Hinoemata Village, with a population of about 480 people, has only one clinic and no hospitals or facilities catering to international travelers.
To prepare for any unforeseen issues, it’s important to be aware of how to handle matters related to health, finances, language, and communication.
There is only one clinic in the village—Hinoemata Clinic (TEL: 0241-75-2341).It is open on weekdays except Mondays and on Saturday mornings. For symptoms like headaches or mild stomachaches, please visit during clinic hours.
In case of emergencies such as fractures or high fever: In most cases, calling ‘119’ will result in transportation—by car or ambulance—to Fukushima Prefectural Minamiaizu Hospital, located approximately 60 minutes away.
Please note that it may take longer to arrive during nighttime or in bad weather conditions.
There are no pharmacies or drugstores in the area, so be sure to bring painkillers and any regular medication with you. The nearest large drugstore is around Aizu-Tajima Station, which is over 50 km away from the village.
Basically, if you plan to use cash, you’re unlikely to run into any issues. Some facilities do accept cashless payments, but carrying about 10,000 yen per day plus some extra cash for the number of days you’ll be staying is recommended for peace of mind.
Within the village, only the Hinoemata Post Office ATM (Weekdays 9:00–17:30 / Saturdays 9:00–17:00 / Sundays & Holidays 9:00–15:00) accepts international cards.*Please note that it is not available late at night, so be sure to check your balance in advance.
At the ATM inside Hinoemata Post Office, cards bearing any of the following brands.
VISA, PLUS, MasterCard, Maestro, Cirrus, JCB, China UnionPay, and DISCOVER.
Please note that services in the village are available almost exclusively in Japanese. So please prepare by taking photos of Japanese menus and installing an offline translation app.
Only the tourist association and a few accommodations offer support in little English.
For added peace of mind, print out or save in your phone's notes some useful Japanese phrases for medical consultations, food allergies, or notifying delays.
There are areas with weak signal reception even along the Ozenuma Route and in the village center. Be sure to download maps in advance or carry a pamphlet with a map. It’s also a good idea to share your travel itinerary with family or friends beforehand.
Free Wi-Fi is available at the tourist information center and is accessible at many mountain lodges and accommodations. However, please note that there is no connectivity at all along trekking trails and boardwalks.
The final Aizu Bus departs from ”Michino-eki Oze Hinoemata” around 4:40 PM, depending on the season. Since arranging a taxi can be difficult if you miss the bus, be sure to allow plenty of time for your descent.
During the rainy and typhoon seasons, roads may be closed and bus services may be suspended.
Always check the latest information with your accommodation or the village office, and avoid taking unnecessary risks.
| Emergency Contact List : Please note: Japanese only. A translation app is essential. | ||
|---|---|---|
| Ambulance / Fire Truck | 119 | Call in English「Ambulance, Hinoemata-mura, Oze trail accident」 |
| Police | 110 | Minamiaizu Police Station is responding. |
| Village clinic | 0241-75-2341 | Closed on Saturday afternoons, Sundays, Mondays, holidays, and during the New Year’s holidays (from 12/29 to 1/3). |
| Tourist Association | 0241-75-2432 | 8:30-17:00 / Basic English support available |
| Village Office | 0241-75-2500 | Available 24 hours. However, phone contact is recommended only when the tourism association is unavailable. |
| Public telephone (in front of the village office) |
- | Used when out of mobile range |
Inquiry for International Traveler (English or Japanese)
If you have any questions or concerns before your visit,
please feel free to contact the Oze Hinoemata Onsen Tourism Association from link below.
Yes. In Japan, punctuality is important. If you expect to arrive late, be sure to contact the accommodation in advance. Late check-out often incurs a fee, as it interferes with the cleaning schedule.
There is usually a designated area at the entrance with slippers provided. Beyond that point, wearing shoes indoors is not allowed. This applies not only in guest rooms but also in tatami-mat hallways.
Some places accept cards or digital payments, but it's safest to carry cash, especially in rural inns and mountain areas. Be sure to prepare cash before arrival.
No. Tipping is not part of Japanese culture. A simple "thank you" and a smile is enough to show appreciation for good service.
Yes, but many buildings are made of wood and sound travels easily. Please observe quiet hours between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. Avoid loud conversations or phone calls in hallways and shared spaces.
Yes. The area of Oze National Park accessible from Hinoemata Village is a symbol of Japan’s nature conservation efforts. Visitors are expected to follow proper etiquette.
Please read the guidelines before your visit:
Oze Preservation Foundation: https://oze-fnd.or.jp/en/
Yes. It is required to rinse or shower your entire body before entering the bath.
No. In general, communal baths in Japan require full nudity. Towels must not be brought into the bath—place them on your head or leave them outside the tub.
Visible tattoos are generally not allowed. Please cover them with a tattoo cover sheet or sticker before entering the bath. These are not sold on-site, so be sure to prepare in advance.
No. Photography is strictly prohibited in both the changing and bathing areas to protect privacy. Please leave your phone in the locker.
There are ATMs at the local Post office in Hinoemata, but it’s best to withdraw cash before entering the village.
<Available Brands>VISA, PLUS, MasterCard, Maestro, Cirrus, JCB, China UnionPay, and DISCOVER.
Taxis are limited, and you may not be able to return to your accommodation. Always check the timetable and plan to catch the second-to-last bus or train to be safe.
Yes. Each accommodation has specific rules. The general rule is to separate waste into "burnable," "PET bottles," and "cans/glass." Follow the signage at your accommodation.
In emergencies, call 119 (ambulance) or 110 (police). It’s helpful to get a multilingual hospital list from your accommodation or the tourist information center in advance.
Free Wi-Fi is available at the tourist information center and most lodgings. However, signal reception may be poor on boardwalks and trekking routes.
