Leisure / Outdoors Spots in Nagano Area

Area

Nagano
- Japan
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Category

Leisure / Hobbies

Leisure / Outdoors

Jigokudani Yaen-koen

4.5

2696 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nagano Pref. Shimotakaigunyamanouchimachi Hirao 6845

This is a park where you can watch bathing monkeys in a hot spring and it is also popular with foreign tourists as a place to see “snow monkeys”. All the monkeys in the park are wild and enter the hot spring in order to be able to endure the cold temperatures of the severe winters which can reach minus 10°C. The park is located in the valley of Yokoyu River which brims with rustic beauty, and is located 30 minutes by foot from the free parking lot at Kanbayashi hot spring.

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
Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza

4.0

1401 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

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.

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...
Tangram Madarao Tokyu Resort

3.5

382 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nagano Pref. Kamiminochigunshinanomachi Furumi 3575-8

This comprehensive resort facility is in Furumi, Shinano Town, Kamiminochi County. It features two hotels, a ski resort, a golf course, a tennis court, a barbecue area, a botanical garden, and facilities for a variety of other activities. They also have a day trip plan that includes a meal at the hotel and a soak in their onsen.

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...
Komoro Castle Remains Kaikoen

4.0

232 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nagano Pref. Komoroshi Tei 311

This park on the site of Komoro Castle in Komoro City, Nagano Prefecture has been selected as one of Japan’s 100 famous castles and 100 famous cherry blossom spots. Komoro Castle is an unusual structure built below the elevation of the castle town, and has also been called Anashiro Castle (“hole castle”). The park is dotted with facilities including the Important Cultural Property San-no-Mon gate, the Toson Memorial Hall, the Koyama Keizo Art Museum, a zoo and a children’s play area. It is appreciated by both tourists and locals looking for a place to refresh and relax. In spring there are 400 cherry blossom trees in bloom, and in autumn it is famous as a great place to see the changing leaves.

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...
Hiroshi Senju Museum Karuizawa

4.5

166 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nagano Pref. Kitasakugunkaruizawamachi Nagakura 815

Located in Karuizawa Town, Kitasaku County, Nagano Prefecture, this private art museum exhibits the works it owns created by artist Hiroshi Senju, a modern Japanese painter who is active around the world. The building was designed by architect Ryue Nishizawa and has large glass windows that give it a bright and spacious atmosphere. It also has a beautiful garden with various trees and plants, and is a creative space that achieves harmony with nature. The museum holds exhibitions that introduce Senju’s works as well as special exhibitions according to different themes. There are also a bakery café and shop, and guests can relax and enjoy art and nature.

A unique approach to defining a building, well worth the visit. Unfortunately the art, while well-executed, is not cohesive and sometimes derivative. I tried to imagine the experience of the building...
Chihiro Art Museum Azumino

4.5

181 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nagano Pref. Kitadumigunmatsukawamura Nishihara 3358-24

This art museum located inside of the Azumino Chihiro Park in the Matsukawa Village district of Kita-Azumi County, Nagano Prefecture collects and displays works by picture book artists from around the world including Chihiro Iwasaki. In addition to displays about Chihiro’s representative works, related items, and career, the museum also introduces the history of picture books and a collection of original pictures from picture books around the world. The museum is complete with facilities sure to delight children such as a reading room where they can read their choice from approximately 3,000 picture books as well as a play area for small children. There is also a picture book café where visitors can relax while gazing out at Japan’s Northern Alps (Hida Mountains).

The grounds here are lovely, in a perfect park setting, completely wonderful for children to play and explore with their families. Chihiro loved children, as evident in her art and exemplified in...
Matsumoto Alps Park

4.5

135 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nagano Pref. Matsumotoshi Arigasaki 2455-11

A park located in Arigasaki, Matsumoto City. The park has a zoo and hosts the Matsumotoshi Yama to Natural Museum, which offers a sweeping view of the Hida Mountains (Northern Alps). There's also a 630 meter long coaster slide and variety of other playground equipment. From adults to children, the whole family can enjoy an entire day here.

If you cant catch bus, taxi will cost ard 1700yen from Matsumoto station. Just take note that the only bus leave this park at 10:25am and 2:25pm. Or else you need to walk down. It is abt 4km to...
Alps Azumino National Government Park

4.0

116 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nagano Pref. Aduminoshi Horiganekarasugawa 33-4

This national park in Azumino stretches over the foothills of the Northern Alps. It is divided into two areas with the theme being the realization of fruitful free time activities in nature and culture. There are five areas in the Omachi and Matsukawa districts, preserving the excellent natural environment for the Alps mountain landscape. In the Horigane and Hotaka districts there are two areas, where the preservation and restoration of rural scenery in Azumino is carried out. All areas of the national park are designed with a diverse array of recreational activities in mind.

Very nice and large park a few kilometers from downtown Matsumoto. Beautiful views of the surrounding mountains from the hilltops. Excellent and large playground for kids, perfect spot for the kid to...
Sanada Treasure Museum

4.0

92 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nagano Pref. Naganoshi Matsushiromachi Matsushiro 4-1

The Sanada Treasure Museum opened in 1966 to display the various battle articles and furniture handed over by the 12th-generation head of the Sanada household, Koji Sanada. Among the exhibited items are the “Aoe war sword,” considered an Important Cultural Property, the “Nobori Hashigo armor used by Masayuki Sanada, documents from Takeda Shingen, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Ishida Mitsunari, and Tokugawa Ieyasu, and more for a collection of about 50,000 articles total. Exhibitions are rotated four times a year, and there are workshops and other experiences as well. It’s about 10 minutes from the Nagano Interchange on the Joshin-Etsu Expressway.

We followed the advice from other posters. We took the #30 Bus from the JR Nagano Station busstop #3. About 30 min and 650 Yen later we arrived at the transit center and walked about two blocks to...
Shirakaba Resort Family Land Ikenotaira

3.5

76 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nagano Pref. Kitasakuguntateshinamachi Ashitahatsukano 1596

Shirakaba Resort Family Land Ikenotaira is near Lake Shirakaba and features many facilities besides the theme park attractions, such as an art museum and sports activities. You can bring food and drink onto the premises, and pets are allowed with leashes and cages. There’s an adjoining hotel as well with amenities for nursing children. There’s something for everyone at this nature-surrounded facility regardless of age. It’s about 35 minutes from the Suwa Minami Interchange or Suwa Interchange on the Chuo Expressway.

平日でもフリーパスは、大人3500円土日になると4400円は、かなり強気な設定金額かと思います。どうぶつ王国は、また別料金ですので注意！しかし、ホテル利用すると特典でフリーパスが付いていたりするので、その際はお得に利用出来て良いですね。アトラクションは、3歳以下が遊べる物は少ないです。そもそも多く無いところを考えると少し物足りなさは否めません。ゴーカートは、距離も長く、大人も楽し...
Matsumoto City Museum of Art

3.5

123 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nagano Pref. Matsumotoshi Marunouchi 4-1

This is a municipal museum on the grounds of Matsumoto Castle in Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture, exhibiting items related to the history and folk customs of the area. It introduces the history of the castle and the castle town from their origin to the modern day. There are also materials which convey information and allow visitors to learn about local lifestyles and customs including raised cloth pictures, star festival dolls, travelers’ guardian deity and an aging ceremony. One important highlight is the Edo period waterworks discovered during an archaeological dig.

The Matsumoto City Museum covers three floors of a building adjacent to the castle grounds. It is different from many city museums in that it includes some early history of the city and area. It is...
SUWA GARASUNOSATO

3.5

86 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nagano Suwa-shi Toyoda 2400-7

Standing on the bank of Lake Suwa, this art museum can be identified by its triangular roof. Displaying numerous delicate and highly emotional pieces by noted glass artists from countries around the world, the museum's standing exhibition changes seasonally. In one of the largest glass blowing workshops in the country, visitors can try activities such as glassblowing, candle making, and making glass beads. In the adjoining glass shop, there are a variety of accessories, tableware, and other glass items available for purchase which are also fun just to look at. The facility's bakery and restaurant, offering a sweeping view of Lake Suwa, is also recommended.

This is a warehouse sized glass object souvenir shop more than a museum. It appeared as if a good deal of the items were made in Lauscha, Germany. The most expensive items were made either in Japan...
Rokuzan Art Museum

4.0

88 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nagano Pref. Aduminoshi Hotaka 5095-1

This facility was opened in 1958 with the goal of preserving the works of Rokuzan Ogiwara, nicknamed the “Rodin of the East.” In addition to his masterpiece carvings such as “Woman” and “Despair,” the museum also displays the works of Kotaro Takamura, who was deeply connected to Rokuzan. The impressive building, covered in ivy and church-like in appearance, is beloved as a symbol of the Azumino region. A 10-minute walk from JR Hotaka Station.

I fell upon this as I killed time waiting for the next train (it’s a seven minute easy walk from the train station.) I missed the train, so taken was I by the small but powerful work of Moriye...
The Home of Ninja Kids’ Ninja Village

4.0

67 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nagano Pref. Naganoshi Togakushi 3193

Located in “Togakureryu Ninja Town” Togakushi, Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture, this experience-based amusement park is based on ninjas and ninjutsu. With trick houses, ninja manors and other buildings, there’s also field athletics that constitute ninja training, like “water-spider technique.” There’s enough for kids and adults to have a fun time. The resource museum is also popular, with its comprehensive collection of ninja goods, historical materials, as well as manga and movies that cover ninjas. You can even rent fun ninja costumes.

子供はもちろんのこと大人も楽しめます。本格的な忍者資料館が中にあり、忍者の武器を学べます。ハンモックもあって気持ち良いです。忍者関係のお土産もかなり充実してます。長野から遠いですが、子連れの外国の方におすすめ。
Nagano Chausuyama Zoo

4.0

46 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nagano Pref. Naganoshi Shinonoiutabi 570-1

A zoo located on Mt. Chausu in Shinonoiutabi, Nagano City. The zoo is home to many animals and is divided into various areas such as a children's zoo where kids can play with rabbits and other small animals; a red panda forest; and an African plains area where visitors can be giraffes, zebras, and other large herbivores. The zoo also has a picnic area with an excellent view of the surrounding highlands.

This place was so much fun! The animals seemed so happy too. I think this zoo is a great place to start your sightseeing in the Nagano region. The monkeys are very friendly and not aggressive. I...
1166 Backpackers

4.5

72 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nagano Nagano-shi Nishimachi 1048

We had just one night in Nagano but I am so glad we stayed at 1166 Backpackers, and I would have loved to stay longer! The hostel is in a great location, walkable from the station but close to the...
Hakuba Lion Adventure

4.5

68 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nagano Pref. Kitadumigunhakubamura Hokujou 5746-3

A company situated in Hakuba Village, Kitaazumi County, Nagano Prefecture which offers a variety of activity-oriented tours through which you can enjoy the great outdoors of the Shinshu area. Go rafting or canoeing down the rapids of the Sai River, canyoning in a mountain stream, or experience the Hida Mountains from 30 meters above the ground in a hot-air balloon. The company also offers a variety of winter tours, including skiboarding and snow rafting.

Unprofessional. Very late picking us up, we probably waited longer for the pickup than riding their snowmobiles. We paid for an hour ride that ended up being just over 45 minutes including stops...
World Silhouette Museum

4.0

53 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nagano Pref. Kitasakuguntateshinamachi Ashitahatsukano 1526

This art museum is located on the premises of the Shirakaba Resort area next to Lake Shirakaba. Besides works by Seiji Fujishiro, the most famous shadow play creator in Japan, they exhibit fantastic cutout pictures using Japanese paper, glass lamps and music boxes. You can enjoy the many different works in a mysterious space effectively using light, mirrors and water.

After paying 700 Yen as an Ikenotaira Hotel guest for entrance fee, we were guided by a wonderfully courteous and cheerful lady into a darkened room with mirrors. On the walls are fantastic picture...
Sezon Museum of Modern Art

4.0

67 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nagano Pref. Kitasakugunkaruizawamachi Nagakura Serikenzawa 2140

This museum houses and displays a collection of numerous contemporary artworks mainly by artists such as Man Ray, Andy Warhol, and Paul Klee. It is a highly acclaimed as a “living museum”. There is also a piece by the sculptor Isamu Noguchi in the garden. In the attached café there are various books on art, nature, folklore, history on the bookshelves, and visitors can enjoy a relaxing meal or break while reading a favorite book.

The setting is beautiful, with an understated modern building surrounded by forest, with a grassy area displaying modern sculpture. There is some impressive work inside, Man Ray, Marcel Duchamp...
Togariishi Museum of Jomon Archaeology

4.5

63 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nagano Chino-shi Toyohira 4734-132

This museum is located inside the Togaishi Ruins, a historic site and park which is considered one of the best examples of Jomon culture sites found at the foot of the Yatsugatake Mountains. The museum displays around 2,000 artefacts created by the Jomon people, who flourished here 5,000 years ago. The area at the foot of the Yatsugatake Mountains is the location of one of the largest caches of obsidian, a material used to make stone tools, in Japan, and it is believed the Jomon people flourished here due to the forests which grew here and provided broadleaf tree seeds as well as ample deer, wild boar, and river fish hunting. The museum's Jomon Venus, a deformed depiction of a pregnant woman; and Masked Goddess statue are valuable cultural properties which have been designated National Treasures.

I went there after seeing the English website and being super excited about getting to do some hands-on craft. After extensive web research, I managed to get there on a day they were open and...

Nagano

Around Nagano City Kita-Shinano Eastern Shinshu Hakuba / Azumino Kisoji Around Suwa Southern Shinshu

Leisure / Hobbies Leisure / Outdoors

Amusement Park / Theme Park Pool Beach Park / Green Space Aquarium Museum / Science Museum Zoo Orchard Art Museum Art Gallery / Gallery Botanical Garden Event Complex Facility / Commercial Facility Camping / Auto Camping Hiking / Walking Boat Pier Fishing / Fishing Pond / Managed Fishing Ground Fishing Equipment / Fishing Bait Shop Other Leisure Facility / Other Outdoors Facility

Nagano Areas

Nagano prefecture is an exciting mix of mountains, hot spring monkeys, and preserved Edo history. At the heart of the Japanese Alps, Nagano is one of the country's most popular destinations, whether in winter for its snow sports and the much-loved Jigokudani Monkey Park or in the warmer months for discovering the undulating hills on foot. For fantastic Edo architecture, head to the Kiso Valley for a 60-kilometer stretch of quaint wooden buildings that marked the Nakasendo route 200 years ago.