What is Nasu Highlands?
Nasu is a highland resort in northern Tochigi Prefecture, about 30 minutes by car from Nasushiobara station on the Tohoku Shinkansen (roughly 75 minutes from Tokyo). Family attractions such as Nasu Animal Kingdom, Nasu Safari Park and Nasu Highland Park sit alongside the Shika-no-yu hot spring, dairy farms with famous soft-serve ice cream and cheese workshops. There is more here than you can see in a single day.
Renting a house in the villa district
Nasu is one of Japan's best-known second-home areas. Renting a whole house among the trees gives you a very different stay from a hotel. - Silent nights: a little away from the tourist centre, evenings bring nothing but stars and the sound of insects. - BBQ on the wooden deck: buy local vegetables and meat at the roadside station and cook dinner outside while the children run around the garden. - Two bedrooms for two families: separate bedrooms let three generations, or two families travelling together, keep their privacy.
Getting around
A car is essential. Rent one at Nasushiobara station or drive up the Tohoku Expressway to the Nasu interchange. The attractions are 10 to 20 minutes apart by car, so once you have a base the daily driving is short. Roads can ice over in winter, so winter tyres are a must from December to March.
Nasu through the seasons
- Spring to early summer: fresh greenery and farm season. Weekdays are far quieter at Highland Park and the safari park. - Summer: pleasantly cool up here. Bring a light layer for mornings and evenings. - Autumn: fall colours around Mount Nasu. The view from the ropeway is spectacular. - Winter: hot springs in the snow. Warm up in the famously hot water of Shika-no-yu.
Sample itinerary (2 days / 1 night)
Day 1: rent a car at Nasushiobara station, lunch and soft-serve at Minamigaoka Farm, check in, BBQ on the deck. Day 2: Nasu Animal Kingdom right after opening, a day-trip bath at Shika-no-yu, then vegetables from the roadside station for the drive home.
Booking with TABI STAY
Our Nasu house is available at the official-site price with cleaning included. After booking, complete the online pre-check-in and you will receive entry instructions by email before arrival, so self check-in is smooth even when nobody is on site.
