Prefecture guide
Nagano
長野県
Mountain prefecture of the Japanese Alps, with Matsumoto Castle, Zenko-ji temple, the snow monkeys of Jigokudani and the 1998 Olympic ski slopes.
- places to see
- 48
- town guides
- 3
- protected local foods
- 2
- traditional crafts
- 7
- Japan Heritage stories
- 8
Map of Nagano
Tap a pin to see the place, or a town name for its guide. You can switch on places to eat and stay too.
Places to see in Nagano
- Nagano city
Katsurayama Ochiai Shrine
葛山落合神社A Shinto shrine in Nagano Prefecture, Japan.
Suwa City Museum of Art
諏訪市美術館A museum in Nagano Prefecture, Japan.
Ueda Castle Park
上田城跡公園A castle in Nagano Prefecture, Japan.
- Nagano city
Kamo Shrine
加茂神社A Shinto shrine in Nagano Prefecture, Japan.
- Nagano city
Omuro Kofun group
大室古墳群 (長野県)An ancient burial mound in Nagano Prefecture, Japan.
- Matsumoto
Omiya Atsuta Shrine
大宮熱田神社A Shinto shrine in Nagano Prefecture, Japan.
Kosuge Shrine, Iiyama
小菅神社 (飯山市)A Shinto shrine in Nagano Prefecture, Japan.
Toson Memorial Hall, Komoro
小諸市立藤村記念館A museum in Nagano Prefecture, Japan.
Togariishi, Yosukeone Ruins
尖石・与助尾根遺跡A historic site in Nagano Prefecture, Japan.
Hiraide ruins
平出遺跡A historic site in Nagano Prefecture, Japan.
- Matsumoto
Koboyama Kofun
弘法山古墳An ancient burial mound in Nagano Prefecture, Japan.
Old Nakagomi School
旧中込学校A historic building in Nagano Prefecture, Japan.
Town guides in Nagano
The towns with the most to see, each with its own guide.
Taste of Nagano
Foods whose names are protected in Japan. If the label carries the name, it really comes from here.
Traditional crafts of Nagano
Officially recognised crafts that are still made by hand. A good place to start when you look for souvenirs.
Weather in Nagano this week
Today
24 Oct
Rain
High 17°CLow 12°C
Sun
25 Oct
Cloudy
High 21°CLow 16°C
Rain 80%
Mon
26 Oct
Cloudy
High 18°CLow 14°C
Rain 70%
Tue
27 Oct
Cloudy
High 19°CLow 11°C
Rain 60%
Mild: long sleeves or a light cardigan. Bring a thin jacket for the evening.
Explore by interest
Japan Heritage stories
Local history told as a route you can follow, with the places that go with it.
- Chikuma, city of the moon: the moon in every rice terrace
- Katsuragi Shugen: where mountain asceticism began
- Kawachinagano: a town where the Middle Ages live on
- Nyonin Koya: the temples where women prayed instead of Mount Koya
- Oyama Mairi: the Edo people's pilgrimage and day out
- Starry Jomon highlands: obsidian mines of central Japan
- Ueda's Shioda-daira: the ley line of sun and earth
Good to know
- Nagano city is on the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo.
- Kamikochi is closed to private cars and open only from late April to mid November.
- The Kiso Valley's Magome and Tsumago are linked by a walking trail.
Questions travellers ask
How do I get to Nagano?
The Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo Station runs to Nagano City via Karuizawa and Ueda. For Matsumoto and the Northern Alps, take the Azusa limited express from Shinjuku. From Nagoya, the Shinano limited express runs through the Kiso Valley, handy for Tsumago and Narai. Airport buses go direct to ski areas such as Hakuba.
What is Nagano known for?
Skiing: Nagano hosted the 1998 Winter Olympics, and Hakuba and Nozawa draw skiers from around the world. It is also home to the hot spring-loving snow monkeys near Yudanaka Onsen, Matsumoto Castle, the post towns of Tsumago and Narai on the Nakasendo, and the alpine valley of Kamikochi.
What should I eat in Nagano?
Shinshu soba, since Nagano is thought to be where soba noodles began. Try oyaki, buckwheat dumplings filled with vegetables or sweet beans, fresh wasabi, Shinshu apples and sake from around 100 local breweries.
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Sources
We checked the facts on this page against these sources.