suwa lake ++ nagano prefecture japan

s u w a ... suwa lake views

Lake Views, Kamisuwa ---- These photos were taken at the resort town of Kami-Suwa, on the banks of Lake Suwa, in Nagano Prefecture, Japan. The blue squarelike objects in some of these photos are in fact tarpaulin mats being laid out by enthusiastic Japanese trying to stake out a piece of foreshore, in anticipation of the fireworks which were to be held here the following night (click here to see the fireworks pictures.) Although I couldn't take a picture of it, these foreshores also contain a real life functioning geysir. I strolled the shores with my friend Mr Tanaka. We ate at a nearby country&western restaurant. I stayed at the Station Hotel. The next morning was bright and hot.

A little information about Kami-Suwa: the place is big on hot underground water, erupting on the hour at that aforementioned geysir, or seeping to the surface in the onsen hot baths spas which are everywhere here. A lot of the underground water also gets devoted to the manufacture of Japanese sake... and yes, I did guzzle a quantity of the stuff when I came here!

Japanese onsen hot baths are supposed to have healing powers.

Some of the town's more unusual onsen experiences include:
RAILWAY STATION HOT BATHS: That is right, you can take a bath while you were wait for your train back to Tokyo! Kami-Suwa Onsen is a free, and open air hot spring, set amidst the platform of Kami-Suwa station. Merely a bamboo fence seperates the bathers from the railway passangers on the platform. About 6-8 persons can squeeze into this unusual rock bath.

GETTING THERE AND AWAY: The easiest way to get to Kami-Suwa onsen from Tokyo is by train. From Shinjuku take any train bound for Matsumoto, and then get off at Kami-Suwa station. Do not get through the gate and out of the station, as the hot spring is on the platform. If you didn't bring a towel yourself, you can buy a set with towel and soap at the kiosk on the platform.



	s u w a ... suwa lake views Lake Views, Kamisuwa ---- These photos were taken at the resort town of Kami-Suwa, on the banks of Lake Suwa, in Nagano Prefecture, Japan. The blue squarelike objects in some of these photos are in fact tarpaulin mats being laid out by enthusiastic Japanese trying to stake out a piece of foreshore, in anticipation of the fireworks which were to be held here the following night (click here to see the fireworks pictures.) Although I couldn't take a picture of it, these foreshores also contain a real life functioning geysir. I strolled the shores with my friend Mr Tanaka. We ate at a nearby country&western restaurant. I stayed at the Station Hotel. The next morning was bright and hot. A little information about Kami-Suwa: the place is big on hot underground water, erupting on the hour at that aforementioned geysir, or seeping to the surface in the onsen hot baths spas which are everywhere here. A lot of the underground water also gets devoted to the manufacture of Japanese sake... and yes, I did guzzle a quantity of the stuff when I came here! Japanese onsen hot baths are supposed to have healing powers. Some of the town's more unusual onsen experiences include: RAILWAY STATION HOT BATHS: That is right, you can take a bath while you were wait for your train back to Tokyo! Kami-Suwa Onsen is a free, and open air hot spring, set amidst the platform of Kami-Suwa station. Merely a bamboo fence seperates the bathers from the railway passangers on the platform. About 6-8 persons can squeeze into this unusual rock bath. GETTING THERE AND AWAY: The easiest way to get to Kami-Suwa onsen from Tokyo is by train. From Shinjuku take any train bound for Matsumoto, and then get off at Kami-Suwa station. Do not get through the gate and out of the station, as the hot spring is on the platform. If you didn't bring a towel yourself, you can buy a set with towel and soap at the kiosk on the platform.
	[splendid shores -- lake suwa] nagano prefecture japan 2005 copyright rob sullivan 1996-2005 and beyond!