Local Guide
Recommended Sightseeing Spots in Nasu Highlands to Enjoy to the Fullest Even on a Rainy Day

You always want your trip to be blessed with good weather, but sometimes it rains. Nasu Kogen offers a wide range of indoor tourist attractions, from museums to theme parks, as well as Property unique to Nasu. Here are some sightseeing spots where you can spend a rainy day comfortably, regardless of the temperature or weather.

Enjoy the warmth, light, air, and sound of stone with all five senses

Designed by architect Kengo Kuma. The building on the right is a reused stone warehouse that has remained from long ago
Designed by architect Kengo Kuma. The building on the right is a reused stone warehouse that has remained from long ago

Nasu and Ashino flourished as an inn town in the Edo period (1603-1867) and is known as a stone production center. This museum was created by reusing a stone warehouse that had been left in the town for a long time. Architect Kengo Kuma reconstructed the old storehouse and created a new space using Ashino stone, and the museum opened in 2001. Newly constructed are the "Stone and Light Gallery" and the "Stone and Water Gallery. Visitors can experience firsthand the unique space created by piling Ashino stone, which is characterized by its warm materiality. Inside the galleries are works by artists related to Nasu, allowing visitors to enjoy viewing art as well.

Enjoy the warmth, light, air, and sound of stone with all your senses.

The walls are covered with shell marks left by air raids during the Pacific War.
The walls are covered with shell marks left by air raids during the Pacific War.

The Ishikura Gallery, which uses the largest of the three remaining stone storehouses, is currently holding the special exhibition "Kengo Kuma and Stones. The exhibition introduces Kengo Kuma's use of stone in his designs by reproducing some of his actual buildings around the world and showing what techniques he used. It is also used as a concert hall, where piano concerts are sometimes held. Other highlights include Japan's first stone "tea house" and a "stone study room. When it rains, the surface of the stone gets wet and changes its appearance, giving the park a different, more atmospheric feel than on a sunny day.

Local Guide Comment
In the "Stone Study Room," visitors can learn about various aspects of stone, such as the different textures of stone when it is processed and the different types of stone that can be found in different regions. It is also recommended to buy items made of stone, such as coasters made of Ashino stone, as souvenirs.
Nasu Ashino Stone Museum STONE PLAZA
  • address (e.g. of house) 2717-5 Ashino, Nasu-cho, Nasu-gun, Tochigi MAP
  • Direction 10 minutes by car from JR Kurodahara Station
  • Direction Take a bus from JR Kurodahara Station and get off at Ashino-Nakamachi.
  • Business hours 10:00-17:00 (last admission at 16:30)
  • Closed Mondays (closed the following weekday if Monday is a national holiday, and closed during the winter season from the end of December to the end of February.)
  • Admission Fee Adults 800 yen, children and junior high school students 300 yen
  • TEL 0287-74-0228
  • Parking Free of charge

Never-ending excitement. Dig and find your own gemstone

An
An "underground mine" where visitors can go underground and play. The well-crafted worldview is sure to thrill even adults.

Treasure Stone Park is a mining site inspired by a mine. It is a theme park where you can Experience looking for gems. Actually grab a shovel and bucket and try your hand at mining crystals, amethysts, and other power gemstones within the time limit.
There are two mining areas: the "Underground Mine," which requires advance reservations, and the "Valley of Crystals," where visitors can register on the day. In the "Underground Mine," teams work together in dimly lit tunnels and compete with each other to mine the most amount of ore. Since there is only one team per mining site, visitors can immerse themselves in mining at their own pace.

Children and adults alike will be playing like crazy before you know it!

The detailed presentation that allows you to measure the stones you mined with great effort is a delight!
The detailed presentation that allows you to measure the stones you mined with great effort is a delight!

In the "Valley of Crystals," visitors search for sparkling gems from the bottom of a 60-meter-long river. No reservations are required, so feel free to visit.
The best thing about this Property is that the whole family, regardless of age, can play together. By searching for gems together with children, adults can also enjoy themselves by returning to their childhood memories. All Properties are located indoors, so even if it rains, you will not get wet. Visitors can take home the stones they find as souvenirs to remember their hard work.

Local Guide Comment
There are many exciting tricks here and there, such as background music during quarrying and a dimly-lit tunnel. This is an indoor Property, so it tends to be crowded on rainy days. It is recommended to visit late in the day when it is relatively empty. Don't worry, you won't lose your jewelry!
Treasure Stone Park
  • Address 123 Takaku Hei, Nasu-cho, Nasu-gun, Tochigi MAP
  • Direction Approximately 20 minutes by car from JR Kuroiso Station
  • Business hours 10:00-17:00 (from December to 16:00)
  • Closed Thursdays (Wednesdays and Thursdays in November and December)
  • Admission Fee Crystal Valley 800 yen, Underground Mine 1,800 yen (capacity of 3)
    *Advance reservation required
  • TEL 0287-73-8039
  • Parking Free of charge

Experience nature to your heart's content in the vast 560-hectare forest

The forest is a place where rich nature still remains. The forest is home to broadleaf forests centering on mizunara oak and rare animals.
The forest is a place where rich nature still remains. The forest is home to broadleaf forests centering on mizunara oak and rare animals.

A 560-hectare forest that was managed as the Nasu Imperial Villa estate until 2008 has been opened as a park where visitors can experience the richness of nature. Staff/staff members called interpreters, who are well versed in the surrounding nature, are stationed at the Field Center. They offer guided walks where you can enjoy walking with them while listening to their stories about the highlights of the season and the day, as well as the creatures that live in the forest. You can also ask about the creatures that can only be encountered on rainy days, the flow of water down the trunks, the smells, colors, sounds, and atmosphere of the forest, and other things that can only be enjoyed on rainy days.

Take shelter from the rain at the Field Center, the park's base.

You can ask Staff/staff members about the scenery and highlights you can see that day. Advance reservations are recommended for guided walks via the website, e-mail, or phone.
You can ask Staff/staff members about the scenery and highlights you can see that day. Advance reservations are recommended for guided walks via the website, e-mail, or phone.

Be sure to use the Field Center located on the premises. The free 30-minute mini-programs that are offered twice a day are also highly recommended. The content varies depending on the season, and advance reservations are not required. During the green season, a café is open daily. Enjoying a cup of Nasu's signature coffee and watching nature in the rainy season will be a relaxing experience. You can check the schedule of café openings on the website.

Local Guide Comment
For the guided walk through the forest while listening to a story, we recommend that beginners first choose the "Owl Course," a 2-hour walk through the "Friendship Forest. Since you will be walking along mountain paths, dress comfortably and go for a walk.
Nasu Heisei no Mori
  • Address 3254 Takaku Hei, Takaku Hei, Nasu-cho, Nasu-gun, Tochigi Prefecture (Nasu Heisei no Mori Field Center) MAP
  • Direction Approx. 50 min. by car from JR Nasu Shiobara Station
  • Business hours Regular hours: 9:00-16:30, May, July, August: 9:00-17:00 (Field Center)
  • Closed Wednesdays (if Wednesday is a national holiday, closed the following day)
  • Admission Fee Admission free (fee-based programs available)
    *Guided walks are available for a fee, advance reservations required
  • TEL 0287-74-6808
  • Parking Free of charge

The first thing to do when you arrive in Nasu is to visit this information center, where you can learn all about Nasu's natural environment.

The contents of the craft experience corner changes with the seasons. The owl in your hand is made from silver grass (500 yen per craft).
The contents of the craft experience corner changes with the seasons. The owl in your hand is made from silver grass (500 yen per craft).

The Visitor Center provides information on the nature, history, and sightseeing in Nikko National Park. In the lounge just inside the center, you will find information on the flora and fauna living in the Nasu Koshi area, as well as information on the best scenery to see at the moment. All of the exhibits are handmade by Staff/staff members and give a warm feeling. Staff/staff members who know nature inside and out are always available to give you information on, for example, the most beautiful spots for viewing the autumn leaves or the recommended hiking route for the day. The museum also hosts occasional events, such as craft experiences that can be enjoyed even on rainy days.

No problem even on a rainy day. Enjoy the feeling of nature through virtual mountain climbing.

This is an easy-to-understand exhibit of Nasu's famous landmarks and old stories that can be enjoyed by both children and adults. Storytellers sometimes visit on weekends.
This is an easy-to-understand exhibit of Nasu's famous landmarks and old stories that can be enjoyed by both children and adults. Storytellers sometimes visit on weekends.

In the back of the museum, the nature and history of Nasu are displayed using panels and videos. The museum also introduces the legends left behind in the area. For those who wanted to enjoy mountain climbing in Nasu, but it is raining today, we recommend the virtual mountain climbing experience. A beautiful view of the Nasu mountain range is projected on the screen, and when you step on the mountain, you can hear the sound of your footsteps. Walking while watching the images makes you feel as if you are really climbing the mountain. When you arrive in Nasu, it is recommended that you stop by here first to plan your trip.

Local Guide Comment
Visitors can learn about the culture, history, hot springs, volcanoes, and the Imperial Family's involvement in the Nasu Koshi area. The exhibits are fun for children and adults alike. Nature lovers are encouraged to visit.
Nasu Highlands Visitor Center
  • address (e.g. of house) 207-2 Yumoto, Nasu-cho, Nasu-gun, Tochigi MAP
  • Direction Approximately 30 minutes by car from JR Kuroiso Station
  • Direction Take a bus from JR Kuroiso Station, get off at "Visitor Center Entrance" and walk 5 minutes.
  • Business hours 8:30-17:30 (April-November), 9:00-16:30 (December-March)
  • Closed Wednesdays (closed the next day if Wednesday is a national holiday), open daily in May, August, and October, closed temporarily in fall and winter.
  • Admission Fee Free of charge
  • TEL 0287-74-2301
  • Parking Free of charge

Antique stained glass windows from the 1800s and 1900s are on display.

The museum's largest antique stained glass window on the left wall of St. Raphael's Chapel is a sight to behold.
The museum's largest antique stained glass window on the left wall of St. Raphael's Chapel is a sight to behold.

This museum exhibits antique stained glass made mainly in England from the 1800s to the 1900s. The exterior of the museum is inspired by "manor houses," traditional buildings in the Cotswolds region of England, and looks like an English provincial town. What is surprising is that the building was designed to match the stained glass windows purchased by the owner. It looks like a medieval European church, and the walls of the high-ceilinged building are inlaid with stained glass on a grand scale, as if they were originally here.

Feel "light, scent, beauty, sound, and wind" using all five senses

Enjoy the sound of an antique music box made by Poliphon of Germany in the 1800s.
Enjoy the sound of an antique music box made by Poliphon of Germany in the 1800s.

The concept of the museum is to enjoy "light, fragrance, beauty, sound, and wind" with all five senses, and from 10:00 a.m. to closing time, antique music boxes and pipe organs are played six to seven times a day, allowing visitors to enjoy a world of color while listening to their sounds. Losing yourself in the sounds of antique music boxes and pipe organs will make you feel as if you were transported back to medieval Europe. There is also a café and store on the premises. Experience classes where you can make your own stained glass windows are also available. All exhibits are indoors, making it the perfect place to spend a rainy day.

Local Guide Comment
Every weekend, concerts with various musical instruments are held in the chapel. Stained glass, beautiful light, and the power of live sound echoing in the church. It is a place where you can have a wonderful time, so please visit.
Nasu Stained Glass Museum
  • Address 1790, Takaku Hei, Nasu-cho, Nasu-gun, Tochigi MAP
  • Direction Approximately 20 minutes by car from JR Kuroiso/Nasu Shiobara Station
  • Direction Take a bus from JR Kuroiso/Nasu Shiobara Station, get off at Morikozaka and walk about 20 minutes.
  • Business hours 9:30-16:30
  • Regular holidays Open daily (with occasional closures)
  • Admission Fee Adults 1,600 yen, Junior and senior high school students 1,000 yen, Elementary school students 500 yen, Preschool children free
  • TEL 0287-76-7111
  • Parking Free of charge

Nasu's art spots where you can play, laugh, and enjoy yourself

Trick Art Labyrinth? The
Trick Art Labyrinth? The "Mermaid Princess" artwork in the "Trick Art Labyrinth? Pretend to be a mermaid and reach out to the prince!

Trick Art" is a type of "experiential art" that combines the techniques of painting and optical illusions. Pose as if you were a part of the artwork and take a picture. Children and adults alike can enjoy a new kind of art experience that will make you laugh along with them. All of this can be played indoors, making it ideal for a visit on a rainy day.
The museum has a "Trick Art Labyrinth? The three museums are the "Trick Art Labyrinth Pavilion," which recreates a magical world, the "Trick Art Pavilion," which is a converted pension, and the "Michelangelo Pavilion," which is based on the motif of Renaissance art. Each theme has different artworks on display.

A complete reproduction of the World Heritage Site of the Vatican City State. Other masterpieces by da Vinci and Raphael are also on display.
A complete reproduction of the World Heritage Site of the Vatican City State. Other masterpieces by da Vinci and Raphael are also on display.

The "Michelangelo Pavilion" is decorated with works of art that are a fusion of masterpieces of painting and trick art. In particular, the 360-degree trick art reproduction of the Sistine Chapel is a stunning sight to behold.
Another place I would like to recommend is the "Production Atelier," which is only available in Nasu. Visitors can observe the actual site where trick art is being created. You will discover that trick art was originally hand-drawn. There are many museums scattered around Nasu, but this is the only place where you can see live painting in action. It is a very valuable spot.

Local Guide Comment
The museum uses optical illusions, so it can be enjoyed even with young children. The Michelangelo Pavilion, which is said to be the only one of its kind in Nasu, has many masterpieces on display that will make you feel as if you are in a museum.
Nasu Torikku Artpia
  • address (e.g. of house) 5760 Takakukou, Nasu-cho, Nasu-gun, Tochigi MAP
  • Direction Approximately 20 minutes by car from JR Kuroiso Station
  • Business hours 9:30-18:00 (August: 9:00-18:00, October-March: 9:30-17:00)
  • Closed No holidays
  • Admission Fee Ticket for each museum: Adults 1,300 yen, elementary/junior high school students 800 yen, preschool children free, 2,100 yen for 2 museums, 1,400 yen for elementary/junior high school students, 2,800 yen for 3 museums, 1,900 yen for elementary/junior high school students
  • TEL 0287-62-8388
  • Parking Free of charge

MAP

Hoshino Resorts facilities nearby
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The information in this article is current as of the date of the update. Please check before visiting as they are subject to change.