Manji no Sekibutsu

Harumiya Shrine

Akimiya Shrine

Biking around Lake Suwa

Lake Suwa

Glass no Sato Glass Museum

Taizi Harada Art Museum of a local Artist

Suwa Biking Tour

Art, Culture, & Historical

Joined 2026

Patrick M.

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

Nagano

English (Native), Japanese, Spanish

4 hours

Private tour (only you and Patrick M.)

Up to 6 people

By bicycle, we will see some of Japan's oldest shrines, visit museums, and explore nature. We will ride 16 km around one of Japan's most famous lakes, Lake Suwa. Also, we will visit the Spring (Harumiya) and Fall (Akimiya) Shrines. Finally, we can take in a couple of museums. You can choose among history museums, art museums, and nature museums. Let's explore one of Japan's more unique cities while enjoying the fresh air.

Itinerary

This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!

10:00 AM

Meeting Point

Kamisuwa Station

- We will meet in front of the ticket gates.

10:20 AM

Takashima Castle

This castle is from the feudal clan that ruled the area. It dates back to 1598. We will walk around the grounds and take pictures of the castle.

11:00 AM

Lake Suwa

We will start at the main pier of Lake Suwa. We can go at your pace and stop when you want to take pictures. I'll point out points of interest and wildlife while explaining the lake and the city. Periodically, we will leave the lake to see various sites or visit a museum.

12:20 PM

Harumiya (the Spring Shrine)

This shrine is over 1,200 years old, making it one of the oldest shrines in Japan. We will walk through it as I explain it. Next, we will go see the Manjuseki Buddhist Statue.

01:00 PM

Akimiya (the Fall Shrine)

A shrine of similar age to Harumiya. We will walk around the grounds while I explain the shrine. From this shrine, we ride the last bit of the lake.

Ending Point

Kamisuwa Station

Want to personalize this tour?

This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.

Inclusions & Exclusions

What‘s included

Guide fee

What‘s not included

Bike rental (4,000 yen)

Museum fees (Taizi Harada Art Museum: 840 yen/Glass no Sato: 770 yen/ Harmo Museum of European Art: 1,200 yen)

Tour Important Information

This tour involves bicycling outdoors, so please wear comfortable clothes and clothes that fit the weather.

Important message from the supplier

I am only available during mornings and afternoons.

Cancellation Policy

Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time

Joined 2026

Patrick M.

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

About Tour Guide Patrick M.

I have loved Japan since my high school homestay in Kyoto. I came back a couple of times and lived in Sendai and Yamanashi. I currently reside in Nagano. I have lived here for sixteen years. I have explored the country and traveled to all 47 prefectures.

Also, I am a travel writer, and I have written many articles about Nagano and Japan. I know the geography, history, economics, and so forth of the prefecture.

I have training in culture, as I have a masters degree in intercultural understanding. I know a lot about culture in general, and Japanese culture.

At the same time, I have much experience working with tourists. For many years in America, I worked in various tourist venues like hotels, restaurants, and gift shops. Currently in Japan, because of my travel writing, I follow tourist trends.

On my own, I have explored the prefecture extensively. I have hiked many of the trails and mountains. I have visited all the major sights and many unknown but interesting places.

Along with my native language, English, I speak fluent Japanese and Spanish. I can guide in any of those languages and help people navigate places because of my high level Japanese.