諏訪湖 Suwa-ko

One of my favourite things about Okaya is Suwa-ko especially on a sunny day. There is a soft track all the way around for walking, jogging & cycling. Many locals enjoy fishing - although Suwa-ko has the reputation as the most polluted in Japan! One of my favourite things about Suwa-ko is the 足湯 (ashiyu) - or the foot onsen as I like to call it.

Apart from foot soaking, the ashiyu is a great place to watch people walk & cycle by. I can also practice my Japanese if there is an elderly lady who feels like chatting.

On a cold day the ashiyu is a welcome warmth especially before making the 15km walk around the lake - about 3 1/2 hours non-stop.

Cornelia & I walked it but it took about 7 hours.... After the foot soak we made a few stops:

1. sushi in Shimo-suwa

2. coffee in Suwa

3. unagi in Okaya

mmmm an oishii (delicious) day!




The lake is not without the typical tacky tourist attractions:

• The Giant Swans - yes there are many of them.
• A giant turtle & a giant shark or maybe it's a whale?
• And you can even peddle your own smaller giant swan!
  

So book your flights now & come ride the giant water creature of your choice!!!