Taman Tateishi
Tateishi Park, located at 934 m elevation in Kakuma-zawa, Kami-Suwa, Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture, is a municipal park overlooking Lake Suwa — a recreational space for Suwa's citizens and one of Nagano's premier scenic vantages. The sweeping panorama takes in Lake Suwa below (13.3 km²), the Yatsugatake Range (Mt. Akadake, 2,899 m) opposite, and on clear days even Mt. Fuji 150 km away. By night, the lights of Suwa, Okaya, and Chino Cities sparkle like a jewel box, making the park a sacred ground for Suwa Basin nightscapes. After being featured as the model for Lake Itomori in Makoto Shinkai's «Your Name» (released 2016, ¥25 billion box office), it has become an international pilgrimage site for film fans. With a viewing deck, parking, and restrooms — and 24-hour access (with appropriate etiquette) — it photographs beautifully at every hour: cherry blossoms, fresh greens, sunsets, night views, and starscapes.
Highlights
- Bird's-Eye View of Lake Suwa — from 934 m, the lake and Suwa Basin spread below, with Yatsugatake and even Mt. Fuji visible
- Nightscape — the city lights of Suwa, Okaya, and Chino glittering like a jewel box; blue hour is the absolute peak
- «Your Name» Pilgrimage Site — internationally famous as the model for Lake Itomori, drawing film fans worldwide
- Cherry Blossoms with Lake Suwa — mid-April blossoms with the lake below; fresh greens and autumn colors round out the seasons
- Stars — at 934 m elevation, despite some city light, new-moon nights surprisingly reveal stars
Quick Answers
Practical Information
- Access
- 10-min taxi or drive from Kamisuwa Station. No bus service.
- Parking
- Free parking for ~20 cars, accessible at night.
- Admission
- Free.
- Duration
- 1 hr for shooting.
- Best Time
- Sunset to blue hour; new-moon nights for stargazing.