Culture / Tour Spots in Nagano Area

Area

Nagano
- Japan
- Hokkaido / Tohoku
  
  Hokkaido
  
  Aomori
  
  Iwate
  
  Miyagi
  
  Akita
  
  Yamagata
  
  Fukushima
- Kanto
  
  Ibaraki
  
  Tochigi
  
  Gunma
  
  Saitama
  
  Chiba
  
  Tokyo
  
  Kanagawa
- Koshinetsu / Hokuriku
  
  Niigata
  
  Toyama
  
  Ishikawa
  
  Fukui
  
  Yamanashi
  
  Nagano
- Tokai
  
  Gifu
  
  Shizuoka
  
  Aichi
  
  Mie
- Kinki
  
  Shiga
  
  Kyoto
  
  Osaka
  
  Hyogo
  
  Nara
  
  Wakayama
- Chugoku
  
  Tottori
  
  Shimane
  
  Okayama
  
  Hiroshima
  
  Yamaguchi
- Shikoku
  
  Tokushima
  
  Kagawa
  
  Ehime
  
  Kochi
- Kyushu / Okinawa
  
  Fukuoka
  
  Saga
  
  Nagasaki
  
  Kumamoto
  
  Oita
  
  Miyazaki
  
  Kagoshima
  
  Okinawa

Category

Leisure / Hobbies

Culture / Tour

Jigokudani Yaen-koen

4.5

2715 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.

We had a great experience at the Snow Monkey Park! We took a taxi from the train station—which took about 15 minutes and cost around 2000 yen. We arrived right when it opened at 08:30 am and were...
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...
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...
Matsumoto City Museum of Art

3.5

122 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...
Matsumoto Timepiece Museum

4.0

130 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nagano Pref. Matsumotoshi Chuou 1-21-15

This museum displays a wide range of timepieces centering on a collection donated by antique timepiece researcher Chikazo Honda. The museum has a policy of displaying each timepiece in its collection (which contains more than 1,000 items) in working condition whenever possible. The museum also exhibits a number of phonographs, which have a deep connection to the history of timepieces. The museum is notable for the massive pendulum clock, one of Japan's largest, which is built into the front of the building. The museum is a 10-minute walk from JR Matsumoto Station.

If you are curious about technology or history this is a fascinating museum. Who knew the Egyptians invented the hourglass as an advance over water to tell time. There were candles for predetermined...
Sanada Treasure Museum

4.0

93 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...
“Mugonkan” Memorial Art Museum for Fallen Art Students

4.5

68 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nagano Pref. Uedashi Koaso 3462

Mugonkan was born when Seiichiro Kuboshima acquired half the Shinshu Dessan Building in 1997 to exhibit works left behind by art students who fell in battle. You can see exhibitions of fallen students’ art pieces and easels. It’s about 30 minutes by car from the Sakaki Interchange on the Joshin-Etsu Expressway.

長年訪問したかった「無言館」。日曜日だったので混雑していてじっくり見ることが出来ず、残念でしたが、やはり心に訴えるものがありました。戦争という悲しい歴史がなかったら、さぞやご活躍なされただろうと思う方の作品も多くあり、本当に残念な思いがしました。次回は、ゆっくりじっくり見学したいと思います。
Togariishi Museum of Jomon Archaeology

4.5

65 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 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...
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.

安曇野を訪問した際、最も行きたかった美術館。まず、今井兼次設計の赤レンガの美術館そのものが見所満載。ドアの取っ手や、暖炉など細かいところも興味深い。館内の展示も素晴らしい。碌山の代表作、女をはじめとして、時間を忘れてしまいます。美術ファン、建築ファンには強くおすすめです。
Nagano City Joyama Zoo

4.0

54 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nagano Nagano-shi Uematsu 2-1-19

A free zoo located in Joyama Park, a popular cherry blossom viewing destination in Spring. Open every day excluding the end of the year and regularly scheduled closing days, the zoo is popular because visitors can take in the animal exhibits even in winter, as well as because of its variety of rides and attractions of all sizes. A great place to enjoy a relaxing stroll, here visitors can see animals such as Japanese macaques, great white pelicans, and Yakushima sika deer. There's also a petting zoo where visitors can pet rabbits, guinea pigs, and miniature horses.

I enjoy local zoos especially when they house animals of the area. I came here on my way to one of the temples and was surprised there was no admission, you can simply walk through it. The zoo is on...
Karuizawa Picturebook Museum (Forest of Muse)

4.0

48 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nagano Pref. Kitasakugunkaruizawamachi Nagakura 182

"This museum is in Nagakura, Karuizawa Town. They display items related to picture books, including Peter Rabbit. The First Exhibition Hall showcases the research of honorary adviser Mr. Shinichi Yoshida, a researcher of British and American children's literature, and has a permanent display called ""Peter Rabbit's Secret Room."" Planned exhibits occupy the Second Exhibition Hall. They also have a picture book library with primarily Western works where you can browse 1,800 volumes. There is also a museum shop and a conference room where various events are held."

2020年10月9日から2021年1月11日まで軽井沢絵本の森美術館でやっている『グリム童話の裏話』を旅行ついでに行ってみました。こじんまりした展示ではありましたが、なかなか興味深い内容で、グリム童話に潜むもの、兄弟・家族観、キリスト教、過激な表現、社会・道徳・世相、ジェンダー等に分けて展示してありました。ちなみに10時〜16時（10/9-12は9時半から17時らしいが時期により時間が違う可能性あ...
Iida City Zoo

4.0

40 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nagano Pref. Idashi Ougimachi 33

A zoo situated along Mizunote-dori Street in Ogi-machi, Iida City. Specializing in small animals such as Humboldt penguins, meerkats, beavers, and wallabies, the zoo also keeps birds, including birds of prey; monkeys; and Japanese serow. The zoo also has a petting zoo area with ponies.

動物と触れ合えます。飼育員さんたちの愛情がつたわっているんでしょうね！ここの動物たちは人間のことが好きなんだなって感じました。ポニーの大五郎くんは担当さんが大好きで甘えてました。一人で来園の方が多く、静かにゆっくり楽しめました。何度でも行きたいと思う動物園です。
Mayumi Takahashi Museum of Doll Art

4.5

52 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nagano Pref. Iyamashi Iyama 2941-1

This art museum which opened in 2010 displays 100 works of Iiyama City resident doll maker Mayumi Takahashi. It is a popular spot where visitors can enjoy recalling their hometowns, the expressions of the grandma and grandpa dolls—looking like they are about to chatter—bringing back nostalgic memories. On weekends and holidays there is often a queue to get inside. The dolls on display are changed around twice a year. The nearest station is Kita-Iiyama Station.

とても人気があります。平田ますみ先生の和紙創作品が際立ってます。期間限定ですので是非お立ち寄り下さい。価値観のある作品です。
Lake Nojiri Naumann Elephant Museum

3.5

45 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nagano Pref. Kamiminochigunshinanomachi Nojiri 287-5

A museum located in Shinano Town, Kamiminochi County, Nagano Prefecture. The museum exhibits materials relating to the natural environment in the Lake Nojiri area from pre-history up to today, with a focus on items discovered through the excavations of the lake which have been ongoing since 1962. The highlights of the museum are its life-sized replicas of a fossilized Naumann’s elephant and a giant Japanese elk skeleton. The museum also has an abundant collection of bone and stone tools, and even an exhibit where visitors can touch real fossils. The museum holds mini workshops and special events as well, such as a short class on stone tool-making.

I didnt spend enough time in Nojiri Lake else I would do the elephant walk. I didnt know what to expect from this museum. As I entered the glass door, there was this elderly woman sitting behind...
Matsumoto Mingei-kan (Matsumoto Folkcraft Museum)

4.0

44 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nagano Pref. Matsumotoshi Satoyamabe 1313-1

Matsumoto Mingei-kan is a folk craft museum located about 15 minutes by car from the center of Matsumoto City. Taro Maruyama, the owner of a folk craft shop, founded the museum in 1962. The museum houses a collection of about 6,000 artifacts of the Mingei movement from the Taisho period (1912–1926) which introduces the idea of “beauty of necessaries” in daily necessities used for handwork in everyday life. In 1983 the building was donated to Matsumoto City and now it is an integral part of the Matsumoto City Museum.

Im a huge fan of Japanese folk art (mingei), and Ive been to my share of folkcraft museums in Japan. This one had some really interesting objects but I could only look and wonder what they were. I...
Ueda City Museum

3.5

49 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nagano Pref. Uedashi Ninomaru 3-3 (in Ueda Castle Ruins Park)

This is a museum that stands at the ruins of Ninomaru in Ueda castle ruins. Inside the museum visitors can see Oda Nobunaga’s leather armor and Someya Yaki pottery designated as national important cultural properties, as well as drawings of Shinano Province from the Shoho era (1644–), designated as prefectural treasures. Archives showing the history of the Ueda region since the Middle Ages, material on nature, folk material and so on are collected and displayed.

上田で最も人気のある真田氏に関しては別館でじっくり展示されており、本館は仙石氏および松平氏の上田城城主、および近代史がメインです。上田城の櫓とセットで500円は安いですね。今年も上田の祇園祭がコロナにより中止となり、代わりに祇園祭とは何かを本館で解説していました。上田わっしょいは開催、京都の祇園祭も開催、でも上田の祇園祭は中止。解せません。
Iida City Kawamoto Kihachiro Puppet Museum

4.0

25 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nagano Pref. Idashi Honmachi 1-2

"This art museum located in Iida City, Nagano Prefecture exhibits works by the puppet artist Kihachiro Kawamoto. There are over 200 puppets on display that were donated by Mr. Kawamoto, mostly of which were used in the NHK puppet theater series ""Sangokushi"" (Annals of the Three Kingdoms) and ""Heike Monogatari"" (The Tale of Heike). Each of the exhibits are replaced after a set period of time."

見事な人形ばかりで、衣装もすばらしかったです。訪問者は自分ひとりでした。子供の頃見ていた番組が川本先生のお作と知り、感慨深かったです。三国志がクローズアップされていましたが、自分は三国志を見たことがなかったのでその点残念でした。平家物語のお人形もすばらしかったので、映像も見てみたかったです。最後に15分間の作品を見せていただきましたが、私が出ようとした途端に職員の方がすぐにアルコールを持って席を消...
Tateshina Amusement Aquarium

3.0

31 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nagano Pref. Chinoshi Kitayama 4035-2409

An aquarium located close to Pilatus Tateshina Snow Resort in Kitayama, Chino City. Situated 1,750 meters above sea level, it is the highest aquarium in Japan. Specializing in freshwater fish, visitors can view lake and river fish from around the world, including pirarucu, the largest freshwater fish in the world. The aquarium also allows pets and has a dog park.

淡水魚しかいないのか、と失礼ながらそれほど期待をせずに入館したのですが、とても楽しめました！マニアックな魚が多く派手さはないものの、見たことのない魚や各水槽の説明文に、こんな生き物がいるの？！という驚きが止まりませんでした。説明も読みながらじっくり見て回ると、豆知識も増えるし、おもしろかったです。
Trick Art Museum Karuizawa

4.0

24 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nagano Kitasaku-gun Karuizawamachi Kyukaruizawa 809

"A museum situated along the Old Karuizawa Ginza Street in Karuizawa, Karuizawa Town, Kitasaku County, Nagano Prefecture. The museum displays around 100 pieces of ""trick art"" such as images which appear to jump out at the viewer depending on the viewing angle, and works of art which make use of forced perspective. Visitors can also use some of the works on display to take amazing photos. Pets are allowed in the museum and can even be brought into the adjoining cafe."

入口が狭いのと入場が高いので、気にはなってたけど中々入れなかった美術館。いざ入ってみると三階建てで奥行きもあったのと、インスタ映えするので、けっこう長い時間写真撮ったりして、楽しめました。

Nagano

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

Leisure / Hobbies Culture / Tour

Aquarium Museum / Science Museum Zoo Art Museum Botanical Garden

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.