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Voykit pocket guide · Japan
Nasu
Spend a half‑day to a full day in Nasu; arrive via Nasushiobara station and rent a car to reach hot‑springs and Mount Nasu.
Nasu is a rural town in northern Tochigi with many onsen, Mount Nasu hiking, and quirky attractions in the Nasu Highland. A car lets you see the spread‑out sights in one day.
- Country
- Japan
- Best months
- Apr–Oct
- Avoid
- Jan–Mar (cold, snow), Dec (winter storms)
- Stay
- 1 night
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- JPY
- Money
- Cities are increasingly cashless; temples, small restaurants and some lodging taxes still want cash.
- Daily spend
- Budget ¥6,000–¥10,000 excl. bed · Mid ¥10,000–¥15,000 excl. bed · High ¥15,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Data-only eSIMs are the easy route: buy before you fly; voice SIMs need a residence card.
- Emergency
- Police 110 · Fire and ambulance 119
- Plugs
- Types A, B · 100 V · 50 Hz east (Tokyo), 60 Hz west (Osaka) · Most sockets are two flat pins without earth; European and UK plugs need an adapter. Phone and laptop chargers handle 100 V.
- Tipping
- Restaurants and bars: No tip; staff will chase you to return money left on the table.; Taxis: No tip; pay the meter.; Ryokan: Optional: ¥1,000–3,000 in an envelope for the room attendant; never loose cash.; Private guide: Not expected; a small gift or a thank-you meal is more usual.; Hotel porter: No tip.
- Water
- Safe from the tap everywhere; stations and parks have fountains.
- Toilets
- Free, clean public toilets in stations, parks and konbini; paper goes in the toilet. Rural and old stations may have squat toilets.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Onsen entry | ¥500–¥1,200 |
| Ramen bowl | ¥800–¥1,200 |
| Beer (draft) | ¥500–¥800 |
| Car rental (compact, 1 day) | ¥5,000–¥10,000 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- NRT · Narita International Airport
- ≈2 h by Shinkansen to Nasushiobara
- IBR · Ibaraki Airport
- ≈1 h 45 min by train/bus to Nasushiobara
Typical fares
- JR Tohoku Shinkansen Tokyo → Nasushiobara
- about ¥7,000 reserved, 1 h 15 min (check)
- Car rental (compact, 1 day)
- ≈¥6,000–¥9,000 (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Car is the most practical; rental desks at Nasushiobara station and major onsen resorts.
See and do
Known for
- Onsen hot springs
- Mount Nasu hiking & ski
- Nasu Kogen attractions (Monkey Park, Teddy Bear Museum, Car Museum)
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Nasushiobara | JR Tohoku Shinkansen, 1 h 15 min from Tokyo; then local train or bus | ≈1 h 30 min |
Sleep
- Nasu Onsen area
- Ryokan and minshuku near the hot‑spring resorts; convenient for car rentals.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | すみませんsumimasen |
| Thank you | ありがとうございますarigatō gozaimasu |
| How much is it? | いくらですか？ikura desu ka |
| Can I pay by card? | カードで払えますか？kādo de haraemasu ka |
| Where is the toilet? | トイレはどこですか？toire wa doko desu ka |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: A small bow; a handshake if the other person offers; avoid: Hugs, back slaps, loud greetings
- Names: Family name plus -san; avoid: First names unless invited; adding -san to your own name
- Paying: Put money in the tray at the register; avoid: Tipping, or leaving loose cash for staff
- Trains: Queue at the floor marks, phone on silent, ask before reclining on the Shinkansen; avoid: Phone calls, eating on crowded commuter trains, blocking doors with bags
- Escalators: Stand on the side locals use — left in Tokyo, right in Osaka; stations now ask people to stand still on both; avoid: Stopping at the top or bottom
- Shoes: Off at the step-up entrance; toilet slippers only inside the toilet; avoid: Stepping on tatami in shoes or slippers
- Shrines: Rinse hands at the basin; bow twice, clap twice, bow once; avoid: Walking down the centre of the approach, which is for the deity
- Gifts: Offer and receive with both hands; bring a small omiyage for hosts; avoid: Sets of four; cash outside an envelope
Scams and watch-outs
- English signage limited; booking onsen ryokans often Japanese‑only.
- Mountain weather can change quickly; check forecasts before hiking.
Generally safe; watch mountain trail conditions and limited English in rural spots.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Nasu yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Onsen hot springs
- Mount Nasu hiking & ski
- Nasu Kogen attractions (Monkey Park, Teddy Bear Museum, Car Museum)
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Nasu Tourism Association (Japanese): www.nasukogen.org/
- Nasu town official site: www.town.nasu.lg.jp/
- Wikivoyage: Nasu, revision 4848225 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=4848225
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/nasu). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.