Nasu Highlands

An imperial summer retreat in the highlands north of Tokyo, with the volcanic Mt. Chausu, the Sessho-seki stone and hot springs, plus plenty of farms and animal parks—ideal for a family road trip.

Nasu Kogen lies in northern Tochigi Prefecture on the southeastern slopes of Mt. Chausu (1,915 m), the main peak of the Nasu Mountains, at an elevation of about 500–1,000 m and roughly 170 km from Tokyo. Since the Meiji era it has been a summer retreat for the imperial family and Tokyoites, and the Nasu Imperial Villa still stands here today. Administratively it is split between the town of Nasu and the city of Nasushiobara. The area divides into three parts. First, the mountain zone around Mt. Nasu: take the Nasu Ropeway to the ninth station of Mt. Chausu, then hike to the summit to see the fumaroles of this active volcano, with the slopes ablaze in autumn foliage. Second, the Nasu Yumoto Onsen area, home to the Sessho-seki ("killing stone") of nine-tailed fox legend, Shika-no-yu, a bathhouse with more than 1,300 years of history, and Nasu Onsen Shrine; deeper in the mountains is the secluded Kita Onsen. Third, the highland tourist strip along the Nasu Kaido road, packed with family attractions and cafés such as Nasu Animal Kingdom, Minamigaoka Farm, the Nasu Highland Park amusement park, a safari park, the Stained Glass Museum and the Teddy Bear Museum. About 30 km southwest, the Shiobara Onsen hot spring area strings more than a dozen springs along the Hoki River gorge, with the Momiji-dani Ohashi Suspension Bridge and Ryuka Falls—worth an extra night. Climate: summers are cool, averaging about 20°C in July and August, the peak season for escaping the heat and for family farm visits. Autumn colors on Mt. Chausu peak in mid-to-late October and reach the foothills by early November. Winters are cold and snowy; the ropeway is closed from about December to mid-March, but you can ski and soak in hot springs. Getting there: from Tokyo, take the Tohoku Shinkansen about 70 minutes to Nasushiobara Station, or go to JR Kuroiso Station, then change to a Kanto Jidosha bus for about 40–60 minutes to Nasu Yumoto. Sights are spread out and buses are infrequent, so renting a car is strongly recommended. Plan on 2 days: one day up Mt. Chausu plus Yumoto Onsen, and one day at the farms and animal parks; add Shiobara Onsen for a 3-day stay. Note that the summit of Mt. Chausu is windy and cold, and access may be restricted during volcanic activity; the Nasu Kaido gets heavily congested on weekends and long holidays.

Top sights

Where to eat

Itineraries