Grand Mercure Nasukogen Resort & Spa Achieves Green Globe Certification

Nestled amidst the breathtaking scenery of the Nasu Mountains, the Grand Mercure Nasukogen Resort & Spa, located in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan, has proudly achieved the prestigious Green Globe certification. This international benchmark is designed specifically for the travel and tourism sectors, evaluating sustainability efforts through various environmental, social, and cultural indicators. With a focus on preserving both the environment and local communities, the resort aims to connect the invaluable natural surroundings with future generations.

About Green Globe Certification

Green Globe was born out of Agenda 21, established at the 1992 United Nations Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, to promote sustainable development principles within the tourism industry. Based in Los Angeles, it operates in over 80 countries, offering a certification program recognized by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). The assessment framework encompasses four main themes: sustainable management, socio-economics, cultural heritage, and environmental factors, evaluated through 44 standards and over 400 compliance indicators. The certification requires not only documentation reviews but also on-site audits conducted by independent third parties, with annual assessments to ensure continued compliance.

The Grand Mercure Nasukogen Resort & Spa successfully met 83% of these indicators for certification on November 27, 2025.

Sustainability Initiatives at the Resort

In line with its sustainability commitment, the Grand Mercure Nasukogen Resort & Spa incorporates several initiatives across its operations:

Guest Room Initiatives

1. Reusable Water Bottles and Water Dispensers: To reduce plastic waste, the resort provides reusable bottles in guest rooms and installs water dispensers throughout the facility.
2. Biomass Material Amenities: The amenity products are sourced from environmentally friendly biomass materials.
3. Reduction of Disposable Plastics: The resort is switching to refillable bath amenities and encourages guests to reuse towels during their stay, helping to conserve water and reduce energy consumption.

Restaurant Initiatives

Within the on-site restaurants, the resort actively works to minimize food waste and promote the use of sustainable ingredients.
1. Automatic Hand Towels: The introduction of an automatic hand towel machine reduces the need for individually packaged options, minimizing plastic waste.
2. Rice Robot for Food Waste Management: An automated rice cooking system optimizes portions, reducing excess food waste.
3. Eco-friendly Cutlery: Wooden and biomass straws are used to diminish reliance on single-use plastics.
4. Rainforest Alliance Certified Coffee: Coffee served at the resort is sourced from sustainable farms, supporting both conservation and farming communities.
5. Winnow AI System: An AI food waste management system tracks leftover food in the restaurant, contributing to waste reduction efforts.

Public Spaces Initiatives

The resort has fitted showerheads in large bathing areas with water-saving inserts, achieving a 40% reduction in water usage.

Community and Cultural Engagement

The Grand Mercure Nasukogen Resort & Spa is dedicated to fostering connections with both the Nasu Highlands' natural beauty and cultural heritage through various initiatives:
1. Stargazing Events: Given the clear skies of Nasu, the resort hosts stargazing events on its lawns, allowing visitors to deepen their appreciation of nature.
2. Participation in Local Festivals: The resort collaborates with local festivities tied to the legend of the nine-tailed fox to promote and preserve regional culture.
3. Disaster Prevention Shows: Family-friendly disaster prevention programs are organized, enhancing safety awareness within the community by inviting both guests and local residents to participate.
4. Cultural Experience Program: The unique