "true wealth" can help create more abundance in one's life and therefore live a more fulfilled life.
Enjoys connecting people, learning about different cultures and travelling.
Originally from Tsuyama City, now lives in Nishiawakura with her French husband and one of the sons.
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Places to visit around Nishiawakura Village
If you would like to explore our area by yourself, these are the places I recommend!
Wakasugi virgin forest 若杉原生林
A one- hour hike to the view point on the shortest course makes it ideal for a family event and travellers without heavy hiking gear. Here not only are you able to see the Japanese beech and Mongolian oak (rare in Western Japan), but walking on the stone path used for the last 300 years naturally invites you to cast your thoughts back to old times, stimulating your imagination as to how the journey must have been at that time. The Giant Japanese Salamander, designated a "natural national treasure" and known to reside only in cool and clear streams, can also be witnessed in our village.
毎回行く度に、鈍っている五感を研ぎすましてくれる森です。最短コース一時間で、頂上まで登れるので家族ハイキングや、気まぐれ登山にはピッタリです。渓流のせせらぎの音に導かれて、不思議な程自然に足が前に進みます。ここはその昔旅人・商人が美作ー因幡を往来していた峠道で、石畳も江戸時代に整備されたそうです。そんな神秘的な場所でもあり、six senseも鍛えられます！
A Walk in the Hikadani "Golden" Valley 引谷地区
From late March to early April, the golden paper bushes covering the well-drained slopes of the woods delight the hearts of both local and travellers alike. Their elegant blossoms reassure us that spring is just around the corner. The plants are also known for their use in Japanese paper production, especially paper currency because of the plant fibers' resilience. The paper bush only grows in well-managed woods as it needs a good amount of sunshine. Enjoy walking in the valley with terraced rice paddies and a fast- flowing stream lit up by the bright yellow oriental paper bush.
しなやかで光沢がある和紙の原料として知られるミツマタ。その可憐な花が咲く３月半ば、
薄暗い植林の森に光を灯すように咲き乱れ、私たち村の住民に春の訪れを告げてくれます。
Firefly viewing 姫蛍
From the beginning to mid-June, we can see the dances of the Genji fireflies along the relatively slow- flowing rivers in the area. A month later in mid-July, we can see the rare Hime (princess) fireflies up in the woods whose light flickers on and off like Xmas illumination. With the starlit sky above and a natural light show around us, you can only describe the scene as magical! We strongly advise you to book early during this season.
７月上旬から２週間ほど大芽スキー場付近の森で見られる 姫蛍。夜空のミルキーウエイとゲンジボタルの光の線と共に 幻想的な空間が夏のこの期間だけ体験できます。
Mitaki-En みたき園
日本語はこちらをどうぞ http://ashidumitakien.jp
Most of our overseas guests, if not all of them, say that this is one of the most memorable places that they have come to visit. This is a place where you can get an experience of slipping back in time in a house with a sunken hearth and thatched roof. After a quiet walk along a clear stream with a waterwall over the mountain top (wait to come here to learn the story behind it), treat yourself to a healthy local traditional meal prepared by the ladies who have worked there for the last 40 years. Please try to observe their seamless movement, especially how their accustomed feet seem to know just where to place the next step avoiding the bumps on the path as they carry the trays of dishes back and forth between the dining space and the kitchen without ever having to look down! This is a gem rarely found anywhere else in Japan. Alternatively the cosy cafe "Quince" on the same ground serves a selection of drinks and desserts. Have a blissful time up there with the mountain spirits!
Tottori Sand dune and the Sand Museum 鳥取砂丘と砂の美術館
日本語はこちらをどうぞ (also more info in English) http://www.sand-museum.jp
We are only about an hour away from the sand dune and sand museum which are both stunning and well worth a visit. Every year, the sand museum features a themed exhibition of sculptures based on a particular country by various international artists. After displays of iconic images from the U.K. and China, the 2014/15 exhibition is of Russia.
Ohara Town and Higashi-Awakura Village 旧大原町と東粟倉村
Ohara is famous as the birthplace of the legendary samurai, Miyamoto Musashi. Here you can visit the Musashi Budokan, Dojo, a small museum and the Musashi shrine. Just 5 minutes from Ohara Station, you can stroll down Furumachi, a street in a style depicting a bygone age. Many of the buildings date back hundreds of years, one of which has recently been renovated to become Nambatei, a restaurant/coffee shop featuring a relaxed atmosphere and delicious meals of local produce.
Our sister village, Higashi-Awakura, has a very different landscape to us, featuring spectacular views from the mountain tops. A recommended rest-stop is Kobushi An, a small eatery for noodles and rice cakes.