Just Moved to Okayama Prefecture! Top 12 Countryside Living Spots

Okayama Prefecture has a good climate with few natural disasters, seafood from the calm Seto Inland Sea, and highlands full of nature in the Chugoku Mountains, making it a very popular place to move to.

Okayama is one of those parts of Japan that quietly ticks all the boxes for relocation: mild climate, relatively few natural disasters, and a rare mix of seaside life on the calm Seto Inland Sea and green highlands in the Chugoku Mountains.

Hiruzen Highlands offers cool summers, open landscapes, dairy farms and light tourism, so it never feels “too rural.” It’s great if you dream of a small guesthouse, a café, or a part-time/remote base in Japan. Nishiawakura, famous for its community-led “forest village” projects, attracts people who want to raise children close to nature, work online, or join local crafts and start-ups — it’s small, but very welcoming.

If you prefer water views, Ushimado has a Mediterranean vibe (islands, olives, sunsets) and works well for people thinking about a tiny inn or restaurant. Bisei is known for its dark sky and observatory — perfect for a quiet, creative life — while Shinjo Village, beautiful in cherry blossom season, suits those who want to renovate an old house and live slowly. Distances from big cities are a bit longer, but that’s why property is more affordable and the rhythm of life is gentler.