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.
10 km · about 20 min drive
AsiaJapanNagano
Suwa
Nagano, Japan · Asia
About Suwa
Suwa is worth a stop: 10 minutes from Shimosuwa, 10km from Venus Line.
Suwa is in Nagano, Japan, with about 49,000 people. You drive on the left here. The nearest town is Shimosuwa, about 5 km away.
Suwa (諏訪市, Suwa-shi) is a city located in Nagano Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 March 2019, the city had an estimated population of 48,972 in 20698 households, and a population density of 452 persons per km². The total area of the city is 109.17 square kilometres (42.15 sq mi).
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Suwa?
Within an hour or so of Suwa: Venus Line (10 km), Mishaka Pond (16 km), Matsumoto Castle (26 km), Bessho Onsen (35 km).
Are there any good drives near Suwa?
The nearest famous roads are Venus Line, Norikura Skyline and Usui Pass.
Where is Suwa?
Suwa is in Nagano, Japan, about 5 km from Shimosuwa.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 48,972
- Continent
- Asia
- Country
- Japan
- Region
- Nagano
- Timezone
- Asia/Tokyo
- Coordinates
- 36.0380, 138.1131
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 Suwa
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.
16 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.
26 km · about 30 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.
35 km · about 40 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.
45 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.
49 km · about 55 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.
51 km · about 60 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 Suwa
- 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.
- 51 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.
- 79 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.
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