Nasu Garden Outlet

Dog paradise and shopping at the foot of Nasu Highland

By Takako Sakamoto

Community writer

Entrance building of Nasu Garden Outlet making a stark contrast against clear blue sky

A free shuttle bus is provided between JR Nasushiobara station and Nasu Garden Outlet

Kadomatsu ornament for new year decorates the entrance

From the spacious outlet mall a beautiful mountain range can be seen in the far distance

During the New Year Holiday the outlet mall was bustling with families with kids

A guy was walking a pair of formidable-looking dogs

One of the dogs was clinging to the owner...how cute!

A colorful train runs through the outlet mall. Kids are in seventh heaven!

He looks cute when sitting silently, but he is so scary once he starts moving around!

Nasu Highland is famous for its beautiful nature, hot springs and pastures that never cease to entice tourists. However, to those who'd say, "I'm tired of nature!", here's one destination to explore; Nasu Garden Outlet.

On January 2nd, the mall was bustling with tourists and families who were feeling rich during New Year Holiday. While I was enjoying shopping in the crowds, I noticed a high population of dogs here. Due to probably its sprawling grounds, so many people were walking their beloved dogs. Wherever I went, I bumped into dogs! And they were not just regular dogs, but were highly stylish, richly adorned dogs that owners were so proud of. Thus, I stopped shopping and enjoyed taking pictures of dogs instead.

It's not just dogs that you can see here. There are countless shops which sell clothes and goods at 30 to 80% off the regular prices.

It takes an hour by Tohoku Shinkansen from Tokyo to JR Nasushiobara Station, from which you can take a free shuttle bus (8 min.) to the mall.

(Homepage of Nasu Garden Outlet is here)