Nagano Hightlights
The city of Nagano is also the capital of the Nagano prefecture and is located in the vibrant Chubu district of Japan. In days gone by the city became known for due to its mesmerizing temple known as Zenko-ji, and in more recent times, it made a name for itself as the host of the Winter Olympics in 1998. Much of the city was reconstructed in preparation for the games, and many of the buildings and sports facilities that were built at this time can still be enjoyed today, such as the speed skating auditorium known as the M-Wave, and the swimming arena called the Aqua-Wing. As a result, if you like sports, then this a top spot to visit in Japan, and as well as the city of Nagano itself, you can also enjoy surrounding areas that include scenic mountains, bubbling hot springs, and much more.
Getting to Nagano:
You can get to Nagano easily either by train or by bus from neighboring Tokyo.
One of the fastest ways to get to the city is to take the bullet train called the shinkansen from Tokyo. This is known as the Hokuriku Shinkansen or the Nagano Shinkansen and costs from ¥7970 for a one way ticket. Trains leave every 2-3 hours.
Alternatively you can take the Wide View Shinano express train from Nagoya to Nagano which takes 3 hours and costs from ¥7130 for a one way ticket.
You can also take the bus from Tokyo if you prefer, leaving from Shinjuku or Ikebukuro. It takes 3 and a half hours from Tokyo to Nagano and fares start at around ¥4000 for a one way ticket or ¥7200 for a return ticket.
There are also buses that travel from both Osaka and Kyoto to Nagano and take around 7 hours during the day, or around 9 hours if you choose to travel on the night bus. Tickets costs from ¥5300 one way up to ¥10000 for a return ticket.
Tourist Attractions:
Zenko-ji:
Probably one of the most famous attractions in the city is the Zenko-ji temple which amazingly dates from the 7th century. The temple is known for its hidden Buddha which is known as a hibutsu and is only ever brought out and shown to the public every six years. As a result, if it is a year when the Buddha is displayed, this is viewed as a time of great pilgrimage by Buddhist followers in Japan.
Tip:
There are rows of handicraft shops located around the temple where you can buy a lucky charm or talisman that is linked to the temple as a souvenir of your trip to Nagano.
Kagai Onsen Ichiyoukan:
If you want to try a traditional bath house or onsen with a difference, then consider paying a visit to the Kagai Onsen Ichiyoukan in Nagano. This onsen is known for having brown water in it as well as signature long baths that are narrow and oblong in shape. There are also some more traditional communal mixed baths outside if you prefer, and entry is ¥300.
Nishi-no-Mon:
Located close to Zenko-ji is Nishi-no-Mon which is a brewery dedicated to making sake. The famous Japanese tipple is still distilled in a traditional building much as it would have been in the days of old and there is also a museum attached that is free of charge to enter. Here you can learn about how sake is made and see period photographs of the brewery over the years.
Nagano Prefectural Shinano Art Museum:
If you like art then you need to head to the best art museum in Nagano were you will find a range of traditional Japanese pieces. These include those in the famed Higashiyama Kaii Gallery where you can enjoy a range of stunning landscape pieces that are painted in the nihon-ga, or traditional brush stroke, style.
M-Wave:
M-Wave was built for the Winter Olympic Games as the location for the speed skating events in 1998. Nowadays however it has been transformed into an Olympic museum where you can learn about these famous games. There is also an ice skating rink here if you fancy taking a twirl on the ice yourself.
Shopping and Duty Free:
Yawataya Isogoro:
One of the most famous places to shop in Nagano is this store which is said to be 280 years old. They sell a product here called shichimi which means ‘seven flavors’ and is a kind of spice blend that is made of ground chili and other spices that is used across Japan as the topping for soba noodles.
Recommended times to visit:
Winter:
As you might expect for somewhere that hosted the Winter Olympic Games, Nagano is a great place to come in the winter time. Not only can you expect picturesque snowfall, but you will also be able to enjoy winter spots such as the warming onsens all over the city and the skating rinks and snow areas. If you are going to explore the wider Nagano region then you will also be able to catch the Snow Monkeys who like to bathe in the Nagano hot springs to keep warm in the winter months.
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