10 Things to do Adventurous in Nagano Prefecture That You Shouldn't Miss

May 22, 2021 Leonarda Pillsbury

Nagano Prefecture (長野県, Nagano-ken) is a landlocked prefecture of Japan located in the Chūbu region on the island of Honshu. The capital is the city of Nagano. Due to the abundance of mountain ranges in this area, the land available for inhabitance is relatively limited.
Restaurants in Nagano Prefecture

1. Snow Monkey Resorts

Excellent
92%
Good
6%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 317 reviews

Snow Monkey Resorts

Snow Monkey Resorts takes you on experiences in the Northern Nagano region. Our tours show you the most beloved attractions and the best hidden secrets in this area. Tours include visits to the Snow Monkey Park, the Zenko-ji Temple, snow fun in the Shiga Kogen, Japanese cherry blossoms, countryside cycling, and mountain experiences. Besides group tours, we have customized private tours as well.

2. Hakuba Ski Concierge

Hakuba-mura, Kitaazumi-gun Nagano Prefecture +81 80-6933-5691 [email protected] http://hakubaskiconcierge.com/
Excellent
98%
Good
2%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 48 reviews

Hakuba Ski Concierge

Welcome to Hakuba Ski Concierge - the valley`s first and only boutique ski school in Hakuba that exclusively specialises in private ski & snowboard lessons and resort guiding services. A locally owned and registered company, our intimate team is made up of highly skilled and extremely experienced instructors, ensuring that you will get the most out of your time with us. Driven by the belief that a great day is more than just a great ski lesson, every one of our services includes private transportation, full time flexibility, a choice of multiple resorts and assistance with local services.

Reviewed By Jeremybr - Setagaya, Japan

We have now used HSC on a couple of occasions, the most recent being a Spring ski two day package for my kids (ages 6 & 3) After the trip, my eldest said to me that when she goes skiing again, it has to be on the same mountain and with the same instructor. That is testament to the effort that the teaching staff commit, the kids love it and their skiing progress is evident. I didn't expect the youngest to be able to even keep her ski boots on, but she also made a couple of trips down the mountain. It was great for my wife and I to enjoy the slopes in the comfort that our kids were learning new skills and enjoying themselves too. We will definitely be returning, thank you

3. Japan Powder Culture Tours

Excellent
95%
Good
3%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 60 reviews

Japan Powder Culture Tours

EXPERIENCE THE BEST OF JAPAN - THE THRILL OF DEEP POWDER, THE BEAUTY OF AN UNIQUE CULTURE, AND THE FUN OF A WELL OILED GUIDED TOUR. Enjoy some of the most incredible snow on planet earth, stay in a truly authentic Japanese ski village, visit mom and pop restaurants and mix with the locals, be entertained by Geisha, Taiko Drum, Shimansen Guitar, Lion Dance and Karate performances, visit the world famous Snow Monkeys, view the amazing tree snow monsters at night, walk through ancient castles, temples and shrines and relax in natural hot pool onsens. Where other companies may talk up the cultural aspects of Japan and charge extra for these, we include them in our tours so you get a truly authentic Japanese ski experience. And best of all you get to share this all with a group of like minded ski and snowboard enthusiasts, all hosted by our instructor/guides who are just plain passionate about what they do for you. And don’t forget our hidden gems that will amazing you along the way.

4. Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park

6845 Heion, Yamanouchi-machi, Shimotakai-gun 381-0401 Nagano Prefecture +81 269-33-4379 http://jigokudani-yaenkoen.co.jp
Excellent
63%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,691 reviews

Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park

Reviewed By MichelleSCapeTownSA - Cape Town Central, South Africa

An incredible place, Snow Monkey Park must be one of the world’s most unique attractions and is one of my favourite memories of Japan. The park is small and there is a 30/40-minute easy walk to reach it - the walk is wonderful and through a forest. I visited in April and was able to see a lot of baby monkeys, even on a hot day. They are wild but used to people, so they get close and walk around quite freely. You can see them all around, they play on the rocks and in the water too. When things get heated between the young ones the adults’ step in. Things either calm down fast or the youngsters ensure they move a good distance away and continue being cheeky - super cute. We walked back from the park all the way down to Yudanaka station via the beautiful Shibu Onsen village. This lovely scenic walk starts in the forest, then makes its way through the cobblestoned lanes surrounded by traditional wooden ryokan (Japanese inns) of Shibu Onsen along the Yokoyugawa River. It takes around one to two hours and is worth doing if you have the time – a lot of history, quaint sights and beauty to take in.

5. Nozawa Onsen

Toyosato, Nozawaonsen-mura, Shimotakai-gun 389-2502 Nagano Prefecture +81 269-85-3155 http://nozawakanko.jp/
Excellent
73%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 295 reviews

Nozawa Onsen

Nozawa Onsen is located just one hour’s drive from Nagano City in the northern part of Nagano Prefecture – a charming hot spring village located at the foot of Kenashi-yama Mountain which is home to around 4,000 people. The village is said to date back to 8th century but has been renowned for it’s hot springs and traditional inns since the Edo period. More recently Nozawa has also gained popularity as a ski area that features a great variety of terrain and amazing snow that’s hard to match.

Reviewed By ToniaM927 - Tweed Heads, Australia

Nozawa Onsen is the most gorgeous little ski village, comes to life from 2pm. Skiing is awesome. Great places to eat. Easy to get around by foot. Loving our stay.

6. Picchio

Excellent
77%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 118 reviews

Picchio

Picchio, established in 1992, offers fine eco-tours and nature tours such as Bird watching tour, Flying squirrel watching tour and other animal watching tours. We currently have 12 professional guides who specialize in wild animals and birds. More than 39,000 participants joined our tour in 2012. We also conserves wild animals such as the Asian Black Bear since 1998.

7. Hakuba

Hokujo, Hakuba-mura, Kitaazumi-gun 399-9301 Nagano Prefecture http://www.vill.hakuba.nagano.jp/index2.html
Excellent
63%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
3%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 300 reviews

Hakuba

Reviewed By PurdueBen500 - Sydney, Australia

Lots of great places to ski/board & very helpful staff many of which speak some English. Spectacular views across the mountains.

8. Shiga Kogen Ski Area

Shigakogen, Yamanouchi-machi, Shimotakai-gun 381-0401 Nagano Prefecture +81 269-34-2588 http://www.shigakogen-ski.com/
Excellent
59%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 434 reviews

Shiga Kogen Ski Area

Reviewed By 1pixie_12 - Shenzhen, China

Amazingly large skiing area with great, fluffy powder snow. Fantastic tree runs and great pistes too. Loads of lifts with friendly staff

9. Togakushi Shrine Okusha

Togakushi, Nagano 381-4101 Nagano Prefecture +81 26-254-2014 http://www.togakushi-jinja.jp/about/index.php
Excellent
56%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 615 reviews

Togakushi Shrine Okusha

Reviewed By From_Hotel_to_Hotel - Singapore, Singapore

Visited Togakushi for the 2nd time. Return bus tickets can be purchased at the Alpico bus office, across the street from Nagano stn. Board the bus to Togakushi at bus stop #7 which is just outside the office. About 50mins journey to the entrance to the path to giant cedar trees which leads to the upper shrine. There is also a small path to Lake Kagami. Since I had visited the upper shrine, which in my opinion small and I knew that the nicest views are located just around the giant cedar tree area, this time round decided not to continue to hike up to the upper shrine. You may want to do the same should you are there just to see the trees or running out of time. The path and stairs to the upper shrine are steeper and views are not that nice. Bus day pass entitle some discount at selected soba restaurants on Togakushi area. From the upper shrine, I walked down around 30mins to middle shrine although one can also choose to take the bus. The middle shrine is much more beautiful than the upper shrine. Several soba restaurants are nearby, check the validity of the day bus pass to enjoy discount. Overall it is a nice place to spend at least half a day. On the way down, I stopped at the Zenkoji temple to admire the amazing structures and its beautiful garden. The day bus pass also come with a separate ticket for bus fee from Zenkoji temple back to Nagano stn, although one can choose to have pleasant 30mins walk to Nagano stn.

10. Hakuba Happoone Ski Resort

5734-1 Happo, Hokujo, Hakuba-mura, Kitaazumi-gun 399-9301 Nagano Prefecture +81 261-72-3066 http://www.happo-one.jp/
Excellent
51%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 842 reviews

Hakuba Happoone Ski Resort

Reviewed By katmarks - Adelaide, Australia

Definitely a great mountain with loads of terrain, even on the weekends when it's busy there is space to spread out. The newly opened restaurant at the top of Kitaone lift is worth a visit, it was delicious.

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