The Ashino area, production center of Ashino-ishi stones, a prosperous town with a relay station and a castle along the Oshu road in olden days
The Ashino urban district of the Ashino area has been flourished as a post town and a castle town along the Oshu road since the olden days. The area is famous for its agricultural zone, which centers on rice growing, tree farms known for their Yamizo-zai timber and the production center of Ashino-ishi stones. Abundant historic sites are also scattered in the Yamizo prefectural natural park. The area is rich with historic resources such as Yugyo-yanagi willow tree and Gotenyama (Sakuragajo, cherry castle) which formed the theme of poems composed by Saigyo, a great poet of the Kamakura period, and Matsuo Basho, a famous haiku poet of the Edo period. With such a background, the town is promoting the activation of the area through not only development of the local industries of farming/forestry and Ashino-ishi stones but also boosting the tourist business by making use of our rich and important historical assets in the area.
Iono Area
Iono area, a base for the old Tosando road and rich with footprints of people of ancient cultures
The main business in the Iono area is agriculture, centered on rice farming and the forest industry which is famous for its Yamizo-zai timber. On the other hand, the area is rich with important state-designated cultural assets, including the “Mimorike residence” and remains associated with Minamotono Yoshitsune, an ancient samurai warrior. In addition, Iono is part of the Yamizo prefectural Natural Park and fantastic artifacts such as the “forest of the ruins of Iono castle (a Tochigi Prefecture-designated natural monument)” remain.
Nasu Area
The Nasu area is a base which plays a central role in the town’s administration, industry and distribution
The Nasu area, which has played a central role in the town’s administration, industry and physical distribution, is the center of Nasu-machi. The Nasu area includes the paddy field zone, which centers on rice growing, and the Kurodahara and Takaku areas. With great prospects in the 21st century, we will promote the development of urban facilities including the building of an orderly urban area and improvement of public sewage system based on well prepared urban planning. By strengthening our business infrastructure and by asking enterprises for business investment, we will create job opportunities and build a town based on vitality and magnetism.
Highland Area
A huge resort area aiming to be a world class sightseeing base
The Highland area, stretching out on the foot of the Nasu range of grand mountains, continues its development as a grand resort. The main focus of the area is on the sightseeing and dairy businesses. Chausu-dake Mountain, the main peak on the Nasu range of mountains and the symbol of the town, still belches fumes from time to time. Beside the abundance of the great nature on the foot of the mountain, the Highland area boasts the Nasu hot spring resort with a history going back 1360 years, the Imperial Villa, cottages, resort hotels, golf courses, leisure facilities, and art galleries, and is an attractive resort area for visitors from the Tokyo metropolitan region.
