Location: Nagano Prefecture
Top Things to do in Nagano Prefecture
Top Hotels in Nagano Prefecture
What to do and see in Nagano Prefecture, Chubu: The Best Budget-friendly Things to do
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
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,584 reviews
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. Nakasendo Tsumagojuku
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 778 reviews
This historic footpath through the Kiso Valley connects the villages of Tsumago and Magome. The partially paved trail is approximately 8 kilometers in length and passes by several historic and natural wonders.
Reviewed By micheledU7968JK
My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our 5 day walk through the Kiso valley on the Nakasendo trail. Mac's Adventures( in partnership with Oku) was the company we used and everything - accommodation, food, walking notes and country and village scenery - was above expectation.Would recommend this walk to those who like to walk on trails that are not busy ( only the first day to Tsumago had quite a few walkers) and have an interest in Japanese culture.
3. Zenko-ji Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,931 reviews
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. Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,691 reviews
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. Takato Castle Remains Park
6. Togakushi Shrine Okusha
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 615 reviews
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.
7. Suwa Shrine
8. Stone Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 491 reviews
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
9. Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 743 reviews
Reviewed By MadamNomad
There are already lots of reviews here that wax poetic about the quality of Nozawa’s deep powder and wonderful ski resort. So instead, I’ll share a few thoughts on the village area surrounding the 3 base stations of the ski resort and ski-in/ski-out options. For hotel accommodations, each of these areas has PLUSES and MINUSES. Note: when looking at a village tourist map or the ski resort piste map, be aware that these maps are typically drawn rotated with NORTH on the left. The 3 base areas (listed from North to South): 1) HIKAGE Gondola: access by the “Yu Road” or the “Shinyu Pair Lift” At the northern end of the village is Hikage station. Hikage station is the ski resort’s hub which has a gondola, a welcome center, a large children’s snow park, shops, cafes, equipment rentals, ski school, and a zipline base station. Even if you’re not a skier/snowboarder, Hikage station is a fun place to hang out on a café balcony to sip coffee/beer and people-watch. Despite Hikage being the hub, this base station actually sits above the village, and visitors must access the station by either the “Yu Road” (an escalator-like moving walk) or by the “Shinyu Pair Lift” (a free ski lift that carries visitors to the front of the Japan Ski Museum from where it is a very short distance to ski/walk down to the Hikage gondola). HIKAGE PLUSES: The village region immediately below Hikage station is the scenic, historic heart of the village that everyone photographs. Here you will find the greatest concentration of restaurants, cafes, bars/pubs, shops, onsens, shrines, and strolling visitors, plus many lodging options. Also, on this north end of the village is where the Dosojin Fire Festival is held. HIKAGE MINUSES: Allow ~10 minutes’ travel time to ride either the “Yu Road” or “Shinyu Pair Lift” between the village and Hikage station at the start and end of your ski day. As this is the heart of the village, there is very limited parking for cars. 2) NAGASAKA Gondola On Google Maps, the Nagasaka station is designated as “Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort”. Nagasaka is situated midway between the two other base stations. Nagasaka station offers many of the ski services of Hikage, minus the kids’ fun park. NAGASAKA PLUSES: In contrast to Hikage station which requires transit by either the “Yu Road” or “Shinyu Pair Lift”, the Nagasaka Gondola station is at village level, so you can walk right up to it from your hotel. The village area surrounding Nagasaka, in addition to having many lodging accommodations, also has restaurants & pubs. From the Nagasaka gondola, it’s a 10 min walk to the village center. There is a new parking lot at this station. NAGASAKA MINUSES: The Nagasaka gondola station doesn’t have as much of the atmospheric vibe of the Hikage gondola station. 3) KARASAWA Link At the southernmost end of Nozawa Onsen village is Karasawa station which has a lift that carries skiers up the ridge from where they can ski down to the Nagasaka Gondola. KARAWAWA PLUSES: At Karasawa, like at Nagasaka, you can walk directly to the lift from your hotel. There are a few restaurants, plus a nice little supermarket at the Nakao bus stop. Lots of parking. KARASAWA MINUSES: The Karasawa base area is more distant from the heart of the village, but the distance is walkable (~15-20 min). What the hotels here lack in central location, they make up in hospitality. Many of them offer in-house dining and shuttle service to the village center. 4) SKI-IN/SKI-OUT Nozawa does have a limited number of SKI-IN/SKI-OUT accommodations. There is a cluster of hotels at the top of the “Shinyu Pair Lift” near the Japan Ski Museum, and another cluster of hotels on the Paradise ski run higher up on the mountain. Arriving hotel guests are brought to these hotels by snowmobile or snowcat. SKI-IN/SKI-OUT PLUSES: You’re right in the midst of the skiing excitement on the mountain. SKI-IN/SKI-OUT MINUSES: Depending on how high up the mountain your hotel is, you may have limited-to-no access to the après ski scene in the village after the lifts close.
10. Kurumayama Highland
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 327 reviews
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.
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