Nasu’s tourist attractions range widely from theme parks where you can interact with animals, breathtaking spots with majestic nature views, historical sites like Sessho-seki, to indoor facilities that can be enjoyed even on rainy days. Whether it’s a day trip or a one-night, two-day stay, you can fully enjoy the rich nature and relaxing time unique to Nasu Highlands by combining spots according to your purpose. This article introduces carefully selected spots from classics to hidden gems, tailored to different scenes.
The Charm of Nasu Tourism and Basics of Choosing Spots
Nasu is a highland resort spread at the foot of the Nasu mountain range, characterized by a compact blend of nature, animals, history, and gourmet. It is also easily accessible, about an hour and a half by Shinkansen from Tokyo, making it a popular summer retreat.
The key to not failing in choosing spots is first deciding “who you are going with.” For couples, focus on scenic spots and hot springs; for families, animal interaction spots; and for groups, facilities with abundant indoor activities. This minimizes unnecessary travel and results in a highly satisfying plan. Since the weather in the highland area can be unpredictable, including both outdoor and indoor activities ensures that sudden rain won’t disrupt your plans.
Classic Theme Parks for Animal Interaction
Nasu has several theme parks where you can enjoy interacting with animals, which are particularly popular among families.
- Nasu Animal Kingdom: Get up close with a variety of animals like capybaras and red pandas
- Nasu Safari Park: Observe wild animals up close while staying in your car or bus
- Nasu Highland Park: An amusement park where you can enjoy thrilling rides and nature walks simultaneously
These parks have spacious parking lots and enough attractions to spend a whole day, so it’s recommended to visit from morning and stay until evening. If you want to know more about planning a trip with children, this guide on family-friendly attractions and accommodations can help make planning easier.
Spots to Enjoy Scenery and Nature
Viewing spots and valleys overlooking the Nasu mountain range are the core attractions of Nasu tourism, showcasing different expressions each season. They are particularly bustling during the fresh green and autumn foliage seasons.
- Nasu Ropeway: Enjoy panoramic views of the Nasu mountain range and the Kanto Plain from the summit
- Sessho-seki: A famous site with a unique landscape and legend, characterized by the scent of sulfur
- Nasu Heisei Forest: Enjoy forest bathing on well-maintained walking trails
After moving your body in nature, warming up and relaxing your tired body is a good choice. If you want to reset your tired body, check out this guide on healing tourist spots exploring history and nature to add depth to your itinerary.
Spots to Feel History and Culture
Nasu is also known as a place associated with the imperial family, with spots where you can experience history and culture scattered around. Visiting these between sightseeing adds depth to your trip.
Nasu Yumoto Onsen’s Shikanoyu is a famous hot spring with over a thousand years of history, known for its unique milky white water. Additionally, there are increasing spots where art and architecture are fused, such as facilities renovated from closed schools in Nasu, offering a cultural experience different from just visiting tourist spots, which has been gaining attention recently.
Indoor Spots to Enjoy Even on Rainy Days
Since the weather in the highland area can change quickly, having a plan for rainy days gives peace of mind. By including indoor facilities, you can enjoy sightseeing without being affected by the weather.
- Nasu Trick Art Museum: Experience photo-worthy trick art
- World Monkey Park: Enjoy indoor shows and exhibits of monkeys
- Treasure Stone Park: A hands-on facility where children can enjoy gemstone hunting
For groups wanting to stay active even on rainy days, combining these indoor facilities with accommodations offering indoor activities like karaoke is one way to go.
Retreat Experiences to Conclude Your Sightseeing
If you want to relax your tired body after sightseeing, a retreat experience in a Finnish sauna is recommended. At Nasu Utopia, you can enjoy an authentic sauna using water from the Nasu mountain range in a facility renovated from the old Minosawa Elementary School.
It features multiple types of saunas to choose from, such as concrete saunas and wood stove saunas, allowing you to reset your mind and body while washing away the sweat from sightseeing. There is also an experience where you can visit an art museum at night exclusively for guests, offering a quiet time different from daytime sightseeing. With BBQs using locally sourced ingredients also available, it’s suitable for those who want to complete sightseeing, dining, and relaxation in one place.
For couples wanting to spend a quiet time on a date, this date plan in a hideaway-like sauna space is also popular. If you’re wondering how to spend your relaxation time after sightseeing, the sauna utilization tips for making the most of your time after sightseeing can be helpful.
Recommended Model Courses by Purpose
The optimal combination of spots changes depending on who you visit Nasu with and for what purpose. Below is an example of how to organize by purpose.
| Purpose | Recommended Combination | Stay Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Family Trip | Animal interaction facilities + indoor activities | 1 night, 2 days |
| Couple Date | Scenic spots + relaxation in sauna/hot springs | Day trip to 1 night |
| Group Trip | Indoor activities + BBQ + interaction at accommodation | 1 night, 2 days |
| Rainy Day Plan | Indoor art facilities + indoor sauna experience | Day trip |
If you want to minimize travel time, it’s efficient to choose spots close to the center of Nasu Highlands. Conversely, if you want to take your time, narrowing down to 1-2 places per day and planning a trip with room to spare increases satisfaction.
Nasu Utopia offers a retreat facility with sauna and accommodation renovated from a closed school in Nasu Town, Tochigi Prefecture, providing a relaxing time after Nasu sightseeing. Concluding the natural impressions gained from sightseeing in a space surrounded by Finnish saunas and art is one way to enjoy Nasu tourism.
