Nasu Cheese and Bakery Gourmet in Tochigi

The Nasu highlands and Kuroiso area in northern Tochigi are a food destination where fine farm cheese and distinctive bakeries gather. The cool climate and rich pastures suit dairy farming, and cheese made from fresh milk is a specialty of this highland resort. In recent years the area around Kuroiso Station has grown popular as a hotspot of stylish cafes and bakeries.

Highlights

On the Nasu farms, cheeses such as mozzarella, camembert, and gouda are made from freshly milked milk and can be bought at shops attached to the workshops. Kuroiso, meanwhile, was once a post town and has transformed into a town of refined shops, known for authentic wood fired bread and sandwiches that make the most of local ingredients. Stocking up on cheese and bread for a highland picnic is a luxurious way to spend the day.

Enjoying the Seasons

High elevation Nasu stays cool even in summer, making a bread and cheese picnic in the green highlands a delightful seasonal pleasure. Autumn brings enjoyable drives and cafe hopping amid the foliage, and in winter some shops serve cheese fondue alongside a warm soup. Being able to enjoy food in a resort mood through all four seasons is this area great appeal.

Access and Basic Information

For the Kuroiso area, JR Kuroiso Station is the nearest, with bakeries and cafes gathered around it and walkable on foot. The cheese workshops and farms in the Nasu highlands are easy to reach by car from the Nasu interchange on the Tohoku Expressway, and coming by Shinkansen to Nasushiobara Station and then heading up to the highlands by car is another standard route. Combining it with farm sightseeing fills out the day. Popular bakeries can sell out in the morning, so arriving early is reassuring.

Practical Travel Notes

Because shops in the highland area are spread apart, traveling by car is overwhelmingly convenient, and if relying only on public transport, checking bus frequency in advance is reassuring. Popular bakeries often sell out their signature items in the morning right after baking, so an early visit is recommended. Buying cheese in small amounts at the workshops and pairing it with bread for a highland picnic makes for a Nasu style day. Watch the carrying time for fresh cheese and filled breads, and in summer a cooler is reassuring. On autumn weekends roads and parking get crowded, so planning with time to spare is comfortable. For souvenirs, shelf stable hard cheeses and baked goods are easy choices, and some workshops handle shipping.

A Quick Tip

Cheese and bread shine when enjoyed together. Gathering a little of each from the workshops and bakeries and arranging a picnic with a view of the highland scenery makes for a luxurious day that only Nasu can offer. Touring popular shops in the morning and enjoying farms and scenery in the afternoon is an efficient flow.