Nasu Kogen
Nasu Highlands Family Hotels: Private Baths and Indoor Play Areas
A highland retreat where kids play rain or shine, babies included
Nasu Highlands makes traveling with kids surprisingly easy. Sitting at about 800 meters elevation, it stays cool even in summer, so naptime meltdowns are less of an issue, and Nasu Animal Kingdom, Rindo-ko Family Farm, and Nasu Safari Park are all clustered within a 10-to-20-minute drive of most hotels, so you'll get there before the kids wear themselves out in the car. From newborns to elementary schoolers, there's no shortage of things to do at any age.
Looking at the 10 Nasu Highlands hotels listed on Kids Stay, a clear pattern emerges: 7 of them have indoor play areas. That turns out to matter more than you'd think — mountain weather in Nasu often brings afternoon showers, and having an indoor space to fall back on means a rained-out afternoon doesn't ruin the day. At a hotel like Pension Yama Nikki, which has a playroom stocked with 3,000 manga volumes, a rainy evening can even become something to look forward to.
Another strength is private family baths: 6 of the 10 hotels have one, and 1 of those are free to use. Being able to wrangle a squirming toddler in the changing room without an audience is a small but real relief for parents with babies. Price ranges span everything from large resorts to homey pensions, so the area works whether you're taking your very first family trip or you just want to soak in the hot springs at your own pace.
Highlights
- check7 of the 10 hotels have indoor play areas — a fallback for kids on a rainy mountain afternoon
- check6 of the 10 hotels have private baths, 1 of them free — easy for changing and bathing a baby without an audience
- check2 hotels are certified Welcome Baby properties — Hotel Epinard Nasu serves baby food by age stage, and Grand Mercure has a kids' pool too
- check5 hotels accommodate food allergies, 3 offer kids' buffets and 6 offer toddler meals — easy to consult about food allergies
- checkPension Ajiwai, with all-tatami rooms, has families making up 99% of its guests — great for crawling babies since there are no raised thresholds to worry about
Family-friendly features in Nasu Highlands
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Recommended hotels (3)
Hotel Epinard Nasu
Grand Mercure Nasu Highlands Resort & Spa
Hoshino Resorts RISONARE Nasu
See all hotels in Nasu Highlands (3)expand_more
Nearby attractions
Travel tips
Nasu is an area where a car is essential — the sights are spread out, and you'll need one to get anywhere from your hotel. During summer vacation (July–August), traffic backs up around the Nasu IC and in front of the outlet mall, so it helps to head out early in the morning. Because of the elevation, mornings and evenings stay cool even in summer, so it's worth packing a light long-sleeved layer. Winter brings real snowfall, so studless tires are a must. Both Nasu Animal Kingdom and Rindo-ko Family Farm rent out strollers, but they can run out during busy periods, so if your baby isn't crawling yet, bringing your own is the safer bet.
Best season
Summer (July–August) is the top recommendation. It's 5 to 6°C cooler than the lowlands, so you get relief from the heat plus pool time without wearing the kids out. Fresh greenery in May–June and fall foliage in October are also pleasant, with lighter crowds. Winter brings skiing and snow play, but if you're not used to driving on snowy roads, it raises the difficulty a notch for families with small children.
Getting there
About 2.5 hours by car from Tokyo (via the Tohoku Expressway's Nasu IC). By Tohoku Shinkansen, it's about 70 minutes from Tokyo to Nasushiobara Station, then a local bus or hotel shuttle to the highland's central area. Since getting between sights still requires a car, renting one locally is worthwhile even if you travel by shinkansen.
Frequently Asked Questions
From what age can kids enjoy Nasu Highlands?
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It works from birth. Nasu Animal Kingdom and Rindo-ko Family Farm both have nursing rooms and diaper-changing facilities, and many of their experiences are open to children under 3. Nasu Highland Park, which is more ride-focused, becomes more enjoyable once kids reach elementary school age.
Which hotels are especially good for families with babies?
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Hotel Epinard Nasu and Grand Mercure Nasu Highlands, both certified Welcome Baby properties, are reliable choices. Epinard serves baby food tailored by age stage, and Grand Mercure has a shallow kids' pool. Pension Ajiwai, with all-tatami rooms, is also well suited to babies at the crawling stage.
Can kids still have fun on rainy days?
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Yes. Of the 10 hotels listed on Kids Stay, 7 have indoor play areas, so a rained-out day outside doesn't mean a rained-out day overall. For sightseeing, indoor spots like the Nasu Stained Glass Museum and Treasure Stone Park are also on hand.
Are there hotels with private family baths?
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Yes. Of the 10 listed Nasu Highlands hotels, 6 have private baths, and 1 of those are free to use. Since you can change and bathe a baby without an audience, they're convenient for families experiencing a hot spring for the first time.
Can you combine Nasu with Kinugawa Onsen in one trip?
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Yes. It's about a 40-minute drive from Nasu Highlands to the Kinugawa Onsen area. Kinugawa has theme parks like Tobu World Square, and pairing it with Nasu Animal Kingdom for a 2-night, 3-day trip is a classic itinerary for families with kids.