The power of people：The story of humanity

Discover Nasu beyond its tourist attractions and experience a vibrant region rich in history and living culture. Here, you’ll find valuable insights into how a community can thrive sustainably while honoring both tradition and innovation. Nasu demonstrates how to preserve local identity while welcoming diverse perspectives, offering lessons in the delicate balance between historical preservation and modern progress. This unique area showcases the art of harmonious coexistence between nature and human society, providing inspiration for sustainable community development and enriched living.

Nasu Onsen has a history of Shugendo or mountain- worship, a practice of gratitude and esoteric rituals for venerating nature.

During the late Edo and early Showa in the Nasu Yumoto onsen area a form of mountain worship known as Takayu-san shinko was prominent. Stone monuments left over from this practice still stand today. The sacred source of the hot spring called Gohōzen is located at the foot of Mt. Nasu. There, a mystical rock wall formed over many years by ferric hydroxide from the hot spring water. In the Itamuro area a similar practice of mountain worship known as Shirayu-san Shinko also reveres Gohozen as the sacred source of their own hotspring
Mt. Chausu was referred to as Gassan (月山), Mt. Asahi as Bishamon-ga-take (毘沙門ケ嶽), and Gohōzen as Takayu-san (高湯山). Pilgrims would climb all three mountains in a practice known as Sanzan-kake (三山掛け).
Many people from the foothills of Mt. Nasu visited for these pilgrimages to pray for abundant harvests, rainmaking, and coming-of-age ceremonies. Before they went on the pilgrimage, they stayed at Nasu Yumoto onsen for a purification ritual(kori) for several days. A special bath, known as the Gyōnin-yu (pilgrim’s water), was provided for the purpose of ritual purification with water (miz-kori). Even now, the practices of the pilgrimages remain in Nasu Yumoto onsen and Itamuro area.

The traditional roads passing through the Nasu area convey the history, culture, and the footsteps of predecessors created through exchanges between the capital city of Kyoto and Mutsu (Michinoku).

There are many traditional roads called kaido used as a transport hub connecting Kanto and Oshu region.
Among them, Tosando the highroad, established during the Asuka period in 701 under the Taihō code, was a major route that extended from Shiga through Gifu, Nagano, Gunma, and Tochigi, reaching the Mutsu and Dewa region in Tohoku. It was also a road used for the subjugation of the Emishi tribes in Michinoku (Tohoku region) who resisted the rule of yamato (early Japanese) emperors during the Asuka, Nara, and early Heian periods.
During the Edo period, the Oshu kaido (Nihonbashi in Tokyo to Aomori) was developed, with the section between Utsunomiya in Tochigi and Shirakawa in Fukushima known as the Oshu dochu. The renowned Japanese poet, Matuo Basho traveled around this period (1689–1691) and Nasu area is home to several locations mentioned in his book Oku no Hosomichi (The Narrow Road to the Deep North).
There was another highroad called Aizu Naka Kaido. It was a highroad through Nasu area from Sakura city in Tochigi to Aizu in Fukushima after Aizu Nishi kaido (connecting Nikko to Aizu-Wakamatsu). It became impassable due to the Great Nikko earthquake in 1683 during the reign of Tokugawa Tsunayoshi, the fifth shogun of the Edo period.
Even to this day , the area is very accessible from Tokyo. Visitors can enjoy walking or cycling along the old kaido as a renowned samurai lord Minamoto no Yoshitsune or Matsuo Basho also traveled through the area.

Nasu Yumoto onsen area is a spiritual site representing the Nasu area.

Nasu Yumoto onsen area is a special place steeped in numerous legends and historical events. It has been over 1,390 years of history since the discovery and opening of Shika no yu. The hot water which springs forth from Mt. Nasu is revered as sacred. Also, there are many historical and spiritual spots in this area such as the legendary Shika no yu, the tale of the mythical nine-tailed fox at Sessho-seki, the Killing Stone, and the torii gate of Yuzen shrine, dedicated by Nasu no Yoichi the samurai. These are symbols of the Nasu area. Visiting this area allows you to feel deep gratitude and reverence for nature, offering a truly special experience.

The landscapes of Nasu are convey the life of human and nature to the present day.

Trees were used as firewood and charcoal and were essential for living in Nasu area. The barren soil has low water retention, making it unsuitable for rice paddies or farmland because of the volcanic soil.
Raising horses for agriculture (Nasu koma) supported people. Nasu koma originated from the Nambu horse breed and raised in Nasu region, are collectively known for their toughness and large hooves.
You can see many types of azaleas around the mountains in Nasu today, due to the history of raising horses at the foot of Mt. Nasu, the grasslands have been maintained, and the horses avoid the toxicity of the azaleas. The azaleas have uniquely continued to thrive in the area.
The bright forest with many young trees and the landscapes where azaleas bloom are created through the interaction between nature and human life.
One of the azaleas of Nasu, the Shiroyashio (Goyōtsutsuji), is also known as the symbol of Her Imperial Highness Princess Aiko.

The two types of pioneering continue to be passed down to this day. Embodied in a Western-style atmosphere and a mindset that welcomes others.

The cool climate of Nasu is suitable for livestock farming. Award winning cheese and popular sweets are produced here.
Behind this background is the establishment of western-style farms by the government and aristocratic interest in the area after the Meiji Restoration.
There is another story behind the development of Nasu. Soldiers returning from Manchuria after WWⅡ faced the harsh cold and the wilderness as they took on the challenge of settling the land. They struggled with the acidic soil where crops wouldn’t grow. However, they found success in dairy farming.
The settlers and the local people worked together to cultivate the land, and transformed it into a productive farming region. This frontier spirit reflects the perseverance and dedication rooted in the values of mutual assistance and harmony.

The blessings of nature and the dedication of its farmers and producers create a wide variety of food.

Making use of the cool climate, dairy farming, highland vegetables and rice are staples of the local economy.
The Nasu district is second-largest producer of milk in the country. The mineral-rich water and high-quality local rice straw make the meat tender and give the meat a deep rich flavor.
You can also enjoy various types of ice cream and yogurt at farms, roadside stations, and other accommodations in Nasu. The delicious cheese from Nasu has earned a spot in the top 10 at world competitions. What supports these rich ingredients from Nasu is the water flowing from the Nasu mountain range. Many creatures that thrive in clear streams inhabit the area throughout the year. It creates the rich land of Nasu and brings high-quality food.

Immerse yourself in the wilderness from the foothills to the mountain summit, carry the living stories of nature and people that have been woven together over time.

The terrain of the Nasu area has created beautiful mountain landscapes and a nostalgic, traditional Japanese satoyama landscape.
In recent years, people seeking to fully enjoy nature immerse them in the wilderness. The Nasu mountain range offers several well-maintained hiking trails, where you can enjoy nature observation in the forest at mid-elevations or relax at a campsite. You can also indulge in adventurous activities like canoeing, river trekking, or cycling through the foothills to the mountain. The number of facilities and outdoor operators offering experiences has also been increasing. For visitors to Nasu area, they immerse themselves in the abundance of nature and regain energy and strength. They find a moment of calm to relax through the land where people and nature thrive together.

The unique nature and climate of Nasu, along with the diverse craftsmen, create moments that enrich your heart.

The unique café culture in Nasu region is influenced by its historical background and modern trends. From the Meiji to Showa era, many aristocrats built Western-style villas in Nasu, popularizing café culture. It is said that coffee brewed with ultra-soft water in Nasu is unparalleled.
Also, many producers are passionately creating with their own materials. Their crafts show off the skill of local artisans with a range of Nasu-made goods. People who embody a style that creates new connections between people and nature have also gathered here. Dr. Mikawa Taizan, a renowned physician and writer representing Nasu, is also the model for the play ‘Honjitsu mo Kyushin Nari,” which was staged in 2021.
Many craftsmen and artists are thriving in this heart-enriching and comfortable place in Nasu.

Relocating to Nasu is immersing yourself in the value and comfort it offers.

The Nasu area is conveniently located near the downtown Tokyo, just an hour away by bullet train.
It is a summer resort surrounded by the great nature of the four seasons, a place where diverse residents gather in unique vacation homes. In July 1926 (Taisho 15), the completion of the imperial villa led to the appreciation of the natural landscape, and it became widely known. With many vacation homes nestled in the forest, Nasu has become one of Japan’s leading resort areas.
There is an open and tolerant atmosphere from the history of settlers and local people helping each other and overcoming hardships during the early days. You can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities and wake up to the sound of birds singing and take in the breathtaking natural scenery.
One of the most appealing aspects are the many artists and craftsmen in Nasu. There are many opprtunities for diverse interactions.
To live in the beauty of Nasu, which captivated the Emperor, can be considered a truly valuable experience.