NASU IN AUTUMN: IMMERSE YOURSELF IN NATURE
Just 70 minutes north of Tokyo by direct Tohoku Shinkansen, the Nasu region offers an easy escape into Japan’s great outdoors. Across Nasu, Shiobara and Otawara, autumn brings colourful forests, quiet cycling routes, restorative hot springs and seasonal food shaped by the surrounding farmland. Discover the region’s Shizen philosophy: immerse yourself in nature, meet local producers and savour the flavours of the harvest.
WALK AMONG AUTUMN COLOURS
Discover the forests of Nasu Heisei-no-Mori
Once part of the Imperial Family’s Nasu estate, this protected forest is now open to visitors within Nikko National Park. Walking trails wind through beech and oak woodland, with opportunities to discover the forest’s rich ecology. For later autumn colour, head to neighbouring Shiobara, where forested valleys and scenic suspension bridges offer beautiful views into November.
EXPLORE NASU ON TWO WHEELS
Cycle through the countryside and stop at a farmer’s house for lunch
Discover another side of Nasu by bicycle, following quiet country roads past rural landscapes and local communities. Guided rides can include stops at artisan studios, local markets and even a farmer’s house for lunch. E-bikes make it easier to explore at a relaxed pace while connecting with the region’s nature, food and everyday life.
SOAK IN AN ONSEN AMID AUTUMN COLOURS
After a day exploring forest trails and mountain roads, unwind at Kappo Ryokan Yunohanaso, an intimate riverside inn in Shiobara. Its open-air baths overlook the Hoki River gorge, where the surrounding slopes turn shades of red and gold in autumn. Pair a restorative soak with seasonal Japanese cuisine featuring local ingredients for a relaxing end to a day immersed in nature.
TASTE THE SEASON: SHIOBARA HIGHLAND DAIKON
Sweet and juicy, Shiobara Highland daikon develops its natural sweetness as temperatures drop at night in the cool highlands. Try it with soba at Seki no Sato or in a seasonal pasta with mushrooms at Cafe Restaurant Lamp. Local produce markets are also a great place to discover the autumn harvest.
A sought after local specialty, Shiobara Highland daikon is typically available from September to mid-November.
CELEBRATE THE HARVEST
Nasu’s fertile farmland supports a rich agricultural culture, celebrated through seasonal food events and harvest festivals.
Nasu 661 WINE HILLS Harvest Festival | 8 November 2026
Discover the connection between landscape and local produce at Nasu 661 WINE HILLS. The festival combines guided walks through regenerating satoyama countryside with tastings of around ten fruit wines from the year’s harvest, food and a bottle of new-release wine to take home.
Price: ¥5,000 per person
Ashino Komeichi Rice Market | 7 November 2026
Celebrate the new rice harvest in Nasu’s historic Ashino area. This local event serves up freshly cooked rice served in a myriad of ways from food stalls and family activities, offering a taste of the region’s agricultural traditions and community spirit.
CELEBRATING NASU’S DAIRY CULTURE
The annual Cheese and Whey Festival
Nasu Highland is one of Honshu’s major dairy-producing regions, home to numerous artisan cheese makers. The annual Cheese and Whey Festival brings together cheese producers, restaurants and wineries from across Japan, with cheese tastings, dishes made using cheese and whey, and cheese-making experiences. The event also highlights efforts to make use of whey, a by-product of cheese production, rather than letting it go to waste.
Held at GOOD NEWS NEIGHBORS in Nasu, the festival celebrates the region’s dairy heritage and its growing focus on sustainable food production.
PLAN YOUR AUTUMN ESCAPE
From colourful woodland and restorative hot springs to seasonal vegetables and locally made cheese, autumn offers plenty of ways to slow down and reconnect with nature in Nasu, Shiobara and Otawara.
Discover more at Visit Nasu.
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