
A Handy Guide to Kamisuwa Onsen: A Lakeside Hot Spring Getaway
On the east side of Nagano Prefecture’s famous Lake Suwa lies Kamisuwa Onsen. It’s a popular onsen (natural hot spring) town in the Lake Suwa area, and for good reason: it’s easily accessible from Tokyo and boasts high-quality and abundant hot spring water. Read on to discover what makes this lakeside onsen town so appealing.
Overview of Kamisuwa Onsen

Considered one of Japan’s most abundant hot spring towns due to the roughly 15,000 kiloliters of water it generates daily, Kamisuwa Onsen is a delight to experience. Its mildly alkaline waters are believed to have fatigue-relieving and skin-beautifying properties, and guests benefit all the more from its convenient location and lakeside views.
All over town are ryokans (traditional Japanese inns), hotels, bathing facilities, and footbaths; there are even footbaths at the platforms of Kami-Suwa Station! One bathing facility not to miss here is the iconic Katakurakan, an historic building with a western facade that draws upon an eclectic mix of architectural styles, such as Gothic and Romanesque.

The expansive main bath at Katakurakan is called the Sennin-buro (lit. “bath for 1,000 people”) due to its huge capacity, although it’s estimated to hold up to about a hundred people at a time. With a depth of around four feet (one meter) and unique gravel flooring, the bath was designed for standing or walking. After a nice soak, guests can enjoy panoramic views of Lake Suwa from the balcony.

Slightly past Kami-Suwa Station, about a 15-minute drive away, is Highway Onsen Lake Suwa, where the baths come with views of Lake Suwa. Part of the Suwako Service Area, this is Japan's first bathing facility at a rest stop.
How to get to Kamisuwa Onsen

Kamisuwa Onsen’s proximity to Tokyo makes it an ideal choice for day trippers and overnight guests. The closest station to this town, Kami-Suwa, is reachable from JR Shinjuku Station in around two hours via the Azusa Limited Express. Direct buses also link Shinjuku with Kamisuwa Onsen, with a one-way journey taking a little over three hours.

Likewise, for those visiting from Nagano Prefecture’s Matsumoto City, take the Azusa (around 20 minutes) or a regular train (around 40 minutes) to get to Kamisuwa.
From Nagano City, take the Shinano Limited Express from Nagano City to Matsumoto or Shiojiri, then transfer to reach Kami-Suwa Station for around one hour and 30 minutes one way.
Kamisuwa Onsen’s town proper is just a 10-minute walk from Kami-Suwa Station, with many accommodations and bathing facilities also within reasonable walking distance.
Things to see and do at Kamisuwa Onsen

Besides bathing in a hot spring, taking in the scenery around Lake Suwa is another popular activity among visitors to Kamisuwa Onsen. Near the town center is Suwa Lakeside Park, where you can take a boat (or even yacht) ride through Lake Suwa, cycle around the lake, just stroll around, or dip your feet into a footbath with a view.

This park is a great vantage point for some of the best Lake Suwa views. In summer, you can enjoy gorgeous sunset views and fireworks displays, the most impressive of which is the Lake Suwa Fireworks Festival. It takes place annually on August 15 and is regarded as one of Japan’s largest fireworks festivals.

Tateishi Park is also perched atop a hill. The panoramic views of Lake Suwa from here are said to have inspired certain scenes in the hit Makoto Shinkai film, Your Name.

For sake lovers, try a sake tasting at the Suwa Gokura (“Suwa Five Breweries”), prominent breweries located close to one another on the part of the historical Koshu Kaido Road that runs through Kamisuwa. Composed of the breweries Reijin, Honkin, Yokobue, Maihime, and Masumi, the Suwa Gokura have all been in business for centuries, using premium rice and pristine water from Mount Kirigamine to brew some of Japan’s best sake.
Purchase a Gokuraku Set ticket from Kamisuwa’s tourist information center or any of the five breweries to sample sake from each brewery. From time to time, the Suwa Gokura also holds events such as brewery crawls that include a tour of each brewery and sake tastings paired with local snacks.
Where to stay at Kamisuwa Onsen
1. Kamisuwa Onsen Shinyu

Just a 10-minute walk from Kami-Suwa Station is Kamisuwa Onsen Shinyu, a classy hotel with selected rooms overlooking Lake Suwa, including two suites with private open-air baths. The hotel takes pride in sourcing its hot spring water from an exclusive source called Bisui Spring, which produces jade-colored water beneficial to the skin. Its public baths are beautifully decorated with colorful patterned tiles, and private baths are also available by reservation.
2. Sui Suwako

Meanwhile, Sui Suwako, also around 10 minutes on foot from Kami-Suwa Station, is a luxury hotel based on the concept of creating a gathering place for loved ones. With only eight modern Japanese rooms, all facing Lake Suwa and featuring Hinoki cypress baths, this hotel is perfect for those looking for a quiet getaway. Guests are also sure to find the infinity open-air bath on the hotel’s rooftop an absolute delight.