The Venus Line is one of Nagano’s most scenic drive routes connecting the highlands of Utsukushigahara, Kirigamine, Shirakaba and Tateshina in central Nagano Prefecture. Reaching altitudes of up to 2,000 meters, it is a popular place to escape the heat during summer and offers spectacular views of Nagano’s mountainous landscape, including the Japanese Alps, Mt. Asama and the Yatsugatake mountains.
Enjoy the scenery on a leisurely drive on the Venus Line and stop at the many sightseeing spot along the way, such as tranquil lakes, precious wetlands and scenic viewpoints. Stroll along one of many highland trails and breathe in the fresh mountain air. Or, visit an open-air museum to appreciate man-made works of art set against the grand backdrop of Nagano’s mountains.
See below for a detailed guide of sightseeing and driving along the Venus Line.
The Venus Line Travel Guide
Location and Access
Sandwiched between the cities of Matsumoto, Suwa and Chino to the southwest and Ueda, Komoro and Saku to the northeast, the Venus Line stretches for 76 kilometers across the highlands of central Nagano. It takes about 3 hours to drive from one end to the other, but there are plenty of places to stop and smell the day lilies along the way.
For access to the Venus Line, it is easiest to use landmarks at either end of the road, namely the Utsukushigahara Open-air Art Museum to the north and Lake Tateshina to the south.
Public transportation is hard to come by here, so plan to rent a car either at the airport or one of the route’s nearby stations such as Matsumoto Station or Chino Station.
Access to the Utsukushigahara Open-air Art Museum (Northern Endpoint)
60 minutes by car from Okaya IC exit of the Chuo Expressway
70 minutes by car from the Matsumoto IC exit of the Nagano Expressway
70 minutes by car from the Tobu Yunomaru IC exit of the Joshin-etsu Expressway
Access to Lake Tateshina (Southern Endpoint)
30 minutes by car from the Suwa IC exit of the Chuo Expressway
70 minutes by car from the Tobu Yunomaru IC exit of the Joshin-etsu Expressway
70 minutes by car from the Saku Minami IC exit of the Chubu Ōdan Expressway
Winter Road Closures
Portions of the Venus Line are closed during winter from mid-November to late April, mainly the section from the Yashima Wetlands all the way to the Utsukushigahara Open-air Art Museum.
Specific road closures include:
- Yashima Wetlands Parking Lot to Wada Pass (Route 194)
- Wada Pass to Utsukushigahara Kogen (Route 460)
- Utsukushigahara Kogen to Takeshi Tourist Center (Route 464)
- Matsumoto City to Utsukushigahara Kogen (Route 67, a.k.a the "Azalea Line")
- Suwa City to the Yashima Wetlands Parking Lot (Route 199)
When to Visit
The Venus Line is open from late April to mid-November and closes for the winter season (see above for details).
Popular times to visit the Venus Line include July, when day lilies carpet the grasslands of Kirigamine with bright, yellow flowers; and between mid- and late October, when the forests around Lake Tateshina and Lake Shirakaba turn brilliant shades of red, yellow and orange. The road can get congested during these peak times, especially during weekends.
Places to Visit along the Venus Line
There are many places to stop and take in the natural beauty of the highlands along the Venus Line. You can stroll on one of many trails through the hills and marshlands (learn more about trekking around the Venus Line here), take a lift or gondola to superb views from the mountain tops, or have a bite to eat and a hot drink at a café or restaurant.
Lake Tateshina
Lake Tateshina is a small reservoir that was created in 1952 for agricultural use. It’s a nice place to stop for a break along the road and take in the tranquil scenery of the forest and pond. There are many tables and benches where you can sit, enjoy the view and have a snack. Around the shoreline are a number of restaurants, cafes and accommodations. You’ll also find 8 Peaks Brewing, a local beer brewery, just across the road.
On the eastern edge of the lake is Tateshina Geijutsu no Mori sculpture park with 66 works by prominent Japanese artists.
The Kita-Yatsugatake Ropeway
The Kita-Yatsugatake Ropeway is a high-capacity ropeway that operates as part of Pilatus Snow Resort during winter. It sits at the base of the Yatsugatake mountains in Tateshina Kogen, just a short distance from many of the area’s hot spring inns.
The ropeway travels from an altitude of 1,771 meters to 2,237 meters in just 7 minutes, transporting you into an otherworldly garden of igneous rock and windswept pines. You can take a lap around the garden in about 40 minutes, and there are hiking trails to nearby peaks such as Mt. Yokodake and Mt. Shimakare for those interested in a longer trek.
Lake Shirakaba and Shirakaba Resort
The largest resort area along the Venus Line is centered around Lake Shirakaba. There are numerous ski resorts and accommodations here. You can go kayaking, canoeing or standup paddleboarding on the lake, or ride bicycles around the shoreline. A few unique museums are located here, such as the Tateshina Teddy Bear Museum and a museum for music boxes, mosaic glass and cut paper art.
Yashima Wetlands
At an altitude of 1,630 meters, the Yashima Wetlands extend across an area of approximately 43 hectares. Over 18 different types of peat moss are found here reaching depths of up to 8 meters. There is a walking trail surrounding the marsh and several trails branching off into the highlands and up nearby peaks. A full lap around the marsh takes about an hour-and-a-half to complete.
The Yashima Visitor’s Center offers parking and has several displays with information about the flora and fauna found in the wetlands.
Mt. Kurumayama and Kurumayama Skypark Resort
At Kurumayama Skypark Resort, you can take a lift up to the top of Mt. Kurumayama (1,925m) to enjoy the scenery of the Yatsugatake Mountains and even Mt. Fuji in the distance. By the observation deck is also the Kurumayama Meteorological Radar Station and Kurumayama Shrine.
Korobokkuru Hutte
A charming mountain lodge in Kirigamine Kogen known for its siphon coffee and borscht stew. On a sunny day, you can sit on the backyard patio and take in views of green rolling hills and endless blue sky.
Mitsumine Chaya
This quaint shop stands out against the magnificent views of the mountains behind it. Stop by for a quick snack—popular options include gohei-mochi, nikuman or mushroom soup—and take in the scenery at the nearby viewpoint.
Utsukushigahara Open-air Art Museum
Over 350 outdoor sculptures decorate the rolling hills of Utsukushigahara at the Utsukushigahara Open-air Art Museum. The bright blue sky serves as the perfect backdrop to the works of art here, some of which rise several stories tall.
It sits at one end of the Venus Line, close to Matsumoto and Okaya cities, so it’s a great place to stop and stretch the legs after hours of driving. There is plenty of parking, a restaurant/café and a souvenir shop here too.
Nearby Sightseeing to the Venus Line
Take a detour and discover some of the region’s other unique sightseeing spots.
Shirakoma Pond
Atop the Yatsugatake mountains at an altitude of 2,100 meters high is Shirakoma Pond. A moss-carpeted forest surrounds the small body of water, and trekking trails are strewn throughout. Over 400 species of moss grow here, and as you walk through the forest, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into another world.
Lake Megami
A small lake in Tateshina at the base of the Shirakaba Kogen Kokusai Ski Resort. You can rent a kayak or swan boat and paddle across the lake, take a stroll through Gosensui Nature Park or ride the ski lift to the top of the resort to enjoy the views from the 1,830-meter-high Megami Terrace.
Where to Stay Along the Venus Line
There are numerous hot spring and resort areas around the Venus Line, as well as cities perched just below the highlands in convenient locations to embark on your journey.
Matsumoto City
With the Azalea line leading directly from the city center towards the northern end of the Venus Line, it is a convenient place to spend a night before starting your drive. There are plenty of restaurants, bars and cafes around town too, as well as Matsumoto Castle, one of only five national treasure castles in Japan.
Tateshina
Tateshina sits along the southern end of the Venus Line near Chino City and has a wide range of hot spring hotels and inns to choose from, like Tateshina Grand Hotel Taki no Yu, Tateshina Shinyu Onsen or Tateshina Ai.
Lake Shirakaba
The Lake Shirakaba area sits an altitude of 1,416 meters high and is surrounded by resort hotels and a number of ski slopes, as well as several small museums and a children’s amusement park. Ikenotaira Hotel is the largest option, and others include Hotel Paipu no Kemuri and Sawaemon.
Lake Suwa
A wide range of hot spring hotels and ryokan inns line the shore of Nagano’s largest body of water, Lake Suwa. It is just north of Chino City, one of the terminal points of the Venus Line, making it a good place to spend the night before or after your drive.
There are several sightseeing spots to see around Lake Suwa as well, such as Suwa Taisha Shrine, Shimosuwa Post-town, the Okaya Silk Musuem and Takashima Castle.
If you’d like to stay somewhere above it all, you could also consider Hotel Ougato, which sits atop the highest peak of the Utsukushigahara Highlands.
