The Venus Line is a 76-kilometer-long scenic road in Nagano Prefecture, Japan. It connects Chino City in the Suwa Region with the Utsukushigahara Open-Air Museum of Art in Ueda City (Eastern Nagano).
The road is famous for its beautiful mountain scenery, which changes with the seasons. In spring, the hills are covered in cherry blossoms, while in summer, the meadows are lush and green. In autumn, the leaves turn brilliant red and orange, and in winter, the mountains are covered in snow.
The first stop is Tateshina Otaki Falls. After parking, walk along the promenade through a moss-covered virgin forest. After about 10 minutes, you’ll reach the waterfall. It is not large, but the gentle flow of the falls is mesmerizing. There is also a short boardwalk where you can take pictures of Japanese forest scenery.
After leaving Tateshina Otaki, Lake Shirakaba is a plateau lake located at the foot of Mount Tateshina. The lakeside area has a resort complex with an amusement park and a mini-golf course centered around the Ikenotaira Hotel. During winter, numerous ski resorts operate on the hillsides surrounding the lake.
The next stop is a mountain lodge called Korobokkuru Hutte. Before the snow fall, it operated as a café, serving its signature coffee brewed with a siphon coffee maker. There’s something about the taste of coffee in a highland log cabin that is especially delightful. The café’s cozy interior offers respite from the chill on colder days, and the outdoor terrace looks out on excellent views of the surrounding mountains.
Towards the end of the drive, stop at the Yashimagahara Wetlands. After parking and walking through a short tunnel, a vast marsh appears suddenly before you. Spring and summer are popular times to visit because of the rare flowers that bloom, but the fall offers its own kind of beauty. The shining, mirror-like surface of the water reflects the blue sky and clouds.
The Venus Line is a great place to enjoy the natural beauty of Nagano Prefecture. It is a popular destination for both locals and tourists alike.
According to the Internet
