Suwa

The cheapest way to get here from Tokyo or Kyoto is by bus. You can also get to Suwa by train from Nagano, first go to Matsumoto and take the Limited Express on the Chuo Train line. The bus station is across the street from the train station on Route 20. It is a small office outside the Plaza. The Chūō Expressway (E19) and the national Road 20 are the obvious choices when accessing Suwa. There are two interchanges of the E19: the Suwa Interchange and the Suwako Service Area. There are three local bus routes on those ridiculous looking buses with the quince fruit on the outside. They can take you to Suwakoland, as well as shopping the big stores, and Montbell at Station Park. You can walk to the castle, geyser, and around the downtown area. Trains to neighboring cities. Rent a bicycle at the JR station rental agency. To reach the Yatsugatake, take a train to Chino and then a bus to Minodoguchi. Soba, bee larvae, raw horse, and fried grasshopper are the local specialties....