Nagano

Travel Guide

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Top Things to do

• Zenkoji Temple

  4.0

  5 Reviews

  Nagano Pref. Naganoshi Naganomotoyoshichou 491-b

  "Located in Nagano City, this temple does not belong to any sect. Any sect is free to worship here, which has received veneration for having Japan's oldest Ikko Sanson Amida Nyorai as the main deity. During the Edo period, it was said that ""once in your life, visit Zenkoji Temple,"" The ""oasaji"" is performed every day during the sunrise. If you purchase a ticket for the inner sanctum, you can worship up close. The ""zenritsu honzon"" is performed once every seven years. About 15 minutes by bus from JR Nagano Station."

• National Treasure Matsumoto Castle

  4.5

  3508 Reviews

  Nagano Pref. Matsumotoshi Marunouchi 4-1

  "Matsumoto Castle is said to feature Japan's oldest surviving five-storied six-floor pagoda. It is one of the few castles designated as a National Treasure, and maintains the image of the past. The black and white contrast of the castle rising amid the Alps in the background is beautiful, and the castle has become a symbol of Matsumoto City. In addition to the castle facilities of the Sengoku period, such as the stone drops meant to rebuff invaders, or samurai windows or the gun slits, there are exhibits such as the ""Matsumoto Castle Gunhouse"" centered around matchlock guns, and artifacts unearthed during the ninomaru palace excavation performed from 1979-1984. In the precinct, you'd do well to see the black gate with eave roof tiles marked with the family crests of historical castle lords, or the taiko gate which was restored in 1999."

• Nozawa Onsen Snow Resort

  4.5

  713 Reviews

  Nagano Pref. Shimotakaigunnozawaonsenmura Toyosato 7653

  One of Japan’s foremost ski and snowboarding resorts offering elevation differences reaching 1085 meters. The resort is popular for its wide array of courses enjoyable from beginners to experts. The resort also has a wide and gentle slope for children as well as a kids’ park for young ones to play in the snow making it a great destination for families as well. Another attractive point is the resort’s moving walkway which extends from the hot spring district directly to the slopes.

• Lake Suwa

  Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture

  Lake Suwa, the largest lake in Shinshu, has a circumference of about 16 kilometers. Here you can enjoy lengthy walks and jogging as well as pleasure cruises and boat trips on the lake. From autumn through to winter keen anglers can fish for wakasagi (a variety of smelt). The Lake Suwa Fireworks Festival, one of Japan’s largest firework displays, is held at the lake in summer with an incredible 40,000 fireworks lighting up the night sky. The huge fireworks display unsurprisingly attracts huge numbers of people each year.

• Shiraito Falls

  Karuizawa-cho, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano Prefecture

  The result of underground water welling out of bare rock, Shiraito Falls has a thin stream of water almost like a strand of silk with beautiful lines of water and white spray falling down. The refreshing sight is one of Karuizawa’s representative sightseeing spots. In the winter, icicles are artificially created using water gushing forth from the waterfall, producing a fantastical atmosphere.

• Hakuba Happo-one Winter Resort

  Hakkan Village Hakuba-mura, Kitaazumi-gun, Nagano Prefecture

  A ski and snowboard resort located in Hakuba Village in the Kitaazumi District Hakuba Happo-one boasts one of the largest standalone ski/snowboard areas in the country. Particular points of interest include the beautiful scenery of the surrounding Japanese Northern Alps and the highly diverse courses stretching across over 1000 meters in elevation. The panoramic view from the 1830 meter high summit is truly a sight to behold. The resort also served as the venue for alpine skiing during the Nagano Olympics.

• Suwa Taisha (Suwa Grand Shrine) Kamisha Honmiya

  4.5

  431 Reviews

  Nagano Pref. Suwashi Nakasu 1

  Suwa Taisha (Suwa Grand Shrine) Kamisha Honmiya, one of the oldest shrines in the country and the head shrine of over 10,000 Suwa shrines throughout Japan, has no main building, but only a “heihaiden” and a “katahaiden,” a unique style known as the Suwa style. Many precious buildings remain, and six of them are registered as Important Cultural Properties. In olden times, people worshiped at Suwa Myojin to pray to the guardian deities of wind, water, and the harvest, as well as brave men. Nowadays, it is believed to house the deity that guards life and livelihood. It’s about five minutes from the Suwa Interchange on the Chuo Expressway.

• Togakushi-jinja Shrine

  4.0

  251 Reviews

  Nagano Pref. Naganoshi Togakushi

  Togakushi-jinja Shrine is located at the foot of Mt. Togakushi, Nagano City and consists of five shrines each named Okusha, Chusha, Hokosha, Kuzuryusha and Hinomikosha. It is said that the temple’s origins lie in the Iwato legend of mythology, and has been worshiped by many people as a sacred place since ancient times. The avenue of 400-year-old cedar tree which cover the approach road to Okusha have a powerful lure and this area was also used as a shooting location by commercials. There are also points on the road between the shrines with steep drops, so it is recommended to wear clothes which are easy to walk in if you plan to walk around by foot.

• Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza

  Nagano Pref. Kitasakugunkaruizawamachi Karuizawa

  A gigantic shopping mall and virtual landmark in Karuizawa. With a total of seven parking areas, shoppers visiting by car are encouraged to look up which stores they are most interested in before choosing where to park. In addition to fashion brands, the mall also contains a shop selling Karuizawa sweets and jams, making it the perfect place to pick up a few souvenirs as well. Children can play to their hearts’ content in the spacious outdoor kids park.