RoadNagano · Suwa City, Shimosuwa Town and Nagawa TownVOL.0 · 2026-W43
Venus Line before its winter closure
75.2 km climbing from Tateshina past Shirakaba Lake and Kirigamine to Utsukushigahara at about 2,000 m.
The Venus Line runs 75.2 km from the Gozaishi Shrine intersection in Chino to near the Utsukushigahara Open-Air Museum. From the Chino end you climb through Tateshina, past Shirakaba and Megami lakes, over Kirigamine, and finish on the Utsukushigahara Plateau at about 2,000 meters. Lookouts along the way take in the Yatsugatake range, the Alps, Mount Asama and Mount Fuji.
Midway, Kirigamine tops out at Mount Kuruma, 1,925 m. The area around Kurumayama-kata is known for its summer daylilies, and beyond it the Yashimagahara Wetland (1,630 m) has a walking loop of about 4 km. Kirigamine's three raised bogs are a national natural monument. Per the prefecture's tourism site, autumn color starts on Utsukushigahara and usually peaks in early to mid-October.
The section from near the Yashima Kogen parking lot to Wada Pass closes from 11:00 on November 18 until 11:00 on April 20, 2027 (subject to snow). During that time you cannot drive through from Kirigamine to Utsukushigahara that way.
Highlights HIGHLIGHTS
- 01
Michi-no-Eki Venus Line
Roadside station at the entrance to Lake Tateshina, with parking for about 120 cars.
Source：Nagano Tourism Organization go-nagano.net - 02
Shirakaba and Megami lakes
At Megami Lake, Mount Tateshina is reflected in the water.
Source：Nagano Tourism Organization go-nagano.net - 03
Kurumayama-kata
The shoulder of Mount Kuruma (1,925 m), Kirigamine's high point, known for summer daylilies.
Source：Nagano Tourism Organization go-nagano.net - 04
Yashimagahara Wetland
At 1,630 m with a loop path of about 4 km; Kirigamine's raised bogs are a national natural monument.
Source：Nagano Tourism Organization go-nagano.net - 05
Yashima Kogen to Wada Pass
The section closed for winter from 11:00 Nov 18 to 11:00 Apr 20, 2027.
Source：Suwa Construction Office, Nagano Prefecture pref.nagano.lg.jp
Sources and official information SOURCES
- OfficialSuwa Construction Office, Nagano Prefecture pref.nagano.lg.jphttps://www.pref.nagano.lg.jp/suwaken/doro/
- SourceNagano Tourism Organization go-nagano.nethttps://www.go-nagano.net/nature-and-outdoors/id21713
Written by the APEX DRIVE editors from facts in the official sources above (not a copy of the official text).Last checked: . Details may change. Please check the official page before you go.