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Nagano is the capital of Nagano Prefecture and a former host city of the Winter Olympic Games. Explore its historic temples, former olympic facilities, ninja museum and nearby hot springs and ski resorts.
Explore Nagano, a mountainous region in Chubu, known for its natural beauty, culture and skiing. Find top attractions, events, dining, accommodation and more in Nagano and its areas.
- Jigokudani Wild Monkey Park. In the Jigokudani Valley above the hot spring town of Yamanouchi, you’ll find steaming geothermal vents and a troupe of onsen-loving Japanese macaques.
- Matsumoto Castle. One of Japan’s few remaining original castles, Matsumoto Castle is a National Treasure and the proud symbol of Matsumoto City. Its exquisite black-and-white exterior contrasts beautifully against the Northern Japanese Alps, and its interior includes a large museum of wartime artifacts, with many intact rifles and weapons from the Warring States Period.
- Zenkoji Temple. Zenkoji Temple is a national treasure with over 1,400 years of history. The first Buddhist icon to be brought from India to Japan is enshrined here, making the temple an important pilgrimage spot for Buddhists in Japan.
- Kamikochi. At the base of the Northern Japanese Alps is Kamikochi, an idyllic basin with crystal clear water and verdant forests. The views of the Hotaka mountain range from Kamikochi’s central Kappa Bridge are awe-inspiring and earn it a special place in the hearts of nature enthusiasts around Japan, and even around the world.
- How to Get Around Nagano Prefecture
- Tips For Roadtripping in Nagano Prefecture
- What to Eat in Nagano Prefecture
- My 5-Day Nagano Prefecture Itinerary
- Day 1: Karuizawa
- Day 2: Matsumoto
- Day 3: Kamikochi
- Day 4: Omachi – Lake Kisaki & Kurobe Dam
- Day 5: Kusatsu
- What Else You Can See in Nagano Prefecture
Self Driving– Nagano prefecture is a large area to explore. If you have an international driver’s license and are comfortable with driving in a foreign country, this is the most convenient and flexible option since you won’t have to be dependent on public transport. You can book a car rental from Tokyo here, which you can pick up from the airport o...
Nagano prefecture is a mountainous area. If you are self-driving, make sure you know how to drive in the mountains. And, if you’re visiting in the winter, please be prepared to drive in icy conditions. It’s worth noting most restaurants seem to close rather earlyhere (8-8:30 pm) so make sure you’re well-fed by then unless you don’t mind eating at a...
1. Soba Noodles
Due to the mountainous terrain of Nagano prefecture, it is difficult to successfully grow rice. Instead, soba (buckwheat) became the main produce of Nagano. The most popular form of buckwheat is, of course, Soba noodles! I’m sure most of us are already familiar with this noodle – but in Nagano, you definitely can’t miss it. It’s served in almost every traditional restaurant. You can have Soba noodles in a hot soup or served cold with a broth on the side, and with various toppings.
2. Oyaki
Oyaki is a Japanese savory dumpling, traditionally stuffed with roasted local vegetables. Oyaki is super popular and widely available in Nagano. Like Soba noodles, It’s a great representation of the prefecture – Oyaki skin is made from buckwheat flour. I tried one near Matsumoto Castle which had leek, mushrooms, and potatoes. Apples and other fruits are also commonly used to make the sweet version!
Here is my five-day itinerary when I went to Nagano. I think it’s a great itinerary as it combines both city exploration and nature! You can easily stretch this to more days too if you have more time than I did. I’ll include other places worthy of visiting that I didn’t get to go to. 1. Day 1: Karuizawa 2. Day 2: Matsumoto 3. Day 3: Kamikochi (Japa...
Our first stop is a small town called Karuizawa. Although small, Karuizawa is hardly unknown to Japanese people. And especially to people from Tokyo, Karuizawa is known as an idyllic mountain town and an escape from the summer heat. So what makes Karuizawa a worthy stop? Well, Karuizawa is the perfect mountain town that has everything: nature, hiki...
From Karuizawa, we drove approximately 2 hours to Matsumoto. Honestly, the only reason why we made a stop here is because it is the closest point to Kamikochi, which is next on our itinerary.
Kamikochi is part of the Chubu Sangaku National Park, also known as the Northern Japanese Alps. It has also been referred to as the “Japanese Yosemite Valley”, due to the similarity of the terrains found in Kamikochi. I gotta admit – this entire itinerary was built around our plan to hike in Kamikochi! I saw one photo of Kappabashi (below) and I wa...
I designated this day as our rest day after the insane 10 hours hike / walk we did in Kamikochi, but we still ended up walking around plenty!
Kusatsu is such a charming little town. The entire vibe of the city reminds me of Spirited Away, and it’s made extra whimsical on cold nights since the natural hot spring would occasionally stir up steam into the air. Many visitors would dress up in a Yukata (Japanese summer wear) and Geta (wooden slipper) while going to an onsen. Read more: If you...
If you have more time in Nagano and wondering what else to do, here are some recommendations you can check out. 1. Jigokudani Monkey Park– You’ve probably seen photos of Japanese Macaque (monkeys) taking a bath in an onsen. 2. Mount Kusatsu-Shirane– I really wanted to check out this mountain, but unfortunately, it was closed during the time I visit...
Discover Nagano, a prefecture in Japan famous for its nature, culture, history and hot springs. Explore its attractions, such as the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, Matsumoto Castle, the Jigokudani Wild Monkey Park and more.
Jun 26, 2024 · Discover the best spots to visit in Nagano, from historic castles and temples to scenic mountains and hot springs. Learn how to get there, where to stay, and what to eat in this comprehensive Japan travel guide.
Nagano (長野市, Nagano-shi, pronounced [naganoꜜ ɕi]) is the capital and largest city of Nagano Prefecture, located in the Nagano Basin (Zenkoji Daira) in the central Chūbu region of Japan. Nagano is categorized as a core city of Japan. Nagano City is the highest prefectural capital in Japan, with an altitude of 371.4 meters ...
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