6 recommended sightseeing spots around Lake Nojiri

Lake Nojiri is located in the northern part of Nagano Prefecture, Japan, close to the border with Niigata Prefecture. It is surrounded by the magnificent Myoko and Kurohime highlands and sits at an altitude of approximately 550 meters. Despite having a smaller surface area than Lake Suwa in central Nagano, Lake Nojiri boasts a greater depth, resulting in a larger volume of water.
Lake Nojiri is also a famous tourist spot known for the excavation of Naumann elephant fossils. Fossils continue to be discovered even today, attracting archaeology enthusiasts and many tourists to the lake. This time, we will introduce some of the romantic Lake Nojiri and the surrounding sightseeing spots in Shinano town.

1. Lake Nojiri Naumann's Elephant Fossil Museum

The Nojiri Lake Naumann Elephant Museum stores and exhibits nearly 80,000 fossils excavated from Lake Nojiri. Starting with the history of the lake's formation, the museum provides easy-to-understand explanations about the process of excavating Naumann elephant fossils and artifacts of the Nojiri-ko people, along with actual fossils.
Upon entering the exhibition corner, you'll be greeted by a large Naumann elephant, restored based on fossil discoveries. The exhibition room displays Naumann elephant tooth fossils excavated from the bottom of Lake Nojiri, as well as everyday items used by the Nojiri-ko people who lived by the lake around 40,000 years ago. There's even an Ice Age experience corner, making it a fun and educational visit for young children.

2. Lake Nojiri Pleasure Boat

If you visit Lake Nojiri, it is recommended to take a sightseeing boat cruise to enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings and magnificent mountains. The boat operates every hour from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM daily, and even pets are allowed on board. The large sightseeing boat "Miyabi" offers cruise plans with first-class cabins and even chartered boat plans.
The Lake Nojiri sightseeing boat takes you to Biwa Island (Benten Island) floating in the lake. This island has the "Uga Shrine," famous for its red torii gate. Once you disembark on the island, take a leisurely stroll and visit Uga Shrine. Please note that the boat only stops at Biwa Island for about 15 minutes.

3. Naena Falls

The Seki River forms the border between Nagano and Niigata prefectures. Among the waterfalls that cascade down this river, the most famous is "Naena Falls," boasting a drop of approximately 50 meters. The name "Naena" originates from the word "nai," meaning "earth," and was given to the falls due to the powerful tremors caused by the falling water, resembling an earthquake. The surrounding cliff walls are composed of basalt, showcasing magnificent vertical patterns.
In winter, the waterfall freezes and stops flowing. However, when spring arrives, the snow melts, increasing the water volume and making the waterfall even more powerful. Just as impressive as the waterfall itself are the surrounding trees. Deciduous broad-leaved forests thrive around the falls, and in autumn, their beautiful foliage adds color to Naena Falls.

4. Kurohime Plateau

Kurohime Plateau is a flower park where you can admire beautiful flowers, including approximately 2,000 dahlia plants and a staggering 1 million cosmos flowers. This vast park offers more than just flower fields; it also features a panoramic lift, a playland, a farm, a hotel, cafes, a dog run, workshops, a strader (mountain cart) riding area, a marche (market), and souvenir shops.
The playland, popular with families, has both outdoor and indoor areas, allowing for enjoyment even on rainy days. After playing to your heart's content in nature, enjoy a delicious meal while taking in the colorful flowers. For winter sports enthusiasts, visiting during the winter season to enjoy the snow park is also recommended.

5. Kurohime Fairy Tale Museum and Fairy Tale Forest Gallery

The Kurohime Fairy Tale Museum is a tourist spot where you can encounter picture books and fairy tales from around the world, as well as folktales from the Shinshu region (Nagano Prefecture). It mainly exhibits works by Michael Ende, the author of the famous German children's novel "Momo," and Japanese fairy tale author Miyoko Matsutani, known for the picture book "Peek-a-Boo."
The "Fairy Tale Forest Gallery" adjacent to the Kurohime Fairy Tale Museum exhibits works by artists connected to this area. The paintings depicting landscapes throughout the four seasons evoke the beauty and harshness of nature, as well as the vitality of the people living within it. They also hold enjoyable concerts and events, so check their schedule if you're interested.

6. Breeze Bay Resort Kurohime

"Breeze Bay Resort Kurohime" is a lodging facility operated by the BBH Hotel Group, which manages over 120 hotels across Japan. From their impressive large public bath, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Kurohime Plateau and Mount Myoko. What's more, you can soak in the onsen while gazing at the starry sky at night. The resort also features a restaurant with scenic views, a relaxation room, a dedicated ski slope, and an indoor gateball court, allowing guests to enjoy various activities throughout the seasons.

Summary of recommended sightseeing spots around Lake Nojiri

The area around Lake Nojiri offers a variety of attractions, from natural spots centered around Kurohime Plateau and Mount Myoko to a history museum that evokes the romance of ancient times and a gallery where you can immerse yourself in the charm of picture books. You can enjoy a variety of activities depending on the season and your interests, such as taking a sightseeing boat on Lake Nojiri to visit a shrine or trying skiing in the winter.
Also, in Shinano Town, the birthplace of the haiku poet Issa Kobayashi, there are tourist spots related to Issa. Although a little far from Lake Nojiri, there are many things to see, so be sure to visit if you have the time.