Culture / Tour Spots in Around Suwa Area

  • Togariishi Museum of Jomon Archaeology
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    4.5
    65 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Nagano Chino-shi Toyohira 4734-132
    This museum is located inside the Togaishi Ruins, a historic site and park which is considered one of the best examples of Jomon culture sites found at the foot of the Yatsugatake Mountains. The museum displays around 2,000 artefacts created by the Jomon people, who flourished here 5,000 years ago. The area at the foot of the Yatsugatake Mountains is the location of one of the largest caches of obsidian, a material used to make stone tools, in Japan, and it is believed the Jomon people flourished here due to the forests which grew here and provided broadleaf tree seeds as well as ample deer, wild boar, and river fish hunting. The museum's Jomon Venus, a deformed depiction of a pregnant woman; and Masked Goddess statue are valuable cultural properties which have been designated National Treasures.

    I went there after seeing the English website and being super excited about getting to do some hands-on craft. After extensive web research, I managed to get there on a day they were open and...

  • Tateshina Amusement Aquarium
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    3.0
    31 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Nagano Pref. Chinoshi Kitayama 4035-2409
    An aquarium located close to Pilatus Tateshina Snow Resort in Kitayama, Chino City. Situated 1,750 meters above sea level, it is the highest aquarium in Japan. Specializing in freshwater fish, visitors can view lake and river fish from around the world, including pirarucu, the largest freshwater fish in the world. The aquarium also allows pets and has a dog park.

    淡水魚しかいないのか、と失礼ながらそれほど期待をせずに入館したのですが、とても楽しめました! マニアックな魚が多く派手さはないものの、見たことのない魚や各水槽の説明文に、こんな生き物がいるの?!という驚きが止まりませんでした。 説明も読みながらじっくり見て回ると、豆知識も増えるし、おもしろかったです。

  • Harmo Museum
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    4.0
    22 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Nagano Suwa-gun Shimosuwamachi 10616-540
    15-minutes from the Chuo Expressway. This art museum, standing amidst the lush natural beauty on the bank of Lake Suwa, was opened on April 26, 1990 by industrial robot manufacturer Harmo's founder Tomio Hama and director Takako Seki. The museum's standing exhibition consists of works of Naive art which express a free sensitivity from a pure perspective, including nine rare pieces by Henri Rousseau. The museum has gained worldwide recognition for its distinctive concept. The museum also has a cafe where you can take a relaxing break and, on clear days, see all the way to Mt. Fuji.

    HPに年中無休とあり、念のため電話確認したうえで訪問しました。2F展示室は3つに分かれています。(一つは靴を脱いで入ります)アンリ・ルソーが目的でしたが他の作者さんたちの作品との出会いを楽しむことも出来ました。実は、1Fにも展示室があります。正面玄関入ってすぐにダリ、左奥の部屋で期間限定の展示、それとショップ&喫茶コーナーから望む諏訪湖。正月期間でありながら対応いただいているスタッフの方々に感謝で...

  • Sunritz Hattori Museum of Arts
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    4.0
    21 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Nagano Suwa-shi Kogan Dori 2-1-1
    This museum's diverse collection of over 600 pieces primarily focuses on ancient eastern art, particularly tea implements; as well as early modern Western paintings. The Fujisan tea bowl, a National Treasure which records state master potter Hon'ami Koetsu gave to his daughter when she was going to be married, is put on display several times a year. In addition to its exhibitions, the museum has a shop and tearoom, and visitors can take a relaxing break and enjoy the local scenery after viewing the museum's artworks.

    茶器の名品が揃う特別な美術館。服部セイコーの創業地である諏訪ならではの素晴らしい歴史を知ることのできる美術館だ。吸い込まれそうな冬季の世界、ぜひ観ていただきたい。

  • Prince & Skyline Museum
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    4.5
    17 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Nagano Pref. Okayashi Uchiyama 4769-14 In Toriihee Yamabiko Park
    This Nissan Skyline museum is in Toriidaira Yamabiko Park in Okaya City, Nagano Prefecture. It has exhibits on the automobile maker's Skyline model, including various parts. Events like talk shows are held several times a year, and lots of car fans visit since the museum's considered sacred ground for the Skyline. It is open from mid-April to mid-November and closes for the winter.

    This little museum is packed with a remarkable collection of pertinent historical vehicles. From the Winning Calsonic Skyline GTR to early Prince vehicles, even a factory cutaway of the R32 skyline...

  • Okaya Silk Museum (Silk Fact Okaya)
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    4.5
    17 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Nagano Pref. Okayashi Gouda 1-4-8
    "This silk museum is in Okaya City, Nagano Prefecture lets you learn about the history of silk and more. It also has a silk reeling studio that's open to visitors. Stop by the Mayu-chan Kobo workshop to try your hand at ""cocoon crafts"" and hand weaving. The museum is popular with locals and tourists alike."

    こちらは《シルク岡谷の絹産業遺産(近代化産業遺産群)》全15件中 No10&12...

  • Suwa city museum of ART
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    4.0
    16 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Nagano Pref. Suwashi Kogandori 4-1-14
    The Suwa city museum of ART is in a space converted from what used to be a “Memorial Hall” for Katakura Industries, which was built in 1943. It is Nagano Prefecture’s first public art museum. The museum opened in 1956 and is registered as a Tangible Cultural Property. It has a collection of nearly 1,400 items mainly focused on modern art, including works by artists both local and celebrated nationwide. It’s about a seven-minute walk from the west exit of JR Kami-Suwa Station.

    温泉施設の片倉館と併設されており、美術館、温泉、諏訪湖畔と楽しむことができます。近くには間欠泉などもあるのでこの付近を散策するにはお勧めの場所です。

  • ILF Douga Museum of Art
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    4.0
    9 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Nagano Pref. Okayashi Chuouchou 2-2-1
    This museum is in Chuocho, Okaya City, Nagano Prefecture. It exhibits the work of various picture book authors, with a focus on Okaya native Takeo Takei. Volunteer staff read picture books and conduct workshops on a regular basis in their Harappa picture book library. It's popular with locals and travelers alike.

    My friend from Okaya City took me here. I really enjoyed seeing the charming book illustrations by Takeo Takei. I had never heard of him, and I believe he should be famous worldwide, his...

  • Kitazawa Museum of Art
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    4.5
    6 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Nagano Pref. Suwashi Kogandori 1-13-28
    This is a museum of contemporary Japanese paintings and glass works on the shore of Lake Suwa. The museum displays glass works by Emil Galle, the master of French decorative art, and René Lalique, a representative artist of both the Art Nouveau and Art Deco eras and others. The glass works exhibited are highly valued and regarded as one of the best glass collections in the world. There is also a coffee shop overlooking Lake Suwa.

    北澤美術館二階にあるカフェです。何と言っても、店内の大きなガラス窓から奥に広がる琵琶湖を一望できるのが素晴らしい。この景色を眺めながら食事をするのはこの上ない贅沢気分。オーダーしたのはAセット(1100円)。ビーフカレー辛口にセットの飲み物が付く。かりんジュースを選択。ビーフカレーは辛口のカレールー。コクとスパイスの絶妙なバランスがいい。具材には小片の牛肉が入っていて、一層カレールーの味を引き立て...

  • Yatsugatake Museum of Art (Hara Village Historical Folk customs archives)
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    3.0
    5 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Nagano Pref. Suwagunharamura 17217-1611
    This municipal art museum is situated on Prefectural Route 484 in Hara Village, Suwa County, Nagano Prefecture. The museum's standing exhibition consists of works by Hara Village-born sculptor Takashi Shimizu, as well as calligraphy by the similarly Hara Village-born calligrapher Kakusen Tsugane, and Jomon period pottery and stone implements excavated from archeological sites in the village. The museum also holds a variety of special exhibitions throughout the year. Walk the walking path around the museum and you can enjoy an outdoor sculpture exhibit and also come in contact with the natural beauty found at the foot of the Yatsugatake Mountains.

    小淵沢原村この辺り、美術館、ミュージアムが、点在します。芸術家な人たちが集まるエリアのようです。ヴィレッジピーポーな

  • Taizi Harada Art Museum
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    3.0
    1 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Nagano Pref. Suwashi Shibusaki 1792-375
    A private art museum opened in 1998 in Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture. The museum primarily displays works by painter and graphic designer Taiji Harada. Dedicated to be an art museum for people, the facility employs universal design and also provides braille versions of its picture books and three-dimensional copies of its artwork.

    原田泰治さんは信州飯田出身のナイーフ画家で、非常に有名な方だ。ほっと安心する懐かしい風景を描き続けている。その泰治さんの美術館の2階にある喫茶室。ガラス張りの壁面越しに、諏訪湖が眼前に広がる様は一見の価値がある。ケーキセットは500円という良心的な価格だから、絵を見てほっとし、湖を見てほっとし、ホットコーヒを飲んでほっとしてみてはいかが!

  • Kiyoshi Yamashita/Horo Museum
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Nagano Pref. Chinoshi Chino 2764-3
    "Located a five-minute drive from the Suwa Interchange and eight minutes from Chino Station, the Horo Museum is the first museum in Japan to have a permanent display of the works of Kiyoshi Yamashita, the vagabond artist who was affectionately known as ""the Naked General."" Most of his works were collages, but he also painted designs on ceramics, created pointillist paintings, sketches, and more. The opportunity to see so many kinds of his works is the main attraction of this museum. The texture of his collage is distinctive when viewed up close. Some of his works, like ""Niagara Fireworks and Spectators"", which has a fireworks display over Lake Suwa as its subject, or ""Suwa Shrine: Akimiya"", have deep local connections. The museum shop sells relevant books and folk crafts."
  • Shimosuwa Konjakukan Oideya, Watch and Clock Museum Gishodo
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Nagano Suwa-gun Shimosuwamachi 3289
    "A 10-minute walk from Shimosuwa Station on the JR Chuo Main Line. Shimosuwa is known as the birthplace of the modern clock in Japan, and ""Shimosuwa Konjakukan Oideya"" is a museum where you can learn about how clocks work. The courtyard has the world's first fully restored and operational water-powered astronomical clock tower. They also have an experiential program where you can assemble a mechanical watch under the guidance of a nationally qualified technician. You can take the completed watch home with you the same day. You can also learn about the local culture and obsidian during the Jomon period at the adjacent ""Hoshigato Museum Yanoneya""."
  • Suwa City Museum
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Nagano Suwa-shi Nakasu Jinguji 171-2
    "A museum with the theme of ""Time, Nature, and Faith"" in the Suwa area, known for the septennial Onbashira Festival and Lake Suwa's Omiwatari phenomenon. It showcases the background and distinguishing features of Suwa's special beilef through video and displays of cultural properties. The special exhibition room displays about 2,000 specimens of butterflies from around the globe. There is also an illustrated encyclopedia published by a British zoologist on birdwing butterflies. There are few like it in the world. The red installation in front of the museum represents the shrine's torii gate and the pillars of the Onbashira Festival. They face the sacred mountain nearby."
  • Little Museum in a Village of Picture Books Okaya Main Branch
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Nagano Okaya-shi Osachi Gongen 4-6-13
    A 10-minute drive from Shimosuwa Station on the JR Chuo Line. This little art museum, dedicated to picture books, displays works of art by painters active in the field today as well as pioneers of the art form; the museum also holds special exhibitions. Swiss author Bettina Hurlimann believed adults who seriously or even passingly enjoy children's books will find each other, and inspired by his words, the museum aims to be a place where such people can find each other. The museum holds a variety of special exhibitions throughout the year and is a place where everyone from children to adults can enjoy themselves. The museum's original merchandise is also quite popular.
  • Chino City Yatsugatake Museum
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Nagano Chino-shi Toyohira 6983
    A 20-minute drive from the Suwa Interchange on the Chuo Expressway. This large museum focuses on the wilderness sprawling at the foot of Yatsugatake Mountains and the people who live there, including exhibits on local history, industry, and folk customs. Nature exhibits include a natural history of the area and plant specimens and stuffed examples of animals living in here. Historical exhibits include presentations of life in the area from the Paleolithic to the modern day, everyday tools, and farming implements, as well as information on how kanten algae gelatin, a local traditional industry is made; and misinformation about the Nagano region. The museum also holds shows utilizing a mobile planetarium.
  • Hachimitsu-gura
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Nagano Chino-shi
    "A small museum adjoining the Gin no Saji inn which introduces the wonders of honey and beekeeping. The museum building is constructed in a unique local style used to build storehouses known as ""tategurumi;"" the front plaster facade incorporates a kote-e relief of a bee. An exhibition room and shop selling primarily domestic honey and honey-related knickknacks are located on the first floor; the museum's tasting course, in which participants get to compare the taste and aroma of over 20 varieties of honey, is particularly popular."
  • Little Museum in a Village of Picture Books Yatsugatake Branch
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    4.0
    3 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Nagano Suwa-gun Haramura Harayama 17217-3325
    An art museum specializing in picture books located in Harayama, Hara Village, Nagano Prefecture. Supervised by picture book author Wakiko Sato, the museum provides a space where you can come in contact with moving stories and beautiful picture books. The museum displays original picture book images, paintings, and old picture books. Visitors can also spend a relaxing time perusing a variety of picture books and stories from across Japan and the world in the museum's library. The museum shop sells original merchandise and the museum also operates a mini gallery featuring painted ceramic tile art and a variety of works by various artists.

    自分が子供の頃に出会った絵本、自分の子供に読み聞かせた事のある絵本、 将来の自分の子供に見せたい絵本、、、。 自分と絵本の過去・現在・未来を感じました。 緑の木々に囲まれた場所で、小さな施設だからこそ、この静けさが保たれる。 絵本の中で流れる時間を感じたい。

  • Kirigamine Glider Fureai-kan
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Nagano Suwa-shi Kamisuwa 13338-1
    "A 30-minute drive from the Suwa Interchange on the Chuo Expressway. This facility with a glider hangar, was built in here 1997 in part because of the area's history as the birthplace of gliding in Japan and its culture of gliding. The facility has a standing exhibition visitors are free to view in which are display the Hato, Taka, and Tobi, unique gliders designed in the so-called ""Kirigamine style;"" a Tondokoro Mk II, a model descended from Japan's first domestically produced glider; and several other gliders. The facility also shows three glider-related movies. Admission is free, but the facility is closed in winter."
  • Suwakohan Art Museum Mure
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Nagano Suwa-gun Okaya-shi Hoka

Nagano Areas

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Nagano prefecture is an exciting mix of mountains, hot spring monkeys, and preserved Edo history. At the heart of the Japanese Alps, Nagano is one of the country’s most popular destinations, whether in winter for its snow sports and the much-loved Jigokudani Monkey Park or in the warmer months for discovering the undulating hills on foot. For fantastic Edo architecture, head to the Kiso Valley for a 60-kilometer stretch of quaint wooden buildings that marked the Nakasendo route 200 years ago.

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