Overview

Nasu Queen’s Mountain Camp and Lodge sits in the highland forests of Nasu, Tochigi, at 819 Takakuotsu, Nasu District. The property opened in 2019 and centres on Queen’s Lake, a natural spring-fed pond surrounded by 15 lodges, log houses, tent sites, and open camping areas. Oak and beech woodland fills the grounds, with cuckoos and pheasants overhead, fireflies along the stream in season, and rhinoceros beetles throughout the trees in summer.

This is a hands-on, animal-forward property that works well for families, couples, groups of friends, and dog owners. Nasu Safari Park is a five-minute drive away, and a large supermarket is also within five minutes by car. You reach the property from the Nasu Interchange, following posted signage near the entrance. Some car navigation systems may guide you through narrow neighbouring roads, so the property advises following the signs once you approach the area.

Note: the property does not accept card payments, so bring cash.

Accommodation

You choose from open campsites, auto campsites, several types of lodges and log houses, and larger villa-style accommodation. Cottages accommodate from a small number of people up to 20, giving you real flexibility for solo visits, couples, or large groups.

Every cottage and lodge on the property comes with its own hot spring bath, so you can soak whenever you like without leaving your unit. Each lodge also has a covered terrace with BBQ space, which means you can grill even if the weather turns. Kitchens in the lodges and villas come equipped with a cassette stove and clay pot, and the property will also lend these to tent site guests on request.

Parking is allocated per lodge. Extra vehicles can be accommodated during less busy periods, though you should note this when booking. Campsite spots include parking for one vehicle. Campervans, trailers, and motorbikes are also welcome.

The property has Wi-Fi available, though signal strength varies. Coverage is strongest around the main lodge building.

Quiet hours run from 9:30 PM to 7:00 AM. Fireworks are permitted until 9:00 PM, and large or aerial fireworks are banned throughout the day.

Check-in must be completed by 5:00 PM. Check-out for tent sites is by midday, and for cottages by 10:00 AM, though you can remain on the grounds until midday after checking out of your room.

Dining

BBQ is the main way to eat here. You bring your own ingredients, fire up the grill on your covered terrace, and cook at your own pace. A large supermarket five minutes away by car stocks everything you need, including food, firewood, and charcoal. Soft drink vending machines are on site. The property does not sell BBQ food or alcohol directly.

If you want a sit-down meal, the property operates an affiliated steakhouse nearby that serves a full course featuring Goto beef, a premium local Nasu breed. The steakhouse is closed on Sundays and Mondays, so plan around that if you want to go. Advance reservation is recommended.

You can also book a pizza-making experience on site using a proper wood-fired kiln. You knead and stretch the dough yourself, choose your toppings from a set including cheese, bacon, vegetables, and corn, and bake it fresh. This works for adults and children and must be reserved in advance by calling the property directly.

The property also grows herbs and tomatoes using horse-manure compost, and you are welcome to pick and use them in your cooking during your stay.

Onsen and Wellness

Every cottage and lodge on the property has a private hot spring bath inside the unit. You can bathe at any time without sharing the facilities with other guests, which makes this a genuinely private hot spring experience in a forest setting.

The property also offers a bookable wood-fired sauna, which has become one of its most popular features. Availability changes by season and must be confirmed at booking or check-in.

Guests with tattoos

Because all hot spring bathing at this property takes place in private baths inside your own cottage or lodge, there are no shared bathing areas where tattoo policies would typically apply. If you have tattoos, you can use the hot spring bath in your own unit without restriction. For the shared sauna, contact the property directly to confirm current policy before booking.

Facilities

You find facilities designed to support both camping and lodge stays:

• Dedicated BBQ spaces beside lodges and villas
• Private hot-spring baths in many units and a shared on-site hot-spring facility
• On-site parking allocated per accommodation type
• Rental equipment for BBQs and basic outdoor needs

Everything stays close together, so you move easily between your accommodation, activity areas, and bathing facilities.

Activities

Queen’s Lake sits at the centre of the grounds and is home to a fishing pond stocked with rainbow trout in autumn through spring, as well as carp, crucian carp, and goldfish year round. Rods and bait are lent free of charge, and staff are on hand to help if you need it. Fish you catch can be grilled at your BBQ spot.

You can also take a boat out on the lake and drift at your own pace.

The adjacent Western Farm offers free horseback riding through the forest for overnight guests from age three, led by a professional handler, so even first-timers can join. Ponies and call ducks also walk the grounds, and the animal interaction area includes rabbits, micro pigs, goats, and chickens for feeding and close contact.

The zipline runs through the property and is free to use for overnight guests.

In the evenings, the open areas around Queen’s Lake give you a clear view of the night sky, and stargazing is one of the simple pleasures that draws repeat visitors. In early summer, fireflies appear along the nearby stream.

A short drive takes you to Nasu Safari Park (five minutes), the nearby Nakagawa River bird park, excellent for children’s river play, and other Nasu Highland attractions including galleries, bakeries, and specialty shops.

Additional features

• Open year-round with no regular closures
• Private hot spring bath in every lodge and cottage
• All major activities (horseback riding, zipline, fishing, dog run) are free for overnight guests
• Dog-friendly throughout, with a dedicated dog run and on-site grooming salon
• Pizza-making and coffee roasting experiences available on request
• Affiliated steakhouse (Goto beef course, closed Sundays and Mondays)
• No card payments accepted, cash only
• Wi-Fi on site (coverage varies)
• Nasu Safari Park five minutes by car