famous road
Venus Line
A 76 km free touring road across Nagano's Kirigamine and Utsukushigahara highlands, rolling over open alpine meadows at up to 1,959 m. One of Japan's best-loved drives for bikers and grand tourers.
12 km · about 25 min drive
AsiaJapanNagano
Chino
Nagano, Japan · Asia
About Chino
Chino is worth a stop: 10 minutes from Nakazawa, 12km from Venus Line.
Chino is in Nagano, Japan, with about 56,000 people. You drive on the left here. The nearest town is Nakazawa, about 6 km away.
Chino Station (茅野駅, Chino-eki) is a railway station on the Chūō Main Line in the city of Chino, Nagano, Japan, operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East).
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Chino?
Within an hour or so of Chino: Venus Line (12 km), Mishaka Pond (13 km), Matsumoto Castle (32 km), Bessho Onsen (40 km).
Are there any good drives near Chino?
The nearest famous roads are Venus Line, Norikura Skyline and Usui Pass.
Where is Chino?
Chino is in Nagano, Japan, about 6 km from Nakazawa.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 56,400
- Continent
- Asia
- Country
- Japan
- Region
- Nagano
- Timezone
- Asia/Tokyo
- Coordinates
- 35.9944, 138.1543
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in Japan
Japan Helpline (24h English assistance): 0570-000-911. An International Driving Permit (1949 convention) is required to drive.
Full driving guide for JapanTags
Worth the detour from Chino
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
photogenic
Mishaka Pond
A small irrigation reservoir whose acidic, iron-rich water holds a still green surface mirroring the birch and larch on its bank. It became famous as the subject of a Higashiyama Kaii painting.
13 km · about 25 min drive
castle
Matsumoto Castle
One of Japan's premier historic castles, known as the Crow Castle for its striking black exterior, dating to the 16th century.
32 km · about 35 min drive
landmark
Bessho Onsen
A thousand-year-old spa at the foot of the Nagano hills, ringed by ancient temples including a rare octagonal three-storey pagoda. Three small public baths still serve the village for a few coins.
40 km · about 45 min drive
landmark
Shirahone Onsen
A hot-spring hamlet high in the Norikura foothills where the sulphurous water turns milky white on contact with air. It sits on the mountain road between Matsumoto and Kamikochi.
50 km · about 60 min drive
national park
Kamikōchi
A high alpine valley beneath the Hotaka range, with the Azusa River running clear beneath Kappa Bridge. Private vehicles are banned; drivers leave cars at Sawando or Hirayu and take the bus in.
55 km · about 65 min drive
mountain pass
Norikura Skyline
A toll mountain road climbing to 2,702 m at Tatamidaira, the highest paved road in Japan. Private cars are barred, so drivers park at Hirayu and transfer to the shuttle bus for the final ascent.
56 km · about 65 min drive
mountain pass
Usui Pass
Historic pass on the old Nakasendo route between Gunma and Karuizawa, packed with 180-plus corners and the brick Megane-bashi viaduct. Another Initial D battleground beloved by drivers and rail historians alike.
59 km · about 70 min drive
Driving roads near Chino
- Right hereVenus LineA 76 km free touring road across Nagano's Kirigamine and Utsukushigahara highlands, rolling over open alpine meadows at up to 1,959 m. One of Japan's best-loved drives for bikers and grand tourers.
- 56 kmNorikura SkylineA toll mountain road climbing to 2,702 m at Tatamidaira, the highest paved road in Japan. Private cars are barred, so drivers park at Hirayu and transfer to the shuttle bus for the final ascent.
- 59 kmUsui PassHistoric pass on the old Nakasendo route between Gunma and Karuizawa, packed with 180-plus corners and the brick Megane-bashi viaduct. Another Initial D battleground beloved by drivers and rail historians alike.
- 76 kmLake Kawaguchi ViewpointA lakeside viewpoint where Mount Fuji reflects perfectly in still waters, especially stunning during autumn foliage and cherry blossom seasons.
- 78 kmKachi Kachi Ropeway Viewpoint (Lake Kawaguchi)A mountain-top station reached by ropeway above Lake Kawaguchi, offering a bird's-eye view of the lake with Mt Fuji dominating the skyline.
- 80 kmChureito PagodaA five-story pagoda offering one of the most iconic and photographed views of Mount Fuji, especially during cherry blossom season.
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