What other travelers are saying about Nasu Highland Park, Tochigi
Amusement park in a really pretty setting.
8 coaster at this park but only 6 were open for my visit. I did check the schedule beforehand and didn't see any coasters closed, so that was a little but disappointing.
Long lines for food at lunchtime due to a few school/college groups.
Lots of attractions for everyone to do, including a big wheel, shot tower and double decker carousel.
A huge gift shop near the entrance with a few gacha machines too!
I bought my tickets in the day at the entrance and didn't queue to get in.
So many dogs! Being a dog friendly park, lots of people take advantage of this! So cute. There are also attractions in the park dogs can do, they are well catered for.
Yes, Nasu Highland Park is highly suitable for young children and families. The park features a dedicated children's area with over a dozen gentle rides designed for toddlers and younger kids, including miniature trains, carousels, and small-scale attractions. Many rides have low height requirements, and the park's nostalgic, relaxed atmosphere makes it less overwhelming than larger theme parks. Parents will find the park manageable in size and easy to navigate with small children.
The most efficient route is taking the JR Tohoku Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Nasu-Shiobara Station, which takes approximately 70 minutes. From there, you'll need to take a local bus for about 60 minutes to reach the park. However, renting a car at Nasu-Shiobara Station is often more convenient, especially if you plan to explore other attractions in the Nasu area. The drive from the station to the park takes around 40 minutes and offers more flexibility for your itinerary.
If you plan to spend most of the day at the park and want to experience multiple attractions, the free pass offers better value as it provides unlimited access to all rides. This is especially economical for families with children who tend to ride their favorite attractions repeatedly. However, if you're visiting for just a few hours or only interested in specific rides, purchasing individual ride tickets may be more cost-effective. Consider your schedule and how many attractions you realistically want to experience.
Nasu Highland Park stands out for its retro, nostalgic charm and authentic mid-20th century amusement park atmosphere. Unlike modern theme parks with elaborate theming and cutting-edge technology, this park preserves classic attractions and maintains a simpler, more traditional feel. Its mountain location at 1,000 meters elevation provides cooler temperatures and scenic views that most lowland parks cannot offer. The park appeals to visitors seeking a more relaxed, old-fashioned amusement park experience rather than high-intensity thrills.
Absolutely. Nasu Highland Park works well as part of a broader Nasu region itinerary. The area is famous for hot spring resorts, farm attractions, museums, and outdoor activities. Many visitors combine the park with stays at nearby onsen hotels, visits to Nasu Animal Kingdom, or trips to local dairy farms and restaurants. The cooler highland climate also makes it popular for summer retreats. Planning a two or three-day trip allows you to experience the park along with the region's natural beauty and resort amenities.
every penny worth. I visited on Summer holiday. Must recommended. I visited USJ, Yomiuri land, but I was tired of waiting in queue. but here my kids enjoyed thoroughly just with few min of Queue. Luckily I got opportunity to see the fire crackers.
Nice small theme park. Decent rides for a smaller park, crowds during a school day (week day) were essentially zero. Zero to 5 minute wait for all rides.
I had so much fun at this place! Different kinds of attractions there..I visited there during holiday so the place was jampacked with people. Good to choose unlimited ride if you will go there during weekdays or else you will wait in line for more than an hour. But still I had a very enjoyable day there and hope to visit again soon.
Great park in a remote area. Unique and fun rides. Lacks a modern standout ride, but still has some charm with some of its oddities.
Like most parks in Japan, the safety routines are over the top, and can hinder operations.
Standout attractions would be Big Boom, a oddball coaster with a steep drop and large camelback into a vertical loop. Also has a nice double Decker carousel and a cable driven observation wheel.