I Looked Into Nasu Morikura

Before I knew it, I'd been steadily keeping this blog going by researching and recording campsites, day-use hot springs, and lodging facilities one by one. Since I'm an indoor type who doesn't even drive, this is also a valuable way for me to feel like I've actually been there.

This time I looked into Nasu Morikura, located in Nasushiobara City, Tochigi Prefecture. Just from the name, I assumed it was a tent campsite, but once I looked into it, things seemed a bit different from what I expected — and that gap is what made me want to put together this article.

What Kind of Place Is Nasu Morikura?

From what I found, this facility is located in the Shiobara area of Nasushiobara City, Tochigi Prefecture, and it apparently just had its grand opening on November 12, 2025. It's operated by Morikura Co., Ltd., and the concept seems to go by the name "NASU SLOW BASE." It looks like it was introduced under a slightly different name in the past, but after checking the official website, the official name appears to be consistently Nasu Morikura.

What caught my attention was that this isn't a tent campsite at all, but a glamping facility where you stay in trailer houses. It seems to be a small-scale facility with just three trailer houses total, one each of three room types: BASE01 (Forest), BASE02 (River), and BASE03 (Sky). Every room apparently accommodates up to 4 guests and comes with 25 square meters of indoor space, a 20-square-meter outdoor living terrace, and even its own 21-square-meter dog run. My impression was that this is less geared toward solo camping and more suited to small groups, couples, families, or people traveling with their dogs who want to relax and take it easy.

Reservations are apparently accepted only online, not by phone. You can cancel for free up until 6 days before your stay, but cancellation fees seem to kick in the closer you get to your stay date, so it might be a good idea to book early once your plans are set. As for pricing and specific check-in/check-out times, the official site displays these on the individual booking pages, so I wasn't able to confirm them just from the main text.

Komorin

I started out thinking it was a campsite, so I was pretty surprised to find out it's actually just three trailer houses. The fact that it's geared toward small groups also feels approachable for someone like me who's more of an indoor type.

The Private Sauna in Each Unit Is the Main Highlight

The first thing that stands out about this facility is the private sauna installed in each of the three units. They apparently use heaters made by the Finnish company HARVIA, and they support löyly steam as well. Each sauna comes with a cold plunge and an outdoor relaxation space, and since it's apparently available exclusively to your own group during your stay, it seems like an environment where you can relax without worrying about crowds.

Every room's toilet apparently comes with a washlet, and from the photo captions I was able to confirm that BASE01 and BASE02 have a sink and shower room (I couldn't find any mention of a shower room for BASE03). Appliances like air conditioning and an IH cooktop also seem to come standard with the trailer houses themselves, so rather than hunting for a powered site, this looks like the type of facility where everything is already set up once you step inside your room. It also apparently comes with a refrigerator, hair dryer, microwave, air purifier, and bath amenities, which gives the impression you could stay here with almost nothing but the clothes on your back.

As for Wi-Fi, I wasn't able to find any specific mention of it in the main text of the official website. General search results did turn up information saying "free Wi-Fi in all rooms," but since I couldn't confirm this on the official site itself, I can't say it with certainty. If this matters to you, it's probably best to ask before booking.

Dog-Friendly Amenities and Dining Are Also Worth Checking Out

Another thing that stood out to me was how much effort has gone into welcoming dogs. You can apparently bring up to 2 small or medium-sized dogs, or 1 large dog, and each unit comes with its own dog run. Since the pet fee seems to be included in the room rate with no extra charge, this could be an easy choice for anyone who wants to stay with their dog. That said, there are rules around things like vaccinations and barking that seem worth confirming ahead of time.

As for meals, it sounds like they offer charcoal BBQ, grilled dishes, and pizza made with local Nasu ingredients. Between 3 PM and 6 PM, welcome drinks such as draft beer, chuhai, and local sake are also apparently available at the front building, which seems like it could be a nice thing to look forward to after checking in.

Nearby, there's a roadside station called Agripal Shiobara about a 2-minute walk away, and sightseeing spots such as Yuppo no Sato — said to be one of Japan's largest footbaths — Nasu Senbonmatsu Farm, Momijidani Big Suspension Bridge, and Nasu Animal Kingdom all seem to be scattered within a 20- to 30-minute drive. If you have a car, my impression is that this location could let you combine your stay with some sightseeing in the area.

Rakuten Mobile Signal Conditions

I checked the location of this facility using the official "My Area Connectivity Simulation" tool, and the overall rating came back as "C." I'll share that here as well.

Given that it's close to the Shiobara hot spring area, the mountainous location might have something to do with it. If you're planning to do things like online meetings or video streaming during your stay, it might be a good idea to check the connectivity situation beforehand.

Komorin

A "C" rating is a bit concerning. Then again, since you'll be away from your phone while relaxing in the sauna, maybe that works out just fine — but it still seems worth checking in advance for peace of mind.

Wrapping Up

To sum it up, my overall impression of Nasu Morikura is that it's a small-scale facility offering a luxurious stay, with each trailer house featuring its own private sauna and dog run. It might be a bit different from what you'd expect if you're picturing a tent campsite, but for someone like me who's more of an indoor type and not great at outdoor preparations, it actually felt like the kind of place that would be easy and relaxing to stay at.

As for Rakuten Mobile signal, the result came back as a "C" rating, so if this matters to you, it's probably worth checking with the official Rakuten Mobile tool beforehand. There were also some things, like pricing and check-in times, that I wasn't able to fully confirm from the official site alone, so if you're actually considering booking, it might be reassuring to also check the latest information on the official site and booking system.

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Related Links

• Official Site