Omaru Grounds, Nasu Town, Tochigi Prefecture
A Drive on the Nasu Volcano Highway Looking out toward Nasunogahara from the wooden lookout
I drove up the Nasu Volcano Highway and stopped at Omaru Grounds for a break. I wanted to get out of the car and take in Nasunogahara stretching beyond the wooden lookout and pampas grass. I'd picked up an onsen manju in the Nasu area and brought it along to enjoy during a midday break on an autumn drive.
I stopped at Omaru Grounds at midday in mid-October, surrounded by autumn leaves and pampas grass.
AutumnA sunny midday in mid-October
Looking out toward Nasunogahara from beside the wooden lookout
At midday on a clear day in mid-October, I drove up the Nasu Volcano Highway from Nasu Kaido. As I pulled into the car park at Omaru Grounds, I saw pampas grass swaying beside the wooden lookout. I switched off the engine, smoothed the front of my pale-colored vest, and stepped outside. The sun was bright, but I could feel the breeze at my neck. I drew my scarf closer and set off toward the lookout.
Near the stairs, Nasunogahara Plain opened up beyond the autumn leaves. The view felt completely different from the one I'd had on the way up, with a new angle and a much broader sweep. Every time the pampas plumes caught the light, my eyes wandered to the plain beyond them. My friend said, "We've climbed quite a way." I nodded and looked up at the wooden steps.
Before climbing to the lookout, I opened the wrapper of the onsen manju I'd bought down the mountain. The manju from Meijiya in Kuroiso are said to be filled with homemade bean paste made with azuki beans from the Nasu area. When I picked up a little one, I realized I was hungry after all; I'd been so focused on the view that I hadn't noticed. As I bit into it, sweetness filled my mouth, and I couldn't help smiling. Mountain snacks make me want to take my time.
After savoring the manju, my friend and I climbed up to the wooden lookout. I heard our footsteps on the stairs. Up top, the breeze swept through. I looked out once more beyond the pampas grass and autumn leaves, and the plain stretched far into the distance. Apparently, if you keep climbing, the road leads to the base station of the Nasu Ropeway. For now, I just want to enjoy this view after getting out of the car.
On the way down the stairs to the car, I found myself thinking about another trip to Nasu. Taking the ropeway up toward Mount Chausu sounds fun. Or I could drive up again, taking in the view from below as I go. My friend and I talked about bringing today's snack along next time, too. The wooden lookout, the pampas grass, the plain in the distance. On an autumn afternoon in Nasu, I'd found a rest stop I wanted to remember.
The story sections are fiction inspired by this location. For accurate information, please consult official tourism and information websites.
Local specialties to try on the trip
Nasu onsen manju
Meijiya in Kuroiso is known for onsen manju filled with homemade bean paste made with azuki beans from the Nasu area. I'd pick some up before heading up the mountain and save them for a break along the way.
Highlights
The plain stretching beyond the pampas grass
At Omaru Grounds, the pampas grass and autumn leaves beside the wooden lookout give way to the broad sweep of Nasunogahara Plain. I looked out over the plain and nodded when my friend said, "We've climbed quite a way." I'd been watching the road climb higher into the mountains, and now the view stretched far across the plain. I was glad I got out of the car and had time to take it all in.
The Nasu Volcano Highway, heading into the mountains
The former Nasu Kogen Toll Road is best known by its nickname, the Volcano Highway. From Nasu Kaido, I want to keep driving up toward the Nasu Ropeway.
Road and nearby mountain data
Omaru Parking Lot to Nasu Ropeway Base Station / Mount Chausu
- From Omaru Parking Lot to the base station
- 1km
- Elevation of Mount Chausu
- 1915m
Omaru Grounds, Nasunogahara Plain, Nasu Ropeway
Omaru Parking Lot is 1km below the base station. Mount Chausu's summit is at 1915m. If I'm carrying on beyond this scenic break, I do wonder what it would be like to get closer to the mountain by ropeway.
More Spot Guides
If you enjoyed this story, you might like these places too. I've gone back to each of them in different seasons, again and again.
