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.
11 km · about 20 min drive
AsiaJapanNagano
Shimosuwa
Nagano, Japan · Asia
About Shimosuwa
Shimosuwa is worth a stop: 5 minutes from Okaya, 11km from Venus Line.
Shimosuwa is in Nagano, Japan, with about 20,000 people. You drive on the left here. The nearest town is Okaya, about 4 km away.
Shimosuwa (下諏訪町, Shimosuwa-machi) is a town located in Nagano Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 April 2019, the town had an estimated population of 20,055 in 8864 households, and a population density of 300 persons per km2. The total area of the town is 66.87 square kilometres (25.82 sq mi).
Where to Stay in Shimosuwa
Compare prices across Booking.com, Airbnb, Expedia, and more. Select your dates to see availability.
Filter presets
Pick your must-haves once: provider links open pre-filtered. Each filter lists which sites it applies to.
Compare before you book!
Prices can vary significantly between platforms. We recommend checking at least 2-3 sites to find the best deal for your stay in Shimosuwa.
Explore the Area
Discover famous landmarks, scenic roads, and more near Shimosuwa.
Loading map...
Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Shimosuwa?
Within an hour or so of Shimosuwa: Venus Line (11 km), Mishaka Pond (19 km), Matsumoto Castle (21 km), Bessho Onsen (32 km).
Are there any good drives near Shimosuwa?
The nearest famous roads are Venus Line, Norikura Skyline and Usui Pass.
Where is Shimosuwa?
Shimosuwa is in Nagano, Japan, about 4 km from Okaya.
Road trip
Drive to Shimosuwa
Add it as a stop and the planner works out the driving, the nights and what's worth seeing on the way.
Start planningWhat's nearby?
Swipe through places to go
Places within a drive of Shimosuwa. Keep the ones you like and add them to your trip.
Explore now
Quick Information
- Population
- 20,055
- Continent
- Asia
- Country
- Japan
- Region
- Nagano
- Timezone
- Asia/Tokyo
- Coordinates
- 36.0713, 138.0820
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 Shimosuwa
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.
19 km · about 20 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.
21 km · about 25 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.
32 km · about 35 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.
42 km · about 50 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.
45 km · about 50 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.
48 km · about 55 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 Shimosuwa
- 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.
- 48 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.
- 78 kmShibu PassAt 2,172 m this is the highest point on any Japanese national highway, on Route 292 between Nagano and Gunma. In spring the road is cut through snow walls several metres high.
Nearby Destinations
Other places to explore near Shimosuwa.
Plan a trip around Shimosuwa
Your trip starts here
Plan a road trip from Shimosuwa.
Pick the days, drop in the stops, and share it with whoever's coming.