Chausu-dake (茶臼岳, 1,915 m) is the main peak of Nasu-dake, a cluster of volcanoes at the northernmost tip of Tochigi Prefecture. It is an active volcano with visible fumarolic activity near the summit, and a ropeway carries visitors most of the way up, making the climb to the crater rim one of the most accessible volcano hikes in the Kanto region. Tokyo is roughly two hours away by Shinkansen plus bus, and the surrounding Nasu Highlands have long been associated with the Imperial Family, whose summer villa sits below the mountain.
The name "Nasu-dake" refers to the whole volcanic group rather than a single summit. The peak hikers actually reach via the ropeway is Chausu-dake. The group's true highest point is Sanbonyari-dake (三本槍岳, 1,917 m), further north along the ridge.
Why Fukada Chose Nasu-dake
Kyuya Fukada included Nasu-dake in Nihon Hyakumeizan. The book is ordered roughly north to south, not by rank of quality or height. Fukada's chapter draws on Nasu's long recorded history, its association with the Imperial Family, and the volcanic drama of Chausu-dake itself — the fumaroles, the sulphur smell, and the abrupt shift from highland forest to bare volcanic rock near the summit.
The Mountain
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Summit climbed | Chausu-dake, 1,915 m (6,283 ft) |
| Group high point | Sanbonyari-dake, 1,917 m |
| Prefecture | Tochigi (Chausu-dake lies wholly within Tochigi; the group's northern peaks touch the Tochigi–Fukushima border) |
| Volcano status | Active; continuously monitored by JMA. Alert Level 1 (Normal) as of 2026 |
| Imperial connection | Nasu Imperial Villa (Nasu Goyotei, 那須御用邸), the Imperial Family's summer retreat in Nasu, below the mountain |
| Hyakumeizan number | Included (book order is roughly north-to-south, not a ranking) |
| Typical hiking season | May – November |
The Nasu group is made up of several peaks. The five usually counted are Chausu-dake (1,915 m), Asahi-dake (1,896 m), Sanbonyari-dake (1,917 m), Minamigassan (1,776 m), and Kurootani-dake (1,589 m). Chausu-dake holds the active vent and is the peak the ropeway serves; Asahi-dake and Sanbonyari-dake lie further along the ridge to the north.
The Routes
Ropeway Route: Top Station → Chausu-dake Summit
Grade: Easy
- Distance: ~3 km round trip from the ropeway top station (1,684 m)
- Elevation gain: ~230 m to the summit (1,915 m)
- Time: about 50 minutes up on foot from the top station; ~1.5–2 hours round trip
- Character: Short but dramatic — a bare volcanic ridge with a strong sulphur smell and fumarole views near the crater. The ropeway removes most of the climbing.
Ridge Traverse: Chausu-dake → Asahi-dake → Sanbonyari-dake
Grade: Moderate
- Character: From Chausu-dake the ridge runs north over the exposed Ushigakubi area and the Mine-no-chaya saddle to Asahi-dake (1,896 m), then on to Sanbonyari-dake (1,917 m), the group's highest peak. This is a longer, more committing day on open, weather-exposed terrain. The Ushigakubi section is the part most likely to be closed when volcanic activity rises, so confirm conditions before committing to the full traverse.
Getting There
From Tokyo by train: JR Tohoku Shinkansen to Nasu-Shiobara Station (about 1 hour 10 minutes). From the station's West Exit, a Kanto Bus bound for Nasu Ropeway takes roughly 80 minutes to the base station.
By car from Tokyo: about 2 hours via the Tohoku Expressway, exiting at Nasu IC.
The ropeway: The Nasu Ropeway runs from a base station at about 1,390 m to the top (9th) station at 1,684 m, a ride of about 4 minutes. The 2026 operating season is 20 March – 13 December. Adult fares are 1,500 yen one way and 2,000 yen round trip. From the top station it is about 50 minutes on foot to the Chausu-dake summit.
Flora and Wildlife
Asiatic black bears (ツキノワグマ): Honshu's bear is the Asiatic black bear, present in the forested areas below the volcanic zone. Carry a bear bell on any trail through the lower forest. The open volcanic summit zone sees little bear activity. (Bear spray is generally associated with Hokkaido's brown bears, not Honshu.)
Volcanic-zone flora: The sulphur-rich ground near the summit is sparse and supports only hardy specialist plants. Lower down, documented Nasu species include the alpine cherry Mine-zakura, which blooms from mid-May into early June, and the azalea Murasaki-yashio along the trails. The white Goyo-tsutsuji (also called Shiro-yashio), an azalea of the Nasu Highlands, is tied to the Imperial Family.
Birdlife: The forest below the ropeway holds typical Japanese woodland birds, and the open highland below the mountain is reasonable raptor country.
Sesshoseki and the Onsen Below
Sesshoseki (殺生石), the "Killing Stone," sits in the Nasu Yumoto onsen area below the mountain. Folklore holds that it imprisoned a nine-tailed fox, and historically animals approaching it were said to die — a reflection of the real toxic volcanic gas (H2S / SO2) that accumulates in low spots around it. The famous rock split in 2022. The stone field is a recognised tourist stop, but the gas hazard is genuine: do not linger in hollows where the sulphur smell is strong.
Seasonal Guide
May – June: The ropeway opens in spring (2026 season from 20 March). Snow can linger on the upper mountain into May. Mine-zakura blooms mid-May into early June lower down.
July – August: Peak season. Summit views are best in the early morning before cloud builds up.
September – October: Often excellent conditions, with autumn colour on the lower forested slopes in October.
November: The mountain moves into winter conditions quickly. The 2026 ropeway season runs until 13 December.
Practical Tips for Foreign Visitors
Check the volcano status first. Chausu-dake is a continuously monitored active volcano. Confirm the current alert level on the JMA volcano page before you travel; the crater rim and the Ushigakubi area can be closed when activity rises.
Mind the gas. Near fumaroles and at Sesshoseki, volcanic gas pools in low, sheltered spots. If the sulphur smell becomes strong, move to higher, open ground and keep walking.
Plan around the ropeway season and hours. Outside the operating period (20 March – 13 December in 2026) you would face a much longer climb from the base. Fares are 1,500 yen one way and 2,000 yen round trip.
Day trip from Tokyo. With an early Shinkansen and the ropeway route, Chausu-dake is one of the few Hyakumeizan that can be done as a day trip from Tokyo, though the full ridge traverse needs more time.
Onsen at the base. Nasu Yumoto and the wider Nasu Onsen area below the mountain have many hot-spring inns, convenient for an overnight stay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Chausu-dake be done as a day trip from Tokyo?
Yes. With an early Shinkansen and the ropeway route, Chausu-dake is one of the few Hyakumeizan that can be done as a day trip from Tokyo. The full ridge traverse on to Asahi-dake and Sanbonyari-dake needs more time.
How do I get to the mountain without a car?
Take the JR Tohoku Shinkansen to Nasu-Shiobara Station, about 1 hour 10 minutes from Tokyo. From the station's West Exit, a Kanto Bus bound for Nasu Ropeway reaches the base station in roughly 80 minutes. The Nasu Ropeway then runs from the base station (about 1,390 m) to the top station at 1,684 m in about 4 minutes, leaving about 50 minutes on foot to the summit.
How much does the ropeway cost and when does it run?
Adult fares are 1,500 yen one way and 2,000 yen round trip. The 2026 operating season is 20 March – 13 December; outside that period you would face a much longer climb from the base.
Is Chausu-dake safe to climb as an active volcano?
It is climbable but actively monitored. Chausu-dake is on continuous JMA monitoring and sits at Volcanic Alert Level 1 (Normal) as of 2026, in effect since 31 March 2009; the last eruption was a small one in 1963. The crater rim and the exposed Ushigakubi area can be closed when activity rises, so check the JMA volcano page before you go. Toxic volcanic gas (H2S / SO2) also pools in low spots near fumaroles and at Sesshoseki, so do not linger in hollows where the sulphur smell is strong.
When is the best time to hike, and when does the snow clear?
The typical hiking season is May to November, with July and August the peak. Snow can linger on the upper mountain into May. September and October often bring excellent conditions, with autumn colour on the lower forested slopes in October.
Do I need bear spray?
No. Honshu's bear is the Asiatic black bear, present in the forested areas below the volcanic zone, so carry a bear bell on any trail through the lower forest. The open volcanic summit zone sees little bear activity, and bear spray is generally associated with Hokkaido's brown bears, not Honshu.
This guide is part of the Japan's 100 Famous Mountains: Complete Hyakumeizan Guide series.
