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
Nagano, Japan · Asia
Shimosuwa is worth a stop: 5 minutes from Okaya, 11km from Venus Line.
Shimosuwa is a town located in Nagano, Japan. With a population of 20,055, it is an important destination in Asia.
On a road trip, Shimosuwa sits in Japan, where you drive on the left. It's in the Asia/Tokyo time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Shimosuwa to your route.
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).
Compare prices across Booking.com, Airbnb, Expedia, and more. Select your dates to see availability.
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.
Discover famous landmarks, scenic roads, and more near Shimosuwa.
Shimosuwa offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.
Plan your road trip to Shimosuwa with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Shimosuwa as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.
Shimosuwa is located in Nagano, Japan, Asia. The coordinates are 36.0713 latitude, 138.0820 longitude.
Shimosuwa has a population of approximately 20,055 people, making it a town in Japan.
Add to your itinerary
Start planning your road trip with Shimosuwa as a destination. Create a custom route and discover more amazing places along the way.
Start Road TripDiscover destinations like Tinder
Swipe through stunning destinations near Shimosuwa. Save your favourites and add them to your trip.
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 Japan8 notable places within an hour's drive.
famous road
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
photogenic
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
58 km · about 65 min drive
Other places to explore near Shimosuwa.
Create your perfect itinerary with our calendar-based planner. Add stops, discover attractions along the way, and share your trip with friends.
Start Planning