Last reviewed: · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.
Overview & City Profile
Chizu (智頭町) in Tottori Prefecture (Chugoku, Japan) is anchored by local sights including Hyōnosen-Ushiroyama-Nagisan-kokutei Park, Nagi Mt. (那岐山), Hyōno-sen and served by Koiyamagata Station (恋山形駅) (1.6 km) via the regional hub at Tottori Station & Yonago Station (JR Super Hakuto Limited Express). Set at 627 m elevation (35.2511°N, 134.2620°E), Chizu offers travelers a base for sampling regional Matsuba-gani (winter snow crab) & Beni-zuwaigani, Nijisseiki (20th Century) Asian pears, Tottori beef-bone ramen (gyukotsu ramen) cuisine and exploring neighboring Nishiawakura (西粟倉村) (9.6 km), Nagi (奈義町) (14.6 km), Yazu (八頭町) (15.5 km), Wakasa (若桜町) (18.1 km).
Set in a highland landscape at roughly 627 m above sea level in Tottori Prefecture, Chizu is anchored by local landmarks including Hyōnosen-Ushiroyama-Nagisan-kokutei Park, Nagi Mt. (那岐山), Hyōno-sen and connects to neighboring Nishiawakura, Nagi, Yazu via Koiyamagata Station (恋山形駅) (1.6 km). Within Tottori Prefecture, Chizu (智頭町) serves as a town (町) in tottori prefecture (municipal incorporation: 1889-04-01) and pairs naturally with wider prefectural highlights such as Sweeping Tottori Sand Dunes & Sand Museum, sacred Mount Daisen ('Fuji of Hoki'), Kurayoshi white-walled storehouses, radium-rich Misasa Onsen, and Sakaiminato's Mizuki Shigeru Road.
| Fact | Details for Chizu (智頭町) |
|---|---|
| Japanese Name | 智頭町 (Chizu) |
| Top Local Landmarks | Hyōnosen-Ushiroyama-Nagisan-kokutei Park · Nagi Mt. (那岐山) · Hyōno-sen · Hanachiga-sen |
| Nearest Rail Station | Koiyamagata Station (恋山形駅) (1.6 km) |
| Primary Regional Hub | Tottori Station & Yonago Station (JR Super Hakuto Limited Express) (Capital: Tottori) |
| Prefecture & Region | Tottori Prefecture · Chugoku |
| Elevation & Coordinates | 627 m · 35.2511°N, 134.2620°E |
| Administrative Status | Town (町) in Tottori Prefecture (Incorporated: 1889-04-01) |
| Area & Population | 224.7 km² (35/km²) · 7,792 residents |
What to See & Do in Chizu (智頭町): Landmarks & Sights
Visitors exploring Chizu (智頭町) from Koiyamagata Station (恋山形駅) (1.6 km) at 627 m elevation (35.2511°N, 134.2620°E) can visit these nearby shrines, temples, parks, and geographic landmarks (with straight-line distances from central Chizu):
- Hyōnosen-Ushiroyama-Nagisan-kokutei Park — local sightseeing landmark near Chizu (智頭町).
- Nagi Mt. (那岐山) — local sightseeing landmark near Chizu (智頭町).
- Hyōno-sen — local sightseeing landmark near Chizu (智頭町).
- Hanachiga-sen — local sightseeing landmark near Chizu (智頭町).
- Primary Rail Gateway for Chizu: Koiyamagata Station (恋山形駅) (1.6 km) (connecting to Tottori Station & Yonago Station (JR Super Hakuto Limited Express)).
Closest Neighboring Municipalities to Chizu
When planning a regional rail or driving loop around Chizu (智頭町) and Koiyamagata Station (恋山形駅) (1.6 km), consider pairing your stop with the 5 closest neighboring municipalities across Tottori Prefecture and Chugoku:
- Nishiawakura (西粟倉村) — 9.6 km from Chizu (Okayama Prefecture)
- Nagi (奈義町) — 14.6 km from Chizu (Okayama Prefecture)
- Yazu (八頭町) — 15.5 km from Chizu (Tottori Prefecture)
- Wakasa (若桜町) — 18.1 km from Chizu (Tottori Prefecture)
- Shōō (勝央町) — 24.7 km from Chizu (Okayama Prefecture)
Getting to Chizu & Getting Around
Train & hub access to Chizu (智頭町) via Koiyamagata Station (恋山形駅) (1.6 km): 2h 30m direct from Osaka/Kyoto/Kobe to Tottori on the JR Super Hakuto Limited Express, or 2h 15m from Okayama to Yonago on the JR Yakumo. From Tottori Station & Yonago Station (JR Super Hakuto Limited Express), transfer to local JR or private rail lines serving Koiyamagata Station (恋山形駅) (1.6 km) to reach central Chizu (35.2511°N, 134.2620°E).
- Local rail & IC cards at Koiyamagata Station (恋山形駅) (1.6 km): JR regional trains and private commuter lines link Tottori with Chizu (智頭町) and neighboring Nishiawakura, Nagi, Yazu. Nationwide IC cards (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA) work at major urban gates; for rural branch stations or local buses around Chizu, carry ¥1,000 bills and ¥100 coins for the onboard fare box.
- Luggage & station coin lockers: Day-trippers stopping in Chizu between Tottori and Nishiawakura can store bags at major transfer stations or check suitcase dimensions in our Luggage & Locker Checker and ship large bags ahead via Takkyubin.
- Driving & car rental around Chizu: While Koiyamagata Station (恋山形駅) (1.6 km) anchors public transit for Chizu, picking up a rental car at Tottori Station & Yonago Station (JR Super Hakuto Limited Express) makes it easy to link Hyōnosen-Ushiroyama-Nagisan-kokutei Park and Nagi Mt. (那岐山) with nearby Nishiawakura (西粟倉村) (9.6 km), Nagi (奈義町) (14.6 km), Yazu (八頭町) (15.5 km), Wakasa (若桜町) (18.1 km). See our Renting a Car in Japan Guide.
What to Eat in Chizu (智頭町) & Tottori
Dining near Koiyamagata Station (恋山形駅) (1.6 km) and across Chizu (智頭町) highlights the regional food culture of Tottori Prefecture and Chugoku. Look for these local specialties at station restaurants, family-run shokudo, and markets in Chizu:
- Matsuba-gani (winter snow crab) & Beni-zuwaigani — regional specialty enjoyed across Chizu (智頭町) and Tottori Prefecture.
- Nijisseiki (20th Century) Asian pears — regional specialty enjoyed across Chizu (智頭町) and Tottori Prefecture.
- Tottori beef-bone ramen (gyukotsu ramen) — regional specialty enjoyed across Chizu (智頭町) and Tottori Prefecture.
- Tottori spice curry — regional specialty enjoyed across Chizu (智頭町) and Tottori Prefecture.
If you are dining in Chizu (智頭町) with food allergies or dietary restrictions, use our Japanese Phrasebook & Allergy Show-Cards at restaurants around Koiyamagata Station (恋山形駅) (1.6 km).
Where to Stay in Chizu (智頭町)
Visitors staying overnight in Chizu (智頭町) can look for business hotels, traditional ryokan, or family-run minshuku near Koiyamagata Station (恋山形駅) (1.6 km), or base at major rail hubs in Tottori (Tottori Station & Yonago Station (JR Super Hakuto Limited Express)) or neighboring Nishiawakura, Nagi, Yazu for quick train access into Chizu. Compare hotel tiers and ryokan etiquette in our Japan Accommodation Guide.
Best Time to Visit Chizu & Seasonal Highlights
Seasonal guide for Chizu (智頭町, 627 m elevation at 35.2511°N, 134.2620°E): April–October for coastal sand dunes, Mount Daisen hikes, and Uradome Coast kayaking; November–March for winter crab feasts and Misasa Onsen.
Wider sightseeing across Tottori Prefecture that pairs well with visiting Hyōnosen-Ushiroyama-Nagisan-kokutei Park in Chizu (智頭町) includes: Sweeping Tottori Sand Dunes & Sand Museum, sacred Mount Daisen ('Fuji of Hoki'), Kurayoshi white-walled storehouses, radium-rich Misasa Onsen, and Sakaiminato's Mizuki Shigeru Road.
Practical Travel Tips for Chizu (智頭町)
- Tourist information (観光案内所) for Chizu: Stop by the Kankō Annaijo desk at Tottori Station & Yonago Station (JR Super Hakuto Limited Express) or Koiyamagata Station (恋山形駅) (1.6 km) for local bus schedules to Hyōnosen-Ushiroyama-Nagisan-kokutei Park and walking maps of Chizu (智頭町).
- Cash & ATMs in Chizu: Convenience stores and major hotels around Koiyamagata Station (恋山形駅) (1.6 km) accept international cards, while smaller eateries and shrines near Hyōnosen-Ushiroyama-Nagisan-kokutei Park often prefer yen cash; 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) and Japan Post ATMs in Chizu accept foreign debit cards.
- Local dining hours in Chizu: Around Koiyamagata Station (恋山形駅) (1.6 km) and neighboring Nishiawakura, Nagi, Yazu, lunch service typically runs 11:30 AM–2:00 PM and dinner spots open around 5:30 PM with last orders between 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM.
Frequently asked questions
What are the top things to see and do in Chizu (智頭町)?
Top local sights and scenic landmarks in and around Chizu (智頭町) in Tottori Prefecture include Hyōnosen-Ushiroyama-Nagisan-kokutei Park, Nagi Mt. (那岐山), Hyōno-sen, Hanachiga-sen. Visitors often combine sightseeing in Chizu with side trips to neighboring Nishiawakura (西粟倉村) (9.6 km), Nagi (奈義町) (14.6 km), Yazu (八頭町) (15.5 km), Wakasa (若桜町) (18.1 km).
How do I get to Chizu (智頭町) by train?
The nearest rail gateway for Chizu (智頭町) is Koiyamagata Station (恋山形駅) (1.6 km), connected via the regional hub of Tottori Station & Yonago Station (JR Super Hakuto Limited Express). 2h 30m direct from Osaka/Kyoto/Kobe to Tottori on the JR Super Hakuto Limited Express, or 2h 15m from Okayama to Yonago on the JR Yakumo. Use our Shinkansen Fare Calculator to price bullet-train connections to Tottori Station & Yonago Station (JR Super Hakuto Limited Express).
What local food should I eat in Chizu and Tottori Prefecture?
When dining around Koiyamagata Station (恋山形駅) (1.6 km) in Chizu (智頭町), look for Tottori Prefecture specialties including Matsuba-gani (winter snow crab) & Beni-zuwaigani, Nijisseiki (20th Century) Asian pears, Tottori beef-bone ramen (gyukotsu ramen), plus Tottori spice curry at local shokudo, izakaya, and station bento counters.
When is the best time to visit Chizu (智頭町)?
Situated at 627 m elevation (35.2511°N, 134.2620°E) in Chugoku, Chizu follows Tottori's seasonal calendar: April–October for coastal sand dunes, Mount Daisen hikes, and Uradome Coast kayaking; November–March for winter crab feasts and Misasa Onsen. Compare month-by-month weather in our Japan Seasonal Calendar.
Official sources & further reading
Rules, prices and schedules change. Confirm details here before you travel: