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Chubu
Nagano

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Nagano

Mountain adventures at Japan's Alps

About Nagano

Photo: Ben Beechey / JT

Top Attractions in Nagano

Jigokudani Monkey Park

Culture

Jigokudani Monkey Park

4.8 (4) 4 Reviews

Matsumoto Castle

Culture

Matsumoto Castle

5 (5) 5 Reviews

Matsumoto City Museum of Art

Culture

Matsumoto City Museum of Art

Karuizawa Prince Hotel Snow Resort

Activities

Karuizawa Prince Hotel Snow Resort

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Around Nagano

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About Nagano

Region	Chubu
Island	Honshu
Capital	Nagano
Population	2,152,449
Area	13,561.56 km²

The mountainous prefecture of Nagano Prefecture (長野県, Nagano-ken) is the perfect summer resort to avoid the heat, with the town of Karuizawa being one of the most popular summer getaway spots in Japan.

Take advantage of the relatively cool weather to explore the famous Matsumoto Castle, one of Japan’s oldest shrines in Suwa Taisha, and Zenko-ji, a major pilgrimage site. Nagano’s many tall mountains serve as challenging but beautiful hiking trails, especially those of Kamikochi.

That being said, Nagano is also a great destination in the winter, and it was the host of the 1998 Winter Olympics. The prefecture’s mountains are some of the largest ski resorts in Japan, most notably Shika Kogen and Mount Hakuba. After being out in the cold, seek warmth in one of Nagano’s many famous hot springs.

Around Nagano

Things to Do in Nagano

Nagano Top 10

Recommended
Popular

Upcoming Nagano Events

Candle Night in Matsumoto

Culture

Candle Night in Matsumoto

Friday - Jun 10th

Enjoy a fantastic night by light of candles on green glass in the yard of the Matsumoto Museum of Art, with art and live music.

1 2 Free

Matsumoto Grand Taiko Festival

Culture

Matsumoto Grand Taiko Festival

Jul 30th - Jul 31st

An introduction to the raw and elegant sound and fury of the Matsumoto Taiko Festival

14 4 Free

Nagaoka Festival

Culture

Nagaoka Festival

Aug 2nd - Aug 3rd

Nagaoka Festival and Fireworks a tradition since 1946 to commemorate victims of war and earthquakes.

1 1 Free

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Tours and experiences

Shiga Kogen Snow Trip - January 28-30, 2022

TOURS

Shiga Kogen Snow Trip - January 28-30, 2022

Japan Travel takes you to Shiga Kogen, one of Japan's largest ski resorts, and home to the snow monkeys that soak themselv..

3 days ¥22,100

Japanese Washi Paper Making Class in Omachi, Nagano

EXPERIENCES

Japanese Washi Paper Making Class in Omachi, Nagano

Japanese washi manufacturing has been using traditional techniques for a long time. Matsusaki washi has been manufactured in O..

2 hours ¥2,000

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Where to eat in Nagano

St. Cousair Winery

Food

St. Cousair Winery

Robert Grey

St. Cousair, an award-winning winery located in northern Nagano Prefecture’s town of Iizuna, is a delightful spot to relax, en..

1 2

Singing Norwegian Wood at "Rizanbo"

Food

Singing Norwegian Wood at "Rizanbo"

Jonathan Hewitt

There are secrets in the forest of Karuizawa. One of them involves an Englishman, his Japanese wife and their seven year old boy...

1 1

The Best Soba in Togakushi

Japanese

The Best Soba in Togakushi

Robert Grey

It has been said that Togakushi is the birthplace of soba. So why not go with the best of them all: the centuries-old, family-run..

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Places to stay in Nagano

The Bathhouses of Shibu Onsen

Accommodation

The Bathhouses of Shibu Onsen

Linka Wade

Shibu Onsen in Nagano Prefecture is a lovely onsen town in a gorgeous natural area. But it also has something more to offer - 9..

7 4

Hoshino Resorts KAI Alps

Ryokan

Hoshino Resorts KAI Alps

Tom Roseveare

Hoshino Resorts KAI Alps lies in the deep Omachi onsen territory of Nagano's Northern Alps mountain range, and promises an invigorating..

12

HOSHINOYA Karuizawa

Accommodation

HOSHINOYA Karuizawa

Featured

Hidden away in the valley of the Yukawa River, HOSHINOYA Karuizawa is a ryokan mixed with a luxury hotel and a spa retreat, an..

4

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Latest Nagano Reports

Straddling the Skyline in Shibu Toge Pass

Activities

Straddling the Skyline in Shibu Toge Pass

Linka Wade

Driving on Route 292 around Gunma's Kusatsu Onsen offers stunning views as well as interesting places like the highest point..

4 4

Blades of Shinanomachi

Culture

Blades of Shinanomachi

Nathan Eden

I visited a knife and blade maker in Shinanomachi to see how he forges his traditional craft's products. It was both fascinating..

51 7

Hotel Housei in Yudanaka

Accommodation

Hotel Housei in Yudanaka

Peter Sidell

In Yudanaka in Japan's Nagano prefecture, Hotel Housei is a welcoming traditional onsen hotel. It's the perfect place to..

5 4

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About Nagano

Region	Chubu
Island	Honshu
Capital	Nagano
Population	2,152,449
Area	13,561.56 km²

The mountainous prefecture of Nagano Prefecture (長野県, Nagano-ken) is the perfect summer resort to avoid the heat, with the town of Karuizawa being one of the most popular summer getaway spots in Japan.

Take advantage of the relatively cool weather to explore the famous Matsumoto Castle, one of Japan’s oldest shrines in Suwa Taisha, and Zenko-ji, a major pilgrimage site. Nagano’s many tall mountains serve as challenging but beautiful hiking trails, especially those of Kamikochi.

That being said, Nagano is also a great destination in the winter, and it was the host of the 1998 Winter Olympics. The prefecture’s mountains are some of the largest ski resorts in Japan, most notably Shika Kogen and Mount Hakuba. After being out in the cold, seek warmth in one of Nagano’s many famous hot springs.

Around Nagano

Things to Do in Nagano