Landscape and Natural Surroundings
Okaya lies in the central part of Nagano Prefecture, within the Suwa Basin surrounded by mountains. Lake Suwa stretches along the eastern side of the city, while green mountains rise to the west.
This geographical setting has influenced people’s lives and industries for centuries. The lake provided an important source of water and supported traditional fishing, while the surrounding mountains offered routes for travel and access to the wider region.
Mountains and Historic Mountain Passes
Several mountains in and around Okaya offer beautiful seasonal scenery. They include Mount Hachibuse, Mount Takabocchi, Mount Higashiyama, and Mount Takao.
Among them, Mount Takabocchi is particularly famous for its panoramic views. On clear days, visitors can see Mount Fuji beyond Lake Suwa, as well as extensive mountain landscapes. The scenery has sometimes been described as representing an enduring image of Japan’s traditional rural landscape.
Shiojiri Pass, also known as Enrei Pass, has long been an important transportation route connecting communities on either side of the mountains. Its history reflects the movement of people and goods through the region.
Rivers and Lake Suwa
The Tenryu River is the most important river associated with Okaya. It is the only river that flows out of Lake Suwa, beginning at the Kamaguchi Water Gate on the western end of the lake before continuing south and eventually making its long journey toward the Pacific Ocean.
Other rivers, including the Yokogawa River and Tsukama River, also flow through the city, bringing water to the surrounding communities.
Lake Suwa itself is one of Okaya’s defining features. Its scenery changes dramatically with the seasons, making the lakeside popular for walking, jogging, cycling, and photography. The combination of the broad lake and surrounding mountains creates a beautiful setting throughout the year.
Historic Shrines and Temples
Okaya is home to numerous historic religious sites that preserve the traditions and beliefs of the region.
Fujishima Shrine and Moriya Shrine are among the old shrines that continue to reflect the area’s long religious heritage. Heifukuji Temple belongs to the Chizan school of Shingon Buddhism and is known by its mountain name, Reirinzan. The temple is also associated with the Higiri Jizoson, a Jizo Buddhist figure connected with prayers and wishes made on a designated day or deadline.
These sites offer quiet places to experience the spiritual atmosphere of the Suwa region away from its larger tourist attractions.
Archaeological Sites and Historic Buildings
Okaya also preserves important evidence of ancient settlement. Mekiri Site and Nashikubo Site are notable archaeological sites dating from the Jomon period, a prehistoric era of Japan that lasted for thousands of years.
Nashikubo Site is particularly associated with an area that prospered through the use and distribution of obsidian, a volcanic glass that was highly valued by prehistoric communities for making tools and weapons.
The city also preserves historic buildings connected with its modern industrial development. Sites such as the Former Hayashi Family Residence and the Former Yamaichi Hayashi Silk-Reeling Company Office provide a glimpse into the era when silk production transformed Okaya into a major industrial center.
Okaya Silk Museum — Silk Factory Okaya
The Okaya Silk Museum, also known as Silk Factory Okaya, is one of the city’s most important attractions for understanding its industrial heritage.
The nickname “Silk Factory Okaya” incorporates both the idea of a silk-reeling factory and the word “fact,” reflecting the museum’s role in conveying the real history of the city’s silk industry.
The museum introduces the development of silk reeling during the Meiji period and allows visitors to see silk-reeling machinery in operation. Exhibits including Suwa-style and French-style silk-reeling machines demonstrate the technologies that supported Okaya’s rise as one of Japan’s important silk-producing centers.
Ilf Children’s Picture Book Museum
The Ilf Children’s Picture Book Museum showcases the work of Takeo Takei, a picture-book artist and illustrator who was born in Okaya.
His distinctive artistic world has a warm and imaginative quality that appeals to both children and adults. Visitors can enjoy his illustrations while experiencing the sense of nostalgia and creative freedom found in Japanese picture-book art.
Okaya Museum of Art and Archaeology
The Okaya Museum of Art and Archaeology explores the city’s cultural heritage from both artistic and archaeological perspectives.
The art collection includes paintings, sculptures, calligraphy, and other works by artists connected with Okaya. Its archaeological collection features important artifacts such as a deep bowl-shaped Jomon vessel with a face-shaped handle excavated from the Kaito Site, as well as a pregnant female clay figurine holding a pot excavated from the Mekiri Site.
These artifacts include objects designated as Important Cultural Properties of Japan, providing an opportunity to discover the remarkable artistic and cultural achievements of prehistoric Japan.
A Small Picture Book Museum
Chisana Ehon Museum, or the Small Picture Book Museum, was established under the direction of picture-book author Wakiko Sato. The museum displays original illustrations from picture books created by artists in Japan and around the world.
Surrounded by gentle and expressive artwork, visitors can appreciate picture books not only as children’s entertainment but also as a form of visual art carrying messages, emotions, and stories.
Prince & Skyline Museum
For automobile enthusiasts, the Prince & Skyline Museum offers a journey through the history of one of Japan’s best-known car names.
The museum displays successive generations of the Nissan Skyline, including models from the former Prince Motor Company era, racing cars, and rare development vehicles. Exhibits also include engines, emblems, and other components, allowing visitors to explore the technology and design behind Japan’s automotive culture.
Tsuru mine Park — A Springtime Garden of Azaleas
Tsurumine Park is famous for its spectacular display of azaleas. More than 30,000 azalea plants are planted throughout the park, transforming the landscape into a vivid sea of flowers in spring.
Visitors can stroll among the blooming plants, enjoying the colors and fragrances while taking in the surrounding natural scenery.
Toriidaira Yamabiko Park
Toriidaira Yamabiko Park is a popular outdoor destination for families. The spacious park offers a variety of recreational activities, including summer bobsledding, mallet golf, and barbecues.
It is an ideal place to enjoy the outdoors, spend time with family and friends, and take a refreshing break surrounded by the mountain scenery of the Suwa region.
Enrei Onodachi Park and Takabocchi Highlands
Enrei Onodachi Park is known for its “Bird Forest,” a habitat where visitors can enjoy the songs of many wild birds. The sounds of birdsong at Enrei have been selected as one of Japan’s 100 Soundscapes of Japan, recognizing the area’s distinctive natural acoustic environment.
The nearby Takabocchi Highlands are famous for their expansive views. On clear days, the panorama extends from Mount Fuji to the Northern Alps, making the highlands a rewarding destination for visitors who enjoy mountain scenery and photography.
Suwa Lake Terrace
Suwa Lake Terrace opened in October 2025 as a new attraction and visitor destination along the lakeshore.
The facility provides a new place to enjoy Lake Suwa, with cafés and viewing areas where visitors can relax while taking in the scenery. In the evening, the lake and surrounding mountains are particularly beautiful as the setting sun colors the landscape.
Okaya — A City Famous for Eel
Okaya has long been known as a city associated with eel cuisine. In the early Showa period, approximately 38 tons of wild eel were caught annually in Lake Suwa and the Tenryu River.
Eel remains an important part of local food culture, and consumption in Okaya is still among the highest in Japan. Numerous eel restaurants and freshwater fish shops can be found throughout the city.
One distinctive local event is held around the Cold-Season Day of the Ox, a winter observance modeled on the traditional summer Day of the Ox. Eel lovers gather in Okaya to enjoy this regional food culture, with visitors coming from outside the area as well.
Shinshu Miso and Local Sake
Okaya is also associated with the production of Shinshu miso, the traditional miso of Nagano Prefecture. Its local production developed during the Meiji period as the city’s silk factories expanded and miso was produced to provide meals for factory workers.
After the Great Kanto Earthquake, miso produced in the region was supplied to the Tokyo metropolitan area. This helped spread the name “Shinshu Miso” beyond Nagano.
Today, nine miso breweries continue to operate in Okaya, preserving traditional methods and flavors.
The city is also home to sake associated with Koten Sake Brewery. Its signature sake, “Koten,” received an Honorary Award at the National Sake Appraisal, becoming the first sake from Nagano Prefecture to receive this distinction.
Discover the Industrial and Natural Heritage of Okaya
Okaya City brings together Lake Suwa, mountain landscapes, traditional cuisine, and a remarkable history of industry. The city’s development as a center of silk production left behind historic buildings, machinery, and cultural traditions that can still be explored today.
At the same time, its lakeside scenery, mountain viewpoints, flower-filled parks, and outdoor attractions reveal a quieter side of the Suwa Basin. Museums introduce visitors to everything from Jomon archaeology and picture-book art to Japanese automotive and silk-reeling technology.
With its distinctive combination of industrial heritage, local culture, nature, and food, Okaya offers travelers a chance to discover a side of the Suwa region that extends well beyond the better-known lakeside and hot-spring attractions.