Kayo Hirai

Things to do in Nasu-Shiobara City - Nearby Tokyo Interview

Talking about 'things to do' in Nasu-Shiobara City

We are back this month with our popular interviews series, featuring towns and cities near Tokyo, and this month we are talking about Nasu-Shiobara City in Tochigi Prefecture! It is a nature-rich area located about a little over an hour from Tokyo, and perfect for anyone seeking the outdoors and hidden cultural treasures of rural Japan.

As always, I’ve been in touch with the people who know best, and this month I had a chance to speak with Takahiro Inose from the Nasu-Shiobara Tourism Foundation. He shared some very useful tips on what to see and do in Nasu-Shiobara City.

Curious to find out more? Here is my interview below, and I am confident that after reading it, you will definitely want to add Nasu-Shiobara City to your list of places to visit.

Which is the best season to come to Nasu-Shiobara City?

Nasu-Shiobara’s defining quality is its potential to be enjoyed in any season throughout the year!

Shiobara Valley (塩原渓谷) and Numappara Marshland (沼ッ原湿原) are great places to visit in the spring if you want to surround yourself in fresh, green verdure. If you decide to rent out a canoe or paddle board, you’ll get a really good idea of just how stunning it feels to be out in nature here.

Nasu-Shiobara is also the best place in all of Japan to see autumn foliage. If I might suggest, it’d be best starting off at Taisho Roman Kaido (大正浪漫街道) Road, and from there, head to the various spectacular and famous spots for seeing the autumn leaves.

If you’re an avid fan of winter sports, you definitely need to drop by one of the Kanto region’s biggest snow resorts, Hunter Mountain Shiobara (ハンターマウンテン塩原), during the winter! You can have tons of fun skiing and snowboarding at this splendid resort.

And in terms of activities you can enjoy all-year round, the one that always comes to mind is onsen hot springs!

Nasu-Shiobara City has a rich history of onsen hot springs, and two particularly well-known, historically-significant ones are Shiobara-Onsen (塩原温泉) and Itamuro Onsen (板室温泉).

Japan officially categorizes onsen hot springs into ten different types. Shiobara Onsen hosts six of those types, making it a very unique, rare onsen. And with over 150 hot spring sources alongside seven different colors for its onsen water, it has earned itself a nickname as “The Jewel Box Onsen”.

On the other hand, Itamuro Onsen is famous for being a therapeutic onsen historically used to treat ailments. On top of that, you enter the onsen in a rather interesting way: Known as Tsuna-no-yu (綱の湯), you grab onto a thick rope and slowly lower yourself, while standing, into the onsen until your body is completely immersed. This sort of “standing onsen” is said to improve your circulation, as well relieving joint pain in your knees and hips.

Whichever onsen you choose to go to, you will be offered an unparalleled experience that you cannot find anywhere else in Japan!

(From left to right) Numappara Marshland・Taisho Roman Kaido・Tsuna-no-yu

What are the top 3 attractions you cannot miss in Nasu-Shiobara City?

Shiobara Valley and the Suspension Bridges

First, I’d like to talk a bit about the autumn foliage of Shiobara Valley and the suspension bridge.

Shiobara Valley is a must-see if you want to see the autumn foliage in Nasu-Shiobara City. A particularly recommended site within the valley is Kurenai Suspension Bridge (紅の吊橋), a suspension bridge built above the Hohkigawa River (箒川). The surrounding area becomes flushed with a beautiful layer of red during early November, giving you a stunning view of the surrounding area. And if you want to see a better contrast or mix of colors, you can climb atop the 100 meter-tall Tenguiwa Rock (天狗岩).

You also can’t forget to visit Mikaeri Falls (回顧の滝), which is famously said to draw the gaze of travelers even as they walk away from it.

Lastly, there is the Momijidani Suspension Bridge (もみじ谷大吊橋). It is an impressive 320 meters long and gives you a breathtaking, panoramic view of the autumn foliage.

A World of Water Sports

Next, I want to share some information about partaking in water sports in this area!

From spring to summer, you can go canoeing or paddleboarding at Itamuro Dam Lake (板室ダム湖), located along the Nakagawa River (那珂川), or Shiobara Valley. The sights and sounds will leave you mesmerized as you paddle through the crystal clear water in these marvelous nature spots.

River climbing (シャワークライミング) and canyoning (キャニオニング) are also available, giving you a unique perspective of the four seasons through the lens of the rocks. When you come to visit Nasu-Shiobara, I really cannot overemphasize that you must take advantage of the abundant nature around here. It’s a great chance to turn your tales of travel into tales of adventure.

Hunter Mountain Shiobara

The last place I’d like to recommend is one of the largest ski resorts in the Kanto region, Hunter Mountain Shiobara!

It boasts a 3000 meter ski run, alongside twelve courses for skiers and snowboarders of all levels. There is a children’s park where kids can have fun sledding for those with families.

The base of the mountain sits a thousand meters above sea level and the summit is at 1600 meters. And not to worry, artificially-produced snow ensures that you can enjoy activities even during periods of the year when there is little snowfall!

(From top to bottom, left to right) Kurenai no Tsuribashi・Momijidani Suspension Bridge・Canoeing・Hunter Mountain Shiobara

Recommended food - is there a special dish or drink?

Did you know that Nasu-Shiobara city is the second largest producer of milk in all of Japan? Because of that, there are tons of delicious dairy products you can get your hands on.

Among those dairy products, the one that you need to try is Senbonmatsu Farm’s (那須千本松牧場) homemade soft serve. Fresh milk from the farm is used to make it, adding a unique sweetness to the soft serve.

At the farm’s gift shop, you can purchase a wide array of exclusive dairy products such as milk, cake, yogurt, and butter. And also within the shop, you’ll find Honshu’s oldest Jingisukan restaurant, Grill House (グリルハウス)! Jingisukan (ジンギスカン) is a form of mutton barbecue that is incredibly popular in Japan. You use a specialized pan in the shape of a kabuto (カブト), a samurai warrior’s helmet, to grill mutton and vegetables. If you’re lucky and the sun is out, you can enjoy this type of meal in an outdoor seating area under clear blue skies.

(From left to right) Homemade soft serve・Jingisukan

Is there a festival with a special meaning associated with it?

Every last Sunday of September, the Koshiki-Yu Matsuri (古式湯まつり) is held at Shiobara Onsen. The festival pays homage to the blessings of the onsen springs and prays for the prosperity of the surrounding lands. Shiobara Onsen has a history that dates over 1200 years ago and also gave rise to a legend: When a great earthquake struck the land and cut off the onsen springs, the people of the villages prayed, and as a result, the sealed onsen opened up and spouted water once more.

The festival is performed in accordance with ancient rites, and there are several parts to the ceremony so let me break some of it down for you. First, it starts off with the Yukumi-Shiki (湯汲み式), which draws hot water called Goshintoh (御神湯) from the hot spring source. Then, the hot spring water is separated through Buntoushiki (分湯式) and a water separation procession called Buntou-Gyouretsu (分湯行列). Finally, the water is offered at each onsen shrine in a final ceremony called Goshintoh Hono (御神湯奉納). In addition to these intricate, choreographic acts, there are other rituals, such as the shrine maiden’s ceremonial dance (巫女舞), which are held at the same time.

(From left to right) Koshiki-Yu Matsuri (separation of the hot spring water)・Koshiki-Yu Matsuri (hot spring water separation procession)・Koshiki-Yu Matsuri (Goshintoh Hono)

Is there anything special for those traveling with kids?

Gyroride Park (ジャイロライドパーク) is the perfect place for those travelling with kids.

Opened in August 2022, it is Japan’s first off-road mobility park, built within a one hectare plateau. You can hop on a gyroride and run along the off-road courses set up within nature.

A gyroride is very similar to a segway and designed so that any person can easily mount it. Speeding through the courses might even give you a firsthand experience of what it’s like to be a wild animal out in the forest!

(From left to right) Gyroride park in the winter・Gyroride park

Final Thoughts

It was great talking with Inose-san to hear more about Nasu-Shiobara City and all it has to offer!

I really learned a lot, and I have to say, I was especially impressed by all the spectacular activities available all throughout the year. I am looking forward to my next visit to the city!

I hope this interview gives you a few ideas of things to do if you are in Tokyo or planning to visit Japan. I am sure if you visit, you will have a wonderful time in this city!