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Nov 20, 2023 · Things to Do Around Lake Suwa. Take a Dip in Suwa's Hot Springs; Taste Sake at the Gokura Sake Breweries; Drive through Nagano's Central Highlands; Watch Fireworks; Visit Shimosuwa; Take a Ride on Lake Suwa; Enjoy the Scenery from Tateishi Park
- The Charm of Lake Suwa
- Seasonal Activities at Lake Suwa
- The Lakefront: Boat Tours, Hot Springs, Cycling, and more!
- Takashima Castle
- Suwa City Museum
- Akimiya and Harumiya Shrines
- Harmo Art Museum
- Explore Nagano Starting from Lake Suwa
Photo by Pixta Located in Suwa City, southern Nagano, Lake Suwais one of the most famous lakes in Japan. A breath of nature in the middle of two bustling cities, Suwa and Okaya, the lake makes it possible to enjoy city life and nature at the same time. Moreover, Lake Suwa is a beautiful place to visit in any season, making it an excellent travel de...
Spring
Lake Suwa is known for its charming scenery, no matter the season. In the spring, the cherry blossom trees surrounding the lake come into bloom, making this area ideal for a picnic under the blossoms, as well as for walks and cycling tours.
Summer
In summertimeyou can enjoy taking boat tours or renting a paddle boat. There are even fishing tours! At night time there are short, ten-minute firework shows over the lake. This is the summer night fireworks festival, and it starts with a grand show on the Marine Day weekend (July 18 in 2022). The festival lasts from the end of July until the end of August. On August 15, the centerpiece firework show, one of the best in Japan, takes place. It is two hours long and has colorful fireworks, as w...
Autumn
Photo by Pixta The maples and cherry blossom trees around Lake Suwa change into beautiful fall foliage from around the end of September. On clear days, the summit of Mt. Fuji is visible across the lake, offering splendid views. Since Suwa is surrounded by mountains, it's quite astonishing that Japan's most famous peak is visible from here.
Starting from Shinjuku Station, you can travel along the Chuo Line on the Azusa Express (5,960 yen one way) about two and half hours to arrive at Kamisuwa Station. From there, walk fifteen minutes west down to the lakefront. This is the main area of the lake. To one side you'll find shops, restaurants, hotels, and souvenir shops. On the other is La...
Take some extra time to visit a few other interesting places in the Lake Suwa area. A good place to start is Takashima Castle, located in a park complete with a pond and full of cherry trees in the spring. This castle is also known as the floating castle of Lake Suwabecause, when it was completed in 1598, the lake shore came to the castle’s edge. R...
For more history about the area and the lake, you can visit the Suwa City Museum. It details the many fascinating legends of Lake Suwa, like Kappa--a legendary creature that is said to be half frog and half turtle. The museum also displays artifacts from those ancient civilizations and explains some of the rituals that remain today such as the Oban...
Akimiya Shrine. Photo by Pixta The other major historical shrines in the area are Akimiya and Harumiya, two sub-shrines of Suwa Taisha. They are located on the far side of the lake from the Suwa Taisha Shrine and the museum. They are about a 15-minute walk from each other. Harumiya Shrine. Photo by Pixta Many of the local festivals, like Obanshira ...
If you prefer art to history, Suwa also has many art museums. One of the most interesting art museums is the Harmo Museum. It has a collection of renowned European artists. You can see works from Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali, Henri Rosseau, and Henri Matisse to name a few.
No matter what time of year it is, Lake Suwa makes for a fabulous scenic getaway. There is something special about each season. Whether it is fireworks in the summer, ice in the winter or trees in the fall and spring, or even just enjoying activities on the lakefront and visiting some nearby historical sites and museums, Lake Suwa is certain to bec...
Things to do near Lake Suwa on Tripadvisor: See 65,005 reviews and 813 candid photos of things to do near Lake Suwa in Nagano Prefecture, Japan.
How to Get There. Lake Suwa is easily accessible by train. Lake Suwa is bordered by the cities of Suwa, Shimosuwa and Okaya. Kamisuwa Station is the closest major station. From Tokyo, take the JR Azusa Limited Express direct from Shinjuku to Kamisuwa Station.
- Nagano-ken
Feb 5, 2021 · Lake Suwa in Nagano Prefecture offers plenty of activities for visitors. Soak in relaxing hot springs, visit Takashima Castle ruins, stop by the historic sake breweries, and enjoy the vibrant summer fireworks.
In spring, the lake is surrounded by beautiful cherry blossoms, while summer sees it lit up by fireworks above. In warmer months, lake activities include pleasure cruises, amphibious bus tours, fishing, and more. In winter, Lake Suwa is home to an extraordinary, naturally occurring event known as “The God’s Crossing.”.
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You can take an easy walk along the shoreline (16km all around), a ride on one of the tourist boats (we tried the amphibious Duck Boat), or just sit under the trees and admire the view. There are many nice hotels and fyokans right on the edge of the lake and lots of good restaurants too.
