Nature of Nasu: Loved by the Imperial Family – One Night/Two Days

When a deer wounded in a hunt was chased into the mountain around the 7th century, the hunter followed the deer into Nasu-yumoto, and eventually found the deer soaking in an unknown hot spring to heal its wound.

The hunter thought it was a blessing from God. So he dedicated to build an onsen here.

Sessho-seki is a huge lava rock on the slope of Mount Nasu near Nasu Yumoto Onsen.
According to literature from the Muromachi period (室町時代) (1336-1573), a fox with nine tails disguised itself as a beautiful woman and tried to kill the Emperor Toba. After fleeing to Nasu, the demon vixen was vanquished and turned into a stone. The stone was named “Sessho-seki ” (Killing Stone) because many creatures died from the poisonous air it emitted.This place has been designated a National Place of Scenic Beauty.

Mt. Chausu，located at the north end of Tochigi prefecture，is an active volcano and the main peak of the Nasu mountains. It stands 1,915 metres above sea level. Take the ropeway to the 9th station of Mt.Chausu for a spectacular view of fields of flowers and autumn leaves.

If you are a big fan of trekking，try the routes from the top of the ropeway to the crater of Mt. Chausu. A wide range of walking trails are available suitable for beginners and families. The panoramic view of the Kanto Plain below from the top of Mt. Chausu is breathtaking.

Nasu Onsen-kyo is a spread out hot spring resort on the slopes of Mt. Nasudake，the main peak of the Nasu mountains. The origin of the Onsen-kyo is “Shikanoyu” discovered in the 7th century.The “Shikanoyu(deer spring)” was named after locals witnessed an injured deer completely heal after jumping into the steaming pool. It’s been renowned for its healing powers ever since.

Historic visitors include Yoritomo Minamoto，a great samurai of 12th century，and Basho Matsuo，a famous poet of 17th century. Onsen styles vary from modern hotels in the highland to traditional wooden baths where you can try bathing in more than one spot to feel the difference.

Nasu Heisei no Mori is a forest park that was originally part of nearby Nasu Imperial Villa. The forest opened to the public in 2011 as part of Nikko National Park.

Nasu Heisei-no-Mori Forest consists of two areas: the Forest Recreation Zone and the Forest Learning Zone.
You can stroll freely through the forest. There are three loop trails in the Recreation Zone. The longest, about 3 kilometers, leads to the Komadome Waterfall Observation Deck. At Nasu’s Komadome Waterfall, the scene created by the dynamic, seasonal landscape of the mountains and the contrast of the waterfall’s stunningly clear, blue water is simply breathtaking.

In contrary, entering the “Forest Learning Zone” is limited to people with guide reservations in advance, but is definitely a valuable experience, since a guide will walk you through the forest while providing you interesting knowledge about the surrounding nature.

During the winter months when the Forest Learning Zone is closed to the public, the Field Center offers guided snowshoe walks through the Recreation Zone.

Michi-no-Eki(Roadside Rest Stops) Nasu Kogen Yuai no Mori is located at the foot of Nasu Onsen-kyo. It features a wide variety of facilities including a tourist information centre called “Kanko Koryu Centre”，“Nasutoran”a restaurant，retail shop, and handicrafts gallery among other facilities. .

Visitors can purchase fresh local vegetables at the shop called “Freainosato Chokubaijo” and local products at the Furusato Bussan Centre. The roadside station also offers hands-on classes，demonstrations and sales of local arts and crafts. The information centre is located at the foot of Mount Nasu and there are many attractions in the neighbourhood including leisure facilities and museums.