When traveling with toddlers aged 2-3, it’s common to worry about them getting bored easily or encountering age restrictions at attractions, making it challenging to decide on suitable sightseeing spots.
In this article, I’ll share five spots in Nasu that I personally explored with my 2-3 year old, which I highly recommend for family trips. And by the way, the fifth spot is a restaurant, so feel free to consider it for lunch or dinner!
1. Nasu Animal Kingdom
Nasu Animal Kingdom offers an array of hands-on experiences, captivating performances, and exhibits where visitors can get up close to the animals, setting it apart from other zoos. Even young children can interact with various animals like rabbits, kangaroos, and alpacas, and they can also feed many animals like penguins and seals. The renowned bird performance, where birds fly inches above heads, delights children who often bounce with excitement.
Moreover, visitors can witness giant Amur tigers and other rare animals up close, guaranteeing excitement for children. Additionally, with its all-weather corridor, visitors can explore the kingdom even on rainy days without getting wet, making it particularly recommended for families with young children on rainy days.
Facility Information
Opening Hours
Weekdays: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM Weekends, Holidays, Golden Week: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM ※Subject to seasonal changes
Closed days
Wednesdays (Open during Spring Break, Golden Week, Summer Season, and Holidays) ※Irregular closures during the winter season
Admission Fees
Adults (Junior high school students and above): ¥2,600
Children (Ages 3 to elementary school students): ¥1,200
Directions
Train: Approximately 70 minutes by shuttle bus (reservation required) from JR Nasu-Shiobara Station
Official Website
那須どうぶつ王国 (nasu-oukoku.com)
2. Nasukogen Rindoh-ko Family Farm
The Rindoh-ko Family farm is a place nestled in the beautiful natural surroundings centered around Lake Rindo-ko, offering a plethora of activities for the whole family, including animal encounters, attractions, and glamping.
With attractions suitable for even young children, it’s perfect for kids who want to ride various rides like ferris wheels and mini trains!
Facility Information
Opening Hours
9:30 AM – 5:00 PM ※Subject to seasonal and day-to-day variations
Closed days
No fixed closure days; please check the official website for details.
Admission Fees
- Adults (Junior high school students and above): ¥1,600
- Children (Ages 3 to elementary school students): ¥800
- Seniors (65 years old and above): ¥1,100
All-You-Can-Ride Ticket (Admission included):
- Adults (Junior high school students and above): ¥4,900
- Children (Elementary school students): ¥4,100
- Toddlers (Ages 3 to preschoolers): ¥3,800
- Seniors (65 years old and above): ¥4,400
Directions
Train: Approximately 40 minutes by shuttle bus (reservation required; available only on weekends and holidays) from JR Nasu-Shiobara Station
Official Website
那須高原りんどう湖ファミリー牧場 | 那須高原の牧場ふれあいパーク (rindo.co.jp)
3. Nasu Safari Park
Nasu Safari Park is a popular destination known for its safari zone, where visitors can observe animals while driving through in their own vehicles. From large animals like lions and elephants to herbivores like giraffes and zebras, you can see a variety of animals through your car window.
With the option to leisurely explore the park by car or Lion Bus, visitors can experience a sense of adventure, which delights both children and adults alike. Additionally, feeding giraffes and elephants directly from your hand or their trunk adds an extra element of excitement that even adults can enjoy.
Apart from the safari zone, there are also open areas where visitors can interact with animals like rabbits and capybaras. Plus, there’s the Elephant Ride experience available for children aged 3 and above. With its diverse array of famous animals like elephants, giraffes, lions, and zebras, reminiscent of those seen in storybooks, Nasu Safari Park is particularly recommended for young children.
Facility Information
Opening Hours
9:30 AM – 5:00 PM (Weekdays) 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (weekends and national holidays, GW) ※Subject to seasonal and periodic variations
Closed days
Thursdays; Winter closure; Please check the official website for details.
Admission Fees
Adults (Junior high school students and above): ¥2,900
Children (Ages 3 to elementary school students): ¥1,900
Directions
Train: Approximately 17 minutes by Kanto Bus from JR Kuroiso Station ※7-minute walk from Nasu Safari Park Entrance bus stop
Official Website
那須サファリパーク (nasusafari.com)
Related Post
Nasu Safari Park: Spotting Wildlife from Your Car or Bus – Discover Japan by a Local Mom (fukunanjp.com)
4. Nasukogen Minamigaoka Dairy
Minamigaoka Dairy is a sprawling ranch nestled in natural surroundings where visitors can interact with various animals such as cows, sheep, and rabbits. Visitors aged 1 and above can enjoy horseback riding with adults and fishing experiences at the fishing pond.
Moreover, Minamigaoka Dairy takes pride in its culinary offerings, serving delights like soft serve ice cream and their famous peroshiki pastry, as well as homemade hamburgers and Genghis Khan (grilled lamb), ensuring satisfaction for adults. Of course, there are also children’s menus available!
One of the biggest highlights is that admission is free! This means you can easily stop by on your arrival or departure days in Nasu without worrying about the cost. It’s truly a blessing for parents to have a place their children want to visit without causing any financial strain.
Facility Information
Opening Hours
8:00 AM – 5:30 PM ※Subject to seasonal and weather-related changes
Closed days
None
Admission Fees
Free
Directions
Train: Approximately 23 minutes by Kanto Bus from JR Kuroiso Station ※15-minute walk from Ichikentei bus stop
Official Website
那須高原 南ヶ丘牧場ｌ栃木県那須町にある入場無料の観光牧場 (minamigaoka.co.jp)
5. Restaurant Steam Train
Restaurant Steam Train is a unique dining experience where guests can enjoy their meal amidst a collection of steam locomotives and trains toys.
The restaurant primarily focuses on grilled meat dishes, featuring Nasu’s renowned meats for adults, while children can indulge in a locomotive-themed kids’ lunch.
What sets this restaurant apart is the delivery of meals by a miniature locomotive running through the dining area. It’s always a joy to see the excitement on the faces of boys as their meals are brought to them by the train. With both delicious food and entertainment for children, it’s definitely worth a visit when you’re deciding where to eat.
Restaurant Information
Opening Hours
10:00 AM – 7:00 PM ※Last Order at 6:50 PM
Closed days
None
Address
24-2 Takakuotsu, Nasu-machi, Nasu-gun, Tochigi
Phone
0287(62)3078
Directions
By Taxi: Approximately 10 minutes from JR Takaku station
Official Website
レストラン蒸氣汽関車 | 【公式】レストラン蒸氣汽関車 (nasu-jouki.com)