Local Supporter Kanako Hayashi

Local Supporter

Kanako Hayashi

Agri-Career Woman

An "agri-career woman" who loves "rice paddies" and "fields" and continues to study agriculture. At the same time, she also has a side as a designer, using her natural wealth of creativity and Illustrator to transform images into reality.

Risonare Nasu: A highland resort located at an altitude of approximately 500 meters at the foot of Mount Nasu in Tochigi Prefecture, about a two-hour drive from Tokyo. Opened in November 2019, the resort features 43 guest rooms scattered across a vast 42,000-tsubo expanse of natural forest.
Risonare Nasu offers a wide range of experiences to enjoy and fully immerse yourself in the blessings of nature. You can spend a holiday unique to an agri-tourism resort, featuring Italian cuisine that highlights the natural flavors of ingredients, stays in guest rooms that harmonize with the forest, a lounge where you can spend time with books, and hands-on farming experiences in the greenhouse.

Facility Website

Local Supporter FAQ

What do you recommend in Nasu?: Nasu has many bakeries, but I especially recommend the bagel specialty shop "Bagel que-veau." Their chewy bagels, made with Tochigi-grown "Yume-kaori" wheat, come in around 20 varieties every day, and I always end up buying a lot. Also, if you have time, I recommend hiking Mount Chausu or Mount Asahi, which can be enjoyed even by beginners.

Please secretly tell us some hidden gems that only a local would know.: "HIKARI SHOKUDO," a vegan restaurant in Kuroiso, is not exactly easy to visit as it requires a reservation and closes during the winter, but you can enjoy dishes that look and taste so amazing you wouldn't believe they are vegan. I am also surprised every time by their unexpected ways of preparing vegetables. The vegetables used at "HIKARI SHOKUDO" can also be purchased at an unmanned stand at "1988 CAFE SHOZO" nearby. It features fresh vegetables from the farmers who support Risonare Nasu.

Who did you travel with and where did you go last year?: Last year, I took a 5-day, 4-night solo trip to Taiwan in January. It was my first time traveling abroad completely alone, but the locals taught me so much, and I was able to have a somewhat deep travel experience in Taiwan.

How do you spend your days off?: On sunny days, I often go around visiting general stores and cafes or head to the mountains. On my way back from hiking, I always go to a day-trip hot spring right after descending. On rainy days, I spend my time relaxing at home, drinking coffee, reading, or playing the piano.

Is there anything you always bring with you when you travel?: I always travel with a backpack to keep my hands as free as possible, as I like to take photos of the scenery even while on the move. I also always bring a book to read during short waits, though sometimes I don't read it at all. (laughs)