History / 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

Travel / Tourism

History / Culture / Tour

Suwa city museum of ART

4.0

16 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nagano Pref. Suwashi Kogandori 4-1-14

The Suwa city museum of ART is in a space converted from what used to be a “Memorial Hall” for Katakura Industries, which was built in 1943. It is Nagano Prefecture’s first public art museum. The museum opened in 1956 and is registered as a Tangible Cultural Property. It has a collection of nearly 1,400 items mainly focused on modern art, including works by artists both local and celebrated nationwide. It’s about a seven-minute walk from the west exit of JR Kami-Suwa Station.

温泉施設の片倉館と併設されており、美術館、温泉、諏訪湖畔と楽しむことができます。近くには間欠泉などもあるのでこの付近を散策するにはお勧めの場所です。
Oborozukiyo no Yakata Hanzan Bunko

4.0

15 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nagano Pref. Shimotakaigunnozawaonsenmura Toyosato 9549-6

This memorial hall in Toyosato, Nozawaonsen Village is dedicated to Takano Tatsuyuki, renowned lyricist known for such songs as “Kokyo (Hometown),” “Haru ga Kita (Spring is Here),” and “Oborozuki Yo (Moonlit Night).” You can view such articles as his drafts, letters, paintings and writings, and more. Shiko Munakata, Masaaki Tanaka, Shiro Kasamatsu’s works are also stored here and showcased during special exhibitions. There’s also a cafe, museum shop, and carillon that plays Takano Tatsuyuki’s songs at regular intervals.

温泉の合間にいきました。観光にはぴったりです。野沢温泉はとても小さな集落ですのでどの旅館からも徒歩圏内です。
Nakamura Residence

4.0

15 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nagano Pref. Shiojirishi Narai 311

The wood manufacturing industries such as comb manufacturing and lacquerware flourished in Narai-juku during the Edo period. The “Nakamura Residence”, which was the residence of Nakamura Rihei who ran a comb wholesalers in Narai-juku is a typical Narai-juku merchant’s style building with the feature of the second floor slightly jutting out (overhanging beam structure). It has been registered as a Tangible Cultural Property of Shiojiri City, and the residence is open to the public as a museum.

[奈良井宿]に《国重要文化財》指定の建築物が 2件ありその内の1件です[他の1件[手塚家住宅（上問屋史料館）]]。こちらで印象に残ったのは外観的；[奈良井宿]の建築物の特徴である《鎧庇》と《猿頭》の説明文（添付写真参照）が掲示してあり 2階から 1階を眺めると《鎧庇》と《猿頭》が良く見え [奈良井宿]の建築物の特徴が良く理解出来ることです。又小さな入口から腰をかがめて内部に入ると江戸時代...
Togakushi Soba Museum Tonkururin

4.0

13 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nagano Pref. Naganoshi Togakushi 3018

This is an activity-based museum in Togakushi, Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture, where one can learn about the famous Togakushi Soba through buckwheat pounding and the displayed articles. In the hour-long pounding experience a soba expert carefully teaches participants the process from kneading buckwheat flower to cutting the noodles into thin strips. It is possible to take home the noodles one has made or eat them there in the building. The museum uses models and real articles to introduce Togakushi soba history and culture in an easy-to-understand way. There is a free-to-use 50-meter-tall slide on the viewing platform, making it a popular place for children too.

トイレを探していた時に「そば打ち道場」という看板が目に入って、昼時だったので寄ってみました。生徒さんが打ったそばなのか麺の太さがバラバラで茹で上がった硬さもマチマチだったのが印象的でした。食事の支払いが売店の方でクレジットカードで支払いさせて貰えたのは好印象。
Yatsugatake Museum of Art (Hara Village Historical Folk customs archives)

3.0

5 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nagano Pref. Suwagunharamura 17217-1611

This municipal art museum is situated on Prefectural Route 484 in Hara Village, Suwa County, Nagano Prefecture. The museum's standing exhibition consists of works by Hara Village-born sculptor Takashi Shimizu, as well as calligraphy by the similarly Hara Village-born calligrapher Kakusen Tsugane, and Jomon period pottery and stone implements excavated from archeological sites in the village. The museum also holds a variety of special exhibitions throughout the year. Walk the walking path around the museum and you can enjoy an outdoor sculpture exhibit and also come in contact with the natural beauty found at the foot of the Yatsugatake Mountains.

小淵沢原村この辺り、美術館、ミュージアムが、点在します。芸術家な人たちが集まるエリアのようです。ヴィレッジピーポーな
Nyakuichioji Shrine

4.0

13 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nagano Omachi-shi Omachi Tawaramachi 2097

This Shinto shrine is famous for its large scale children's traditional yabusame horseback archery event and is ranked alongside the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu in Kamakura and Kyoto's Kamo Shrine as one of Japan's three greatest Shinto horseback archery shrines. Records state the shrine was founded in 849. The Honden front shrine reflects late Muromachi period regional tastes and is a single bay shrine with a pillar at each of its four corners built in the sumigi-iri Kasuga-zukuri style. The shrine has been designated an Important Cultural Property.

It is a little bit far from downtown Omachi, and as I visited, there was no other tourist. This is a Shinto shrine, but due to Shinto-Buddhism merging in the Middle Ages, there is a pagoda next to...
Zozan Memorial Museum

3.5

15 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nagano Nagano-shi Matsushiromachi Matsushiro 1446-6

Sakuma Shozan, a retainer of Matsushiro Domain, lived at the end of the Edo period. One of the first to promote the importance of Japan's opening up to the world as well as coastal defense, he exhibited great abilities, studying gunnery and Dutch and conducting scientific experiments. He was also known as a renowned calligrapher and Confucian scholar. This museum presents his achievements and displays works of calligraphy by him as well as articles which belonged to the renaissance man.

こちらは [佐久間象山]に興味ない方にはあまりお薦め出来ません。展示点数も全35点と少なく、旧館展示室に15点；カメラ模型、地震予知器、電気治療器などは佐久間象山の生涯[文化8年(1811)-元治元年(1864)]を考慮すると 160年前にこのようなものを考えたものだとチョット驚きがあります。新館展示室に20点；佐久間象山の書、山水図、絵、印章の展示などとなっており、展示スタイルも...
Japan Clay Doll Museum

4.0

13 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nagano Nakano-shi Nakano 1150

A museum located in Higashiyama Park whose design is based off azekura-zukuri log storehouse architecture. The museum preserves and displays a collection of over 2,000 clay dolls from around the country, including Nakano tsuchi ningyo dolls. Visitors can also enjoy fun activity in which they can receive a plain white figurine to paint how they like. The clay doll painting activity takes between 30 minutes and three hours. Surrounded by the museum's warm, woody design, you can decorate your very own tsuchi ningyo doll.

中野市に位置している人形を展示している施設です。地元の作家が作ったものもかなり多くあり観光におすすめです。
Ushikata Yado (Prefectural Treasure former Chikuni family home)

4.5

12 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Otari village Kitaazumi-gun Nagano prefecture Tsugaike plateau

Ushikata Yado is the last remaining inn on the Chikuni Highway, also known as the “Salt Road” because it was once used to carry salt and marine products inland. The building with a hip, thatched roof is presumed to be of the late Edo period, and was used to accommodate the cattle used as transportation and their handlers (ushikata). It was designated as a treasure of Nagano prefecture in 2009.

牛方宿というのは、物資を運んだ牛方と牛が一緒に寝泊まりした宿です。栂池高原から小谷村を通る国道１４８号線に向かって下っている途中に見つけました。藁ぶき屋根の建物で、建物には説明も記されていました。この牛方宿のすぐ近くには「塩の道」の表示がありましたが、かつて、糸魚川から松本まで物資を運んだ千国街道を「塩の道」と呼ぶようです。かつては、その塩の道沿いには、何軒もの牛方宿があったそうですが、現在...
Former Matsushiro Bell Tower

3.5

14 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nagano Nagano-shi Matsushiromachi Matsushiro 166-2

This bell tower, used to announce the hour, was built in 1624 along with a fire watchtower. During the Edo period, the bell would be run hourly, helping the domain's retainers and the citizens of the castle town to manage their time. The bell tower was also used to warn people in the event of a fire or other disaster. After being burned down in large fires three times, the current tower was rebuilt in 1801 and restored in 2012. It has been designated a Cultural Property (Structure) by the city government.

松代藩の藩校である[文武学校]の規模に驚かされましたがこちらの[鐘楼]を眺めると同じくその規模に驚かされます。説明文（添付写真参照）によると高さは約12mですが基壇：石積みの上に井楼（せいろう）式高櫓形と非常に立派な鐘楼となっており《時の鐘》としては私が知る範囲では最大規模です。
Nagano City Museum

4.0

13 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nagano Pref. Naganoshi Oshimadamachi 1414

This museum is located in a corner of Hachimanpara Shiseki Park, the scene of the Battles of Kawanakajima. The comprehensive museum exhibits materials related to areas such as geology, history and ethnology. The permanent exhibit introduces the history of the Nagano Basin and from the stone age to the Middle Ages and later with videos, ceramics and other items They also hold various kinds of special exhibitions. With even a planetarium, you can learn about astronomy as well.

[善光寺]の近くにある[ちょっ蔵おいらい館（国登録有形文化財、元油問屋三河屋庄左衛門商店）]を訪問した際スタッフの方からこちらに 1/10模型（添付写真参照）が展示されており江戸時代後期の姿[弘化大地震(1847)直後の建築物]を知ることが出来ると聞き入館しました。 2022年9月23日-11月20日[煌びやかなお嫁入り...
Kiso Living Craft Center

4.0

13 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nagano Pref. Shiojirishi Kisohirasawa 2272-7

At Kiso Living Craft Center you can learn about the techniques and history of traditional crafts such as wood culture and lacquer work. On the second floor is a craftsman gallery where crafts people are introduced and products are put on display and on sale. In the restaurant you can try the main course Japanese dishes which are made with local ingredients. And in the cafe owned by a person from Finland you can see their own hand crafted items on display. Also on sale are selected specially made products from Shiojiri and Kiso such as pickles, local sake, and Shiojiri wine. Visitors are welcome to have a go at creating their own traditional craft works when booking in advance. (Reservations are required two weeks in advance)

漆器は勿論、白木の木工製品やワイン、地酒などお土産が揃います。サクッと地元のお土産を買いたい時には便利です。
Forest of MUSE

4.5

5 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nagano Pref. Kitasakugunkaruizawamachi Nagakura 182

This picture book museum displays original drawings and materials associated with picture books. In the First Exhibition Hall, you can view research materials on the culture and history of picture books. A permanent Peter Rabbit exhibition is also housed here. In the Second Exhibition Hall temporary exhibitions are held throughout the year depending on the season. The museum shop sells limited edition products related to the various temporary exhibitions. There are more than 1,800 picture books in the picture book library. The ‘Mori no Ie’ event space can be used for wedding receptions.

人が3組くらいしかいなくて、静かで、とっても良かったです。お庭が綺麗でした。たくさんの絵本、ゆっくりみました。
Komoro Castle Otemon Gate

Travel / Tourism

Nagano Pref. Komoroshi Ote 1-150

Famous as an example of large gate architecture representative of eastern Japan, this castle gate is inside Otemon Park located in Komoro City, Nagano Prefecture. Inside the turret, there are limited time special exhibitions that are free to view. In addition, it has been selected as a nationally-designated Important Cultural Property, making it visited by many tourists.
Museum & Cottage Morinoouchi

4.0

12 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nagano Pref. Aduminoshi Hotakariake 2215-9

This is an art museum within Akamatsu Forest, Azumino City, Nagano Prefecture, displaying mainly the original pictures from contemporary picture books from Japan and abroad. They collect original pictures from works such as Bernadette Watts’ The Little Match Girl and Delia Cancela’s “Alice in Wonderland,” and several times a year hold planned exhibits. They give particular attention to the works of Kenji Miyazawa. There are a number of facilities including library with around 8,000 picture books, a museum shop, and cafe where one can enjoy handmade cake and lunch. Also popular as a wedding venue, cottage accommodation is available too.

かわいい看板なので通過！Uターン（笑）！木漏れ日の中に普通のお家のように佇む美術館。ちょっと寄ってみない？気に入ってもっとと望むなら、足を延ばしてちひろ美術館へどうぞ！おべんとうもってアルプス眺めて池の周囲の公園で、絵本読みながら半日のんびり。絵本三昧の１日。
Honjin Omoya, Komoro Juku

4.0

12 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nagano Pref. Komoroshi Ote 1-6-14

"This history museum is on the grounds of Otemon Park in Ote, Komoro City. The building itself was where high-ranking officials like Daimyo would stay during their alternate attendance to the capital during the Edo period. It was relocated to its current location, where it was reconstructed as faithfully as possible before becoming a museum. In addition to exhibits on Komoro's history as a post town, they rent out a room called the ""Jodan-no-ma"" where the Daimyo used to stay. There is also a handicraft gallery and a cafe."

無料で入れる歴史資料館といったところです。小諸駅大手門公園内に有る建物で、説明書からですが18~19世紀に建てられました。小諸宿の賑やかな時代を想像させる古民家です。
Kamidonya Museum of History

4.0

12 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nagano Pref. Shiojirishi Narai 379

The Kamidonya Museum of History was designated an Important Cultural Property in 2007. It was a wholesale dealer from the start of the modern era until the Bakumatsu period, and toward the end of the modern period it also served as village headquarters. The displays showcase old documents, daily articles, and various tools from that period. There are approximately 100 written articles and 300 tools. It’s open from the beginning of March through the end of December, and it’s about 15 minutes on foot from JR Narai Station.

[奈良井宿]にある《国重要文化財》指定の建築物が2件ありその内の1件です（他の1件；[中村家住宅（櫛問屋...
Komoro Municipal Komoro Gijuku Memorial Museum

3.5

13 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nagano Pref. Komoroshi Kojou 2-1-8

Komoro Municipal Komoro Gijuku Memorial Museum was the restored and reconstructed form of the “Komoro Private School,” which was founded in 1893 by Christian minister Kumaji Kimura. It is located across from the old school grounds that were in Kaikoen Park near Komoro Station. You’ll find exhibitions featuring materials related to the educational institution, which was ahead of its time in terms of offering a modern education.

徴古館の裏手から少し上がった所にある施設です。明治中頃に設けられた私塾です。建物前には桜の木があって、桜の花がとても美しかったです。玄関でスリッパに履き替えて入室します。壁の四隅にある展示ケースや天井近くには当時の塾の歴史や塾で使われていた教科書、手紙・写真などが数多く展示されています。二階にも同様の資料が展示されていて、明治時代の人間教育の様子が直に伝わってきます。
Daihoji Temple

3.5

13 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nagano Pref. Shiojirishi Narai 423

This temple is a Myoshin-ji Temple of the Rinzai sect and was established in 1582 in Narai, Shiojiri City. Jurojin, one of the seven deities of good fortune, is worshipped here, and this is also a sacred spot visited by those making pilgrimages to various temples. There is also a Maria Jizo, whose shattered head serves as a famous symbol of the suppression of Christians in the Edo period. It is a popular spot for azalea viewing in June and the changing of the leaves in autumn.

《マリア地蔵》があるとのことで訪問しました。《マリア地蔵》と呼ばれるものとして[埼玉県幸手市]にもありますがこちらの《マリア地蔵》は子供の持つ蓮華の先が十字状（添付写真参照）になっておりよりこれが隠れキリシタンの為の地蔵尊ではないかと印象付けられます。
Niekawa Sekisho

3.5

12 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nagano Shiojiri-shi Niekawa 1568-1

A five-minute walk from Niekawa Station on the JR Chuo Main Line. Standing at the northern entrance to the section of the Nakasendo Road known as the Kisoji road, this ancient checkpoint barrier was built as a substation of the Fukushima Sekisho, considered one of the three most important checkpoint barriers in Japan. Before it was demolished in the early Meiji period, the barrier was used as a guardhouse to monitor the comings and goings of people and property on the Nakasendo Road, and to control the movement of runaway wives and shipments of unfinished lumber. The barrier was rebuilt on land owned by JR based on a large number of documents; even the layout and plot size have been faithfully recreated. Inside, visitors can view exhibits on the barrier as well as pottery and stone tools dating to the Jomon period discovered as part of archeological excavations in the Kiso area.

開館前に到着したが、親切に案内解説してくれて感激しました。岩倉具視の恋文？など、当時の位ある者はやたら女に声掛けた話は「さもありなん」。ただ期待していた周辺遺跡の考古資料の展示は人気が無い？早々に撤去されたのは残念でした。その手の情報は無く、臨時休業なども管理者が独断で決めている？又、電車の本数がやたら少なく中山道歩くには程よいが一般旅行者には「二度とくるな」扱い(日本中JRは縮小して車以外は不...

Nagano

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

Travel / Tourism History / Culture / Tour

Reference/Local/Exhibition/Literature Museum Shrine Castle / Ruins of Castle Historical Monument Temple Church Ruin / Grave / Ancient Tomb Memorial Hall Cultural Property Event Hall / Public Hall Art Museum Museum / Science Museum Other Historic Site/Building

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.