Enjoy Tasty Sweets in Tochigi! 4 Fashionable Cafes in Nasu

Nasu: Tochigi's Popular Resort Destination

Nasu is one of Tochigi Prefecture's most popular resort destinations. It offers many highlights, including the beautiful natural surroundings of the highlands, various sightseeing spots, and hot springs.

This article will introduce four fashionable cafes that you'll definitely want to try when visiting Nasu.

1. Cafe & Garden Shirasagi-tei: Nasu's Must-Visit Cafe!

Shirasagi-tei is a cafe operated by the famous cheesecake brand CHEESE GARDEN.

It's known for being a favorite destination of Emperor Showa, who at one time had a villa in the area. The Nasu region is where clusters of sagiso (egret flowers) bloom their white flowers. Hence, the cafe was named Shirasagi (white egret).

The staff at Shirasagi-tei pay close attention to creating a comfortable and attractive shop environment, in addition to offering tasty food and drinks. The floor-to-ceiling windows provide plenty of natural light, giving the interior a bright and spacious feel. You can also get a wonderful view of the garden.

The shop proudly features an extensive dessert menu. We recommend the Three Cheesecake Assortment Plate.

This dish features an assortment of three different cheesecakes: Goyotei cheesecake, Fromage Blanc, and Shirasagi.

The Goyotei cheesecake―a long-time favorite―has a rich taste that you'll never grow tired of. The Fromage Blanc contains homemade raspberry jam, so its flavor is characterized by a slight tartness.

The Shirasagi is a cheesecake using maple, hazelnuts, and vanilla beans as a base. The top is covered with a thick layer of sour cream, characterized by its distinct aroma and rich texture.

The souvenir shop beside Shirasagi-tei is also a great spot for cheesecake lovers! In addition to popular products, you can buy carefully selected black teas served at the cafe.

CHEESE GARDEN cookies and chocolate items can also be purchased here. Please stop in for a visit if you're a fan of their sweets!

Shirasagi-tei
Address: 2888 Kuikihara, Takakuko, Nasu, Nasu district, Tochigi
Business Hours: 9:30-18:00 (Last food order 17:00, last drink and dessert order 17:30. Times can change depending on the season). Food service begins at 11:00 *Reservations are not required.
Reference prices: Three-Cheesecake Assortment Plate 840 yen, Black tea (Goyotei) 590 yen.

2. Nihonkashi KUMOIZU: A Japanese-Style Cafe in the Nasu Highlands

The Nasu area has many Western-style buildings. But one that stands out from the rest is Nihonkashi KUMOIZU: a cafe inside a Japanese-style building. It's known for its eye-catching shop curtain (noren) and relaxed atmosphere.

At first glance, KUMOIZU appears as a shop specializing in wagashi, or traditional Japanese sweets. However, they actually don't make any Western-style or traditional Japanese-style sweets. Instead, they specialize in Nihonkashi, an innovative and new style of Japanese confectionery.

The cafe's souvenir corner is lined with various products. In particular, four special items are very popular and were winners in the 2017 National Confectionery Exposition.

From the window seats, you can gaze out at the picturesque view of the mountains. This beautiful scenery changes with the seasons, allowing you to enjoy the delicious flavor of the confectionery even more.

These window seats are highly coveted, so we recommend going early on weekends and holidays.

The dango set (rice dumplings) looks especially cute. Guests can enjoy five different kinds of dango alongside green tea or coffee.

The five varieties of these bite-size dangos are red bean paste, mitarashi (sweet soy glaze), brown sugar syrup and soybean flour, sesame soy sauce, and seasonal red bean paste (see photo above).

Tochigi Prefecture is a famous strawberry-growing region. At KUMOIZU, they serve a delicious parfait using fresh strawberries grown in the prefecture. When you look at all the strawberries piled up high, you'll feel like eating the parfait right away!

Nihonkashi KUMOIZU
Address: 1-3 Takakuotsu, Nasu, Nasu district, Tochigi
Business Hours: 10:00-16:00
Reference Prices: Dango Set (with green tea/coffee) 880 yen, Matcha Set 935 yen, Strawberry Parfait 1,430 yen

3. Mori no VoiVoi: A Scandinavian-Style Cafe in a Forest!

While strolling through the Nasu forest, you can catch glimpses of a white building amongst the tall grove of trees.

As you make your way to the entrance of Mori no VoiVoi, you're greeted by a row of Santa Clauses. Surrounded by their warm smiles, you'll soon walk with light steps without even realizing it.

Mori no Voivoi is located inside Finland no Mori, a multi-purpose complex with an attractive interior.

They've gone out of their way to create a charming worldview―one in which you can immerse yourself in a Scandinavian-style atmosphere.

The Scandinavian cuisine, snacks, and sweets are all served with Scandinavian tableware. Throughout the cafe, Santa Clauses and Finland's fairy tale characters add a cute touch. Right down to the finest detail, this space is full of pleasant surprises.

Mori no VoiVoi's most popular confectionery is the Special Whipped Cream Pancakes. These light and fluffy pancakes are prepared on a special griddle and will excite you with their unforgettable taste!

By pouring some of the homemade strawberry sauce over the top, these fresh Tochigi-grown strawberries will taste even better. Bite into these with the slightly salted pancakes, and you'll agree that this is one of the best dishes you've ever had!

On the grounds of Finland no Mori, there are ten different facilities. In addition to Mori no VoiVio, these include a bakery, a restaurant serving meat dishes, a restaurant specializing in cheese dishes, a Firewood Stove Museum, a Scandinavian miscellaneous goods shop, and a Santa Claus office.

On Christmas Eve, Santa Claus holds a special event alongside family-oriented activities. You can spend half a day having all kinds of fun with friends and family!

Mori no VoiVoi
Address: 2730-7 Takakuotsu, Oaza, Nasu, Nasu district, Tochigi.
Business Hours: 11:00-16:00 (Until 17:00 on weekends), Closed Wednesdays and Thursdays
Reference Prices: Moomin Coffee (comes with cookies) 1,100 yen, Strawberry Pancakes 1,950 yen

4. Licca: The Dinners, Desserts, and Souvenirs All Use Cheese!

Licca is a restaurant focusing on cheese dishes and sweets. Visitors can enjoy various cuisine using cheese, including risotto, cheese nabe pot, pasta, and pizza.

Licca's building design was inspired by log cabins. The interior is unified by a natural wood style and furniture with warm colors. When you enter the shop, it feels like you've just returned home. No wonder it's easy to relax and feel comfortable.

Licca's most famous dish is the cheese risotto.

In addition to the risotto, this popular lunch course features appetizers and onion soup. But the main attraction is when a mound of parmesan cheese is brought to your table, and the chef prepares the risotto and cheese before your eyes!

While the rice and cheese are mixed, the wonderful aroma of cheese wafts through the air. You'll want to try this dish as soon as possible!

Please note that dessert comes with this lunch course and cannot be ordered separately.

Plain and chocolate cheesecake using locally produced ingredients are also sold at the shop.

The plain cheesecake uses Goyoran eggs―highly nutritious eggs produced in the Nasu area. This cheesecake has a distinct custard flavor. Just defrost it to enjoy this delicious treat!

The chocolate cheesecake uses chocolate made in Nasu, along with Belgian dark chocolate. You can enjoy a smooth, melt-in-your-mouth texture by slightly warming up the cheesecake. Please eat the cheesecake as is if you prefer a solid texture. You'll be able to enjoy the delicious chocolate ganache flavor.

Licca
Address: 213-916 Yumoto, Nasu, Nasu district, Tochigi
Business Hours: 11:00-16:00 (Until 17:00 on weekends), Closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays
Reference Prices: Cheese Risotto Lunch Set 1,100 yen, Cheesecake 580 yen, Plain Chocolate Cheesecake (souvenir) 2,200 yen

Book an Accommodation at Nasu's Resort Destination with agoda!

There are various types of accommodations in the Nasu area. By booking a hotel room with agoda, you'll be able to enjoy the great scenery and delicious cuisine!

Visitors to Nasu can conveniently and comfortably tour the area using a circular-route bus or renting a car.

On your next visit to Nasu, please visit one or more of these memorable cafes and see what all the fuss is about!

Click here for information on more Tochigi Hotels!

Sponsored by Tochigi Prefecture
Written by Kenko