Nasu Animal Kingdom — Healing Encounters with Animals on the Highland

Spread across the Nasu Highland in Nasu Town, Tochigi Prefecture, Nasu Animal Kingdom is a large animal theme park home to animals gathered from around the world. Its concept emphasizes close interaction with the animals rather than viewing them across fences, making it popular with a wide range of generations from children to adults. The sight of animals living freely in the cool highland air offers exceptional healing.

Highlights

• Kingdom Farm (outdoor area): a spacious pasture zone where you can interact with sheep, alpacas, and goats. The animals roaming the meadow create an idyllic mood (there is a period of winter closure)
• Kingdom Town (indoor area): an indoor zone enjoyable regardless of the weather, where popular animals such as capybaras and red pandas can be observed up close
• Sand cat: the rare sand cat, known as one of the smallest wild cats in the world, is kept here and its charm has become a talking point
• Shoebill: you can also meet the large shoebill, popular as the bird that does not move
• Bird show: a dynamic show in which raptors such as eagles and hawks skim just overhead is a must-see

Seasonal Highlights

Spring (March to May) offers many chances to meet baby animals. Summer (June to August) is comfortable thanks to the cool highland air. Autumn (September to November) can be enjoyed together with the foliage of the Nasu Highland. In winter (December to February) the outdoor Kingdom Farm has a closure period, but the indoor Kingdom Town is enjoyable year-round, and you may sometimes meet animals amid the snow.

Access and Essential Information

• Location: Oshima, Nasu Town, Nasu District, Tochigi Prefecture
• Opened: April 1998. More than 600 animals live on grounds of about 43 hectares
• Getting there: by local bus or car from Nasu-Shiobara Station on the Tohoku Shinkansen; also reachable from the Nasu IC on the Tohoku Expressway
• Admission: fees differ for adults and children and vary by season and ticket type. Please check the official website for current rates
• Hours and closing days: vary by season, so checking the official website before visiting is recommended

Practical Travel Notes

The grounds are divided into the outdoor Kingdom Farm and the indoor Kingdom Town, and because the two areas are set apart, make use of the shuttle for moving between them. In the changeable weather of the Nasu Highland, preparing a jacket or rain gear for sudden rain or cold is recommended. Since the outdoor area has a winter closure period, check which areas are open in advance if visiting in winter. Animal feeding experiences are popular and feed can be bought within the park. On crowded weekends, early entry is recommended.

A Word of Advice

This article is positioned as a cross-spot overview, but its actual subject is Nasu Animal Kingdom (a separate article of the same name also exists). To enjoy the interaction with animals to the fullest, check the feeding and show schedule on arrival and plan an efficient route. Since highland weather changes easily, keeping the indoor Kingdom Town in mind as a rainy-day refuge is reassuring.

📚 Sources

This article is based on the official website of Nasu Animal Kingdom and sightseeing guidance published by the Nasu Town Tourism Association. Notes on the animals kept and the bird show refer to the guidance released by the park. Admission fees, opening hours, winter closures of the outdoor area, and show schedules may change, so please confirm with the official information before your visit.

Visitor Checklist

• Estimated time: About half a day to a full day to cover both the indoor Kingdom Town and the outdoor Kingdom Farm.
• What to bring: A jacket or rain gear, as weather on the Nasu highlands changes quickly.
• Route tips: The two areas are far apart, so use the shuttle; on busy weekends enter early.
• Experiences: Feeding is popular and food can be bought in the park; check show times on arrival.
• Winter note: The outdoor area closes during part of winter, so check which areas are open beforehand.

Practical Information for Your Visit

• Opening hours: Weekdays 10:00-16:30; Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays 9:00-17:00 (animal exhibits close 30 minutes before the park does)
• Closing days: Wednesdays (open on certain dates; check the official opening calendar)
• Admission: 2,900 yen for adults (junior high school students and older), 1,300 yen for children (aged 3 to elementary school age), free of charge for children under 3
• Parking: 1,000 yen per vehicle for cars and larger; free of charge for motorcycles
• Access (by car): About 15 minutes from the "Nasu Kogen SA Smart IC" on the Tohoku Expressway, about 30 minutes from the "Nasu IC", and about 20 minutes from the "Shirakawa IC"
• Access (by train): About 50 minutes by car from "Nasushiobara Station" on the Tohoku Shinkansen. From the station, take a taxi or rental car. The free shuttle bus from Nasushiobara Station is by reservation only (bookings close at 17:00 the previous day)
• Telephone: 0287-77-1110
• Address: 1042-1 Oshima, Nasu-machi, Nasu-gun, Tochigi Prefecture

Note: Admission prices change during the winter season (please check the information on the official website).

(Sources: Nasu Animal Kingdom official website)