The Beautiful Highlands of Central Japan

For a truly magical experience, venture off the beaten path into the countryside of Japan

Tateshina Lake during the day (Photo by author)

I moved to Chino Suwa, located in the southern part of Nagano prefecture, at the beginning of September 2023. Life here has been a unique experience compared to cities like Tokyo or Osaka.

Life is slower and has unique charms, like spotting a deer or a squirrel right outside your doorstep when you make your way to work, or the feeling of crisp, clean air of the Japanese Alps filling your lungs when you open your bedroom window in the morning.

In the countryside of Japan, you can find a one-bedroom apartment with a separate living space for the same price as a small apartment in the bigger cities.

Similar to the countryside in every part of the world, a car will be the best mode of transport should you wish to venture into any adventures. Here in Chino, the car is almost always the easiest way to get to your destination.

This means that the places I mention in this article are almost devoid of international tourists, making them a perfect setting for an adventure, especially if you love the great outdoors.

The video below gives an idea of how idyllic the area is!

Here are the highlands of Central Japan that you can drive through by taking the Venus Line

Tateshina Highlands

The Tateshina Highlands offer a splendid setting for a leisurely drive, with numerous routes to explore. Among them, the Venus Line stands out as one of the most renowned.

Stretching across 73 kilometres, this scenic route begins in Chino and meanders through picturesque landscapes, including the serene Tateshina Lake pictured below. Continuing onward, it leads towards Utsukushigahara Highlands before looping back towards Matsumoto.

Whether you’re seeking tranquillity or breathtaking vistas, the Venus Line promises an unforgettable journey through the heart of Japan’s natural beauty.

Tateshina Lake during the autumn season (Photo by author)

The lake has a stop area with all the necessary establishments to ensure a good rest. The vegan burger stand is a highlight and the soft cream is a treat as you watch the simmering surface of the manmade lake with the Tateshina mountain as a backdrop. On the opposite side is a fuel station which is much needed as the road ahead is a long stretch of winding mountain roads with views galore.

Shirakaba Lake

As you continue down the Venus line, you will reach Shirakaba Lake. This is another man-made lake where the area is quite beautiful with lots to do, like chilling in an onsen at the Ikenotaira Hotel & Resort where you can use the onsen facilities for the day without booking a room for the night.

There are also bike and kayak rentals available around the lake. You can also rent a swan boat and head out into the lake for a relaxing summer date. Several gondolas transform into ski resorts in the winter and in the summer, take you to the summit of national parks for beautiful panoramic views.

The view of Shirakaba Lake from the Venus line headed towards Kurumayama Highlands (photo by author)

Korobokkuru Hutte (コロボックルヒュッテ)

This is a quaint café that is the picture-perfect lodge house situated along the Venus Line. The lodge house is the starting point for several hiking trails in the Kirigamine Highlands. It is a highly recommended spot, for it serves a perfect Brosch to go along with the rolling hills of Kirigamine Highlands.

You will also find this place to be charming if you are a fan of the anime Yuru Camp. Also, find the Instagram page for this charming cafe and information on the surrounding area known as the Yatsugatake mountain range here.

Suwa

This town holds a lot of importance throughout Japan. This lake is considered sacred ground where gods pass through its surface during winter months; a divine ritual known as omiwatari is said to be the god of Suwa Shrine crossing the lake to reach his beloved wife’s shrine situated at the other end of the lake.

The lake is featured in a lot of old and new materials, including one of Hokusai’s ukiyoes as well as the anime Yuru Camp where Mount Fuji is also visible in the backdrop of the town of Suwa, with the lake seen from the viewpoint of Takabochi highlands.

Lake Suwa, the biggest lake in Shinshu (old name for Nagano prefecture)

The Suwa Shrine has four separate shrines each named after the four seasons of Japan. This is a historic site for Shintoism as it is where the local deity, Takeminakata fought in the first-ever sumo match with the heavenly god, Takemikazuchi.

The main shrine, honmiya, is one of the oldest shrines in Japan believed to have been standing since the 7th century. Below is a photo from the main shrine, where a statue of a sumo wrestler pays homage to the story of the gods. This is also the place where the renowned Onbashira festival occurs every six years.

Exploring the multitude of destinations within Nagano Prefecture has become a thrilling chapter in my personal journey, unveiling a side of Japan that I did not know about.

There are still so many places that I have yet to visit even within Nagano, and all the other prefectures in Japan have their own unique stories to tell.

So, if you are living in one of the bigger cities within Japan, just an hour or two away can change the scenery, with culturally significant landmarks around every corner that have their own story to tell while also telling the story of how Japan was shaped into what it is today!