Nestled within the spectacular highlands of Mount Nasudake, Nasu is renowned for its natural scenery and hot spring onsen. It’s home to forested walking trails and a steaming caldera, as well as a family-friendly leisure park and interactive zoo.

Things to do

Relax in the hot spring baths of Nasu Onsen, which sprawls along the slopes of Mount Nasudake. Ride the ropeway up its volcanic slopes before continuing to the summit on foot to discover sweeping views of its 100-metre-wide crater that billows out smoke and steam.

To the south of Mount Nasudake lies Shiobara Onsen, which boasts a rustic atmosphere inspired by dense woods surrounding its hot spring baths and ryokan. Follow one of the walking trails that lead to cascading waterfalls and cross the Mikaeri-no-tsuridashi “Bridge of Retrospection” that spans the beautiful Hoki River Valley.

Want to meet a real-life capybara? Head to the Nasu Animal Kingdom where you can feed capybaras and get up close to red pandas, coatis and meerkats. There’s a dedicated dog zone where you can rent a pooch to play with, as well as daily seal shows, a small petting zoo and an on-site onsen.

Get active at the leisure park of Nasu Rindoh-ko Lake View, where you can ride horses, learn to milk cows or go boating on the lake. Fly across the water on Japan’s longest zip-line or jump aboard the Swiss railway to soak up the magnificent Mount Nasudake views.

Getting around

Nasu is around three hours by train from Tokyo, with regular buses departing from Nasu-Shiobara Station to Nasu Onsen. Having a rental car is the most convenient way to access all the sights and attractions of the Nasu Highlands region.