Nasushiobara City｜A healing journey that lasts a thousand years at a glance

In the northeast of Tochigi Prefecture, Japan, there is a city that is like a paradise - Nasushiobara City. It has both beautiful natural scenery and rich cultural heritage. It is a great place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and embrace nature.

1. Climate and temperature

Nasushiobara City has a humid subtropical climate with four distinct seasons. The annual average temperature is 12.1°C. The highest average temperature is in August, about 23.8°C, which is suitable for summer vacation. The lowest temperature is in January, about 0.9°C. The snow scenery in winter is charming, which is also a good time to soak in hot springs. It is recommended to visit in spring and autumn (March to May, September to November) for the pleasant climate and picturesque scenery.

2. Must-visit attractions

1. Shiobara Hot Spring Village: Known as the "Shiobara Eleven Hot Springs", its history can be traced back to the 9th century AD. Literary masters such as Natsume Soseki and Ozaki Koyo once stayed here. There are various types of hot springs here. The spring water is rich in minerals and has different therapeutic effects. You can immerse yourself in the hot steam and relax your body and mind. The surrounding Red Suspension Bridge is covered with red leaves in autumn, and paired with a light show, it is extremely romantic; the bamboo lanterns of Miaoyun Temple complement the red leaves along the way, as if entering a secret realm of light and shadow.

2. Onuma Garden: The forest trail looks like a scene from a Ghibli movie, and at the end of the trail is an open and tranquil lake. In summer, you can observe the cute "forest frogs" and the world's smallest "small red dragonflies (Hatcho dragonflies)"; in autumn, this place is a famous place to view the red leaves, with the forests dyed in all colors, as beautiful as a fairy tale.

3. Kinomata Valley: The water of the Kinomata River is clear and has a beautiful blue-green color, and the surrounding valley scenery is charming. In spring, you can see fresh green, in autumn you can enjoy red maple leaves, and there are also rare large-leaf willow vegetation. In summer, this is a great place to cool off and play in the water, attracting many tourists to get close to nature.

3. Special Food

1. Nasu Wagyu: The meat is tender and juicy, with evenly distributed marble patterns. Whether it is made into steak, sukiyaki or shabu-shabu beef, it melts in your mouth and leaves you with an endless aftertaste. Recommended restaurant: Teppanyaki Steak House Kiku, where a dedicated chef prepares food to suit the taste of each guest.

2. Soba noodles: The local specialty buckwheat noodles have a chewy texture, paired with delicious soup and condiments such as chopped green onions and mustard, which is refreshing and delicious. You can taste the authentic flavor in the small noodle shops on the street.

3. Hot spring buns: a famous snack in Shiohara, with a soft outer skin and sweet red bean paste filling. It is not too sweet and is very suitable as a souvenir.

4. Transportation Guide

It is very convenient to travel from Tokyo. You can take the JR Tohoku Shinkansen and reach Nasushiobara Station in about 70 minutes. After arrival, you can take the local tram, bus or taxi to various attractions.

5. Notes

1. Public transportation in Japan is usually very punctual. Pay attention to the last bus time to avoid delays.

2. In the hot spring baths, you must follow local customs, rinse your body before entering the hot spring pool, and do not make loud noises.

3. In terms of language, some tourist attractions and restaurant staff may not be able to communicate fluently in English. It is recommended to download translation software to facilitate communication.