Beautiful Suwa

 

Are you a Traveller or a Tourist? A tourist wants to see all the sights and a traveller wants to see some, but also to seek out something interesting that won't within the guidebook. So this place is only for those wanderers who don't mind exploring unknown places in Japan.

Lake Suwa, Nagano

The Suwa area situated on the shores of Suwa Lake of central Nagano Prefecture, Japan. Suwa is popular for its hot springs that are sourced from waters originating below Lake Suwa. Not only this, Suwa city's other attraction is Takashima Castle. You most probably didn't hear the name right? This century-old castle is considered one of the top 3 lake castles in all of Japan. So this time we talk about less known Lake Suwa and Takashima castle. 

Azusa Limited Express

🚅How to go: 

For those who are planning their trip from the Tokyo area, the best way to reach here is by train.

From Shinjuku station every day Azusa Limited Express leaves for Matsumoto. You need to get off at Kamisuwa Station. It will take 2-2.5 hours to reach there.

From Osaka, you will get Shinkansen for Nagoya. Then from Nagoya to Shiojiri by JR Chuo line Limited Express (Shinano Limited Express) and the travel time is around 4hours. 

From Nagoya to Shiojiri by  Shinano Limited Express and it will take 2.5 hours. Suwa is highly accessible by car too.

The beauty of the amazing Kita Alps will fascinate you throughout the entire journey.

After getting off at the Kamisuwa station, the first thing I found a public foot onsen. This is the first time I saw it at any station. 

Tips: If you find it, then definitely try it. It will be fun!

🏨 Where to Stay?

There are many overnight accommodation options for those who want to explore different parts of Nagano. But I think you can find hotels of different prices near big tourist spots like Matsumoto or Hakuba. I put a link at the bottom of the article for convenience.

Lake Suwa is in Nagano Prefecture, southeast of Matsumoto. Suwa Lake is 759 meters above sea level and is the 24th largest lake in Japan. This is one of the most celebrated lakes and has been featured in several movies and anime.

rendition of the lake in Kimi no Na Wa

The lake is in the heart of Suwa city. In winter this city witnesses an unprecedented event known as “The God’s Crossing.” In winter, the water at the top of the lake freezes, but beneath warm hot-spring water remains unfrozen which creates pressure at the top. Sudden Changes in temperature from day to night cause the ice to crack loudly and the holy road appears.

A priest and parishioners of Hakken Shrine gather on
the frozen surface of Lake Suwa during God's Crossing

The crossing is known as the god’s footsteps on the ice that left a curved ice crack, known as the Omiwatari in Japanese.

Folklore says, "it is the guardian god of Suwa leaving his sanctuary to meet with his wife joining the opposite bank by walking on frozen water."

But in recent years as the global temperatures steadily rising, Lake Suwa hardly freezes solid, even in the coldest months of the year. so currently, it is impossible to predict when will this natural phenomenon will happen next! You can come here in any season, and if you are lucky, you can actually get to see The Gods’ Crossing in winter.

However, apart from these, the lake is very beautiful. It is great to see the remote cities nearby the lake surrounded by fog. all day long various birds come to the lake. The surface of lake Suwa offers beautiful, reflective views of the surrounding mountains and sky.

In summer, Suwa comes alive with bright fireworks. During late July, fireworks can be seen bursting over lake Suwa every night. In mid-August, Suwa hosts its main fireworks festival. So you can visit here during summer too.

After enjoying the natural beauty of Suwa Lake, go straight to the Takashima castle to know the history and other amazing stories of this place.

 This Castle was built by Lord Hineno in 1592 and it is the highest elevated castle ever built in Japan. Castle can be reached in a few minutes on foot from the lake.

Takashima Castle

Do you know Takashima castle is also known as the “Floating Castle” because it was actually built on a small island in Lake Suwa was connected to the shore by only a single piece of land. But today the situation has changed. As a result of urbanization around the lake, the lake-shore no longer reaches the sides of the castle, but the gardens and moat still exist.

 

The floating Castle

Not only from the outside, it looks pretty good from the inside too. there you will find a small museum where many artifacts from the past are carefully preserved.

Artifacts from Museum

The third floor is like an observatory desk from where you will get a panoramic view of the snow-capped mountains and the entire city, lake Suwa and Mount fuji too.

Mt.Fuji's top is visible

The castle area is free to visit but for the museum and the third floor, you have to pay around ¥300. 

The park area looks very beautiful in spring as seen in the picture, so you can come here in any season.

An unfamiliar city like this which is surrounded by mountains as well as many unknown historical stories, demands a visit from those who love to know the unknown world around us.

We have a vlog on this beautiful place too. Just go through that before planning your trip.