Nasushiobara Onsen Nishina

Nasushiobara, in northern Tochigi Prefecture at the base of the Nasu volcanic highland, encompasses the historic Shiobara Onsen valley — one of Japan's most beloved mountain spa districts, famous since the ninth century for its healing waters and celebrated in Meiji literature by novelist Tokutomi Roka whose novel Hototogisu made the mountain valley nationally famous. Nasushiobara Onsen Nishina draws on sodium and sulfate-rich thermal waters from the volcanic geology of the Nasu mountain complex, flowing from numerous springs throughout the scenic valley gorge of the Houki River to feed eleven distinct hot spring zones each with different mineral compositions and temperatures. The spectacular Momiji Corridor of Shiobara Onsen in autumn — one of Tochigi's most celebrated fall foliage landscapes — the historic ryokan culture along the Houki River gorge, and the Nasu Kogen highland dairy farming area producing excellent Nasu milk and cheese make Nasushiobara one of the most richly traditional and scenically rewarding spa destinations in the northern Kanto mountains.