3 reasons to stay at Risonare Nasu and enjoy a highland escape from Tokyo

It’s not every day that you find a working rice paddy within a resort. At Risonare Nasu, rice cultivation began in 2019, and the resort runs a ‘Rice School’ where guests can learn about the process of growing Japan’s staple grain.

From spring to early summer, you can try your hand at planting rice by hand, then build a fire from scratch and enjoy onigiri rice balls made with steaming rice cooked in a traditional hagama iron pot. Other rice-related activities include, depending on the season, sowing seeds, weeding and harvesting (threshing).

From July through the end of August, tables are set up in the middle of the resort’s approximately 8,500-square-metre rice field for the Rice Field Beer Garden, where guests can enjoy craft beer and soft drinks while taking in the changing scenery, with uninterrupted views of the picturesque Nasu mountain range.

Another distinctive feature of Risonare Nasu is its on-site farm, the Agri Garden. More than 120 varieties of vegetables and herbs are grown there throughout the year, and guests can get involved in the process through the daily ‘Farmer’s Lesson’ programme, taking part in activities such as preparing soil, sowing seeds and harvesting.

Next to the fields, the Greenhouse offers a different kind of hands-on experience. Guests can make bookmarks and bath herbs using plants and flowers, or create their own crafts from wood, nuts and other natural materials gathered from the surrounding forest. It’s a chance to slow down, work with your hands and enjoy the creativity inspired by the landscape.

The content of the experiences may vary depending on the season.

For the ultimate way to relax, head to the resort’s onsen, whose hot spring water originates from Mt Chausu, the highest peak in the Nasu mountain range. In addition to a spacious communal bath, facilities include an open-air bath where guests can soak while listening to birdsong and enjoying the peaceful passage of time.

The experience takes on a different atmosphere after dark, when the bath area is illuminated. The softly lit surroundings offer a new perspective on the fresh, verdant scenery and create a tranquil setting to unwind at the end of the day.

Along with seasonal events, the resort offers mystery-solving events (currently only available in Japanese).

For more details and booking information, see the official website.