Spots in Nagano Area

A very cool experience! Was able to be right up close to the bathing snow monkeys. The mothers had new babies and the little ones would run between my legs and push at me. Really fun experience

長野を代表する寺院の一つ。年間を通して国内外から多くの参拝客・観光客が訪れる。にもかかわらず境内は過度な観光地化はされておらず、国籍や年齢問わずほとんどの参拝客・観光客は比較的静かに参拝している。安置されている仏像は勿論のこと、多くの建物自体が国宝もしくは重要文化財に指定されている。 基本的に境内は無料で利用できるが、一部の建物内（本堂、経蔵、山門等）は入場料金が必要。各建物や安置されている仏像の...

This is a pretty good place to go shopping if you are in the area or visiting Karuizawa as its one of the biggest outlet malls in Japan. The plaza is HUGE and there are plenty of shops, all major...

Nozawa is a favorite place to visit to ski. The views as you go down the runs are breathtaking. The weather always puts on at least one amazing day whenever I visit. The town is small and friendly...

Parts of the Suwa Taisha shrine complex date back to the 7th century and possibly earlier. The shrines honour the gods of agriculture, hunting, and fertility. There are many differing legends, myths...

Post town between Kyoto and Tokyo . Convenient to get here from Matsumoto. And the town is right outside of the train station. There are many quaint shops with local food , artwork and souvenirs .

Wanted to see some proper snow after being deprived of it for a couple years in Tokyo, and certainly got my fix here. Town and countryside were a magical white on arrival, and had some steady snow...

Lots of variety and big when including Goryu side. Cheaper than Happone and less exposed, so less wind.

This is a better option if you are looking for some shopping, cafes and historical buildings. A good street to walk and explore with a lot to see. It gives a glimpse of life back then.

stayed here 2 nights after we did the hike from magome to tsamago, through the preserved villages along the way, great 5 mi. hike. had stayed at the dormy inn in takamatsu so we knew what to expect...

One of the things to do in Nozawa is to have a bath in one of the 13 public onsens dotted around the village. However I prefer the private ones where you can sit down on a bucket seat to shower with...

The old wooden torii gate here is impressive, and like other spots in Togakushi there are some very nice imposing cryptomeria (Japanese cedar) trees, including a three-trunked holy tree behind the...

Stayed a whole week, good facilities and good access to the snow. Rooms were well appointed for this style of operation. Staff, was very responsive, although only a few could speak English. However...

Easy to climbing to the top from the nearest parking. We can enjoy its view like Kirigamine Prairie and Lake Shilakaba.

My daughter enjoyed this a lot! It was a great hike for us. It’s worth a trip! The rope way runs like every 20 minutes. We came early so less people and not so crowded. This is good for a family...

Yohashira is a lovely and peaceful spot and an active shrine. The grounds are small-ish but there are plantings and a few buildings. You can sit or wander. Local residents will come to make offerings...

The Former Kaichi School was founded in 1873, Construction was completed in 1876 and it served as a functional school for 90-years until 1963. Having been designated an important cultural asset in...

We spent a day and night here in April just after it opened for the season. With snow still on the ground it was very beautiful. The ryokan itself is comfortable if a little tired in places but the...

There are two types of Japanese castles. One is called Yamajiro and these are constructed on a mountain and the other is built in a fields. This one is the latter. The place is surrounded by the...

A little-too-early for cherry blossom season, the park is particularly sparse and drab with no focal point to draw attention other than some bright and happy cartoon posters of a smiling lion...