Nasu Heisei-no-Mori & Komadome Falls
📍 Tochigi, Nasu
A former Imperial forest opened to the public in 2011, where free boardwalk trails wind through old-growth woods to viewpoints over the 20-metre Komadome Falls — gentle, hushed, and royally well-kept.
For most of the last century, this stretch of old forest on the flank of Mt. Nasu belonged to the Imperial family and was closed to ordinary visitors. In 2011 it was opened to the public as Nasu Heisei-no-Mori — and it remains one of the most beautifully kept, peaceful patches of woodland in the region.
Why It’s Interesting
It’s a forest with two moods. The Fureai-no-Mori zone offers easy, well-built boardwalk trails anyone can stroll, while the deeper Gakushu-no-Mori can be explored on ranger-guided walks that keep its old-growth character intact. The reward at the end is the Komadome Falls, a roughly 20-metre cascade you reach via an overlook. After the crowds of the highland attractions, the hush here — birdsong, leaves, falling water — is the whole point.
Best Time to Visit
Cool and green in summer; the late-October to November foliage is gorgeous and far quieter than Nasu’s famous spots.
Getting There
Easiest by car from the Nasu Yumoto road; bus from Kuroiso plus a walk or taxi otherwise. Start at the free field center.
🐿️ Cinnamon was here
Field report
Nasu Heisei-no-Mori was the Imperial family's private forest until 2011, when it was opened to everyone — and walking it, you can feel the held-breath quality of woods that spent decades left almost entirely alone.
The boardwalk trails are free and gentle, winding through old-growth to a viewpoint over Komadome Falls, a 20-metre white ribbon in a green bowl. As a forest professional I conducted a full canopy audit: mixed mature broadleaf, immaculate moss, mushroom diversity that made me emotional. This is what a forest sounds like when it's been listened to instead of used.
Guided walks go deeper into the conservation zone. Come on a weekday, walk slowly, say nothing for ten minutes and let the forest fill the gap. Imperial taste in forests: verified excellent.
— Cinnamon 🐿️
📸 Cinnamon's camera roll
Snapshots from our very good boy on the road.
Where it is
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Mount Nasu Ropeway (Chausu-dake)
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Nasu Onsen Shrine
Shika-no-yu, Nasu's Oldest Hot Spring
Nearby discoveries
Nasu Flower World
Nasu Highland Park
Nasu Teddy Bear Museum
Nasu Animal Kingdom
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