A Day Trip to Nasu with Hiromaru’s LIMOTAXI Service
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CONTENTS
Not far from Tokyo, you can find the famous sightseeing spot Nasu, which is popular for the autumn leaves you’ll find there in November!!
If you are tired of the big cities like Tokyo and Osaka, how about giving yourself a different trip, like traveling to this part of Japan’s countryside, where you can enjoy healing hot springs and fresh air.
Autumn Leaves in Nasu
Recommended Day Trip Course in Nasu
PENNY LANE -> Nasu Ropeway -> Kita Onsen (Hot Spring) -> Sessho-seki (Killing Stone) -> Cheese Garden
LIMOTAXI of Hinomaru Limousine – Professional Taxi Company for Foreign Tourists
Hinomaru Limousine operates a taxi service, airport pick-up service, and sightseeing tour courses in Japan! It is one of the leading taxi companies in Japan, and it focuses on providing services to foreign visitors.
Although there are many different ways that you can get to your destination, sometimes you may want to have your own private moment with your friends or family while traveling. Today we will introduce you to one of these more comfortable and special ways of traveling – a "Taxi Tour" provided by Hinomaru Limousine.
This time we will travel in a Toyota Alphard, which is a full-size luxury MPV (minivan). This vehicle seats seven, and you can still find lots of space inside. Just sit back and relax in the car!
Moreover, you can just simply ask the LIMOTAXI to come and pick you up at the hotel you're staying at.
Bakery & Cafe in the Forest – PENNY LANE
A cafe in the woods where you can feel the surrounding nature while having a cup of coffee. In spring and summer, the outdoor terraces are popular among visitors. Even other Japanese cafe owners come here to visit.
Any Beatles fans here? You have to take a picture in front of PENNY LANE. You can find the Abbey Road of Nasu at the entrance of PENNY LANE. Take your own Beatles album cover here!
Whether you are a fan of Beatles or not…
Once you get inside the cafe, Beatles songs will reverberate in your eardrums. You'll also find many other Beatles decorations, photos and other collections inside the cafe. It is very interesting for everyone indeed!
They make more than 60 different kinds of bread every day, so you need to come here a few times to try them all! By the way, don't miss their bread bowl!
Enjoy your brunch in nature. You can hear the birds singing for you, too! How relaxing is that?
If you visit PENNY LANE, don't miss their most popular dishes, Cheese Gratin and Cheese Fondue! Just from looking at the pictures, you can imagine how good it is!
Bread Gratin: 1,200 yen plus tax
Cheese Fondue: 1,200 yen plus tax
PENNY LANE
Address: 656-2, Yumoto, Nasu-machi, Nasu-gun, Tochigi prefecture
Tel.: 0287-76-1960
Hours: 8:00 to 18:00 (Bakery & Cafe)
Hours: 8:00 to 21:00 (L.O 20:00) (Restaurant)
Homepage (Japanese): http://pennylane.company/
Nasu Ropeway
The cable car is spacious and the window are huge!! Feel free to look around during the cable ride. Enjoy the 360-degree view of Nasu Kogen (Nasu Highland)!
You can see the clouds alongside the red-colored leaves on the mountain. What beautiful scenery!
The Nasu ropeway can only actually take you to a spot near the top of the mountain, but not quite the peak. From the station to the summit, you still need to take a 40-50 minute walk! But please don't worry about the hike. While we were hiking up the mountain, we happened to be joined by a group of elementary school students, who walked together with us. We all made it up, no problem! If the children can do it, you can do it too!
Nasu Ropeway
Address: 215 Mt. Nasudake, Ooaza Yumoto, Nasu-machi, Nasu-gun, Tochigi Prefecture
Tel.: 0287-76-2449
Period in operation: 20 March to 30 November for 2016
Hours: 8:30-16:30
Winter: 09:00-16:06 (16-30 Nov 2016, Sat, Sun and Holiday 08:30-16:30)
Summer: 08:00-16:30 (Sat, Sun and Holiday from 07:30)
*In case of bad weather such as strong wind or lighting, the operation may stop.
Fares:
Round trip: 1,300 yen (Junior high school students and above), 650 yen (3 years old to elementary school students)
One way: 750 yen (Junior high school students and above), 380 yen (3 years old to elementary school students)
Homepage (Japanese): http://toya108.jp/nrw/
Kita Onsen (and the Killing Stone)
This famous traditional hot spring was found 160 years ago, and it is located in a remote part of the mountain.
Once you step into the building, the interior looks just like an old drama set. That's because this building was actually built in the Edo Period (it's not a movie set, it's the real thing!). After all these years, it is still being used!
Although the Japanese movie, Thermae Romae, was also shot in Kita Onsen. So it's an original building that turned briefly into a movie set!
At Kita Onsen, you can experience an old-fashioned Japanese hot spring. Not only do they uphold the tradition of naked bathing, but men and women can share the hot spring together.
Kita Onsen
Address: 151 Yumoto, Nasu-machi, Nasu-gun, Tochigi Prefecture
Tel.: 81-0287-76-2008
Room Rates:
Showa Period Building, Ume (梅）：
9,700 yen for adults, 5,800 yen (7-12 years old), 4,800 yen (4-6 years old)
Meiji Period Building, Take （竹）：
8,700 yen for adults, 5,800 yen (7-12 years old), 4,800 yen (4-6 years old)
Edo Period Building,Matsu （松）：
7,700 yen for adults, 5,800 yen (7-12 years old), 4,800 yen (4-6 years old)
Hot Spring Only: 700 yen
Homepage: http://www.kitaonsen.com/mokujie.htm
Sessho-seki (Killing Stone)
Just from the name of this place, you can tell it is a very special place to visit. It's actually one of the must-visit sightseeing spots in Nasu.
It was said that the local village was haunted by the spirit of a nine-tailed fox, until a Buddhist priest came and performed certain spiritual rituals. He turned the spirit into the Killing Stone, as you see it now, and built 1000 Buddhist monk statues to bring back peace to the village.
(The legend goes that touching the stone will kill you, hence the name. So be careful, stay back!)
Sessho-seki (The Killing Stone)
Address: 182 Yumoto, Nasu-machi, Nasu, Tochigi
Tel.: 0287-72-6918
The Cheese Garden
Before we go back to Tokyo, of course we need to get some souvenirs for our family and friends. You may have seen this cheese cake shop in "Solamachi" under Tokyo Skytree before. This time we are going to take you to their shop in Nasu!
Cheese Garden
Address: 2888 Kokugi, Takahisa, Nasu-machi, Nasu-gun, Tochigi Prefecture
Hours: 09:00-18:00, (09:00-17:00 from 1 Dec 2016 to 28 Feb 2017)
Homepage (Japanese): http://cheesegarden.jp/
Best Selling Item No.1 – Cheese Cake
This cheesecake is made with raw cheese and baked at just the right temperature. That's why it's so rich in cheese flavor, with a delicately soft texture!
Price: 1,280 yen (tax included)
Best Selling Item No.2 – Cheese Cookies
These cheese cookies are made with almond flour and butter. They have a strong, sweet cheese flavor, and can be stored at room temperature. (Very convenient for souvenirs!)
Price: 3,950 yen (tax included) (36 pieces)
Best Selling Item No.3 – Cream cheese cake
This rare cheesecake is made with the finest local cream cheese. The combination of French strawberry jam and sweet cheese on a crispy cookie base gives you a new taste experience!
Price: 1,860 yen (tax included)
Travel comfortably around Japan with HINOMARU’s LIMOTAXI!
This 5-star service is not all that expensive, so next time you travel with your family, we highly recommend the LIMOTAXI service!
Reservations here!! https://www.tokyo-taxi.jp/english/reserve/
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Other taxi services provided by Hinomaru Limousine:
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Shizuoka Prefecture is sandwiched between eastern and western Japan, giving the prefecture easy access to both Tokyo and Osaka. Not only is it known for beautiful natural attractions, with everything from Mount Fuji to Suruga Bay, Lake Hamanako, and Sumata Pass―Shizuoka's Izu Peninsula is known as a go-to spot for hot springs lovers, with famous onsen like Atami, Ito, Shimoda, Shuzenji, and Dogashima. Shizuoka attracts all kinds of travelers thanks to historic connections with the Tokugawa clan, the Oigawa Railway, fresh eel cuisine, Hamamatsu gyoza, and famously high-quality green tea.
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Kyoto flourished as the capital of Japan between the years 794 and 1100, becoming a center for poilitics and culture, and to this day it's a great place for close encounters with Japanese history. The cobbled streets of Gion, the atmospheric road to Kiyomizudera Temple, Kinkakuji's golden walls and countless historic attractions, even Arashiyama's Togetsukyo Bridge―Kyoto is a place of many attractions. With new charms to experience throughout the seasons, travelers can't stop themselves from returning again and again.
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Nara Prefecture's important history reaches back to 710, a time now called the Nara era, when it was once capital of Japan. Called "Heijo-kyo" during its time as a capital, it's said that nara was once the end of the silk road, leading it to flourish as a uniquely international region and produce important cultural properties of all kinds. To make the most of each season, travelers head to Nara Park, where the Nara deer who wander freely, or climb Mount Yoshino, a famous cherry blossom spot.
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Osaka is known for friendly (and funny) people, but its history is nothing to laugh at, playing a major part in Toyotomi Hideyoshi's 16th century unification of Japan. Thanks to long years of economic activity, it's one of Japan's biggest cities, and Osaka's popular food culture earned it the nickname "The Kitchen of the Nation." To this day Osaka is the model of western Japan, and alongside historic structures like Osaka Castle, it also has major shopping malls like Umeda's Grand Front Osaka and Tennoji's Abeno Harukas. Osaka is a place to eat, eat, eat, with local specialties like takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and kushi-katsu, and for extra fun, it's home to Universal Studios Japan.
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CHUGOKU
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The Chugoku Region (中国地方) consists of five prefectures: Hiroshima, Okayama, Shimane, Tottori, and Yamaguchi. In Chugoku you’ll find the sand dunes of Tottori, and Hiroshima’s atomic bomb site, plus centers of ancient history like Grand Shrine of Izumo.
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Hiroshima Prefecture has everything, from world heritage sites to beautiful nature and delicious local cuisine, and it's either an hour and a half from Tokyo by plane, or four hours by train. Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island and the Atomic Bomb Dome, two Hiroshima UNESCO sites, are famous around the world, but in Japan it's also famous for food. Seafood from the Seto Inland Sea, especially oysters, Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, and Setouchi lemons are all popular, and the natural scenery alone is worth seeing.
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SHIKOKU
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On the other side of the Seto Inland Sea opposite Japan’s main island, Shikoku (四国) is a region made up of four prefectures: Ehime, Kagawa, Kochi, and Tokushima. The area is famous for its udon (in Kagawa), and the beautiful Dogo Onsen hot springs (in Ehime).
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KAGAWA
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Kagawa Prefecture is on the northern part of the island of Shikoku, facing Japan's main island and the Seto Inland Sea. It's known for being the smallest prefecture in Japan, by area, but at the same time Kagawa is called the "Udon Prefecture" thanks to its famous sanuki udon. Aside from Kotohiragu Shrine and Ritsurin Garden, the prefecture's small islands are popular, and Kagawa is full of unique destinations, like Angel Road. They say that if you lay eyes on Zenigata Sunae, a huge Kagawa sand painting, you'll never have money troubles ever again.
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KYUSHU
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Located in the most southwestern part of Japan, Kyushu (九州) is an island of 7 prefectures: Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Oita, Miyazaki, and Kagoshima. The island's unique culture has been influenced by Chinese and Dutch trade, along with missionaries coming in through Nagasaki's port. Modern-day travelers love the lush natural scenery and fresh food, plus the natural hot springs found all throughout the area (thanks to volcanic activity)!
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FUKUOKA
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Fukuoka Prefecture has the highest population on the southern island of Kyushu, with two major cities: Fukuoka and Kitakyushu. Thanks to growing transportation networks, Fukuoka is more accessible than ever, and so are the many local attractions. On top of historical spots like Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, travelers shouldn't miss Fukuoka's food scene, with motsu nabe (offal hotpot), mentaiko (spicy cod roe), and famous Hakata ramen―best eaten from a food stall in the Nakasu area of Hakata. Plus, it's full of all sorts of destinations for travelers, like trendy shopping centers, and the beautiful nature of Itoshima and Yanagawa.
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KAGOSHIMA
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Kagoshima Prefecture played a major role in Japan's modernization as a backdrop for famous historical figures like samurais Saigo Takamori and Okubo Toshimichi, who pushed Japan out of the Edo era and into the Meiji. Because of that, Sengan-en Garden is just one of many historical destinations, and when it comes to attractions Kagoshima has plenty: the active volcano of Sakurajima, popular hot springs Ibusuki Onsen and Kirishima Onsen, World Heritage Site Yakushima Island, even what Japan calls the "island closest to heaven," Amami Oshima. Kagoshima might be found on the very southernmost tip of the southern island of Kyushu, but there's plenty to see.
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OKINAWA
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The island chain of Okinawa (沖縄) makes up the southernmost tip of Japan, which is why it's also the most tropical area in the country. Thanks to a history of independence and totally distinct political and cultural events, Okinawa has a unique culture, and remnants of the Ryukyu Kingdom are still visible all over the islands. Food, language, traditional dress, it's all a little different! It's also said to be the birthplace of karate.
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