Perfect for Family Trips! A Sightseeing Guide to Nasu Highlands for Stunning Nature and Animal Encounters

One of the biggest attractions of Nasu Highlands is its abundant nature and beautiful scenery.
Chausu-dake is particularly spectacular, with its landscape changing color from season to season. Thanks to its ropeway and well-maintained trails, the mountain is also accessible to beginner hikers. On a clear day, the summit offers breathtaking views over the Kanto Plain, making the climb well worth the effort if you have the chance.
Nasu Highlands is also home to several ranches, which have become one of the area’s signature attractions. In fact, ranches may be one of the first things that come to mind when people think of Nasu.
Visitors can interact with animals and enjoy experiences unique to a ranch, including making dairy products. These special experiences, rarely found in everyday life, are sure to create lasting memories.

Nasu Highlands offers much more than beautiful natural scenery, with a wide variety of leisure facilities and cultural attractions to explore.
Zoos and safari parks are particularly popular with visitors of all ages. Highlights include interacting with animals and observing them in environments that closely resemble their natural habitats. You may even encounter rare animals that are seldom seen elsewhere, making these attractions well worth a visit.
Nasu Highlands is also known for its variety of cultural attractions. The area is home to museums dedicated to themes such as stained glass and teddy bears, with creatively designed exhibits that are sure to captivate visitors.

Nasu Highlands has long been known as a hot spring destination and is also home to the Nasu Imperial Villa, which was established in 1926 as a retreat for the Emperor and other members of the Imperial Family.
The area is famous for Nasu Onsenkyo, a collective name for the hot springs scattered throughout Nasu Town. There is also a wide range of accommodation where visitors can fully enjoy the area’s hot spring waters.
Natural hot springs continue to flow throughout the area today, and some facilities are open to day visitors, making it easy to enjoy a relaxing soak at an affordable price.
One of the greatest attractions of Nasu Onsenkyo is the chance to soak in a hot spring while surrounded by beautiful natural scenery. It’s the perfect way to relax and unwind after a day of sightseeing.

Nasu Animal Kingdom is home to around 600 animals across a vast site approximately 10 times the size of Tokyo Dome. Visitors can encounter species that are rarely seen at zoos elsewhere in Japan, making it an enjoyable destination for adults and children alike.
The park is divided into two areas, Kingdom Town and Kingdom Farm, connected by the free Wan-Nyan Bus.
Kingdom Town features mainly indoor exhibits showcasing smaller animals and also offers opportunities to interact with them. Visitors can also enjoy a variety of animal performances at venues such as Animal Stadium and Aqua Stage, including shows featuring fur seals.

Nasu Safari Park opened in 1980 amid the natural beauty of Nasu Highlands.
The park is home to around 700 wild animals representing approximately 70 species from around the world, many of which roam freely within spacious enclosures.
Visitors can explore the park by their own car, rental car, bus, or WILD RIDE, a specially designed cage-style bus.
From inside the vehicle, you can get an up-close look at carnivores such as white lions, lions, and tigers, as well as animals such as giraffes, hippos, and rhinos.

The stone building, inspired by the manor houses of medieval nobility found in England’s Cotswolds, evokes the atmosphere of a bygone European era.
Inside, visitors can admire an impressive collection of colorful works, centered around antique stained glass from the 19th century. Highlights include an ornate rose window and “Two Angels,” a work by renowned British designer William Morris.
St. Raphael Chapel is particularly impressive, with its walls adorned with magnificent stained glass. Regular pipe organ performances fill the chapel with rich, resonant sounds, adding to its majestic atmosphere.

One of the largest amusement parks in northern Kanto, the park is divided into seven themed areas: Coaster Plaza, Rock’n Roll Plaza, Galaxy & Star Plaza, Tropicana Park, Carousel Park & Victorian Garden, Forest and Water Fantasy Land, and King’s Court.
One of its most distinctive features is that visitors can bring their dogs into the park. In addition to a dog run and dog café, there are attractions that guests can enjoy with their dogs, as well as cottages where they can stay together.

Set around Rindo Lake, the only lake in Nasu Highlands, this leisure park offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy nature and interact with animals.
The park includes a ranch where visitors can try a variety of hands-on activities, including milking Jersey cows, horseback riding, and walking with alpacas.
The park’s snack stands also serve treats made with fresh Jersey milk, including rich and creamy soft-serve ice cream.
Visitors can also join workshops to make butter, ice cream, and more. From interacting with animals to tasting fresh dairy products and trying hands-on activities, there are plenty of ways to experience the charms of ranch life.

Nasu Onsenkyo is a collection of hot springs centered around Nasu Yumoto Onsen, which is said to have been discovered around 1,400 years ago and is one of the oldest hot springs in Tochigi Prefecture.
Eight hot spring areas are scattered across the slopes of Chausu-dake in northwestern Nasu Town. Each has its own distinctive spring water and properties, making the area ideal for onsen hopping.
Historical records indicate that prominent figures such as Minamoto no Yoritomo and the Buddhist priest Nichiren once bathed in these waters, showing that Nasu has been renowned as a hot spring destination for centuries.
Accommodation options are equally diverse, ranging from prestigious traditional ryokan and modern hotels to affordable room-only lodgings.

Blessed with abundant greenery, clean air, and a rich natural environment, Tochigi Prefecture is known for its thriving dairy industry.
This ranch is located in Nasu Highlands, one of Tochigi Prefecture’s most popular sightseeing destinations. It is open year-round and admission is free.
Cows, sheep, goats, horses, donkeys, rabbits, and other animals live in spacious, natural surroundings. Visitors can get up close with the animals through experiences such as feeding and horseback riding.
The ranch also offers a variety of activities, including rainbow trout fishing, archery, and putting golf.

This outlet mall is home to around 130 shops spanning a wide range of categories.
More than just a shopping destination, the mall also promotes ways to enjoy the resort lifestyle of Nasu, sharing information on its website and other channels about nearby nature spots, glamping facilities, and other attractions.
The mall itself is also home to shops that showcase the flavors and appeal of Nasu. At Loco Style Market, visitors can find fresh vegetables, eggs, pudding, and other products from local farmers and producers, offering a taste of what makes Nasu special.

Around 630, a hunter named Kano Saburo Yukihiro followed a white deer deep into the mountains, where he discovered a hot spring flowing in a valley. The shrine is said to have originated when he built a shrine at the site.
The grounds are filled with highlights, including Yamato Sazare-ishi, a type of sacred stone mentioned in the lyrics of Japan’s national anthem; a giant sacred tree estimated to be around 800 years old; and the Third Torii Gate, known as a powerful spiritual spot because it was donated by Nasu no Yoichi.
Be sure to check out the shrine’s unique amulets as well, including the Ichiya Hicchu-mamori, featuring Nasu no Yoichi and intended as a prayer for victory, and the Stress Relief Amulet, playfully shaped like a sake bottle.

This lava rock is enshrined in Nasu Highlands at the foot of Mount Chausu, part of the Nasu mountain range, which rises to an elevation of 1,915 meters.
Surrounded by countless boulders scattered across a rugged, desolate landscape, the rock creates a distinctive and otherworldly atmosphere.

Located at an elevation of 1,048 meters, this observation deck offers sweeping views of the majestic Nasu mountain range.
From this elevated vantage point, visitors can take in panoramic views across the Kanto Plain, extending as far as the graceful ridgelines of the Yamizo Mountains on clear days.

Located at the northern end of Tochigi Prefecture, Mount Chausu is the main peak of the Nasu mountain range.
Known as one of the Kanto region’s major active volcanoes, it continues to emit white volcanic plumes today.
The main fumaroles are located on the western slope, where the powerful roar of volcanic gases echoes across the surrounding area.

Surrounded by abundant nature, this ranch has a history spanning more than 130 years.
Guided by the philosophy of living in harmony with nature, the ranch carefully raises around 500 dairy cows across its vast 834-hectare grounds. Even the grass and corn used as feed are grown on the ranch, with careful attention paid to the soil from the very beginning.

The Nasu Imperial Villa was established in 1926 as a place of rest and retreat for Emperor Showa following his marriage.
The grounds are home to extensive forests rich in biodiversity, supporting a wide variety of plants and animals, including rare species. To mark the 20th anniversary of the Emperor Emeritus’s accession to the throne, approximately 560 hectares-about half of the Imperial Villa grounds-were transferred from the Imperial Household Agency to the Ministry of the Environment.
The area was subsequently opened to the public in May 2011 as Nasu Heisei no Mori, part of Nikko National Park.

Shika-no-Yu, the original hot spring of Nasu Onsen, is said to have been discovered in the first half of the 7th century.
According to legend, a hunter named Kano Saburo Yukihiro followed a deer he had wounded deep into the mountains and found it soaking in a hot spring to heal its injuries. This discovery is said to mark the beginning of Shika-no-Yu.
Although the building was reconstructed in 1941, it retains much of its traditional appearance. The rustic wooden architecture has a timeless charm, making visitors feel as though they have stepped back in time.
With many traditional ryokan inns in the surrounding Nasu Onsen area, staying overnight is a great way to take your time and enjoy the hot spring more than once.

Tucked away in a mountain valley at an elevation of 1,300 meters, this secluded hot spring ryokan lies in the remote reaches of Nasu Onsenkyo, which has long been popular as a destination for therapeutic bathing. It is also known as a place where General Nogi Maresuke visited every year during the Meiji era to bathe in the therapeutic waters, and the inn displays exhibits related to him.
The ryokan is particularly renowned for its abundant hot spring water, boasting the largest flow of any hot spring in Nasu Onsenkyo. Among its highlights is Kawa-no-Yu, a large natural open-air bath created by damming a river of hot spring water flowing from the ryokan’s private source in the mountain behind the property. Guests can enjoy four open-air baths of various sizes, all supplied with free-flowing water directly from the source, with no added water or heating, although heating may be used during certain times of the year.

Operated by a long-established butcher shop with more than 70 years of history, this steakhouse serves high-quality, locally produced Wagyu, including Tochigi Wagyu and Nasu Wagyu, at reasonable prices.
Located along Nasu Kaido Road, it is a popular restaurant loved by tourists and locals alike.
Tochigi Wagyu is known for its melt-in-your-mouth texture and beautifully marbled, flavorful meat. The steak menu is a particular highlight, offering exquisite A5-grade sirloin and fillet steaks.

This nostalgic restaurant serving traditional country-style cuisine is nestled in the satoyama countryside of Nasu Highlands.
Set in a charming traditional Japanese house with a large irori hearth and engawa veranda, the restaurant serves handmade okowa, freshly pounded mochi, and seasonal country-style dishes.
The glutinous rice used to make the okowa and mochi is carefully grown by local farmers, ensuring both quality and delicious flavor.

This popular highland bakery has earned widespread recognition, including a Gold Award at the Akarenga Bread Festival and a feature on the TV program Cambrian Palace.
Its charming storefront looks as though it has come straight out of an animated film, making the bakery a favorite among locals as well as visitors.
The bakery places great importance on the quality of its ingredients, using carefully selected products whenever possible, including flour from Nasu Highlands, eggs from locally raised chickens, and its own original cheese cream. Its breads are even served at restaurants, reflecting the bakery’s commitment to quality and flavor.

Ideally located next to the Nasu Imperial Villa, this resort hotel offers a relaxing stay with delicious cuisine featuring an abundance of locally sourced ingredients, natural hot springs, and peaceful guest rooms.
Guests can choose from Western-style, Japanese-style, and deluxe rooms in the main hotel building, as well as cottages ideal for group trips or stays with dogs, depending on their travel style. The hot spring facilities, which offer views of Nasu Highlands, include spacious indoor baths, open-air baths, and saunas. The men’s and women’s bathing areas are switched daily, allowing guests to experience both during their stay.

Located near the heart of Nasu Highlands in northern Tochigi Prefecture, this hotel is surrounded by magnificent natural scenery, with the Nasu mountain range to the north and the Kanto Plain to the south. Guests can spend their stay however they choose, whether savoring meals made with locally sourced ingredients, enjoying a variety of activities, or unwinding in the hot springs or spa.
The hotel’s 314 guest rooms come in a variety of styles. Options include rooms with balconies offering close-up views of Nasu Highlands throughout the changing seasons, rooms where guests can enjoy French cuisine for dinner and breakfast in the privacy of their own room, and spacious Japanese-style rooms designed for a relaxing stay.

Set at an elevation of 900 meters, this resort hotel stands higher than any other in Nasu Highlands. From the guest rooms and lobby, visitors can take in sweeping views of the magnificent natural scenery and enjoy the beauty of Nasu Highlands as it changes with the seasons.
One of the hotel’s highlights is its open-air bath, filled with natural sulfur-rich hot spring water from Shika-no-Yu, a source with a history spanning 1,300 years. The milky-white water has a distinctive, slightly silky texture. Soaking in the warm water while gazing up at a star-filled sky in the crisp mountain air is the perfect way to unwind after a day of sightseeing.

Nestled amid the lush greenery of Nasu Highlands, this resort hotel offers an elegant and refined setting. Its Northern Italian-inspired exterior, lobby adorned with luxurious chandeliers, and fountain in the courtyard all contribute to its sophisticated atmosphere.
A variety of guest rooms are available to suit different types of travelers, including comfort rooms featuring classic European-style interiors and plenty of natural light, as well as twin rooms, quad rooms, Japanese-style rooms, and semi-double rooms.

This expansive resort complex in Nasu Highlands features nine distinct types of accommodation spread across its vast grounds. These include the Oriental Garden, where guest room buildings surround a central pool to create a relaxing resort atmosphere, and Fukuro no Mori, a collection of private cottage-style accommodations surrounded by abundant nature.
Guests have exclusive access to three hot spring facilities. One of them, Yudokoro Hinoki, features a luxurious open-air bath where not only the tubs but the entire structure is made of hinoki cypress.
Relax in the soothing fragrance of hinoki and sulfur-rich hot spring water that warms the body from within.