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Illustrative image — not an on-site photograph

Nagano Prefecture · Kanto

Michi-no-Eki Venus Line Tateshina Lake

道の駅 ビーナスライン蓼科湖

A Venus Line rest stop beside Lake Tateshina for ice cream, a hot spring, and a lakeside walk.

Updated Michi-no-Eki JournalRead in Japanese

Illustrative image — not an on-site photograph

Location
Chino City
Road
Prefectural Route 192 | Chino Station–Yashigamine Park Line
Hours
9:00–16:30
Indicative hours for Tateshina Ice. The tourist information center, Tateshina BASE, and nearby shops have different hours and closing days.
Parking
Cars: 99 / Large vehicles: 7
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How to enjoy

Choose how to enjoy your visit

Eat, shop, play, take in the view or rest. Choose from the station’s strengths to suit your day.

Start here
Parking and toilets

Settle in for a break before or after the Venus Line drive.

If time is short
Tateshina Ice and a lake view

Even 20–30 minutes gives you a taste of Lake Tateshina.

For a meal
Tateshina BASE or a lakeside shop

Include neighboring facilities in your dining plans.

To get outside
Walk around Lake Tateshina and visit the sculpture park

Add a short walk on a clear day.

Next destination
Barakura, Northern Yatsugatake, or Mishaka Pond

Check the weather and your available time at the tourist information center before deciding.

Illustrative image — not an on-site photograph
Chiho's lakeside break notes

Pause at Lake Tateshina before rushing to your next destination.

Chiho Mizuno sees Venus Line Tateshina Lake as a stop to enjoy beyond its dining and shopping. Start with parking and the toilets, then make a brief stop feel local with Tateshina Ice. If you have more time, walk by the lake before going to the hot spring or tourist information center. Linking a break, a sweet treat, a walk, and your next drive brings out this station's appeal.

Highlights

Michi-no-Eki Venus Line Tateshina Lake sits beside Lake Tateshina in Kitayama, Chino City, along the Venus Line. Along with parking, toilets, a rest and viewing room, and information facilities, you can walk to Tateshina Ice, the Tateshina Tourist Information Center, neighboring Tateshina BASE, lakeside paths, and boats. Editor Chiho Mizuno recommends it as a quiet place to pause by the lake and choose your next drive, rather than as a destination for a large shopping hall.

  • #Lake Tateshina
  • #Venus Line
  • #Tateshina Ice
  • #Tateshina BASE
  • #Lakeside walking
  • #Highland drive
Why I like it

Reasons to stop here

01

Park, use the toilets, and take in the lake view first

The station's core facilities are its spacious parking area, toilets, rest and viewing room, and information center. Stop before or after climbing the Venus Line and plan your route while looking over Lake Tateshina. It makes a useful break even if you are not eating or shopping.

02

Tateshina Ice makes even a short stop memorable

Tateshina Ice, a soft serve ice cream shop, draws on Tateshina's cafe culture, once enjoyed by literary figures. A sweet treat by the lake suits this stop better than expecting a full meal there.

03

Neighboring Tateshina BASE adds dining and hot spring options

Next to the roadside station, Tateshina BASE has a restaurant, a day use hot spring bath, accommodation, and a tourist information center. You can finish your visit with a bath, ask about your next destination, or go next door for a meal.

04

Extend your stay with a lakeside circuit, boats, or the sculpture park

Lake Tateshina is a highland lake at about 1,250 m elevation. Walk along the shore, try boating or other waterside activities, or head toward the sculpture park. On a clear day, a short break can become a highland walk; in rain or cold, focus on the station and Tateshina BASE.

Route idea

Ways to plan your stop

Spend your time at the station or add somewhere nearby. These ideas help you plan around your companions and the weather.

On the way up to Tateshina from Suwa IC or Suwa-minami IC

Take a 20 minute break before driving the Venus Line

Park first, then use the toilets and rest and viewing room. If time is short, pick up an ice cream at Tateshina Ice or spend a few minutes looking over the lake. Recheck the weather, your passengers' energy, and the distance to your next stop before continuing your highland drive.

Parking → toilets → Tateshina Ice or lakeside → depart

Tateshina Ice generally closes before evening. If you arrive late, make the break and view your focus.

Families and adults making Lake Tateshina the focus on a clear day

Spend an unhurried half day by the lake

After a break at the roadside station, choose among a lakeside walk, boats at Tateshina Lake Leisure Land, and the sculpture park. Even if some of your group walk, others wait with a sweet treat, and others head to the hot spring, the station and Tateshina BASE make convenient meeting points.

Roadside station → Tateshina Ice → lakeside walk → boat or sculpture park → Tateshina BASE

Waterside activities generally operate seasonally from mid April to late November. In rain, wind, or cold, switch to the hot spring or information center.

Returning from the Northern Yatsugatake Ropeway or Mishaka Pond

Finish a highland drive with a hot spring bath

On the way back from the mountains, stop at the roadside station for the toilets and shopping, then move next door to Tateshina BASE's day use hot spring bath. Decide first whether to eat here or just bathe, so the evening closing time is less likely to catch you out.

Northern Yatsugatake or Mishaka Pond → roadside station → Tateshina BASE hot spring → onward journey

Tateshina BASE lists Wednesday and Thursday closures, and hot spring hours vary with its operating calendar. Check its latest notice if the bath is your main goal.

A relaxed spring to autumn day of walking and shopping

Make a quiet detour to flowers and gardens

Pause at Lake Tateshina before heading from the roadside station to Barakura English Garden. In flower season, make the garden the main stop; use the station for parking, toilets, ice cream, and tourist information to balance driving with time on site.

Roadside station → Lake Tateshina → Barakura → onward journey or hot spring

The garden's appearance and admission price vary by season. Check bloom information before a flower focused visit.

Hours

Opening hours

Tateshina Ice
9:00〜16:30

Closed over the New Year holiday. Follow on site notices for seasonal or temporary changes.

Tateshina Tourist Information Center
10:00〜16:30

Listed as closed Wednesday and Thursday. Inside Tateshina BASE.

Tateshina BASE day use hot spring
12:00–19:00; last admission 18:30

Listed as closed Wednesday and Thursday; hours vary with the operating calendar.

Tateshina Lake Leisure Land
Green season 9:00–17:00

The planned 2026 season is April 17–November 23. Last boarding is generally 16:30.

Family

Visiting with children

Illustrative image — not an on-site photograph

Stars show the editorial recommendation for each age group on a five-point scale. Read the reasons alongside each rating.

Age 1 and under
★★★☆☆

Suitable for toilets, the baby care area, and a short lakeside break.

At this elevation, wind and cold can be noticeable. Stay within an easy return to your car instead of planning a long outdoor walk.

Ages 2–3
★★★☆☆

Ice cream and a short walk are manageable.

The water and parking area are nearby, so hold hands for a brief lakeside walk. In rain, switch to Tateshina BASE or a break in the car.

Ages 4–6
★★★★☆

Boats, a lakeside walk, and sweets offer variety.

When Tateshina Lake Leisure Land is open for the season, combine waterside play with a break at the station. If the weather worsens, choose a bath or meal instead.

Primary school age
★★★★☆

Explore how the lake formed, the sculpture park, and Northern Yatsugatake.

Children comfortable with walking can go around the lake or toward the sculpture park. If you are heading to the ropeway or Tsuboniwa Nature Garden, check cold weather gear and operating hours separately.

Waterfront

Keep young children close between the lakeside and parking area.

Taking a break

Combine the toilets, rest and viewing room, and Tateshina BASE.

Weather

In the highlands, watch for wind and chill even in summer, and road conditions and snow in winter.

Event

Make an event part of your visit

Permanent spaces and dated events are listed separately. Events can change both the atmosphere and crowds; use the official links for details.

Checking event dates.

Spaces used for events

Event space and park plaza

Chino City's official information describes these as places for community connections through outdoor and cultural exchange events. Dates change each year; check parking and access arrangements on event days.

TINY GARDEN FESTIVAL

In 2026, the festival took place June 5–7 at TINY GARDEN Tateshina and the area around the roadside station. Parking, crowds, and the atmosphere differed from an ordinary day, so check announcements for the next event.

Tateshina Lake Leisure Land

Boating and waterside activities mainly run in the green season. Families should check the operating period, last admission, and wind before choosing them.

Tateshina BASE day use hot spring

The hot spring makes a convenient end to a drive, but closing days and its operating calendar affect access. Check its hours before planning a late visit.

Local feel

Reasons to return

Practical ideas and things to consider when spending time here.

Enjoy more than the roadside station itself

Visitors expecting a large shopping area or many shops may find the station limited. Add a lakeside break, ice cream, tourist information, and the neighboring facilities to make more of the stop.

Consider cool summers, autumn leaves, and winter road conditions

Lake Tateshina is a highland lake at about 1,250 m elevation. Summer offers a cool retreat and autumn brings colored leaves. In winter, and early mornings and evenings, also watch for cold, snow, and icy roads.

Source: Chino Tourism Navi

Tateshina BASE offers an indoor option in rain

Next door, Tateshina BASE has dining, a hot spring, lodging, and a tourist information center. If rain or cold shortens your lakeside walk, take a break at the station and move indoors.

Source: Official Tateshina BASE information

Watch the afternoon clock when heading to Northern Yatsugatake

Northern Yatsugatake Ropeway hours change by season, and inspection closures occur. Check operating times before lingering at the roadside station on a mountain bound day.

Source: Official Northern Yatsugatake Ropeway information
Before your visit

Things to check before setting out

Opening and closure days, individual businesses and facilities for children or dogs can affect your plans.

  • Tateshina Ice generally opens 9:00–16:30. If you arrive in the evening, focus on a break and the view instead of ice cream.
  • The Tateshina Tourist Information Center lists 10:00–16:30 hours and Wednesday and Thursday closures. Time your visit if you want advice.
  • Tateshina BASE's day use hot spring follows its operating calendar. Check it separately from the roadside station if bathing is your goal.
  • Boats and waterside activities at Lake Tateshina operate seasonally. Skip them on windy or cold days.
  • If you are heading to Northern Yatsugatake Ropeway, keep your station stop brief and prioritize operating hours and weather.
  • In winter and early mornings or evenings, check for icy roads, snow, and cold; shorten your lakeside walk if needed.
Food

Eating and shopping

Specialities, places to eat, sweets and bakeries can all give you a reason to stop. Check individual menus for current prices and availability.

  • Sweets
    Soft serve ice cream at Tateshina Ice
    Check the price posted on the day
  • Meals and cafe
    Tateshina BASE restaurant and cafe
    Varies by shop and time of day
  • Lakeside break
    Snacks and shops around Lake Tateshina
    Varies by opening day and season
  • Shopping
    Highland vegetables and local processed foods
    Varies with availability
Food mood

What would you like to eat?

A meal, a sweet treat, market shopping or something to take away: choose a focus for the day instead of trying everything at once.

Illustrative image — not an on-site photograph
Pause for a sweet treat

Tateshina Ice soft serve ice cream

An easy way to make even a short break feel like Lake Tateshina, especially with a lake view.

Make it a meal

Tateshina BASE restaurant and cafe

Look next door as well as at the roadside station to accommodate different tastes in your group.

Its hours and closing days differ from those of the roadside station.

Eat lightly around a hot spring visit

Lakeside shops, cafes, and snacks

After Northern Yatsugatake or Mishaka Pond, a light bite and bath may make the drive home easier than a heavy meal.

Take something home

Highland vegetables, local processed foods, and seasonal souvenirs

The shopping area is modest in size; choosing one good find suits this stop.

Plan around crowds

Walk by the lake first, then get a sweet treat or take a bath

Parking and nearby shops can get busy together at lunchtime on holidays, so keep your meal plans flexible.

Access

Location and surroundings

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1
Roadside station
Michi-no-Eki Venus Line Tateshina Lake

A Venus Line rest stop beside Lake Tateshina for ice cream, a hot spring, and a lakeside walk.

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2
Lakeside and nature walk
Lake Tateshina lakeside walk

Step straight out from the roadside station for a short walk by Lake Tateshina's water in the highland air.

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3
Dining, hot spring, and tourist information
Tateshina BASE kitchen, spa & hotel

Next to the roadside station, this lakeside base combines dining, a day use hot spring bath, and travel advice.

Open in Google Maps
4
Waterside activities and boating
Tateshina Lake Leisure Land

Extend a lakeside break with boats and waterside activities during the green season.

Open in Google Maps
5
Gardens and flowers
Tateshina Kogen Barakura English Garden

After a Lake Tateshina break, linger in the highlands among flowers and gardens.

Open in Google Maps
6
Mountain views and hiking
Northern Yatsugatake Ropeway

After a break at Lake Tateshina, head up to Tsuboniwa Nature Garden and the Northern Yatsugatake mountain air.

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Food outlets and the market on the station grounds share the station pin. Nearby places are separate destinations to combine with your visit.
Nearby

Places to visit nearby

Lakeside and nature walk
Lake Tateshina lakeside walkJapanese guide
In front of the station; a short walkA short walk

A brief break, a walk after Tateshina Ice, or a change of scene for children.

Dining, hot spring, and tourist information
Tateshina BASE kitchen, spa & hotelJapanese guide
Adjacent to the stationA short walk

Meals, a hot spring bath, an indoor break on a rainy day, or advice on your next stop.

Waterside activities and boating
Tateshina Lake Leisure LandJapanese guide
Near the stationWithin walking distance

Families with children aged 4 or older, a clear day half day visit, or an addition to a lakeside walk.

Gardens and flowers
Tateshina Kogen Barakura English GardenJapanese guide
About 2 km from the stationAbout 5 minutes by car

Spring to autumn flowers, a relaxed adults' trip, or a garden walk after rain.

Mountain views and hiking
Northern Yatsugatake RopewayJapanese guide
About 9 km from the stationAbout 15–20 minutes by car

Views on a clear day, mountain walks, a cool summer retreat, or winter snow scenery.

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Updated 2026-09-30Explore the nationwide map →