Suwa City, located in the center of Nagano Prefecture, is known as a cluster of precision machinery manufacturers, but it also has a presence as a resort area, represented by Lake Suwa, the largest lake in Shinshu.The most famous of these is its hot springs, and Kamisuwa Onsen, located on the shore of Lake Suwa, is a hot spring area that represents the prefecture, boasting an abundant supply of hot water.

There are several hot springs within the city, and the water quality is weakly alkaline, making it gentle on the skin. In the 2024 list of "Japan's Top 100 Hot Springs" organized by the Tourism Economics Newspaper Company, the city was ranked 43rd overall. It is also ranked 4th among the many hot spring resorts in Nagano Prefecture, and is gaining in popularity.

When you think of Kamisuwa Onsen in the summer, many people think of fireworks. The Lake Suwa Summer Night Fireworks, which is usually held for about a month during the summer vacation period, will be held this year from July 25th to August 24th (excluding August 15th). During the period, you can enjoy fireworks that light up the night sky for 10 minutes starting at 8:30 pm every night.

It's also good news that the National New Fireworks Competition, which was canceled and postponed in 2019 due to the effects of COVID-19, will be making a comeback after six years. The name of the competition has been changed to the "National New Fireworks Challenge Cup 2025," and it will be held in a different format than usual, with four qualifying rounds and one final. The qualifying rounds will be held every Saturday in September, and the final will be held on the last Sunday of October, so we recommend booking your dates early!

Another scenic spot that is highly recommended alongside Lake Suwa is the Kirigamine Plateau. The prefectural nature conservation center, the Nagano Prefecture Kirigamine Nature Conservation Center, opened in 1973, and inside the center, you can see the flora and fauna, geology, and history that can only be seen there, using actual objects and photo panels. The terrace with its outstanding view, which was created during the full renovation in 2010, is a must-see. In addition to new video introductions, the exhibits have also been upgraded, making it a facility where you can experience the charm of Kirigamine even more.

Cycling has become a trend in Suwa in recent years. In April 2024, a cycling road that circles Lake Suwa (16km) was fully opened. Bicycle rental businesses in the city also rent out bicycles and electric e-bikes, and the Suwa Tourism Association highly recommends this route, saying, "The cycling road is flat and easy to ride, and if you use an e-bike, you can complete the whole route in 90 minutes."

Suwa is also a sake town, with five sake breweries scattered along the city's Koshu Kaido road: Maihime, Reijin, Honkin, Yokobue, and Masumi. On October 4th, an event called "Kami-Suwa Kaido Town Walk and Drinking Walk" will be held, where you can enjoy sake brewed with underground water from Kirigamine. One of the charms of Suwa is that on days when you want to enjoy a drink, you can plan a walk around the town without using a car or bicycle.

The latest topic is the "long-awaited opening of the Lake Suwa Smart Interchange" (according to the association). It was installed at 3 pm on July 27th at the Lake Suwa Service Area on the Chuo Expressway, which offers a panoramic view of Lake Suwa. It connects directly to the shores of Lake Suwa, and is just over 10 minutes from Kamisuwa Onsen. Access to tourist spots within Suwa city has become easier, greatly improving convenience. Why not take a relaxing break and refresh yourself in the town of Suwa, which is now easier to visit than ever before?