Top 10 Sights & Landmarks in Nagano Prefecture, Chubu

May 22, 2021 Flossie Demartino

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. Matsumoto Castle

4-1 Marunouchi, Matsumoto 390-0873 Nagano Prefecture +81 263-32-2902 http://www.matsumoto-castle.jp/
Excellent
56%
Good
37%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3,584 reviews

Matsumoto Castle

Reviewed By phale12017

When l was told we were visiting a a castle, grey blocks of stone came to mind( l clearly wasn’t thinking logically) I was amazed to see this massive, towering wooden structure before me! Yes Japanese castles are made from wood. They have moats and tiny narrow windows for firing weapons out of and other familiar features but l have to say they are quite different from the English versions. They have a hidden extra floor that you cannot see from outside, this is just one unfamiliar feature! We were put into groups of 5 or less and shown round by retirees who were practicing their English, what a wonderful idea! Our guide was very amusing!! A word of warning, there are lots of steps inside, some of them steep! But make the effort, it’s well worth it!!

2. 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.

3. Zenko-ji Temple

I-491 Motoyoshicho, Nagano 380-0851 Nagano Prefecture +81 26-234-3591 http://www.zenkoji.jp/
Excellent
49%
Good
42%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,931 reviews

Zenko-ji Temple

Reviewed By hfot2 - Vermont, United States

We have visited Zenko-ji on three different sakura trips and each time the blossoms did not disappoint. The weeping tree on the side of the main hall is spectacular when in full bloom - not to be missed. Bridal shoots occur throughout the temple compound in this season, but especially at this tree. The grounds are lovely throughout. Don’t miss the trees behind the main hall and the many stone lanterns there and elsewhere. There are several small gardens with more flowering trees. If you stand near the photogenic bell tower long enough, you will be there when the ringer arrives, bows to the bell and using the beam suspended on ropes strikes the bell which resonates for a very long time. Statues abound, especially the seven Jizo Bodhisattva at the Sanmon Gate. Many side buildings are more peaceful and less crowded than the main hall area and they too contain statues, bells and lanterns. If you walk behind the main hall and up a bit you arrive at the pagoda which contains the Zenkoji History Museum. It can take several hours to walk around, view, and photograph all that is here. Take your time to enjoy the whole temple compound. There is a city bus that runs to the temple from the station, or you can walk up the hill to the temple from the station - it takes about 30 minutes. The road immediately in front of the gate is full of shops selling souvenirs, religious items, and food. Good soft ice cream can be had here. The streets running parallel to this one are very interesting and worth a stroll. Even if the cherry trees are not a peak, and even if it is not sakura season at all, Zenko-ji is definitely worth a visit.

4. 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.

5. Suwa Shrine

1 Nakasu Miyayama, Suwa 392-0015 Nagano Prefecture +81 266-52-1919 http://suwataisha.or.jp/
Excellent
43%
Good
47%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 451 reviews

Suwa Shrine

6. Stone Church

Hoshino, Karuizawa-machi, Kitasaku-gun 389-0195 Nagano Prefecture +81 267-45-2288 [email protected] http://www.stonechurch.jp/
Excellent
49%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 491 reviews

Stone Church

Reviewed By Beenster - Yardley, United States

This church is small simple and stunning, I loved its natural beauty with the vines and water flowing. I could have sat there all day

7. Kurumayama Highland

3413 Kitayama, Chino 391-0301 Nagano Prefecture +81 266-68-2626 http://www.kurumayama.com/
Excellent
44%
Good
41%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 327 reviews

Kurumayama Highland

Kurumayama-kogen Highland Visit Mount Kurumayama summit where the breathtaking views of Japan’s finest mountains awaits you, from the Yatsugatake Mountains and Mount Fuji to the Southern, Central, and Northern Alps.

8. Naraijuku

Narai, Shiojiri 399-6303 Nagano Prefecture +81 264-34-3160 http://www.naraijuku.com/
Excellent
38%
Good
52%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 333 reviews

Naraijuku

Reviewed By xiaojiumux

It is a laid back town with a traditional feel. A lot of interesting things to see. Great place to shop, eat, rest and take pictures. Met a few elderly shop owners who took great pride in the things that they were selling. They were enthusiastic in introducing their products but not pushy in making sales.

9. Anrakuji Temple

2361 Besshonsen, Ueda 386-1431 Nagano Prefecture +81 268-38-2062 http://www.anrakuji.com/index.htm
Excellent
40%
Good
48%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
3%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 168 reviews

Anrakuji Temple

10. Tateshina Gosensui Nature Park

70 Ashida Hatsukano Ikenotaira, Tateshina-machi, Kitasaku-gun 384-2309 Nagano Prefecture http://www.town.tateshina.nagano.jp/0000000230.html
Excellent
43%
Good
48%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 56 reviews

Tateshina Gosensui Nature Park

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