Spots in Nagano Area

  • Zippuku-no-Yu
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    4.5
    65 Reviews
    Accommodations / Hot Spring
    Nagano Pref. Uedashi Sanadamachisoehi 9097-70
    A hot spring bathhouse standing along Prefectural Route 35 in Sanada-machi Soehi, Ueda City. The bathhouse has a garden outdoor bath which is one of the largest in northern Shinano; visitors can soak in its waters surrounded by natural beauty. The bathhouse has a full array of other amenities, including a restaurant which serves handmade, healthy dishes such as stove top cooked takigohan rice made with Special A class Koshihikari rice from Saku.

    So far my favorite Onsen in Japan. I live here since 2019. Definitely worth your time. =) or in better words:if you want to forget about time for a moment go there

  • Shiraito Falls
    Travel / Tourism
    Karuizawa-cho, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano Prefecture
    The result of underground water welling out of bare rock, Shiraito Falls has a thin stream of water almost like a strand of silk with beautiful lines of water and white spray falling down. The refreshing sight is one of Karuizawa’s representative sightseeing spots. In the winter, icicles are artificially created using water gushing forth from the waterfall, producing a fantastical atmosphere.
  • SUWA GARASUNOSATO
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    3.5
    86 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Nagano Suwa-shi Toyoda 2400-7
    Standing on the bank of Lake Suwa, this art museum can be identified by its triangular roof. Displaying numerous delicate and highly emotional pieces by noted glass artists from countries around the world, the museum's standing exhibition changes seasonally. In one of the largest glass blowing workshops in the country, visitors can try activities such as glassblowing, candle making, and making glass beads. In the adjoining glass shop, there are a variety of accessories, tableware, and other glass items available for purchase which are also fun just to look at. The facility's bakery and restaurant, offering a sweeping view of Lake Suwa, is also recommended.

    単なるガラス製品のお土産屋さんかと思って入ったら、体験教室もあり、子供たちも参加できる。ガラス製品に限らず、一般的なお土産もあり、しばらく時間が使える。買い物の後はガラス張りのレストランで諏訪湖を見ながら飲むお茶もまたおいしい。旅に来たなって感じ。

  • Karuizawa Sengataki Onsen
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    4.0
    84 Reviews
    Accommodations / Hot Spring
    Nagano Kitasaku-gun Karuizawamachi Sengataki Onsen
    This hot spring bath boasts beautiful scenery through the seasons and soft pristine hot water flowing from the source. The facility offers an inside bath that has large windows with views creating an open feel, a garden open-air bath overflowing with a rustic atmosphere and a roofed open-air bath where bathers can enjoy the outside view even on rainy and snowy days. Visitors can spend a relaxing time feeling the wilderness of Karuizawa.

    The best time to come for a hot spring. It’s not the best our there but this is where the local goes. Facilities are better than I thought. The place is very quiet and chill

  • “Mugonkan” Memorial Art Museum for Fallen Art Students
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    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。

  • Lake Suwa
    Travel / Tourism
    Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture
    Lake Suwa, the largest lake in Shinshu, has a circumference of about 16 kilometers. Here you can enjoy lengthy walks and jogging as well as pleasure cruises and boat trips on the lake. From autumn through to winter keen anglers can fish for wakasagi (a variety of smelt). The Lake Suwa Fireworks Festival, one of Japan’s largest firework displays, is held at the lake in summer with an incredible 40,000 fireworks lighting up the night sky. The huge fireworks display unsurprisingly attracts huge numbers of people each year.
  • Togariishi Museum of Jomon Archaeology
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    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...

  • Mimizuku no Yu
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    4.0
    65 Reviews
    Accommodations / Hot Spring
    Nagano Pref. Kitadumigunhakubamura Hokujou 5480-1
    This day-trip hot spring facility is located in Hakuba Village, Kita-azumi County, Nagano Prefecture. It has gained popularity because you can see Mt. Hakuba, Mt. Shakushi and Mt. Hakubayari (Hakuba's three symbolic peaks) from the rotenburo (open-air baths) with Happo Ridge in the background. You can wear off fatigue while enjoying cherry blossoms in the rotenburo (open-air bath) during the spring. There is also a shop in the facility with plenty of souvenirs.

    I have not tried any other onsets so cannot really compare. Its a little onset, not much in English but there are so much information everywhere about the etiquettes of onset which I did not get...

  • Nagano Chausuyama Zoo
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    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
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    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。

  • Yukemuri-kan
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    4.0
    53 Reviews
    Accommodations / Hot Spring
    Nagano Pref. Matsumotoshi Adumi Norikura Kogen
    This is a day-trip onsen facility in Norikura Kogen highland in Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture that was remodeled and reopened in 2013. Both the inner baths and rotemburo open-air baths allow patrons to take in the natural scenery of Mt. Norikura, and guests can enjoy the hot springs while enjoying their fill of the new green leaves in spring and the changing leaves in autumn. The warm water that is used is natural hot spring water with a milky-white color that is said to have relieved the tired body of warlord Shingen Takeda. There is also a rest area and restaurant on site, and visitors can relax here after strolling or skiing on the highland.

    乗鞍高原にある日帰り温泉。バスターミナルのある観光センターから道路を挟んだ反対側にあるのでアクセスは抜群。この温泉は、白濁した正真正銘の硫黄泉。硫黄の匂いがしないと温泉に入った気分にならないというマニアの人でも満足するに違いない。ただ、泉温が少し高めなので、長く入るのはちょっと苦しい。露天風呂もある。

  • The Home of Ninja Kids’ Ninja Village
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    4.0
    68 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Nagano Pref. Naganoshi Togakushi 3193
    Located in “Togakureryu Ninja Town” Togakushi, Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture, this experience-based amusement park is based on ninjas and ninjutsu. With trick houses, ninja manors and other buildings, there’s also field athletics that constitute ninja training, like “water-spider technique.” There’s enough for kids and adults to have a fun time. The resource museum is also popular, with its comprehensive collection of ninja goods, historical materials, as well as manga and movies that cover ninjas. You can even rent fun ninja costumes.

    子供はもちろんのこと大人も楽しめます。 本格的な忍者資料館が中にあり、忍者の武器を学べます。ハンモックもあって気持ち良いです。忍者関係のお土産もかなり充実してます。長野から遠いですが、子連れの外国の方におすすめ。

  • Nagano City Tourist Information Center
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    4.0
    64 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Nagano Pref. Naganoshi Kurita Kitagawara 1038-4JR Nagano Station East-West free passage
    This tourist information center is located inside JR Nagano Station right next to the ticket gates. The center is filled with pamphlets on Nagano City and the surrounding cities, towns, and villages, many of which are offered in multiple languages. A staff member is always on duty during business hours who can provide basic tourism information and assistance with round trip planning. The center is also equipped with a money-changing machine that can convert foreign currencies into yen.

    I picked up some useful brochures and maps in English for a visit to Obuse. Then I had some tough questions to ask about local trains on private lines. They dug deep and offered timetables and some...

  • Hakuba Lion Adventure
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    4.5
    74 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Nagano Pref. Kitadumigunhakubamura Hokujou 5746-3
    A company situated in Hakuba Village, Kitaazumi County, Nagano Prefecture which offers a variety of activity-oriented tours through which you can enjoy the great outdoors of the Shinshu area. Go rafting or canoeing down the rapids of the Sai River, canyoning in a mountain stream, or experience the Hida Mountains from 30 meters above the ground in a hot-air balloon. The company also offers a variety of winter tours, including skiboarding and snow rafting.

    This was a great little tour/experience with a couple of really good guides. While it was explained it’s an “enter at your own risk” type of tour they provided a safety briefing for all comers. Well...

  • Yashimagahara Wetland
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    4.5
    72 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Nagano Pref. Suwagunshimosuwamachi Yashima Marshland 10618
    This marsh is part of the Kirigamine Highland in Yatsugatake-Chushin Kogen Quasi-National Park. Formed over about a 12,000-year period, it is a treasure trove of precious flora and fauna, including 18 varieties of sphagnum moss. It was designated a National Natural Monument in 1939.

    We stopped off there on our way to Azumino, Nagano. Although it was drizzling (raining lightly), we were able to go for a walk along the boardwalks that were built over the marsh. They are a bit...

  • Roadside Station Oasis Obuse
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    4.0
    47 Reviews
    Transportation
    Nagano Pref. Kamitakaigunobusemachi Ojima 601
    A roadside station situated long Prefectural Route 343 in Ojima, Obuse Town, Kamitakai County. The station sells Nagano specialty products like local liquors as well as sweets and kuri okowa chestnut rice made with renowned Obuse chestnuts. The station's restaurant serves kuri okowa and other dishes made with local ingredients. You can also enjoy soft serve ice cream and chestnut sweets. The station adjoins Obuse Park and a farmer's market.

    車を停めて、二階の売店、食堂へは、エレベーターで上がれます。食堂で一服し、産直販売所で、林檎と葡萄(シャインマスカット)を買いました。シャインマスカットは市価より安く品質のよい物が買えました。すぐ横に公園があり、アスレチックもあり子供を遊ばせるのにももってこいで、小さい子供がいる人にはリーズナブルに一日ゆっくり遊べて、買い物もできて、よい所です。

  • Roadside Station Kitashinshu Yamanouchi
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    4.0
    56 Reviews
    Transportation
    Nagano Pref. Shimotakaigunyamanouchimachi Sano 393-2
    "A roadside station standing along National Route 292 in Sano, Yamanochi Town, Shimotakai County. The station sells original products like sabatake, a local dish consisting of bamboo shoots and mackerel stewed with miso; and ""Kakure Soba,"" a soba shochu made with select local ingredients. You can also buy local specialty products and farm-fresh produce here. In addition, the station's restaurant serves homemade soba noodles crafted with local buckwheat flour, ramen, and curry."

    Stop over at this stop after visiting the snow monkey park and driving back to nagano. They sell cooked food here and theres a shopping area where one can find some local souvenirs. Theres one...

  • Roadside Station Narai Kiso no Oohashi
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    3.5
    57 Reviews
    Transportation
    Nagano Pref. Shiojirishi Narai 1346-3
    This roadside station is on the Nakasendo Road in Narai, Shiojiri City. The arched hinoki cypress Kiso-no-Ohashi bridge spans the Narai River, and crossing from the Nakasendo Road side you'll find yourself at Mizube Park, which has toilets and an information area. There are no shops at this facility.

    This bridge is so beautiful and in the night time it is illuminated which makes it very much photogenic.

  • Karuizawa Hotchi Ichiba
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    4.0
    53 Reviews
    Shopping
    Nagano Pref. Kitasakugunkaruizawamachi Hocchi 2564-1
    Karuizawa Hotchi Ichiba is a shop which sells agricultural produce from Karuizawa. Chiefly they sell branded vegetables like Karuizawa Kirishita vegetables and other products such as processed foods and other goods. There’s also a restaurant where you can get some Shinshu specialties. In the cafe restaurant run by the local cheese factory you can try some local food and cheese dishes. The tofu shop sells sugar-free drinking tofu which is a popular tofu sweet. As well as a spacious lawn and event space they also have a cooking room where you can have a go at making soba noodles. Advance reservations are necessary for soba making classes.

    Asama-yamas great view, this location is one of the best places to view Mt. Asama in Karuizawa area. With combination to visit to Lake Resort Garden nearby this market is very recommendable for...

  • Roadside Station Shinano
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    4.0
    45 Reviews
    Transportation
    Nagano Pref. Kamiminochigunshinanomachi Kashiwabara 1260-4
    A roadside station standing along Prefectural Route 119 in Kashiwabara, Shinano Town, Kamiminochi County. The station sells fresh dairy products from the adjoining Kurohime Kogen Farm dairy plant as well as local products. There's also a farm-fresh shop selling seasonal produce. In the station's restaurant, Tenbo, you can enjoy soba noodles made fresh that morning while taking in a spectacular view of Mt. Myoko and Mt. Kurohime.

    信濃町ICから近く、黒姫や野尻湖周辺の観光前のお得な情報収集や休憩に便利です。 土産物売場にお食事処、地場産品直売所いっさっさなどがあり、天気が悪く売りの眺望は今一つでしたが、日曜はイベントもあって、かなりの賑わいでした。

Nagano Areas

around-area-map

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.

Nagano Photo Album

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