Things to Do in Chizu (智頭町), Tottori: Sights, Train Access & Travel Guide

Last reviewed: October 27, 2026 · 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 Katsumi Nishikawa Film Museum, Itaibara Village, which has Shōwa era buildings., Mitaki Dam 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).

Chizu is located in the southeastern part of Tottori Prefecture, near the border with Okayama Prefecture. Mountains and forests occupy 93% of the town area, and it is designated as a heavy snowfall area. Chizu is part of ancient Inaba Province. The temple of Gokuraku-ji was founded in 646 AD. The main industries of the area are logging, woodworking, tourism, and brewing. 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.

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):

• Katsumi Nishikawa Film Museum — local sightseeing landmark near Chizu (智頭町).
• Itaibara Village, which has Shōwa era buildings. — local sightseeing landmark near Chizu (智頭町).
• Mitaki Dam — local sightseeing landmark near Chizu (智頭町).
• Mount Nagi — local sightseeing landmark near Chizu (智頭町).
• Suwa Shrine — 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: Travelers exploring Chizu and continuing toward 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 Katsumi Nishikawa Film Museum and Itaibara Village, which has Shōwa era buildings. 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:

• Local specialty & terroir of Chizu (智頭町): sustainable cedar and cypress forestry, woodworking, and mountain conservation.
• 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 Katsumi Nishikawa Film Museum 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 Katsumi Nishikawa Film Museum 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 Katsumi Nishikawa Film Museum 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.