Nagano, the home to one of Japan’s most beautiful mountain areas, Kamikochi, is also the home of one of Japan’s most famous temples, the Zenko-Ji Temple. What makes these temple so special is that they exist in perfect harmony with the nature surrounding them. Nagano itself is also well known for it’s beautiful natural scenery. Many places like the Shiraito Falls, Shinsho Venus Line, Shirahone Onsen, and many other places in Nagano proof just how beautiful the natural scenery is in Nagano. Here is a list of top 30 things to do in Nagano, enjoy!
Kamikochi
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One of Japan’s most beautiful mountain areas which has also been recognized nationally as a Special Area of Scenic Beauty
More information
| Business Hours | [close] November 16th-April 26th |
| Address | Kamikochi, Matsumoto-shi, Nagano See map |
| Telephone | 0263-95-2433 |
| Website | http://www.kamikochi.or.jp/english/ |
Matsumoto Castle
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The National Treasure of Matsumoto Castle. Its beautiful appearance has been maintained for 400 years thanks to the citizens of Matsumoto City.
More information
| Business Hours | Everyday ( 08:30 AM ~ 05:00 PM ) |
| Price | Adults: 610 YEN Child: 300 YEN 6 years old or under: Free |
| Address | 4-1 Marunochi, Matsumoto-shi, Nagano See map |
| Telephone | 0263-32-2902 |
Jigokudani Monkey Park
Famous worldwide! Japanese macaque monkeys soaking in hot springs in a cold and snowy valley
More information
| Business Hours | Everyday ( 09:00 AM ~ 04:00 PM ) |
| Price | Adults: 800 YEN Child: 400 YEN |
| Address | 6845 Hirao, Yamanochi-machi Shimotakai-gun, Nagano See map |
| Telephone | 0269-33-4379 |
| Website | http://www.jigokudani-yaenkoen.co.jp/english/html/top_e.htm |
Nozawa Onsen
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An onsen town with various quantities of water and a variety of hot springs
More information
| Business Hours | Weekdays ( 09:00 AM ~ 06:00 PM ) [close] Varies depending on the facility |
| Price | Varies depending on the facility |
| Address | Nozaw Hot Spring, Nagano See map |
| Telephone | 0269-85-3111 |
| Website | http://nozawakanko.jp/english/ |
Togakushi Shrine
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Japan’s highest mountain shrine enshrining the deities who forced open Amanoiwato Cave, where the Goddess of the Sun hid.
More information
| Business Hours | Everyday |
| Price | FREE |
| Address | Togakushi Shrine, 3506 Togakushi Nagano, Nagano Prefecture See map |
| Telephone | 026-254-2001 |
| Website | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Togakushi_Shrine |
Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza
One of the best premium outlet malls in Japan located within a popular resort!
More information
| Business Hours | Weekdays ( 09:00 AM ~ 06:00 PM ) 10am-7pm [close] Irregular holidays |
| Address | KARUIZAWA PRINCE SHOPPING PLAZA karuizawa, Karuizawa-machi, Kitasaku-gun,Nagono-pref See map |
| Telephone | 0267-42-5211 |
| Website | http://www.karuizawa-psp.jp/en |
Kumoba Pond
A quiet and relaxing area where the four seasons of Karuizawa are reflected on the pond surface
More information
| Business Hours | Everyday |
| Price | FREE |
| Address | 1181-4 Karuizawa Karuizawa-machi, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano-ken See map |
| Telephone | 0267-45-8579 |
Matsumoto City Museum of Art
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See the gigantic art of Yayoi Kusama! Enjoy the works of artists with a deep relationship with Matsumoto City
More information
| Business Hours | Tuesday ( 09:00 AM ~ 05:00 PM ) Wednesday ( 09:00 AM ~ 05:00 PM ) Thursday ( 09:00 AM ~ 05:00 PM ) Friday ( 09:00 AM ~ 05:00 PM ) Weekends ( 09:00 AM ~ 05:00 PM ) Closing days: Mondays (if it’s a national holiday, then the following Tuesday is closed) New Year’s holidays Open every day in August |
| Price | Adults: 410 YEN Child: FREE |
| Address | 4-2-22 Chuo, Matsumoto,Nagano See map |
| Telephone | 0263-39-7400 |
| Website | http://matsumoto-artmuse.jp/en/ |
Shiraito Falls
An elegant waterfall from where underground water spouts from the rock face and falls like chiffon
More information
| Business Hours | Weekdays ( 09:00 AM ~ 06:00 PM ) During the time period when the Shiraito Highland Way (expressway) is passable. 6am – 10pm [close] Closed in winter due to snow making passage impossible. Please check in advance |
| Address | Nagakura 軽井沢町 Karuizawa-machi, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano-ken See map |
| Telephone | 0267-31-0070 |
| Website | http://www.go-nagano.net/shisetsu-detail?shisetsuid=26001006 |
Tsumago-juku
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A post town that has retained its Edo Era appearance so that it feels as if you’ve gone back in time
More information
| Business Hours | The area is closed off to vehicular traffic from AM10:00～PM4:00 |
| Price | Admission may be required depending on the facility |
| Address | Tsumago, 2159-2 Azuma Nagiso-machi Kiso-gun,Nagano See map |
| Telephone | 0264-57-3123 |
| Website | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsumago-juku |
Taisho Pond
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The first scenic spot as you enter the Kamikochi area. The pond has a lovely mirror-like surface.
More information
| Business Hours | [close] November 16th-April 26th |
| Address | 大正池 pond, Azumi Matsumoto-shi, Nagano See map |
| Telephone | 0263-94-2301 |
| Website | http://www.kamikochi.or.jp/english/highlights/ |
Daio Wasabi Farm
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Japan’s largest wasabi farm using the snowmelt from the Northern Alps
More information
| Business Hours | Everyday Mar.-Oct. 9:00am～5:20pm Nov.-Feb. 9:00am～4:30pm |
| Price | FREE |
| Address | Daio Wasabi Farm 3640 Hotaka Azumino, Nagano Prefecture See map |
| Telephone | 0263-82-2118 |
| Website | http://welcome.city.matsumoto.nagano.jp/contents03+index.id+15.htm |
Senjojiki Curl
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A symbolic curl (basin) of Japan that was formed from erosion over 20,000 years
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| Price | Admission required for the ropeway (Round trip) Adults (junior high school students and older)：2260 yen Children (elementary school students)：1130 yen |
| Address | 千畳敷駅, Akaho Komagane-shi, Nagano See map |
| Telephone | 0265-81-7700 |
| Website | http://www.kankou-komagane.com/alps/ |
Ueda Castle
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One of Japan’s 100 Famous Castles which twice survived attacks by the Tokugawa army
More information
| Business Hours | Everyday 24 hours（although the watchtowers and museum are open from AM8:30～PM5:00） [close] The museum is closed on Wednesdays, the days following national holidays and the New Year’s holidays. The watchtowers are closed from December to March. |
| Price | Admission required for the watchtowers and museum (via a common ticket) Adults：250 yen, high school and university students：180 yen, junior high and elementary school students：60 yen |
| Address | Uedajoseki Park, 2 Ninomaru Ueda-shi, Nagano See map |
| Telephone | 0268-22-4100 |
| Website | http://www.go-nagano.net/modules/contents07/index.php?id=1&mode=disdetailsisetu&cityid=3&junleid=3&indexid=6&kubuncode=1 |
Kappabashi Bridge
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Kappabashi Bridge which is the symbol of Kamikochi is popular as a photo spot
More information
| Business Hours | [close] November 16th-April 26th |
| Address | Azumi Matsumoto-shi, Nagano 390-1516 河童橋 See map |
| Telephone | 0263-94-2221 |
| Website | http://www.kamikochi.or.jp/english/highlights/ |
Kyu-Karuizawa Ginza Street
This commercial district in Karuizawa, a famous resort, is filled with restaurants and stores
More information
| Price | FREE |
| Address | 旧軽井沢銀座通り Karuizawa, Oaza, Karuzawamachi, Kitasaku, Nagano See map |
| Telephone | 0267-42-1775 |
Shaw Memorial Church
Karuizawa’s oldest church is a legacy from the original settlers of Karuizawa
More information
| Business Hours | Everyday |
| Price | FREE |
| Address | 57-1 Karuizawa Karuizawamachi Kitasaku District, Nagano See map |
| Telephone | 0267-42-4740 |
| Website | http://www.nskk.org/chubu/church/16shaw.html |
Manpei Hotel
A resort hotel pioneer that has retained its stately atmosphere
More information
| Address | Nagano Prefecture, Kitasaku District, Karuizawa, 925 万平ホテル See map |
| Telephone | 0267-42-1234 |
| Website | http://www.mampei.co.jp/index/english/ |
Old Mikasa Hotel
An elegant building that is a museum about the development of the Karuizawa resort area
More information
| Business Hours | Everyday ( 09:00 AM ~ 05:00 PM ) 9am-5pm (entry is allowed up to 4:30pm) |
| Price | Adults: 400 JPY Child: 200 JPY |
| Address | 1339-342 Karuizawa-machi, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano See map |
| Telephone | 0267-42-7072 |
| Website | http://tr.thread.ne.jp/kto2/c2/tr.cgi/http%3a//www.town.karuizawa.lg.jp/www/contents/1001000000964/?XPID2=12561_0 |
Zenko-ji Temple
Like the famous phrase “Visiting Zenko-ji Temple once in one’s lifetime”, visiting this famous temple is a milestone for many people.
More information
| Business Hours | Everyday The grounds are open daily 24 hours a day, although the inner temple, the Zenko-ji museum and the tour of the Sanmon gate depend on the day. |
| Address | Zenkō-ji Temple,Motoyoshicho-491 Nagano, Nagano Prefecture See map |
| Telephone | 026-234-3591 |
| Website | http://www.zenkoji.jp/ENGLISH/about/ |
Shibu Onsen
The retro townscape matching the traditional “yukata” and “geta” worn by visitors, is an onsen town that has lasted for 1300 years
More information
| Business Hours | Weekdays ( 09:00 AM ~ 06:00 PM ) [close] Varies depending on the facility |
| Price | Varies depending on the facility |
| Address | Nagano Prefecture, Shimotakai District 渋温泉 See map |
| Telephone | 0269-33-2921 |
| Website | http://www.shibuonsen.net/english/ |
Shinshu Venus Line
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A highland sightseeing road linking popular resorts
More information
| Price | FREE |
| Address | Venus Line See map |
| Telephone | 0266-72-2637 |
Shirahone Onsen
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A popular if secluded hot spring which boasts that if you enter it for 3 days then you will not catch a cold for 3 years
More information
| Business Hours | Everyday ( 12:00 AM ~ 12:00 AM ) |
| Price | FREE |
| Address | Shirahone Hot Spring, Matsumoto, Nagano See map |
| Telephone | 0263-93-3251 |
| Website | http://www.shirahone.org/english/ |
Myojin Pond
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A mysterious pond interweaving water, mountains and greenery in the sanctuary of Hotaka Shrine
More information
| Business Hours | Everyday AM6:00～sunset [close] November 16th-April 26th |
| Price | Adults: 300 YEN Child: 100 YEN Children refers to elementary school students |
| Address | 明神池 nagano matsumoto See map |
| Telephone | 0263-95-2433 |
| Website | http://www.kamikochi.or.jp/english/highlights/ |
Miharashidai
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An observation point located at the top of the Usuitoge Pass where the splendid scenery from the age of the Man'yōshū can be treasured
More information
| Business Hours | Everyday |
| Price | FREE |
| Address | 見晴台 Nagano-ken, Kitasaku-gun, Karuizawa-machi, Tōgemachi See map |
| Telephone | 0267-45-8579 |
| Website | http://tr.thread.ne.jp/kto2/c2/tr.cgi/http%3a//www.town.karuizawa.lg.jp/www/contents/1001000000700/index.html?XPID2=13117_0 |
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