A scenic area from the west of Yatsugatake to the Suwa Lake area. Lake Shirakaba, surrounded by beautiful birch forests, is famous as a summer resort. Many visitors come to worship at Suwa-taisha Shrine, one of the oldest shrines in Japan.
Suwa, Tateshina, and Yatsugatake include sightseeing spots such as Lake Suwa, Lake Shirakaba, and Kurumayama Kogen, sightseeing events such as the Lake Suwa Festival Lake Fireworks Display, Starry Sky Film Festival, and Suwa Area Industrial Messe, and local gourmet foods such as Japanese sake, horse sashimi, and soba gaki.
Suwa is an area located in the southern part of Nagano Prefecture and is a historical area associated with Takeda Shingen, the founder of the Suwa clan, where Lake Suwa is located. Nearby is the headquarters of Seiko Epson, famous for its watches, and Takeya, famous for its Takeya Miso. Yatsugatake is a mountain massif in Japan that remains a volcanic belt. Because of the high elevation in this area, there are many alpine plants in the vicinity, and broad-leaved trees and layers of coniferous trees can be seen, which is a wonder to behold.
Tateshina has a mysterious history, with various hypotheses and legends as to why the surrounding Yatsugatake Mountains were formed, why the Yashima Marshland was formed, and why Lake Suwa was formed. Obsidian was obtained in this area, and traces of it can be found at various ruins. It is also said that there is a hidden hot spring of Lord Shingen, and the area is rich in romantic stories and legends.
There are many shrines and temples in the area, and a variety of cultural assets can be found here. There is "Kodanrei-jinja Shrine," "Daiboji Temple" with its three-story pagoda, a national treasure, "Gyokurin-in Temple" said to have been founded by Kiso Yoshimoto, and "Kiso no Sakura" where there is a monument with a haiku written by Matsuo Basho. Other areas include Obuse, where Katsushika Hokusai is said to have lived for a time, the Kurohime Plateau with its beautiful cosmos, and Nozawa Onsen, a mecca for snowboarding and skiing in the winter.
Shinshu is famous for its "Shinshu soba" (buckwheat noodles), but that is not the only specialty of this area. Shabu-shabu, or Shinshu beef shabu-shabu, is a must-try at least once at Steak House North Point. You can enjoy authentic Shinshu soba at Yumezantei Soba Restaurant.
Once your stomach is full, you may want to study some history. In Suwa City, there is the "Suwa City Museum of Art" and you can enjoy the sea of clouds in the "Tateshina Kogen" area. The famous "Kirigamine Plateau" offers beautiful scenery surrounded by alpine flora. The Yashima-ga-hara Marshland is equally stunning. Lake Shirakaba is a typical high altitude lake with a blue color you have never seen before. This area is cool in summer and suitable for driving. Express buses are available to each area, so take advantage of them.
A Sacred Place Where Japan’s Spiritual Heritage Can Be Experienced Suwa Taisha Upper Shrine – Main Shrine, located in the Suwa region of Nagano Prefecture, is known as the head shrine of approximately 25,000 Suwa Shrines throughout Japan. With a history and prestige dating back to ancient times, it is regarded as one of Japan’s oldest and most historically significant shrines. In ancient times, ...»
Lake Suwa is the largest lake in Nagano Prefecture, located almost in the center of the prefecture in the middle of the Suwa Basin. At an elevation of approximately 759 meters, the lake has a circumference of about 15.9 kilometers and an area of approximately 13.3 square kilometers. Surrounded on all sides by mountains, Lake Suwa offers a different landscape in every season. Its calm waters, moun...»
An Ancient Hot Spring Town with a Rich Variety of Natural Springs Shibu Onsen is a historic hot spring resort located in Yamanouchi Town, Shimotakai District, Nagano Prefecture. With a history of more than 1,300 years, it is one of the best-known hot spring destinations within the Yudanaka-Shibu Onsen area. The hot springs are traditionally said to have been discovered during the Nara period. To...»
Shirakaba Lake is an artificial lake located on the border between Chino City and Tateshina Town in Nagano Prefecture. Set at an elevation of approximately 1,416 meters, the lake stretches across a beautiful highland landscape. It has a circumference of about 3.8 kilometers and covers approximately 36 hectares. The lake is part of the Yatsugatake-Chushin Kogen Quasi-National Park. The lakeside is...»
Suwa Taisha Kamisha, Maemiya is one of the four principal shrines that make up Suwa Taisha in the Suwa region of Nagano Prefecture. Suwa Taisha is regarded as the head shrine of approximately 25,000 Suwa Shrines throughout Japan. Among the four shrines, Maemiya is traditionally regarded as a particularly important place associated with the origins of Suwa worship. Suwa Taisha has an exceptionally...»
Suwa Taisha Shimosha Harumiya, located in Shimosuwa Town, Nagano Prefecture, is one of the four major shrines that make up Suwa Taisha, the head shrine of approximately 25,000 Suwa Shrines throughout Japan. The shrine has been revered for centuries as “Suwa-sama” and “Suwa Daimyojin” and is considered one of Japan’s oldest places of worship. Throughout its long history, Harumiya has served as an ...»
Suwa Taisha Shimosha Akimiya is one of the four main shrines that make up Suwa Taisha in Shimosuwa Town, Nagano Prefecture. Suwa Taisha is the head shrine of approximately 25,000 Suwa shrines throughout Japan. The shrine has been revered for centuries as “Osuwasama” and “Suwa Daimyojin” and is also recognized as the ichinomiya, or highest-ranking shrine, of the former Shinano Province. With tradi...»
Takashima Castle is a historic Japanese castle in Takashima, Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture. Once standing directly beside and extending into Lake Suwa, the castle was known as the “Floating Castle of Suwa” because its elegant silhouette appeared to rise from the waters. The castle was built in the former Province of Shinano during the turbulent period from the Warring States era into the Edo perio...»
Koino sugatani was the best dish whenever having guests at home for celebrations, weddings or funerals in Yamaura area in Suwa....»
A Relaxing Green Space Centered Around Otomeko Pond...»
Honzawa Onsen is a remote hot spring in the mountains of Mt. Yatsugatake in Minamimaki Village, Minamisaku District, Nagano Prefecture. Located at an elevation of approximately 2,150 meters, it is renowned as one of Japan's highest-altitude hot springs. Reaching Honzawa Onsen requires hiking, as there is no direct access by car or public transportation. The journey through the mountain landscape ...»
Takizawa Farm is an interactive agricultural and dairy farm located in the Nobeyama Highlands of Minamimaki Village, Minamisaku District, Nagano Prefecture. At an elevation of approximately 1,375 meters, the farm is surrounded by beautiful highland scenery and offers visitors opportunities to interact with animals and experience farming and dairy production. The spacious grounds are home to cows,...»
Yatsugatake Kogen Uminokuchi Nature Resort is a scenic highland resort spread across the eastern foothills of the Yatsugatake Mountains in Minamimaki Village, Minamisaku District, Nagano Prefecture. At an elevation of approximately 1,500 meters, the area is surrounded by clear mountain air and beautiful natural landscapes. The resort is home to several distinctive facilities, including Yatsugatak...»
The Yatsugatake Mountains form one of Japan's most impressive mountain regions, stretching across Nagano and Yamanashi prefectures to the east of Lake Suwa. Listed among Japan's 100 Famous Mountains, the range attracts hikers, climbers, nature lovers, and visitors throughout the year. Yatsugatake does not refer to a single mountain. The name describes a group of numerous peaks, and the exact boun...»
Mount Tateshina is a 2,531-meter-high volcano located at the northern end of the Yatsugatake mountain range in Nagano Prefecture. Its graceful, almost perfectly conical profile has earned it the names “Suwa Fuji” and “Mountain of the Goddess”. It is also one of Japan's celebrated 100 Famous Mountains. Part of the Yatsugatake-Chushin Kogen Quasi-National Park, Mount Tateshina attracts hikers, natu...»
Sakuho Town is located in the eastern part of Nagano Prefecture, in the southern Saku region of central Japan. Surrounded by mountains, forests, highland plateaus, and clear mountain streams, the town is a beautiful destination where visitors can experience the quiet landscapes of the Japanese Alps. The Chikuma River flows through the center of the town, while the Yatsugatake mountain range rises...»
Shirakaba Resort Ikenotaira Family Land is a large leisure and resort complex located beside Lake Shirakaba in Tateshina Town, Nagano Prefecture. Surrounded by the mountains and forests of the Tateshina highlands, the resort brings together amusement attractions, animal experiences, outdoor activities, gardens, museums, hot springs, and accommodation. The surrounding Shirakaba Resort area also fe...»
Tateshina Teddy Bear Museum is a unique museum located beside Lake Shirakaba in Tateshina Town, Nagano Prefecture. Home to approximately 11,000 teddy bears collected from around the world, it is one of the largest teddy bear museums in the world. As soon as visitors enter the museum, they are transported into a charming world that feels like stepping into a picture book. The exhibits are arranged...»
Megami Lake is a beautiful highland lake in Tateshina Town, Nagano Prefecture, surrounded by the forests and mountains of the Yatsugatake-Chushin Kogen Quasi-National Park. Located at an elevation of approximately 1,540 meters, the lake is known for its peaceful scenery and the changing beauty of its landscape throughout the year. Although commonly known as Megami Lake, its official name is Akanu...»
Koumi Town is a scenic mountain town in Minamisaku District, eastern Nagano Prefecture. Surrounded by the Yatsugatake Mountains to the north and the Oku-Chichibu Mountains to the south, the town is blessed with a refreshing highland climate and beautiful landscapes that change with the seasons. The Chikuma River flows through the town, while mountains, lakes, forests, and valleys create an ideal ...»
Kawakami Village is a scenic mountain village in the eastern part of Minamisaku District, Nagano Prefecture. Located at elevations of more than 1,000 meters, the village is known for its cool highland climate, beautiful mountain scenery, and clear streams. Kawakami is home to the source of the Chikuma River, the upper reaches of the Shinano River, which is Japan's longest river. Although the vill...»
Mount Tengu is one of the most distinctive peaks of the Yatsugatake Mountains in Chino, Nagano Prefecture. With its rugged ridgelines, alpine scenery, and rewarding hiking routes, it attracts mountain lovers throughout the year. The mountain consists of two summits: West Tengu Peak at 2,645.8 meters and East Tengu Peak at 2,640 meters. Together, they form the highest mountain area in the northern...»
Koumi Kogen Museum of Art is a municipal art museum in Koumi Town, Minamisaku District, Nagano Prefecture. Opened in 1997, the museum was designed by internationally renowned Japanese architect Tadao Ando. The building's clean lines and exposed reinforced-concrete surfaces create a sophisticated modern atmosphere, while its architecture is carefully integrated with the surrounding natural landsca...»
Inagoyu Onsen is a historic hot spring in the Inago area of Koumi Town, Nagano Prefecture. Located at an elevation of approximately 1,500 meters at the foot of the Northern Yatsugatake Mountains, the hot spring is surrounded by quiet coniferous forests and pristine mountain air. Far from the noise and bustle of the cities, Inagoyu offers a peaceful retreat where visitors can enjoy the healing atm...»
Lake Matsubara is a scenic group of highland lakes in Koumi Town, Minamisaku District, Nagano Prefecture. Located at an elevation of around 1,100 meters, the area offers beautiful views of the Yatsugatake Mountains and Mount Tengu, making it one of the natural symbols of Koumi. The name Lake Matsubara refers collectively to three lakes: Lake Inako, Lake Chōko, and Lake Ōtsukiko. Among them, Lake ...»
Omiyama Archaeological Site is an important archaeological site in Kawakami Village, Minamisaku District, Nagano Prefecture. The site preserves the remains of a settlement dating from the Middle Jomon period, approximately 4,500 to 5,000 years ago. Built on a plateau more than 1,300 meters above sea level, the site is known as one of the highest-altitude circular settlements from the Jomon period...»
Mount Kobushigatake is a 2,475-meter-high mountain in the Okuchichibu range, standing at the boundary of Nagano, Yamanashi, and Saitama prefectures. It is one of Japan's 100 Famous Mountains and is also known as Mount Kobushidake. The mountain's name is traditionally said to come from the three former provinces that meet here: Koshu, corresponding to present-day Yamanashi; Bushu, corresponding to...»
Suwa City is located in southern Nagano Prefecture, at the heart of the Suwa Basin surrounding Lake Suwa. Blessed with beautiful natural landscapes and a rich cultural heritage, the city is one of Nagano's most distinctive destinations for travelers seeking a combination of scenery, history, traditional culture, and hot springs. In the city center, Kamisuwa Onsen has long been known as a major ho...»
Kiso-Fukushima Local History Museum is a regional museum located in Fukushima, Kiso Town, Nagano Prefecture. It preserves and introduces the history, culture, and traditional way of life that developed in the Kiso Valley over centuries. The museum focuses particularly on the history of Kiso-Fukushima as a post town along the Nakasendo, one of the major routes connecting Edo, present-day Tokyo, wi...»
Tenaga Shrine stands on Mount Chausuyama in Kamisuwa, Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture. Formerly classified as a prefectural shrine, it is now designated as a Beppyo Shrine under the Association of Shinto Shrines. For centuries, it has been closely connected with the religious traditions and everyday life of the people of Suwa. The shrine occupies a hillside overlooking Lake Suwa. Despite being only ...»
Hatsushima Island is a man-made island floating in Lake Suwa in central Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture. Created in April 1954 as a launch site for the Lake Suwa Festival Lake Fireworks Display, which continues to be held every summer, the island has become one of the distinctive features of the lake. Located approximately 250 meters offshore from Lakeside Park on the eastern shore of Lake Suwa, Hat...»
Buppō Shōryūji Temple is a historic temple of the Kōyasan Shingon Buddhist tradition in Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture. Its mountain name is Bessawa Shōgonzan, and its formal temple name is Daikokūzō-in. Locally known simply as Buppōji, the temple has played an important role in the religious and cultural history of the Suwa region for centuries. The temple's principal object of worship is a normal...»
Zenkoji Temple in Suwa is a historic temple of the Chizan School of Shingon Buddhism located in Konan, Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture. Its mountain name is Matsuosan. The temple is traditionally associated with Honda Yoshimitsu, and is one of the three temples in Nagano Prefecture known as Zenkoji: Zenkoji Temple in Nagano City, Moto-Zenkoji in Iida City, and Zenkoji in Suwa City. All three temples...»
Suwa City Museum of Art is a charming museum located beside Lake Suwa in Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture. Together with the neighboring Katakurakan, a nationally designated Important Cultural Property, the museum forms a picturesque setting where Japanese and Western architectural influences exist alongside the natural beauty of the lakeshore. The museum has long served as a center for local art and...»
Katakurakan is a historic hot spring facility located in the Kamisuwa Onsen area of Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture. Standing beside Lake Suwa, the impressive Western-style architecture creates a distinctive atmosphere that has been preserved for nearly a century. Managed by the Katakurakan Foundation, the complex consists of three buildings: the Assembly Hall, Bathhouse, and connecting passageway. ...»
Discover the History and Culture of the Suwa Region Suwa City Museum is a municipal museum located in Suwa, Nagano Prefecture, introducing the region’s rich history, culture, natural environment, and religious traditions. Opened in 1990, the museum presents the many layers of Suwa’s heritage, including Suwa Taisha Shrine, the Takashima Domain, Lake Suwa, and the famous Onbashira Festival. The mu...»
Suwa City Taizi Harada Museum of Art is a municipal art museum located on the southeastern shore of Lake Suwa in Shibasaki, Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture. The museum is dedicated primarily to the works of local artist and graphic designer Taizi Harada, whose gentle paintings portray the landscapes, traditions, and everyday life of rural Japan. Opened in 1998, the museum was founded around the conc...»
Kitazawa Museum of Art stands on the shores of Lake Suwa in Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture. The museum is renowned for its collection of exquisite glassworks from the French Art Nouveau period, alongside works by leading Japanese painters of the modern era. The museum was founded by Toshio Kitazawa, founder of KITZ Corporation, with the aim of promoting culture and making art more accessible to the...»
SUWA Glass Village Museum is a museum dedicated to glass art and craftsmanship, located on the shores of Lake Suwa in Toyota, Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture. It forms part of SUWA Glass Village, one of Japan’s largest glass-themed entertainment facilities, where visitors can discover an extensive collection of glassworks from Japan and around the world. The entire facility displays and sells approx...»
The Sanritsu Hattori Museum of Art is a tranquil museum located on the shores of Lake Suwa in Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture. Operated by the Sanritsu Hattori Museum of Art Foundation, the museum houses a diverse collection ranging from ancient Japanese and East Asian art to modern Western paintings. The collection contains approximately 1,400 works, including masterpieces designated as National Tr...»
Kamisuwa Onsen is a historic hot spring resort in the heart of Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture. Located on the eastern shore of Lake Suwa, the area has long prospered as a town associated with Suwa Taisha Grand Shrine. Surrounded by mountains and the lake, the scenic hot spring district is home to a variety of traditional inns, hotels, public baths, and other attractions. Historic buildings, foot ba...»
Kirigamine is a beautiful highland area in central Nagano Prefecture, extending across Chino City, Suwa City, and Shimosuwa Town. Reaching elevations of around 1,900 meters, it forms part of the Yatsugatake-Chushin Kogen Quasi-National Park. The name Kirigamine literally means “Mist Peak,” reflecting the area's tendency to be covered in mist. It was once also known as “Kiri no Mine,” or the Peak ...»
Yashimagahara Wetland is a remarkable high-altitude wetland located in the northwestern part of Kirishimine, within the Yatsugatake-Chushin Kogen Quasi-National Park in central Nagano Prefecture. Stretching across Suwa City and Shimosuwa Town, the wetland lies at an elevation of approximately 1,632 meters. With its tranquil ponds, expansive wetlands, seasonal flowers, and surrounding mountains, Y...»
The Onbashira Festival is a spectacular and powerful traditional festival held every seven years in the Suwa region of Nagano Prefecture. It is the largest ceremonial rebuilding festival of Suwa Taisha, one of Japan's most distinctive Shinto traditions. The festival's official name is Shikinen Zouei Onbashira Taisai, meaning the Grand Festival of Periodic Shrine Renewal and Onbashira. The traditi...»
The National New Fireworks Competition is a spectacular fireworks competition held every year on the first Saturday of September on Lake Suwa in Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture. Together with the Suwa Lake Fireworks Festival held on August 15, it is one of the two major fireworks events associated with Suwa. Rather than simply presenting a large-scale fireworks display, this event gives young firewo...»
The Suwa Lake Fireworks Festival, officially known as the Suwa Lake Festival Lake Fireworks Display, is one of Japan's most spectacular summer fireworks events. Held every year on August 15 on the shores of Lake Suwa in Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture, the festival attracts visitors from across Japan and beyond. As the fireworks burst above the lake, their brilliant colors are reflected on the water...»
Okaya City is an attractive industrial city on the western shore of Lake Suwa in southern Nagano Prefecture. Although it is the smallest municipality in Nagano Prefecture by area, it has the highest population density in the prefecture, reflecting the way the city has developed by making effective use of its limited land. Okaya flourished for many years through its silk-reeling industry and becam...»
Moriya Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in the Kawagishi-Higashi Hashihara district of Okaya City, Nagano Prefecture. It has long been closely connected with the religious traditions of the Suwa region. The shrine was formerly classified as a village shrine under Japan's prewar shrine ranking system and was revered as the guardian shrine of the former Hashihara Village. Even today, it r...»
Okaya Silk Museum is a museum in Okaya City, Nagano Prefecture, dedicated to the history and technology of the city's silk-reeling industry. Once known throughout Japan as a major center of silk production, Okaya earned the nickname “Silk City” during the development of Japan's modern industry. The museum's popular name, “Silk Factory Okaya,” combines two meanings: “silk” and “factory,” while als...»
Senninzuka Jogaike Pond is a scenic irrigation pond in Nanakubo, Iijima Town, Kamiina District, Nagano Prefecture. Located within the Central Alps National Park, the pond is surrounded by beautiful mountain scenery and seasonal nature. The pond was constructed in 1934, using the dry moat of Kitayama Castle, also known as Funayama Castle, which was built during Japan's Warring States period. Its o...»
Iijima Jinya was once a government office operated by the Tokugawa Shogunate in what is now Iijima Town, Kamiina District, Nagano Prefecture. It served as an administrative center for the shogunate's territories, known as tenryo, in the Ina Valley of Shinano Province. The building seen today is a faithful reconstruction based on archaeological excavations and research into historical documents ca...»
Tatsunoumi Pond is a beautiful irrigation pond located in Higuchi, Tatsuno Town, Kamiina District, Nagano Prefecture. Loved by local residents, it is both an important agricultural water source and a popular spot for enjoying the area's natural scenery. The pond holds approximately 30,000 cubic meters of water, covers about 27,000 square meters, and has a circumference of roughly 700 meters. Comp...»
Ono-juku is a historic post town that stretches across what are now Tatsuno Town in Kamiina District and Shiojiri City, Nagano Prefecture. It flourished as a post station on the early Nakasendo route and the Sanshu Kaido, serving as an important transportation hub between the Suwa and Matsumoto areas and the Ina Valley. Although the major highway routes later changed, the area retains a quiet his...»
Yokokawa Dam is a gravity-type concrete dam built on the Yokokawa River, part of the Tenryu River system, in Tatsuno Town, Kamiina District, Nagano Prefecture. Although the dam is 41 meters high, it plays an important role in protecting the local community and supporting regional development through flood control and water management. The dam is surrounded by abundant forests and mountain scenery...»
Ono Shidareguri Native Forest is one of Japan's rarest natural forests, located in the Ono district of Tatsuno Town, Kamiina District, Nagano Prefecture. At an elevation of approximately 950 to 1,200 meters, around 800 unusual weeping chestnut trees grow naturally across the mountain slopes, creating an almost otherworldly landscape. Unlike ordinary chestnut trees, the branches of these trees han...»
PRINCE & SKYLINE MUSEUM is an automobile museum located within Toridaira Yamabiko Park in Okaya City, Nagano Prefecture. Perched on a hillside overlooking the magnificent waters of Lake Suwa, the museum offers visitors a chance to explore the history of the Nissan Skyline, one of Japan's most iconic automobiles, while enjoying the surrounding mountain scenery and changing seasons. Since openi...»
Toridaira Yamabiko Park is a large recreational park in Okaya City, Nagano Prefecture, where visitors can enjoy nature, sports, leisure activities, and spectacular mountain views. Although it is only about 2 kilometers from the city center, the park sits on a highland between 950 and 1,020 meters above sea level, surrounded by the fresh greenery and seasonal beauty of the mountains. From the park...»
Ilf Doga Museum is an art museum in Chuocho, Okaya City, Nagano Prefecture, dedicated primarily to the works of Takeo Takei, a renowned children's artist born in Okaya. Opened on April 18, 1998, the museum introduces visitors of all ages to the distinctive charm of dōga, an artistic genre created for children but developed as an independent form of art. The museum's nickname, “Ilf” (ILF), was coi...»
Okaya Museum of Art and Archaeology stands along Dōgakan Street in the heart of Okaya City, Nagano Prefecture, an area known for its strong connection with art and culture. Officially called the Okaya Municipal Museum of Art and Archaeology, it is an unusual cultural facility that brings together two different fields: fine art and archaeology. The museum consists of an art section displaying work...»
The Little Picture Book Art Museum is a private museum in Nagano Prefecture dedicated to the art of picture books. Founded by renowned picture-book author Wakiko Sato, creator of the popular Baba-baachan series, the museum focuses primarily on original illustrations from picture books created by artists from Japan and around the world. It is a place where both children and adults who love picture...»
Chino City is located in the southern part of Nagano Prefecture and is surrounded by some of the region’s most spectacular mountain and highland scenery. The city is home to the Yatsugatake Mountains, Tateshina Highlands, Lake Shirakaba, and Mount Kurumayama, making it a popular destination for travelers seeking nature, outdoor activities, and refreshing mountain air. Chino became a city in 1958 ...»
Mishakaike Pond is a remarkably tranquil reservoir in Toyohira, Chino City, Nagano Prefecture. Located at an elevation of approximately 1,500 meters within the Yatsugatake-Chushin Kogen Quasi-National Park, the pond is surrounded by beautiful mountain forests and changes its appearance dramatically with the seasons. The pond covers approximately 0.1 hectares, has a maximum depth of about 8 meters...»
The Kita-Yatsugatake Ropeway is a popular mountain attraction in the Tateshina Highlands of Chino City, Nagano Prefecture. It offers an easy way to experience the spectacular natural scenery of the northern Yatsugatake Mountains without the need for a long mountain climb. The ropeway connects the 1,771-meter-high mountain station with the summit station at an elevation of 2,237 meters, overcoming...»
Lake Tateshina is a peaceful highland lake located in the Tateshina Highlands of Kitayama, Chino City, Nagano Prefecture. At an elevation of approximately 1,250 meters, the lake is surrounded by forests of Japanese larch and white birch, creating a beautiful natural setting in the mountains. The tranquil surface of the lake reflects the magnificent forms of Mount Tateshina and the Yatsugatake Mou...»
Chino City Togariishi Jomon Archaeological Museum is an archaeological museum in Chino City, Nagano Prefecture, dedicated to the rich Jomon culture that flourished around the foothills of the Yatsugatake Mountains. The museum houses and displays numerous important artifacts excavated from the Togariishi and Yosukeone archaeological sites and surrounding areas. Among its most remarkable treasures ...»
Mount Kita-Yokodake is a beautiful mountain in the northern part of the Yatsugatake Mountains, which extend across Nagano and Yamanashi prefectures. It is one of the representative peaks of the Northern Yatsugatake area and is popular with hikers, nature lovers, and visitors looking for an accessible mountain experience. Its official name is simply Mount Yokodake. However, because another mountai...»
Kuruma-yama is a 1,925-meter-high mountain located on the border between Chino City and Suwa City in Nagano Prefecture. It is the highest peak of the Kirigamine Highlands and one of the most popular destinations in the area for hiking, sightseeing, and nature observation. With its gentle slopes and expansive grasslands, Kuruma-yama is accessible to a wide range of visitors, from beginner hikers a...»
Tateshina Barakura English Garden is located in the Tateshina Highlands of Chino City, Nagano Prefecture. Opened in 1990, it is known as Japan's first full-scale English-style garden, introducing the traditions and beauty of British garden culture to Japan. The garden was created under the direction of Kei Yamada, a leading figure in the world of British horticulture. Her vision was to create a p...»
Tateshina Amusement Aquarium is located in the Tateshina Highlands of Chino City, Nagano Prefecture, at an elevation of approximately 1,750 meters. Known as the highest-altitude aquarium in Japan, it offers visitors a truly unusual experience: a world of water and freshwater life high in the mountains. Opened in 1993, it is the only aquarium in Nagano Prefecture. Surrounded by the forests and hig...»
A Temple Dedicated to Traffic Safety and One of Honshu's Latest Cherry Blossom Spots Shokoji Temple is located in the Tateshina Highlands of Chino City, Nagano Prefecture. Established in 1970, the temple stands at an elevation of approximately 1,200 meters and is known for its beautiful late-blooming cherry blossoms in spring. Officially, it is a branch temple of the historic Yakushiji Temple in ...»
Fujimi Kogen Resort is a year-round mountain resort located in Fujimi Town, Suwa District, Nagano Prefecture. Set at an elevation of more than 1,300 meters, the resort offers spectacular views of the Southern Alps, with Mount Fuji visible in the distance on clear days. Winter brings skiing and snowboarding, while from spring through autumn the resort becomes a destination for flowers, hiking, art...»
Fujimi Panorama Resort is a highland resort in Fujimi Town, Suwa District, Nagano Prefecture, offering a wide range of outdoor activities throughout the year. The resort's ski slopes extend along the eastern slopes of Mount Nyukasa, located at the northern end of the Southern Alps. In winter, the resort becomes a popular destination for skiing, snowboarding, and snow trekking. When the snow melts...»
Mount Nyukasa is a 1,955-meter-high mountain in central-western Nagano Prefecture, located at the northern end of the Akaishi Mountains, better known as the Southern Alps. With its relatively gentle slopes, it is often described as one of the foothills or outlying peaks of the Southern Alps and is a popular destination for hiking and nature walks. From the summit, hikers can enjoy an almost 360-d...»
Roadside Station Shinshu Tsutaki-juku is located along National Route 20 in Fujimi Town, Suwa District, Nagano Prefecture. It stands in the historic area of Tsutaki-juku, a former post town on the Koshu Kaido highway that once connected Edo, present-day Tokyo, with the Kai and Shinshu regions. During the Edo period, Tsutaki-juku was the 43rd post station on the Koshu Kaido and served as an import...»
Yatsugatake Nature and Culture Park is a highland recreational park located at an elevation of approximately 1,300 meters in the Yatsugatake Central Highlands of Hara Village, Suwa District, Nagano Prefecture. Surrounded by forests and mountain scenery, the park is designed around the theme of experiencing and connecting with the natural environment of the Yatsugatake area. Visitors can enjoy out...»
Shimosuwa Town, located in Suwa District in central Nagano Prefecture, is a historic town surrounded by beautiful mountains and Lake Suwa. Human settlement here dates back to ancient times, and the area is said to have been known as Tsuchitake-go during the Heian period. The town grew around Shimosuwa-juku, a post town where the Nakasendo and Koshu Kaido routes once met. Many historic buildings, ...»
Suwa Lake Museum and Akahiko Memorial Hall, officially known as the Shimosuwa Municipal Suwa Lake Museum and Akahiko Memorial Hall, is a municipal museum located on the shores of Lake Suwa in Shimosuwa Town, Nagano Prefecture. Taking advantage of its lakeside setting, the museum explores the region through the theme of “Lake Suwa and the Lives of Its People,” introducing the lake’s natural environ...»
Harmo Museum of Art is located on the shores of Lake Suwa in Shimosuwa Town, Nagano Prefecture. The museum opened in April 1990 through the efforts of Tomio Hama, founder of the industrial robot manufacturer Harmo, and director Takako Seki. Surrounded by Lake Suwa and the mountains of central Nagano, it offers a peaceful setting in which visitors can enjoy art away from the bustle of the city. Th...»
The Manji Stone Buddha is a unique stone Buddhist image located in Higashiyamada, Shimosuwa Town, Nagano Prefecture. Created in 1660 during the early Edo period, it stands quietly among rice fields across the Togawa River from Suwa Taisha Shimosha Harumiya Shrine. Owned by Shimosuwa Town and designated as a town-designated Tangible Cultural Property in 1982, the statue is officially registered as...»
Shimosuwa Onsen is a historic hot spring area in Shimosuwa Town, Nagano Prefecture. Surrounded by nature, with Lake Suwa to the south and the Chikuma Mountains to the north, the town has flourished for centuries as both a gateway to Suwa Taisha Shrine’s Lower Shrine and an important post town where the Nakasendo and Koshu Kaido highways once met. Today, numerous natural hot springs continue to fl...»
Jiunji Temple, also known as Hakuzan Jiunji, is a temple of the Myoshinji branch of the Rinzai school of Zen Buddhism in Shimosuwa Town, Nagano Prefecture. Its mountain name is Hakkasan, and its principal image is the Eleven-Headed, Thousand-Armed, Thousand-Eyed Kannon Bodhisattva. Founded in the late Kamakura period, Jiunji is one of the oldest Zen temples in Nagano Prefecture. For more than 700...»
Wada Pass is a historic mountain pass located on the border between Nagawa Town in Chiisagata District and Shimosuwa Town in Suwa District, Nagano Prefecture. The pass was crossed by the Nakasendo, one of the Five Routes of the Edo period that connected Edo, present-day Tokyo, with Kyoto. Rising to approximately 1,531 meters at its highest point, Wada Pass was once considered the most difficult se...»
Shimosuwa Aozuka Kofun is an ancient burial mound located in Aozuka, Shimosuwa Town, Suwa District, Nagano Prefecture. It is the only known keyhole-shaped burial mound in the Suwa region, making it an exceptionally important archaeological site for understanding the area's ancient political and religious history. The kofun stands near Suwa Taisha Shimosha Akimiya, on the tip of a gently sloping h...»
Shimosuwa Konjakukan Oideya is an interactive museum in Shimosuwa Town, Nagano Prefecture, where visitors can explore the themes of “time” and “history” through hands-on exhibits. Shimosuwa lies in the Suwa region, an area known as the birthplace of Japan’s modern watchmaking industry. The museum offers a fascinating journey across vastly different periods of history, bringing together the region’...»
Shimosuwa-juku was the 29th post station from Edo on the Nakasendo, one of Japan’s major highways during the Edo period. It was also the western terminus of the Koshu Kaido, making it an important crossroads for travelers, merchants, and feudal lord processions. Today, the historic town lies in the center of Shimosuwa Town in Nagano Prefecture, at the western entrance to the difficult Wada Pass. ...»
Honjin Iwanami Residence is a historic mansion that preserves the history and prestige of Shimosuwa-juku, one of the important post towns along the Nakasendo. Located at the crossroads of the Nakasendo and Koshu Kaido highways, Shimosuwa flourished as a major transportation hub during the Edo period. A honjin was an officially designated lodging facility reserved for high-ranking travelers such a...»
Nidec Music Box Memorial Museum Suwanone is a specialized museum dedicated to music boxes in Shimosuwa Town, Nagano Prefecture. Operated by Nidec Instruments Corporation, a pioneer in music box manufacturing, the museum showcases the region's long tradition of precision craftsmanship alongside the delicate beauty of music box melodies. Visitors can enjoy the museum in many different ways: learnin...»
Onbashira-kan Yoisa is a hands-on museum dedicated to the famous Onbashira Festival, a spectacular Shinto ritual held once every seven years in the Suwa region of Nagano Prefecture. Located just about a three-minute walk from Suwa Taisha Shimosha Harumiya Shrine, the museum offers visitors an opportunity to experience the history, traditions, excitement, and deep local pride associated with one of...»
Yashima Marsh, also known as Yashimagahara Marsh, is one of Japan’s most remarkable high-elevation wetlands. Located at an altitude of approximately 1,630 meters in the northwestern part of the Kirigamine Highlands in central Nagano Prefecture, it is renowned for its rich natural environment and exceptional scientific value. The marsh was designated a National Natural Monument in 1939 and has been...»
Shimosuwa Town flourished as an important post town along the Nakasendo, one of Japan's historic highways connecting Edo and Kyoto. Today, historic buildings and small museums scattered throughout the town preserve memories of life from the Edo period through the Meiji and Showa eras. These places are more than sightseeing attractions. They are welcoming spaces where visitors can take a break whi...»
A Historic Home Where a Master of Modern Japanese Tanka Found Inspiration Shiin Sanbo is the former residence of Akahiko Shimaki (1876–1926), one of the leading poets of the Araragi school of modern Japanese tanka poetry. Located in the Takagi district of Shimosuwa Town, Nagano Prefecture, the house is where Shimaki spent the final years of his life and created many of his celebrated poems. It is...»
Tatenoumi Lake is a small reservoir in Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture, originally constructed in 1923 to provide irrigation water for rice fields. Located at an elevation of approximately 1,250 meters, the lake is surrounded by rich forest and is now part of Tatenoumi Park, a spacious recreational area where visitors can enjoy the changing scenery of the four seasons. The quiet surface of the lake,...»
Izumiko Lake is an artificial reservoir surrounded by rich woodland in the highlands of Nagano Prefecture. Located at an elevation of approximately 1,250 meters, the lake enjoys a cool, refreshing mountain climate and beautiful natural scenery throughout the year. Forests of Japanese larch, maple, and other trees surround the water, creating a different atmosphere in every season. Fresh green fol...»
Minamimaki Village is a beautiful mountain village in Minamisaku District, Nagano Prefecture, surrounded by mountains reaching around 2,000 meters in elevation. The village is broadly divided into two areas: the Uminokuchi area, which stretches along the Chikuma River, and the Nobeyama Highland area, which spreads across the foothills of the Yatsugatake Mountains. The difference in elevation betw...»
Minamiaiki Village is a quiet mountain community in Minamisaku District, Nagano Prefecture. Stretching from east to west, the village is surrounded by mountains and wilderness, with roughly 80 percent of its total area covered by forests and open mountainous land. Ten settlements are scattered along the Minamiaiki River, preserving the peaceful scenery and traditional atmosphere of a Japanese moun...»
Kitaaiki Village is a small, peaceful mountain community in Minamisaku District, Nagano Prefecture, bordering Ueno Village in Gunma Prefecture. Surrounded by mountains and blessed with abundant natural beauty, the village sits at a relatively high elevation and offers a different landscape in every season. Approximately 90 percent of the village is covered by forests and mountainous land. Clear s...»
Nagawa Town is a scenic mountain town in east-central Nagano Prefecture, located in Chisagata District. Surrounded by highlands, mountain passes, forests, and historic post towns, the town offers a remarkable combination of natural beauty and cultural heritage. The higher areas of Nagawa are pleasantly cool in summer and become winter destinations for skiing and snow activities. Historic roads an...»
Aoki Village is a peaceful agricultural and mountain community in Chisagata District, almost at the geographical center of Nagano Prefecture. Surrounded by mountains and blessed with abundant forests, hot springs, and historic cultural sites, the village is known both as a relaxing rural destination and as the “Village of Gimin,” a place associated with people who stood up for justice during times...»
Nagakubo-shuku was the 27th post station counted from Edo along the Nakasendo, one of Japan's major historic highways connecting Edo, present-day Tokyo, with Kyoto. It is located in Nagakubo, Nagawa Town, in Nagano Prefecture. The town was formerly written as “Nagakubo-shuku” using a different kanji character for “kubo.” Nagakubo-shuku developed as an important transportation and logistics hub be...»
Wada-shuku was the 28th of the 69 post towns along the historic Nakasendo route, counted from Edo, present-day Tokyo. Located in Wada, Nagawa Town, in Nagano Prefecture, it once flourished as an important transportation hub connecting Edo and Kyoto, with travelers, horses, and goods constantly passing through....»
Hoshikuso Pass Obsidian Source Site is an important archaeological site in Nagawa Town, Nagano Prefecture, preserving traces of obsidian mining from the Jomon period. Designated a National Historic Site in 2001, it is also one of the component cultural properties of the Japan Heritage designation “The Jomon World of the Starry Central Highlands.”...»
A Mysterious Mountain Pond with a Fascinating Legend Yonoike Pond is a quiet and secluded pond in the Nonnoiri area of Wada, Nagawa Town, Nagano Prefecture. Nestled in the mountains, the pond is also known as Hitoyoike or Nonnoiri no Ike and has long been familiar to local residents. Located at an elevation of approximately 990 meters, Yonoike is surrounded by forests and mountain scenery. Its n...»
A Historic Pass in the Mountains of Nagano Shunara Pass, also known locally as Shonara Pass, lies on the border between Aoki Village in Chiisagata District and Chikuhoku Village in Higashichikuma District, Nagano Prefecture. At an elevation of approximately 914 meters, this mountain pass has long served as an important route connecting the Ueda area with the Omi area. For centuries, the pass was...»
A Quiet Retreat with Centuries of Bathing Tradition Tazawa Onsen is a peaceful hot spring village in Aoki Village, Nagano Prefecture. Tucked away in the mountains of Shinshu, the area has been known as a place for toji, the traditional Japanese practice of staying at a hot spring for extended periods to rest and recuperate. Today, Tazawa Onsen is designated as a National Hot Spring Resort for Re...»
A Quiet Mountain Retreat in Aoki Village Kutsukake Onsen is a small and peaceful hot spring village tucked into the mountains of Aoki Village, Nagano Prefecture. Surrounded by forests and mountain scenery, this secluded onsen retains the atmosphere of an old-fashioned Japanese therapeutic retreat. Aoki Village is sometimes called the “Kamakura of Shinshu” because of its rich concentration of his...»
Discover the Life and Legacy of a Pioneer of Japan's Railway Industry The Keita Goto Future Creation Museum is a cultural exhibition facility in Aoki Village, Nagano Prefecture, dedicated to the life, achievements, and ideals of Keita Goto, the founder of what became the Tokyu railway group. Born in Aoki Village, Goto rose from a career as a government official to become one of Japan's most infl...»