Spots in Nagano Area

Area

Nagano
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Category

Matsushiro Castle Ruins

4.0

182 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nagano Pref. Naganoshi Matsushiromachi Matsushiro 44

These castle ruins are located in Nagano City. The castle was constructed as the base for the Takeda side during the Battles of Kawanakajima between Takeda Shingen and Uesugi Kenshin. It is a natural fortress that uses the Chikuma River as a moat. In addition, Sanada became the ruler in the Edo period (1603-1868), and it developed into the castle town of Sanada Jumangoku. Destroyed in the Meiji period (1868-1912), only the stone walls of the buildings remained, but now the gate and earthworks are maintained.

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...
Komoro Castle Remains Kaikoen

4.0

235 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...
Hokusai-kan

4.0

225 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nagano Pref. Kamitakaigunobusemachi Obuse 485

This museum was built to commemorate famed artist Katsushika Hokusai, who stayed in Obuse several times from the age of 83 and left several works behind there. The museum displays hanging scrolls and hand-painted pictures by Hokusai as well as videos which present the history of the artist. The main exhibition room contains two festival floats whose ceilings were painted with Hokusai's Surging Waves and Dragon and Chinese Phoenix. A 12-minute walk from Obuse Station.

I happily found out about the Hokusai-kan museum from my hotel proprietor and I was able to make a stop off in Obuse on my way back to Nagano. Hokusai-kan is situated in a great part of the town and...
Kamikochi

Travel / Tourism

Nagano Pref. Matsumotoshi Adumi

Kamikochi is an approximately 1,500 meter high gorge in the Chubu Sangaku National Park. Known as one of the top mountain scenic spots in the country it is designated as a special place of scenic beauty and natural monument. It is a gateway to the Northern Alps (Hida Mountains) and many tourists, mainly climbers and photographers visit each year. To help protect the environment the use of cars is restricted so it is recommended to use a shuttle bus service or taxi.
Lake Shirakaba

3.5

211 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nagano Pref. Chinoshi Kitayama Shirakabako

Lake Shirakaba, with a circumference of four kilometers, was originally a pond created as a reservoir for farm use. You’ll find an amusement park, golf course, ski resort, hotels, and other facilities around this area, making it one of Shinshu’s top resort spots. Throngs of people visit every year.

We walked around this lake! So quiet and relaxing! And in the morning it was so foggy that you could hardly see the lake and so cold!
Chihiro Art Museum Azumino

4.5

182 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...
Suwa Takashima Castle

3.5

204 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nagano Pref. Suwashi Takashima 1-20-1

"A park and castle site situated along Prefectural Route 50 in Takashima, Suwa City. Takashima Castle was built 400 years ago by Hineno Takayoshi, a vassal of the Toyotomi clan. An impregnable castle surrounded by Lake Suwa, the sight of the stronghold floating on the lake's water has resulted in it gaining the nickname, ""the Floating Castle of Suwa."" The castle tower was restored in 1970 and is used as a museum which presents materials on the history of Suwa Domain and Takashima Castle. The surrounding park is a renowned cherry blossom viewing destination in spring."

This castle is located in a walking distance from the station Kamisuwa. It is surrounded by a moat and has a park with a pond and flower garden. Unfortunately, the castle had been rebuilt relatively...
Hiroshi Senju Museum Karuizawa

4.5

168 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...
Hakuba Cortina Ski Resort

4.0

138 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nagano Pref. Kitadumigunotarimura Chikuniotsu 12860-1

Located in Chikuniotsu Otari Village this ski resort features 100% natural soft snow and is very popular among overseas tourists. There are 16 courses in total to choose from featuring everything from beginner courses to an advanced course with an altitude of 1400 meters that offer an amazing view. There is also a play area for children as well as a daycare center and ski lessons to provide for all your needs. As there is a hotel right in front of the slopes you can relax in the hot springs after your ski adventure.

Had a great day on the slopes of Cortina enjoying the perfect weather and variable terrain. Looks like a fun place for tree skiing - if that’s your thing !
Katakurakan

4.0

216 Reviews

Accommodations / Hot Spring

Nagano Pref. Suwashi Kogandori 4-1-9

Katakurakan is a public bath in the Kamisuwa Onsen resort in Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture. The bath, building and connecting corridor have been designated as important national cultural assets. The Katakura family, who made a fortune from the silk industry, built the bath house in 1928 for the local residents. The bath house is characteristic for its gothic-style façade. The interior of the bath house as well as the bathrooms are also made in the Western style, and you can enjoy the big marble bath and Jacuzzi hot spring, nicknamed the ‘thousand-person bath’. There is an annex building where you can enjoy an after bath rest and meal.

This bath is inside a western-style building and it called Bath for Thousand, having big capacity. Japanese feels this atmosphere as Roman-style so it was used for a Japanese movie set featured...
Hakuba Ski Jumping Stadium

4.0

255 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nagano Pref. Kitadumigunhakubamura Hokujou

A ski jump competition facility located in Hakuba Village, Kitaazumi County, Nagano Prefecture where the Japanese team took the gold during the Nagano Winter Olympics in 1998. Ski jumping can be performed here year-round, and the facility is considered one of the top three tourist attractions of the Shinshu region. A lift and elevator running between the normal and large hills can be used to reach the starting areas, and from here visitors can view the jump area from the same perspective as professional jumpers do.

Definitely a nice spot to see what the athletes endure during that thrilling sport. The height is IMPRESSIVE. Also from the top you can enjoy beautiful scenery. In the tower, theres many memoribilia...
Suwa Grand Shrine Shimosha Akimiya

4.0

143 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nagano Pref. Suwagunshimosuwamachi 5828

A Shinto shrine located in Shimosuwa Town, Suwa County, Nagano Prefecture. The Akimiya is one of six shrines which comprise Suwa Grand Shrine, the head shrine of some 25 thousand Suwa shrines located across the country. Worshipped for providing abundant harvests and granting bravery since ancient times, in recent times the shrine has also come to be worshipped for protecting life and livelihood. The Kagura-den hall, with an eye-catching giant rope hanging in front, and the two-storied Heihai-den (worship and offering hall) are designated Important Cultural Properties. Other shrine highlights include the Neiri no Sugi, an 800-year old Japanese cedar tree. The shrine is famous for the Ombashira Festival held every seven years, as well as the Boat Festival (Ofune Matsuri) held on August 1.

諏訪大社下社秋に訪問しました。4つの宮のうちの一つです。春宮までは徒歩で移動することは可能です。上社までは市も違いますので車での移動が必要になります。春宮よりは大きいので人が多くいました。社の中は静かな雰囲気の中に格式があるように感じました。
Evergreen Outdoor Center

4.5

224 Reviews

Life / Living / Hospital

Nagano Pref. Kitadumigunhakubamura Hokujou 4377

This outdoor tour company is in Hokujo, Hakuba Village. In winter you can take back country and snowshoeing tours, and they have an English language ski school. In the green season you can enjoy the mountains, lakes, and rivers around Hakuba with activities like canoeing and hiking. They also host international school programs, summer camps, team building workshops, and more.

Even though it is not our usual practice to write reviews, our extremely unpleasant encounter compelled me to write the most extensive review I have ever written. We had a bad experience on the...
Kozenji Temple

4.5

156 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nagano Pref. Komaganeshi Akaho 29

Kozenji Temple contains ten halls and is widely revered as the dwelling place of many deities of the South Shinshu region. It was established in 860 by Honjo Shonin and was mainly built to worship Acala, the God of Fire. The temple is undergoing renovations and maintenance until 2020, so some pathways have been changed. Make sure to confirm in advance. It’s about 10 minutes by car from the Komagane Interchange on the Chuo Expressway.

We came to see the weeping sakura but were impressed by this temple. Very tranquil temple with a well-laid out garden backed up to the natural mountain forest. The sakura are of many, many varieties...
Kamikochi Visitor Center

4.0

86 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nagano Pref. Matsumotoshi Adumi Kamikouchi 4468

Located at the entrance to Konashidaira in Azumi-kamikochi, Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture, the visitor center provides information on the animals and wilderness of Kamikochi. The facility teaches about local wildlife through videos, displays, and lectures; you can also find all the information needed to trek or walk through the area, such as which flowers are in season, local plants and animals, weather forecasts, and safety tips. The facility is only open from late April to November 15 when the Kamikochi area is open to visitors.

We had no idea this place was even here, but we were very excited to visit and gather information. The insdie is beautiful with great flora and fauna information of the area. The folks at the desk...
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...
Anrakuji Temple

4.5

176 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nagano Pref. Uedashi Besshonsen 2361

This Soto school Buddhist temple is located in Bessho Onsen in Ueda City. The oldest temple in Nagano Prefecture, it is also famous for its octagonal three-storied pagoda, a National Treasure. The pagoda is said to have been built in the Kamakura period and is the only original octagonal pagoda still standing in Japan. An entrance fee is required to view the pagoda interior. A 14-minute walk from Bessho-Onsen Station.

Anrakuji, with its impressive wooden octagonal pagoda built in the Chinese Sung architectural style during the Kamakura Period (1192-1333). The pagoda is the only example of its kind left in Japan...
History no Yado Kanage Ya

4.0

151 Reviews

Accommodations / Hot Spring

Nagano Shimotakai-gun Yamanouchimachi Hirao 2202

"Founded in 1758, the ""Historic Hotel Kanaguya"" is a famous landmark in the Shibu hot spring resort area, and is said to be the model for the bathhouse in the Ghibli film ""Spirited Away. In particular, the exterior of the four-story wooden ""Saigetsu-ro"" building is lit up from 7:30 to 10:00 p.m. daily, providing a fantastic sight to photograph. Guests can also participate in the ""cultural asset tour"" and ""souce-of-spring tour"" and enjoy architectural styles from the Meiji to Showa periods."

I’m shocked by any reviews of this architectural treasure where it’s not being given it’s fair marks. No, it’s not a 5 star hotel, but it is 5 stars in a unique very Japanese experience teeming...
Suwa City Kohan Park (Lakeside Park)

4.0

178 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nagano Pref. Suwashi Kogandori

Suwa City Kohan Park was built in 1953 when the Lake Suwa was dredged to form the shoreline. It features a footbath, a lake geyser center, a pleasure boat boarding point, an outdoor stage, and more for year-round enjoyment. A fireworks display is held over Lake Suwa every year on August 15, and the first Saturday in September is a national competition for showing off new fireworks. It’s about a 15-minute drive from the Suwa Interchange.

If you filled up at a tasty restaurant in Suwa, the park is a nice place to take a walk and enjoy the view. Best for a stroll, and theres a little onsen stream where you can dip your feet.
Suwa Taisha (Suwa Grand Shrine) Shimosha Harumiya

4.0

107 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nagano Pref. Suwagunshimosuwamachi 193

Suwa Taisha, one of the highest-ranked Ichinomiya shrines of the old Shinano Province, is said to be one of the oldest shrines in Japan and is the main shrine of the various Suwa shrines throughout the country. The granite torii gates at the entrance are said to have been built in 1659, evidence of its long history. The lower shrine holds various ceremonies, including “Senzasai” ceremonies which are said to have an influence on the Years of the Tiger and Monkey as well as biannual “Harumiya” and “Akimiya” ceremonies. It’s about 15 minutes from the Okaya Interchange on the Nagano Expressway.

諏訪大社下社春宮に訪問しました。4つの宮のうちの一つです。秋宮までは徒歩で移動することは可能です。上社までは市も違いますので車での移動が必要になります。社の中は静かな雰囲気の中に格式があるように感じました。

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

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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.