Nasushiobara

About Nasushiobara

Steaming hot springs in a forested gorge, a long suspension bridge over a lake of autumn colour and green pastures full of dairy cattle: Nasushiobara spreads from the Kanto plain up into the mountains of northern Tochigi. The city was formed in 2005 from Kuroiso, Nishinasuno and the old spa town of Shiobara, and it combines farmland, villas and hot spring valleys.

Shiobara Onsen, strung along the Hoki River gorge, has drawn bathers for more than a thousand years and inspired writers of the Meiji era. Above it, the Momijidani Grand Suspension Bridge and the waterfalls of the valley are at their best in late October. Further east, the Meiji-era Nasu Canal turned dry plains into farmland, and the Western-style villa of the diplomat Aoki Shuzo recalls the aristocrats who built estates here.

Tohoku Shinkansen trains stop at Nasushiobara Station, about an hour from Tokyo, making the city an easy weekend escape. Rent a car or use local buses to reach the onsen valleys, and save room for the local milk and soft-serve ice cream.