Surrounded by the mountains of the Japanese Alps, Nagano Prefecture is a treasure trove of nature, exemplified by the beautiful Kamikochi region, which is called "the land where the gods descend.
In addition to famous peaks such as Yarigatake (Mt. Yarigatake) and Kirigamine (Mt. Kirigamine), which change their appearance from season to season, there are many hot springs nestled in the mountains, and famous hot springs such as Shirakone Onsen, Yudanaka Onsen, Shibu Onsen, and Nozawa Onsen are scattered throughout the prefecture.
In Nagano City, there is the Zenkoji Temple, which is said to be visited at least once in a lifetime, and Matsumoto Castle, a national treasure, is located in Matsumoto City.
Another characteristic of Nagano is its simple local cuisine, such as oyaki and soba noodles.
To enjoy sightseeing in Nagano Prefecture
Surrounded by the Japanese Alps, Nagano Prefecture has beautiful nature represented by Kamikochi, famous as "the land where the gods descend.
In addition to famous peaks such as Yarigatake (Mt. Yarigatake) and Kirigamine (Mt. Kirigamine), which show their seasonal faces, there are many hot spring resorts nestled in the mountains, including the famous Shirakone Onsen, Kamisuwa Onsen, Yudanaka Onsen, Shibu Onsen, and Nozawa Onsen. Monkeys can also be seen soaking in the hot springs at the Jigokudani Yaen-koen near Shibu Onsen!
In the Nagano and Matsumoto areas, there is Zenkoji Temple, which is said to be visited at least once in a lifetime, and Matsumoto Castle, a national treasure.
In the Kiso area, Senjyoshiki Karl has been attracting attention in recent years as a starry night sky viewing spot. In the Karuizawa-Komoro area in the eastern part of the prefecture, modern townscapes such as the old Karuizawa station building and the old Mikasa Hotel, which were built by wealthy people in the past as summer retreats, are spread out, and visitors can spend a relaxing time cycling in summer or walking through a wild bird forest.
The northern part of the prefecture is known for its severe cold and heavy snowfall, so winter sightseeing requires good protection against the cold.
History of Nagano Prefecture
Nagano Prefecture is the fourth largest prefecture in terms of area among all prefectures, and the northern, central, southern, and eastern areas of the prefecture have had slightly different histories.
The northern part, which was once the gate town of Zenkoji Temple, is strongly influenced by Niigata and Gunma regions, while the eastern part is strongly influenced by Tokyo and Saitama regions. The southern part of the city was once part of the Owari clan centering on Nagoya, and the culture of the Tokai region has taken root in the area.
Among these, the central part of the prefecture absorbed various cultures as a crossroads of the Nakasendo, Koshu Kaido, and Sengoku Kaido roads.
The present prefectural area was established in 1876 with the establishment of Nagano Prefecture. Nagano Prefecture, which has long lacked agricultural land, is said to have many hardworking and diligent people who are highly conscious of managing their own health, and is now known as the prefecture with the longest life expectancy in Japan.
Nagano Prefecture's Local Gourmet, Food Culture, and Specialties
The prefecture's soba (buckwheat noodles) production is flourishing, taking advantage of the temperature differences throughout the prefecture, and the buckwheat noodles can be found in many places in the prefecture. In particular, there are many excellent soba craftsmen in the Togakushi area, and there are many famous Togakushi soba restaurants to stop by when visiting Togakushi Shrine.
In addition, since long ago, the production of preserved foods such as pickles and sasazushi (bamboo grass sushi) has flourished, and oyaki with pickled nozawana, a specialty of the area, as a filling has become a standard local delicacy. Furthermore, because Nagano Prefecture does not face the sea, river fish such as ayu (sweetfish) and carp are also a specialty, and recently an increasing number of restaurants are offering dishes of Shinshu salmon, a unique and improved breed of salmon.
The area has long been known for its clean water and sake, and sake, locally brewed beer, and fruit wine and western-style sake are also available.
Other local delicacies sold in each municipality are also worth checking out in advance, such as Kurobe Dam Curry available in Omachi City, Ina's famous Ina Romen, Komagane's Sauce Katsu, Nagano's Yakimen, Suzaka's Misosukidon, Saku's Anyoji Ramen, Hakuba's Galette, and many more.
Matsumoto Castle is one of Japan’s most important surviving early-modern castles. Located in Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture, the castle is famous for its striking black-lacquered exterior and its five-story, six-level main keep, standing dramatically against the backdrop of the Northern Alps. Originally known as Fukashi Castle, it played an important role in the conflicts that shaped Shinano P...»
A spectacular natural landscape that leaves a lasting impression Kamikochi is a highland valley at an elevation of approximately 1,500 meters in Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture. Surrounded by the mountains of the Northern Alps, including the majestic Hotaka Mountain Range, it is one of Japan’s most celebrated mountain resort destinations. Kamikochi is part of Chubu-Sangaku National Park and ha...»
Zenkōji Temple is a historic Buddhist temple located in Motozencho, Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture. It is renowned for its long history, deep spiritual traditions, and distinctive architecture. The temple is said to have existed before Buddhism became divided into the various sects known today, and it remains an independent, non-sectarian Buddhist temple. The exact date of its foundation is uncer...»
A Sacred Place Where Japan’s Spiritual Heritage Can Be Experienced Suwa Taisha Upper Shrine – Main Shrine, located in the Suwa region of Nagano Prefecture, is known as the head shrine of approximately 25,000 Suwa Shrines throughout Japan. With a history and prestige dating back to ancient times, it is regarded as one of Japan’s oldest and most historically significant shrines. In ancient times, ...»
Countless streams of clear water cascade down the rock face like delicate threads of white silk Karuizawa Shiraito Falls is one of the most famous natural attractions in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture. The waterfall takes its name from the countless thin streams of water that resemble strands of white thread gently hanging from the rock face. From the parking area, visitors can follow a pleasant w...»
A Unique Wildlife Experience in the Snowy Mountains of Nagano Jigokudani Monkey Park is located in Yamanouchi Town, Shimotakai District, Nagano Prefecture. It is internationally known as one of the few places in the world where visitors can observe wild Japanese macaques bathing in natural hot springs at close range. The sight of Japanese macaques relaxing in a hot spring surrounded by deep wint...»
Narai-juku is a historic post town located in present-day Narai, Shiojiri City, Nagano Prefecture. It developed along the Nakasendo, the ancient highway connecting Edo, present-day Tokyo, with Kyoto, and was the 34th of the 69 post towns along the route. As one of the eleven post towns of the Kisoji section of the Nakasendo, Narai-juku became particularly prosperous and was once known as "Narai S...»
Tsumago-juku is a beautifully preserved post town along the historic Nakasendo highway in Nagiso Town, Kiso District, Nagano Prefecture. It was the 42nd of the 69 post towns established along the Nakasendo, the important route that connected Edo, present-day Tokyo, with Kyoto during the Edo period. Located at the southern end of the Kiso Valley on the eastern bank of the clear Araragi River, Tsum...»
Lake Suwa is the largest lake in Nagano Prefecture, located almost in the center of the prefecture in the middle of the Suwa Basin. At an elevation of approximately 759 meters, the lake has a circumference of about 15.9 kilometers and an area of approximately 13.3 square kilometers. Surrounded on all sides by mountains, Lake Suwa offers a different landscape in every season. Its calm waters, moun...»
A Sacred Shrine at the Foot of Mount Togakushi Togakushi Shrine is one of Japan’s most revered spiritual sites, located in the northwestern part of Nagano City at the foot of sacred Mount Togakushi, which rises to an elevation of 1,904 meters. The shrine complex consists of five shrines: Okusha, Chusha, Hokosha, Kuzuryusha, and Hino-mikosha. For centuries, the area has been associated with mount...»
An Ancient Hot Spring Town with a Rich Variety of Natural Springs Shibu Onsen is a historic hot spring resort located in Yamanouchi Town, Shimotakai District, Nagano Prefecture. With a history of more than 1,300 years, it is one of the best-known hot spring destinations within the Yudanaka-Shibu Onsen area. The hot springs are traditionally said to have been discovered during the Nara period. To...»
A Suspension Bridge Surrounded by Clear Water and Mountain Scenery Kappabashi Bridge is a wooden suspension bridge spanning the Azusa River in Kamikochi, one of the most celebrated mountain landscapes in the Japanese Alps. With magnificent views of the Hotaka Mountain Range, Mount Yakedake, and the clear waters of the Azusa River, the bridge has become one of the most recognizable symbols of Kam...»
A Mountain Highland Surrounded by the Beauty of the Northern Alps Norikura Kogen is a highland area located in Azumi, Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture, stretching from approximately 1,100 to 1,800 meters above sea level. It lies on the eastern foothills of Mount Norikura, one of the prominent peaks of the southern Northern Alps, which rises to 3,026 meters. Thanks to its high elevation, the are...»
A Scenic Landmark of Kamikochi Taishoike Pond is one of the most famous scenic attractions in Kamikochi, Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture. The pond was created when the active volcano Mount Yakedake erupted in 1915, sending a debris flow into the Azusa River and blocking its course. The resulting lake became known as Taishoike, taking its name from the Taisho era in which it was formed. Located...»
A Mystical World Above the Clouds SORA terrace is a spectacular observation spot located at an elevation of approximately 1,770 meters in the summit area of Ryuoo Mountain Resort in the Kita-Shiga Highlands of Nagano Prefecture. Visitors reach the summit aboard a 166-passenger ropeway, said to be one of the largest of its kind in the world. As the ropeway climbs toward the summit, the landscape ...»
A Natural Hot Spring Surrounded by the Northern Alps Shirahone Onsen is a peaceful hot spring village located along the Yukawa River in Azumi, Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture. Set at an elevation of approximately 1,400 meters on the foothills of Mount Norikura in the Northern Alps, the area is surrounded by pristine mountain scenery. Known as one of Japan's renowned secluded hot spring destina...»
The Hokusai Museum is a museum located in Obuse, Kamitakai District, Nagano Prefecture, dedicated primarily to the works of Katsushika Hokusai, one of Japan’s most internationally renowned ukiyo-e artists. The museum is also a member of the Japan Ukiyo-e Association and has earned recognition both in Japan and abroad as an important center for Hokusai research. Although it is situated in the quie...»
A World-Class Museum of Picture Books The Azumino Chihiro Art Museum is a unique museum in Matsukawa Village, Kitaazumi District, Nagano Prefecture, dedicated to the work of Chihiro Iwasaki, a beloved Japanese picture-book artist who spent her career depicting the many expressions and emotions of children, as well as the works of picture-book artists from around the world. It is one of the world...»
A Scenic Journey into the Sky The Ryuoo Ropeway connects the base and summit areas of Ryuoo Mountain Resort in Yamanouchi Town, Nagano Prefecture. Its large gondola can accommodate up to 166 passengers, making it one of the largest ropeway gondolas in the world. The approximately 10-minute ride takes visitors from the mountain base to the summit at an elevation of around 1,770 meters. Along the ...»
Shirakaba Lake is an artificial lake located on the border between Chino City and Tateshina Town in Nagano Prefecture. Set at an elevation of approximately 1,416 meters, the lake stretches across a beautiful highland landscape. It has a circumference of about 3.8 kilometers and covers approximately 36 hectares. The lake is part of the Yatsugatake-Chushin Kogen Quasi-National Park. The lakeside is...»
Myojin Pond is a serene and mysterious pond located in Kamikochi, Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture. Nestled at the foot of the Hotaka Mountain Range, it lies quietly within a pristine natural environment. The pond is located within the sacred grounds of Hotaka Shrine's Oku-Miya (Inner Shrine) and has long been known as both "Kagami Pond," meaning Mirror Pond, and "Shin Pond," meaning Sacred Pond....»
Yudanaka Onsen is one of the most historic hot spring destinations in Shinshu, located in Yamanouchi Town, Shimotakai District, Nagano Prefecture. The hot spring is said to have originated more than 1,000 years ago, with traditions tracing its beginnings to around the 7th century. For centuries, its mineral-rich waters have provided relaxation and comfort for travelers and local residents alike. ...»
Suwa Taisha Kamisha, Maemiya is one of the four principal shrines that make up Suwa Taisha in the Suwa region of Nagano Prefecture. Suwa Taisha is regarded as the head shrine of approximately 25,000 Suwa Shrines throughout Japan. Among the four shrines, Maemiya is traditionally regarded as a particularly important place associated with the origins of Suwa worship. Suwa Taisha has an exceptionally...»
Suwa Taisha Shimosha Harumiya, located in Shimosuwa Town, Nagano Prefecture, is one of the four major shrines that make up Suwa Taisha, the head shrine of approximately 25,000 Suwa Shrines throughout Japan. The shrine has been revered for centuries as “Suwa-sama” and “Suwa Daimyojin” and is considered one of Japan’s oldest places of worship. Throughout its long history, Harumiya has served as an ...»
Suwa Taisha Shimosha Akimiya is one of the four main shrines that make up Suwa Taisha in Shimosuwa Town, Nagano Prefecture. Suwa Taisha is the head shrine of approximately 25,000 Suwa shrines throughout Japan. The shrine has been revered for centuries as “Osuwasama” and “Suwa Daimyojin” and is also recognized as the ichinomiya, or highest-ranking shrine, of the former Shinano Province. With tradi...»
The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is one of Japan's most impressive mountain sightseeing routes, connecting Ogizawa Station in Omachi, Nagano Prefecture, with Tateyama Station in Toyama Prefecture on the Sea of Japan side. The route stretches approximately 37.2 kilometers across the Northern Alps and is renowned for its dramatic mountain scenery and remarkable variety of transportation. With a hug...»
Karuizawa Kogen Church stands quietly among the lush forests of Karuizawa, one of Japan's best-known mountain resort areas. The church is distinguished by its simple triangular wooden architecture, which creates a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Surrounded by trees that change their appearance with every season, the church blends beautifully into the natural landscape. Its peaceful setting makes i...»
Mount Ontake is a 3,067-meter-high active volcano in central Japan and is known as the country's second-highest independent peak after Mount Fuji. Surrounded by magnificent mountain scenery, the area attracts hikers, mountaineers, nature lovers, and winter sports enthusiasts throughout the year. Mount Ontake is also recognized as one of Japan's 100 Famous Mountains, the New 100 Famous Mountains o...»
Azumino Chihiro Park is a spacious 53,500-square-meter park surrounded by peaceful rural landscapes, with magnificent views of the Northern Alps. Visitors can enjoy art, nature, and hands-on activities in an open setting that feels like a scene from a picture book. The park features several unique attractions, including the Totto-chan Square, inspired by Tetsuko Kuroyanagi's famous memoir Totto-c...»
Takashima Castle is a historic Japanese castle in Takashima, Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture. Once standing directly beside and extending into Lake Suwa, the castle was known as the “Floating Castle of Suwa” because its elegant silhouette appeared to rise from the waters. The castle was built in the former Province of Shinano during the turbulent period from the Warring States era into the Edo perio...»
Nozawana is a traditional leafy vegetable that originated in Nozawaonsen Village in northern Nagano Prefecture. A member of the mustard family, it has been closely connected with the region's food culture and way of life for centuries. The most famous product made from Nozawana is Nozawana-zuke, a traditional Japanese pickle made from the vegetable's leaves and stems. It is widely enjoyed through...»
Shinshu Soba is the traditional style of soba associated with Nagano Prefecture, historically known as Shinshu. Made primarily from buckwheat flour, these Japanese noodles are one of the region’s most celebrated culinary traditions....»
Romen is a distinctive local noodle dish from the Ina region of Nagano Prefecture. It is made by stir-frying mutton and vegetables with thick, steamed Chinese-style noodles. There are two main styles of Romen. One is prepared with a Chinese-style broth, while the other is closer to sauce-flavored yakisoba, or Japanese stir-fried noodles, with little or no soup. Both styles have a distinctive char...»
Utsukushigahara Open-Air Museum is an extraordinary outdoor sculpture museum located at an elevation of approximately 2,000 meters in the Utsukushigahara Highlands of Ueda, Nagano Prefecture. Surrounded by vast grasslands and spectacular mountain scenery, the museum offers a unique experience in which nature itself becomes part of the exhibition space. The museum occupies an expansive site of app...»
Michi-no-Eki Utsukushigahara Kogen is a roadside station located in the Utsukushigahara Highlands of Nagano Prefecture. Situated at an elevation of approximately 2,000 meters, it is known as the highest-altitude roadside station in Japan. Standing high above the surrounding valleys, the facility offers visitors the feeling of being close to the sky. Located at the end of the scenic Venus Line, it...»
Utsukushigahara is one of Japan’s most spectacular highland areas, stretching across Matsumoto City, Ueda City, and Nagawa Town in Nagano Prefecture. Located in the northwestern part of the Yatsugatake-Chushin Kogen Quasi-National Park, it is also one of Japan’s 100 Famous Mountains. The broad plateau rises to around 2,000 meters above sea level and offers an extraordinary sense of openness rarel...»
Utsukushigahara Onsen is a historic hot spring resort located on the outskirts of Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture, at the foot of the Utsukushigahara highlands. Situated at an elevation of approximately 800 meters, the area is surrounded by peaceful natural scenery and offers a quiet atmosphere away from the bustle of the city. The hot spring village is only a few kilometers from the Utsukushig...»
The Venus Line is one of Japan’s most spectacular mountain roads, crossing the highlands of Nagano Prefecture from Chino City to the Utsukushigahara Highlands in Ueda City. The route stretches for approximately 76 kilometers and has an average elevation of around 1,400 meters, creating the sensation of driving along a road in the sky. Developed during the Showa period, the road was originally mad...»
Asama Onsen is a historic hot spring resort located in the northeastern part of Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture. Known for centuries as the “inner parlor of Matsumoto,” it has long been a favorite place for relaxation and hot spring bathing. Located almost in the center of Shinshu, the traditional name for the Nagano region, Asama Onsen enjoys a scenic setting surrounded by nature. On clear day...»
Togakushi Soba is a traditional style of soba, or Japanese buckwheat noodles, associated with the Togakushi area of Nagano City. Togakushi is renowned for its deep connection with soba culture and is home to many highly skilled soba makers. Togakushi is sometimes described as a town where almost every household has someone skilled at making soba. Soba has long been closely connected with everyday...»
Katsudon with a special sauce made with carefully selected "local foodstuff from Komagane." Katsudon usually referrers nikatsu with eggs, but this katsudon is flavored with a sauce and is known as the origin of katsudon. It is said to be invented by a student of Waseda high school, Keijiro Nakanishi and his friends, and it was served for students at cafeterias then, and was spread nationwide....»
Matsukawacho is located in the northern end of Shimoinagun.Fruit cultivation of apples and pears flourishes, and the Black pork grown with the local apples and plums is slightly sweet and thus very tasty! "Goboton don" was born using the Black pork together with burdocks which is another local delicacy of Matsukawacho. There are quite many restaurants of Chinese cuisines, kappo (Japanese) cuisines...»
"Sakura don" is a local delicacy of Iijimacho using high-grade sakura meat (horsemeat) made for everybody to become familiar with it. High-grade horsemeat is called "sakuraniku" because of its cherry pink color. Horsemeat is eaten on a daily basis in France, and is very popular for women as well since it is as low in calories as chicken breasts, but contains glycogen and high in good quality anima...»
A culture of breeding sheep flourished in Toyamagou due to the characteristics of the region surrounded by mountains, and the village had 150 sheep at its peak. Thus, Nagano Prefecture is known as the second biggest kingdom of the Jingisukan cuisine after Hokkaido, and Minamishinshu area (Iida and Shimoina areas) has the most barbeque restaurants per 10,000 people in Japan. There are also other fo...»
Hoba-meshi, Hoba-kowameshi, Hoba-musubi, Hoba-sushi, and Hoba-maki were made at a mountain village of Kisodani and the Shimo-ina south using the sterilizing power of bokuha. A made home became little, but Hoba-maki and Hoba-mochi are handed down from generation to generation as an event food of a seasonal festival in May 5th, and production is sold the time at a snack shop in Kiso-ji....»
"Yubeshi" is a confectionary made with miso, rice powder, udon flour, sugar and walnuts mixed with yuzu juice, kneaded and steamed, and is also called "yubishi." Yuzu is the strongest spices of citruses in Japan against the cold climate, and is cultivated in the wider areas than Onshu citrus, thus yubeshi is made in many areas throughout Japan. In Nagano Prefecture, yuzu is cultivated around the s...»
There is no ocean in Shinshu area. Thus, fish for sushi, especially salted saba, was very precious. In Izuki in Iida City, sabasushi used to be presented to Izukihachimangu at the autumn festival, sushi became a dish for events and was considered as a "hare" dish, and a unique and valuable culture of sushi was settled in the area. "Saba kaido (Saba street)" which was located between Okazaki and Iz...»
A dish made with soba flour, but they are not eaten as soba noodles. "Sobagaki" is made by adding water or hot water to soba flour and mix well with chopsticks until it gets sticky and becomes a clump. Sobagaki is torn into small pieces by chopsticks and dipped in sobatuyu or shoyu when eaten. "Hayasoba" from Sakaemura in Shinshuyamanouchicho and "Sobagaki shiruko" from the areas of Matsumoto City...»
It's made an anniversary of death of Mr. Buddha on February 15, but it's offered at a make family Buddhist altar on March 15 of January late in Iizunacho. "And, I shoulder, oh, pull" and children went to a Zen temple and amajo to have this. HAN TEN was turned over and the form was changed in the inside, and there were the twice, 3 times and the child who goes to have this and. It was one of the pl...»
In summer, finely chopped eggplant is fried in a little oil and mixed with miso as filling. In winter, pickled leafy vegetables are fried with chopped daikon and mixed with a green onion and miso paste. Traditionally, oyaki were cooked in the irori (fireplace) ashes after being partially dried on a board in the corner of the irori. Wood from broadleaf deciduous trees such as konara (a type of oak)...»
Koino sugatani was the best dish whenever having guests at home for celebrations, weddings or funerals in Yamaura area in Suwa....»
A nimono dish served for ceremonial occasions in Kiso area. It is made in a large pot with lots of ingredients such as saitoimo, shirataki, chickens, carrots, daikon, mushrooms, etc. flavored with soy sauce....»
When work in a rice field was settled for the time being in the Kami-ina area formerly, relative's people gathered, and a rice dumplings-on-a-stick meeting was held. It hung time slowly and was some time of the fun clear sky when an adult and a child make and eat rice dumplings-on-a-stick by everyone while making small talk....»
Buckwheat flour is dissolved in water and it's stirred in the Japanese radish cutting into fine strips boiled rather hard. Because it can be made a thing seen as the soba limit and a short time when it's larger in the quantity of Japanese radish than buckwheat flour, I say "sou soba". Only Sukagawa where the one which is being made in the Nagano prefecture is Sakae-mura and Yamanouchi-machi. It is...»
Tame sushi with the char of ingredients the inside in a mountain. It develops as a New Year's dish and an event food. I take internal organs of char (Other river fish are also fine.), stuff salt soup stock and vinegared rice in 1 month before which is pickled and eaten with many salt, put a stack arrangement weight in the barrel and ferment. It's handed down from generation to generation only at a...»
"Nidoimo (twice potato)" was named so because it was harvested twice a year. The ingredients for nidoimo no misodengaku are nidoimo, egoma and onikurumi (wallnuts) and they are all produced in Toyamago. Imodengaku, made with local foodstuff, is a valuable food culture....»
OYAKI FARM is a unique visitor facility in Nagano Prefecture where you can discover the traditional food culture of Shinshu through freshly baked oyaki, hands-on workshops, factory tours, shopping, and a café with beautiful views. The facility is operated by Irohado, a long-established oyaki maker founded in Nagano in 1925. In addition to tasting freshly made oyaki, visitors can watch how these t...»
St.Cousair Hill is a picturesque destination in Iizuna Town, northern Nagano Prefecture, where visitors can enjoy wine, local food, and beautiful countryside scenery. Set on a hill with sweeping views of the surrounding landscape, the site brings together the St.Cousair flagship store, a winery, a restaurant, a chapel, and vineyards. The peaceful setting, reminiscent of the French countryside, of...»
Shinpei Nakayama Memorial Museum is located in Nakano City, Nagano Prefecture, and commemorates the life and achievements of Shinpei Nakayama, one of Japan's most influential composers of the Meiji, Taisho, and early Showa periods. The museum is operated by Nakano City under the Nakano City Shinpei Nakayama Memorial Museum Ordinance. In addition to preserving materials related to Nakayama, it pla...»
Tatsuyuki Takano Memorial Museum is a cultural facility in Nakano City, Nagano Prefecture, dedicated to the life and achievements of Tatsuyuki Takano, a renowned Japanese scholar of classical literature and the lyricist of many beloved Japanese school songs. The museum is established and operated by Nakano City under the Nakano City Tatsuyuki Takano Memorial Museum Ordinance. It serves not only t...»
Nakano Jinya and Prefectural Government Memorial Museum is a museum in Nakano City, Nagano Prefecture, introducing the history and culture of the Nakano area. The museum makes use of a historic building constructed in 1936 as the former Nakano Town Hall. After being carefully preserved and adapted for public use, it officially opened as a museum in 1994. Today, the museum serves as a place where...»
Japan Folk Clay Doll Museum is a cultural and tourist facility in Nakano City, Nagano Prefecture, dedicated to the traditional Japanese craft of tsuchi ningyo, or folk clay dolls. Officially known as the Nakano City Tourist Hall and Japan Folk Clay Doll Museum, the facility introduces the history and character of Japan's regional folk toys through an extensive collection of clay dolls from Nakano...»
Fukuroya Museum is a historic museum in Nakano City, Nagano Prefecture, housed in the former residence of the Fukuroya family, a prosperous merchant family during the Edo period. The building was opened to the public as a museum in 1996. The sixth head of the Fukuroya family, Seizaemon, who used the literary name Baidō, and the seventh head, Baijin, had close friendships with the renowned Edo-per...»
Ippongi Park is a beautiful public park in Nakano City, Nagano Prefecture, where visitors can enjoy seasonal flowers, greenery, cultural attractions, and local events throughout the year. The park opened in 1984 and has since become a popular place for both local residents and visitors. It is especially famous for its impressive rose garden, which contains more than 850 varieties and 3,500 rose p...»
Kitashinano Furusato-no-Mori Cultural Park is a large recreational park in Nakano City, Nagano Prefecture, developed around the theme of the relationship between people and nature. Covering approximately 15.48 hectares, the park makes full use of the rich natural environment of northern Shinshu and offers opportunities to learn, play, relax, and enjoy the outdoors in one location. With its combin...»
Shinshu Fruit Land Shinshu-Nakano Interchange Store is a popular tourist farm in Kusama, Nakano City, Nagano Prefecture, where visitors can enjoy seasonal fruit-picking experiences as well as local Shinshu cuisine and shopping. One of its greatest advantages is its convenient location. The farm is only about one minute by car from the Shinshu-Nakano Interchange on the Joshin-Etsu Expressway, maki...»
Jorakuji Temple is a historic temple of the Soto school of Zen Buddhism located in Kuriwada, Nakano City, Nagano Prefecture. Its mountain name is Sentozan, and its head temple is Morin-ji Temple in Tatebayashi, Gunma Prefecture. With its long history, Buddhist sculptures, traditional architecture, and connections to the powerful Uesugi clan, Jorakuji offers visitors an opportunity to experience t...»
Madarao Kogen is a scenic highland resort located at an elevation of around 1,000 meters. Stretching across Iiyama City in Nagano Prefecture and Myoko City in Niigata Prefecture, the area spreads across the foothills of majestic Mount Madarao and offers a wide range of attractions throughout the year. In winter, the resort is known for its abundant natural snowfall and excellent conditions for sk...»
Reikanji Temple is a temple of the Myoshinji school of the Rinzai tradition of Zen Buddhism, located in Higashiyama, Nakano City, Nagano Prefecture. Its mountain name is Entsuzan, and its head temple is Myoshinji Temple in Kyoto, one of Japan's most important Rinzai Zen temples. The temple's principal Buddhist image is Shō Kannon, or the Sacred Kannon Bodhisattva. Revered by local residents for c...»
The Shinshu Nakano Copperplate and Lithograph Museum is a cultural museum in Nakano City, Nagano Prefecture, where art, local history, and memories of the community are preserved in a historic school building. Its official name is the Former Nakano Elementary School Building at Ichinoki Park / Shinshu Nakano Copperplate and Lithograph Museum. Since opening in 1997, the museum has welcomed both lo...»
The Nakano City Museum is a museum in Nakano City, Nagano Prefecture, dedicated to introducing the region's natural environment, history, and cultural heritage. Opened in 2009, the museum is used by local residents as well as travelers visiting the area. One of its greatest attractions is the opportunity to learn about the development of Nakano through actual archaeological, historical, and cultu...»
Nanshoji Temple is a historic Buddhist temple located in Daimon, Nakano City, Nagano Prefecture. It belongs to the Chisan School of Shingon Buddhism and has long been an important place of worship for the local community. The temple's mountain name is Takai-san, and it is widely known by the nickname Kawahigashi Zenkoji, meaning “Zenkoji East of the River.” Nanshoji has numerous connections with ...»
Nyohoji Temple is a historic Buddhist temple located in Higashiyama, Nakano City, Nagano Prefecture. It belongs to the Chisan School of Shingon Buddhism. The temple's mountain name is Koryozan, and its formal temple name includes Muryojui-in. Its head temple is Chishaku-in in Kyoto. With a history of more than 1,200 years, Nyohoji is closely associated with Kobo Daishi, also known as Kukai, the f...»
The Yanagisawa Archaeological Site is a large settlement site dating primarily to the Yayoi period, located in Yanagisawa, Nakano City, Nagano Prefecture. The site attracted nationwide attention after archaeological excavations in 2007 uncovered a group of bronze bells and bronze halberds buried together—the first discovery of this type in eastern Japan. A total of 212 archaeological artifacts ex...»
Taiseiji Temple is a Soto Zen Buddhist temple located in Higashiyama, Nakano City, Nagano Prefecture. Its mountain name is Koshozan. Founded as the family temple of the powerful medieval Takanashi clan, the temple has a deep connection with the history of northern Shinano. Quietly nestled among the hills, Taiseiji preserves the atmosphere of a historic temple and offers visitors a glimpse into th...»
Senpukuji Temple is a historic temple of the Otani School of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism, the Higashi Honganji tradition, located in Takehara, Nakano City, Nagano Prefecture. Its mountain name is Okumayama, and its principal image is Amida Buddha. For centuries, Senpukuji has been closely connected with the faith and daily lives of the local community. Quietly preserving its history, traditions, and cu...»
Ohi Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in Suwamachi, Nakano City, Nagano Prefecture. Closely connected with the history of northern Nagano, the shrine stands immediately beside the Takanashi Residence Site, a nationally designated Historic Site and one of the largest medieval rectangular fortified residences in the Hokushin region. The close proximity of the shrine and the former residenc...»
Ouchi Hachiman Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in Angenji, Nakano City, Nagano Prefecture. Situated close to the Shinshu-Nakano Interchange on the Joshin-Etsu Expressway, the shrine is easily accessible from the city center and has long been an important place of worship for the local community. With its long approach, historic buildings, old trees, and traditional festivals, Ouchi Hac...»
Daitokuji Temple is a Soto Zen Buddhist temple located in Katashio, Nakano City, Nagano Prefecture. Its mountain name is Enmeizan, and the temple enshrines a wooden statue of Shaka Nyorai (Shakyamuni Buddha) believed to have been created during the late Muromachi period. With more than 500 years of history, Daitokuji has long supported the religious and spiritual life of the local community. It i...»
Nakano City is located in northern Nagano Prefecture, spreading across the northeastern part of the Nagano Basin. Surrounded by mountains and clear rivers, the city has developed as a central hub of the Hokushin region, where abundant nature, a long history, and agriculture-based industries come together. For centuries, Nakano has served as an important crossroads for transportation and culture. ...»
Iiyama City is located in northeastern Nagano Prefecture, where beautiful natural landscapes blend with traditional culture and a long history. Since becoming a city in 1954, Iiyama has developed as a destination where visitors can experience the character of rural Japan. Surrounded by mountains and clear rivers, the city is known for its rich natural environment, traditional way of life, and agr...»
Iiyama Castle was a Japanese castle that once stood in Iiyama, in the former Mizuuchi District of Shinano Province, now part of Iiyama City in Nagano Prefecture. Built as a hirayamajo, or hilltop castle on a low mountain, it took advantage of the area's natural terrain and was surrounded by beautiful mountain and river landscapes. Although the castle buildings disappeared after the Meiji Restorat...»
Shojuan is a historic Rinzai Zen temple in Iiyama City, Nagano Prefecture, with a history dating back to the 17th century. Located in northern Nagano, the temple is known as the place where Dokyo Etan (Shuju Ronin), a highly respected Zen master and teacher of Hakuin Ekaku, spent much of his life practicing Zen. The temple's mountain name is Konenzan. Its exceptional historical and cultural value...»
Kosuge Shrine is a historic shrine in Iiyama City, Nagano Prefecture, and one of the three major Shugendo sacred sites in Shinshu, together with Mount Togakushi and Mount Iizuna. Its religious history reaches deep into Japan's past, and the area has long been revered as a place of mountain asceticism, spiritual practice, and nature worship. Today, Kosuge remains a peaceful destination for worship...»
Lake Hokuryuko is a beautiful natural lake nestled in the mountains of Iiyama City, Nagano Prefecture. Surrounded by forests and rich natural landscapes, the lake offers changing scenery throughout the year. It is especially famous in spring, when brilliant yellow rapeseed flowers bloom along the lakeshore at the same time as cherry blossoms. The sight of yellow flowers, pink cherry blossoms, and...»
Tomikura Soba is a traditional noodle dish from the Tomikura area of Iiyama City, Nagano Prefecture. It is one of the region's most distinctive local foods, known for its unusual use of oyamabokuchi, a wild plant related to thistles, as a natural binding ingredient in the soba noodles. This traditional technique is exceptionally rare in Japan and has been carefully preserved in the Tomikura area....»
Shiga Kogen is a vast mountainous highland area extending across Yamanouchi Town in Shimotakai District, Nagano Prefecture, and its surrounding mountains. Located within Joshin'etsukogen National Park, the area rises to elevations of more than 1,000 meters and is known for its cool summers, heavy winter snowfall, mountain scenery, wetlands, lakes, hot springs, and ski resorts. With its refreshing...»
Happo Onsen is a historic hot spring resort located in Yamanouchi Town, Nagano Prefecture, in the heart of the Shiga Kogen highlands. Situated at an elevation of approximately 1,600 meters, the hot spring is surrounded by magnificent mountain scenery, including views toward the Northern Shinshu Five Mountains and the Northern Alps. With a history dating back to the Edo period, Happo Onsen once fl...»
Yamanouchi Town is located in northeastern Nagano Prefecture and is surrounded by magnificent mountains, highland landscapes, and historic hot spring resorts. The town is home to two of northern Nagano's best-known destinations, Shiga Kogen and the Yudanaka-Shibu Onsen area, where beautiful seasonal scenery and traditional hot spring culture come together. From snow-covered mountains and ski reso...»
Kumanoyu Onsen is a secluded hot spring resort in Shiga Kogen, Yamanouchi Town, northern Nagano Prefecture. Surrounded by magnificent mountains and rich natural scenery, it is known for its striking emerald-green hot spring water and the traditional legend behind its name. At a high elevation, Kumanoyu offers a cool mountain climate and beautiful scenery that changes with the seasons. It is an id...»
Kutsuno Onsen is a historic hot spring area in Yamanouchi Town, Nagano Prefecture, located within the Yudanaka-Shibu Onsen region. While it is less well known internationally than neighboring Shibu Onsen and Kamibayashi Onsen, Kutsuno has a distinctive charm rooted in its quiet atmosphere, traditional bathing culture, and connection with everyday local life. Perched on elevated ground overlooking...»
Kamibayashi Onsen is a peaceful hot spring resort in Yamanouchi Town, Nagano Prefecture, located at an elevation of approximately 850 meters on the foothills of Shiga Kogen. Surrounded by forests and mountain scenery, this elegant hot spring village has long been associated with writers, artists, and other cultural figures. Rather than being a large and bustling resort, Kamibayashi Onsen has a qu...»
Jigokudani Onsen is a secluded hot spring in Yamanouchi Town, Nagano Prefecture, located deep in the mountains of the Yudanaka-Shibu Hot Spring region. The hot springs emerge along the gorge of the Yokoyu River, where steep mountains and a rugged natural environment create an atmosphere far removed from the busy cities of Japan. The area is particularly famous for the unusual relationship between...»
Snow Resort Romance no Kamisama, formerly known as Kitashinshu Kijimadaira Ski Resort, is a ski resort in Kijimadaira Village, Nagano Prefecture. The resort takes its current name from the popular Japanese song “Romance no Kamisama” by singer and songwriter Koumi Hirose. In 2023, the resort officially adopted the song's name as part of a major renewal and rebranding. Located on the northern slope...»
Hoshikawa Onsen is a historic hot spring area in Yamanouchi Town, Nagano Prefecture, forming part of the Yudanaka-Shibu Hot Spring region. Surrounded by mountains and rich natural scenery, this peaceful hot spring destination has long been appreciated as a place where visitors can slow down, relax, and experience the traditional Japanese culture of toji, or restorative hot spring bathing. Unlike ...»
Tarudaki Falls is a beautiful waterfall in Kijimadaira Village, Nagano Prefecture, surrounded by the rich natural scenery of northern Shinshu. Located along the upper reaches of the Taru River, the site is known for three distinctive waterfalls: Odaki Falls, Medaki Falls, and the remarkable “Phantom Waterfall”, which appears only at specific times of the year. Each waterfall has a different chara...»
Okushiga Kogen Ski Resort is located in the northernmost part of the Shiga Kogen ski area in Yamanouchi Town, Nagano Prefecture. Surrounded by beautiful forests and mountains, it is known for its quiet atmosphere, high elevation, and excellent snow conditions. Although winter skiing is the resort's main attraction, Okushiga Kogen is also a year-round mountain resort where visitors can enjoy hikin...»
Yokote Mountain is a 2,307-meter-high volcanic mountain located on the border between Yamanouchi Town in Nagano Prefecture and Nakanojo Town in Gunma Prefecture. Situated at the southeastern edge of the Shiga Kogen area within Joshin'etsukogen National Park, the mountain also lies along the Central Tectonic Divide that separates the drainage basins flowing toward the Sea of Japan and the Pacific O...»
Nozawa Onsen is one of northern Nagano Prefecture's most historic hot spring destinations. Located in Nozawaonsen Village in Shimotakai District, the town spreads across the lower slopes of Mount Kenashi, an old volcano rising to approximately 1,650 meters. For centuries, people have traveled to Nozawa Onsen to enjoy its abundant natural hot springs. Today, the village retains a traditional atmos...»
Ryuoo Ski Park is a large-scale ski resort located in Yomase, Yamanouchi Town, Shimotakai District, Nagano Prefecture. Situated on the northwestern slopes of Mount Ryuoo, one of the mountains of the Northern Shinshu region, the resort makes the most of its substantial elevation difference to offer a wide variety of ski runs. The resort reaches from the lower mountain area to elevations of around ...»
Shibu Pass is a scenic mountain pass located on the border between Nakanojo Town in Gunma Prefecture and Yamanouchi Town in Nagano Prefecture. At an elevation of 2,172 meters, it marks the highest point on Japan’s national highway network. Surrounded by dramatic mountain landscapes, Shibu Pass is one of the most impressive scenic spots in the northern Nagano and Gunma region. From spring through ...»
Yakebitaiyama Ski Area is located on the southeastern slopes of Mount Yakebitai, at an elevation of around 2,000 meters, in Yamanouchi Town, Nagano Prefecture. It forms part of the vast Shiga Kogen ski area and opened in 1983, making it one of the newer ski resorts in the region. As the last ski area to be developed within Shiga Kogen, Yakebitaiyama is known for its excellent lift capacity, inclu...»
Ichinose Family Ski Area and Tanne no Mori Okojo Ski Area are popular ski areas located in Yamanouchi Town, Nagano Prefecture, at the heart of the expansive Shiga Kogen ski region. Because the two areas share the same lift numbering system, they are generally treated as a single ski area, offering a varied winter playground for skiers and snowboarders....»
Higashidateyama Alpine Botanical Garden is a spectacular high-altitude botanical garden located near the summit of Mt. Higashidate in Shiga Kogen, Yamanouchi, Nagano Prefecture. Situated at an elevation of approximately 2,030 meters, the garden is one of Japan's largest alpine botanical gardens. Since opening in 1960, it has attracted plant enthusiasts, hikers, and visitors seeking the beauty of S...»
Kijimadaira Village is a picturesque mountain community in northeastern Nagano Prefecture, surrounded by forests, mountains, rivers, and wide-open rural landscapes. The village is beautiful throughout the year, with fresh greenery in spring and summer, colorful foliage in autumn, and deep snow in winter. Rich natural resources are complemented by a long history and distinctive local culture. Visi...»
Maguse Onsen is a picturesque hot spring destination in Kijimadaira Village, northeastern Nagano Prefecture. Located in a quiet mountain valley along the Maguse River, the area is surrounded by forests and beautiful seasonal scenery. The main attraction is Maguse Onsen Bōkyō-no-Yu, a day-use hot spring facility famous for its spectacular open-air bath. A simple accommodation facility, Nashino-ki-...»
Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort is one of Japan’s most historic and expansive ski resorts, located in the mountain village of Nozawaonsen in northern Nagano Prefecture. With its combination of extensive ski terrain, impressive vertical drop, deep winter snow, and a traditional hot spring village at its doorstep, the resort offers a uniquely Japanese winter experience....»
Nozawaonsen Village is a beautiful mountain community in northeastern Nagano Prefecture, renowned for its hot springs and traditional Japanese village culture. At the heart of the village is the abundant hot spring water of Nozawa Onsen, which has attracted visitors from Japan and around the world for generations. Surrounded by mountains and forests, the village offers a remarkable combination of...»
Akiyama-go is a remote mountain region stretching along the Nakatsugawa River across Tsunan Town in Niigata Prefecture and Sakae Village in Nagano Prefecture. Surrounded by dramatic mountains and rich forests, the area is known as one of Japan's most secluded regions, where traditional culture, local customs, and a close relationship with nature have survived for centuries. Located between Mt. Na...»
Sakae Village is a small mountain community in the northernmost part of Nagano Prefecture, in the northern Shinshu region. Located in Shimominochi District, the village borders both Niigata and Gunma prefectures and lies close to the meeting point of three prefectures. Surrounded by mountains, clear rivers, hot springs, and deep forests, Sakae Village is known for its beautiful natural environmen...»
Sakae Village History and Culture Museum Korasse is a cultural facility in Sakae Village, Shimominochi District, Nagano Prefecture. It also incorporates the Sakae Village Community Center, serving as an important hub for local culture and community activities. The museum was created by renovating the former Shikumi Branch School of Higashibu Elementary School and opened in August 2016. Its purpos...»
Kiriake Onsen is a secluded hot spring located deep in Akiyama-go, Sakae Village, Shimominochi District, Nagano Prefecture. Surrounded by quiet forests, mountains, and the clear waters of the Nakatsugawa River, it is one of the most remote hot spring destinations in the region. Long cherished as a place for hot spring therapy and relaxation, Kiriake Onsen continues to attract visitors seeking an ...»
Neko chigura, also known as neko tsugura, is a traditional cat bed that has been made for generations in the snowy regions of Niigata and Nagano. Crafted from natural materials such as rice straw and paper cord, each chigura is carefully woven by hand. Its simple appearance, warmth, and practical design make it a unique example of traditional Japanese rural life. Neko chigura is traditionally pro...»
Shin-Etsu Sakae Roadside Station is located in Sakae Village, Nagano Prefecture, along National Route 117 near the border between Nagano and Niigata prefectures. As a roadside station, it provides travelers with a place to rest, eat, shop for local products, and discover the culture of the surrounding region. Sakae Village lies at the northernmost edge of Shinshu, the traditional name for Nagano ...»
Saburyu Mountain, also known as Saburu-yama, stands at an elevation of 2,191.5 meters on the border between Sakae Village in Nagano Prefecture and Yuzawa Town in Niigata Prefecture. Selected as one of Japan's 200 Famous Mountains and one of the 100 Famous Mountains of Shinshu, it is the highest mountain in Sakae Village. The mountain rises deep within the mountainous area of Joshin'etsukogen Nati...»
Nonomi Highland is a peaceful natural retreat located at an elevation of approximately 1,020 meters. Surrounded by one of Japan's relatively rare areas of primeval beech forest, this secluded highland offers a tranquil escape deep in the mountains, far from the bustle of everyday life. Located away from populated areas, Nonomi Highland is characterized by its pristine natural environment and sens...»
Deep in Akiyama-go, a remote mountain region of Sakae Village in Nagano Prefecture, lies a remarkable hot spring experience found nowhere else quite like it. Known as the Kiriake Kawara-yu, this natural open-air bath is located along the upper reaches of the Nakatsugawa River. Rather than entering a conventional hot spring facility, visitors can immerse themselves in nature and enjoy hot spring w...»
Nozawa Onsen Roadside Station is located along National Route 117 in Nozawaonsen Village, Nagano Prefecture. Nozawa Onsen is famous throughout Japan for its historic hot springs and excellent ski resort, but the village also has a rich rural culture shaped by clean mountain water and fertile farmland. This roadside station offers visitors an easy way to discover another side of Nozawa Onsen throu...»
Nagano City is the capital of Nagano Prefecture and the largest city in the prefecture by population. Located in northern Nagano, it serves as the political, economic, and cultural center of the Hokushin region. Together with Matsumoto in central Nagano, it is designated as a core city of Japan. The city is best known internationally for Zenkoji Temple, one of Japan's most important Buddhist temp...»
The Hanashina Kofun Group is an important collection of ancient burial mounds scattered across present-day Chikuma City in Nagano Prefecture. Centered around four large keyhole-shaped burial mounds, known in Japanese as zenpō-kōen-fun, the group offers a fascinating glimpse into the political and social world of ancient Japan. All four principal burial mounds are designated as National Historic S...»
Shinshu Zenkoji Nakamise Street is a charming stone-paved shopping street that stretches along the approach to Zenkoji Temple in Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture. Located between the Niomon Gate and the Sanmon Gate, the approximately 400-meter-long street is lined with around 50 shops and establishments, including temple lodgings, restaurants, cafés, and souvenir stores. For centuries, Nakamise Str...»
Matsushiro Castle is a historic castle site in Matsushiro, Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture. Originally known as Kaizu Castle, it is closely associated with the famous Battles of Kawanakajima between Takeda Shingen and Uesugi Kenshin during Japan's turbulent Sengoku period. The castle was also known by names such as Kaizu Castle and Kayatsu Castle. The name Kaizu is traditionally said to have been ...»
Bunbu School was a domain school established by the Matsushiro Domain in Shinano Province during the late Edo period. It was created to educate the sons of samurai families in both academic subjects and martial arts. Today, many of the school's original buildings remain remarkably well preserved, and the site is open to the public by Nagano City. It is an exceptionally valuable example of a hanko...»
Chokokuji Temple is a historic temple of the Soto school of Zen Buddhism located in Matsushiro, Nagano City. Its mountain name is Sanada-zan, and the temple enshrines Shakyamuni Buddha as its principal image. Chokokuji is best known as the family temple and ancestral temple of the Sanada clan, the samurai family that ruled the Matsushiro Domain during the Edo period. With its historic buildings, ...»
Suzakura Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in Izumidaira, Nagano City. The shrine is especially famous for a single magnificent cherry tree standing within its grounds. Known as the Suzakura Shrine Jindai-zakura, this ancient tree is designated as a National Natural Monument of Japan and attracts worshippers and cherry blossom enthusiasts from across Nagano and beyond....»
Saikoji Temple is a historic temple of the Jodo school of Buddhism in Nagano City. Its mountain name is Karukayazan, while its formal name is Jakusho-in. The temple's principal object of worship is the Karukaya Parent-and-Child Jizo, and Saikoji is also famous for its tradition of e-toki, the practice of explaining Buddhist stories and teachings through illustrated scrolls. Locally, the temple is...»
Zozan Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine in Matsushiro, Nagano City, dedicated to Sakuma Zozan, a prominent thinker, scholar of military science, and reformer of the late Edo period. A samurai of the Matsushiro Domain, Zozan was known for studying Western learning and introducing new scientific and political ideas to Japan during a period of dramatic change. The shrine stands on the site of Sakum...»
The Sanada Treasures Museum is a municipal museum in Matsushiro, Nagano City, dedicated to the history and heritage of the Sanada family, one of the most famous samurai families of Japan's Sengoku period. The museum houses and displays a remarkable collection of cultural treasures associated with the Sanada family, including armor, swords, household furnishings, paintings, historical documents, a...»
The Matsushiro Underground Imperial Headquarters Ruins are the remains of a vast underground complex constructed in Matsushiro, Nagano City, during the final stages of World War II. The project was intended to relocate Japan's political and military leadership from Tokyo to a secure inland location in preparation for a possible decisive battle on the Japanese mainland. The enormous network of tun...»
Kawanakajima Battlefield Historic Park is a large urban park in the Sarashina area of Nagano City, associated with the famous battles between two of Japan's most celebrated warlords, Takeda Shingen and Uesugi Kenshin. Also known simply as the Kawanakajima Battlefield, the park combines historical sites, monuments, greenery, and recreational facilities. It is a popular destination for visitors int...»
Chausuyama Dinosaur Park is a unique outdoor attraction on Mount Chausuyama in Shinonoi, Nagano City, where nature, imagination, and prehistoric life come together. The park is part of the 33-hectare Chausuyama Nature Botanical Garden, which was developed on land affected by a historic landslide. Scattered throughout the greenery are life-size models of dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures f...»
Chausuyama Zoo is located on the lower slopes of Mount Chausuyama in Shinonoi, Nagano City. Opened in 1983 as part of a commemorative project for the 80th anniversary of Nagano City, the zoo has developed around the concept of a “zoo in the forest.” Rather than separating the animals completely from their natural surroundings, the zoo makes use of the existing woodland landscape to create a relaxi...»
Kankeiji Temple stands in Higashinomoncho, Nagano City, just beside the eastern gate of Zenkoji Temple. Officially known as Jufukuzan Muryoin Kankeiji, it belongs to the Chinzei branch of the Jodo school of Buddhism. Although it is located just steps from one of Nagano's most famous Buddhist temples, Kankeiji has a quieter and more intimate atmosphere. Its long history, religious traditions, hist...»
Hasedera Temple is a historic Buddhist temple in Shionozaki, Shinonoi, Nagano City. It belongs to the Chisan School of Shingon Buddhism and is officially known as Kinpusen Hasedera. Locally, it is often called Shinano Hasedera to distinguish it from other temples with the same name. Among the many Hasedera temples found throughout Japan, the temples in Yamato, Kamakura, and Shinano are traditiona...»
Nagano City Joyama Zoo is a charming, family-friendly zoo located inside Joyama Park in Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture. With its convenient location near the famous Zenkoji Temple, free admission, and a variety of animals and children's attractions, the zoo is an enjoyable place to visit while exploring central Nagano. Although Joyama Zoo is relatively small compared with large zoos in Japan, its...»
Mount Iizuna, also known as Mount Iizunayama, is a beautiful mountain in the northern part of Nagano Prefecture. Rising to an elevation of 1,917 meters, it stretches across Nagano City, Shinano Town, and Iizuna Town. The mountain is popular with hikers, mountain enthusiasts, and travelers seeking to experience the natural beauty of the Nagano region. The name Mount Iizuna can also refer collectiv...»
Lake Reisenji is a beautiful man-made lake in Iizuna Town, Nagano Prefecture. It was created on the Sobe River, a tributary of the Shinano River system, originally as an agricultural reservoir. Surrounded by the forests and highland scenery of the Iizuna Highlands, the lake has also become a popular destination for outdoor recreation and sightseeing. Carp, crucian carp, and black bass inhabit the...»
Nagano City Museum is a municipal museum located in Kojimada-machi, Nagano City. As a formally registered museum, it introduces the natural environment, history, culture, and everyday life of the Nagano Basin and the surrounding Shinano region. The museum aims to deepen understanding of the relationship between local people and their environment while serving as a place where knowledge and cultur...»
Togakushi Geological and Fossil Museum is a natural history museum in Nagano City dedicated to the geology, fossils, and natural environment of the Togakushi region and the wider Nagano Basin. Its collections provide visitors with an opportunity to explore the geological history of the area and discover how the landscapes around Nagano were formed. The museum has its roots in the former Togakushi...»
Ikuma Arishima Memorial Museum is a cultural facility in Kamijo, Shinshu-Shinmachi, Nagano City, dedicated to the life and artistic achievements of Ikuma Arishima, a Japanese Western-style painter who made an important contribution to the development of modern art in Japan. The museum was established in October 1982 after Arishima's former residence was relocated from Kamakura to Shinshu-Shinmach...»
Mount Togakushi is a 1,904-meter-high mountain in Nagano City and one of the most distinctive peaks of the Togakushi Range. It is recognized as one of the 100 Famous Mountains of Shinshu and one of the Five Mountains of Northern Shinshu. With its dramatic rock formations, rich natural environment, and deep connections to Japanese mythology and mountain worship, Mount Togakushi has attracted both p...»
Rokaku Lake is a beautiful man-made lake created by Minouchi Dam on the Sai River in Nagano City. Surrounded by mountains and forests, the lake offers a peaceful landscape that changes dramatically with the seasons. The name “Rokaku Lake” was given by Ikuma Arishima, the Japanese painter who had a deep affection for this region. The name evokes an image of cranes gracefully moving across the surf...»
The Nagano Olympic Museum preserves and shares the memories, achievements, and cultural legacy of the 18th Winter Olympic Games and Winter Paralympic Games, held in Nagano in 1998. The museum originally opened in 1999 and is located inside the Nagano Olympic Memorial Arena, known as M-Wave. The venue itself was one of the important facilities associated with the Nagano Winter Olympics, making the...»
The Nagano Prefectural Art Museum is a major cultural institution in Nagano City, located within the green surroundings of Joyama Park just east of Zenkoji Temple. Designed to harmonize with the surrounding landscape, the museum offers an appealing combination of art, architecture, nature, and views. The museum traces its origins to the former Shinano Museum of Art. Today, it serves as a cultural...»
Iizuna Highlands, also known as Iizuna Kogen, is a scenic highland area in the Imoi district of Nagano City. Located at elevations of approximately 800 to 1,200 meters, the area stretches across the foothills of the sacred Mount Iizuna to the southeast. With its forests, wetlands, lakes, mountains, cultural heritage, and outdoor facilities, Iizuna Highlands is one of the area's most diverse desti...»
Iizuna Resort Ski Area is a popular ski resort in Iizuna Town, Nagano Prefecture. The resort stretches across the eastern slopes of Mount Reisenji, one of the subsidiary peaks of Mount Iizuna, one of the Five Mountains of Northern Shinshu. Its convenient location makes it accessible from Nagano City, while the surrounding forests and mountain scenery provide a distinctly alpine atmosphere. The re...»
The Mizuno Museum of Art is a museum in the Wakasato district of Nagano City specializing in Japanese painting. Operated by the Mizuno Museum of Art Foundation, it opened in 2002 to showcase the collection of modern and contemporary Japanese paintings assembled over many years by Masayuki Mizuno (1940–2009), the founder of HOKTO Corporation, a company well known in Japan for its mushroom productio...»
Okususo Nature Garden is a beautiful natural park in the Kinasa area of Nagano City, located in the upper reaches of the Susobana River. At an elevation of approximately 1,200 meters, the area is surrounded by extensive beech forests and is known for its wetlands, ponds, and pristine mountain scenery. Located deep in the mountains of northern Nagano, Okususo offers visitors a peaceful escape into...»
Togakushi Forest Botanical Garden is a nature-rich botanical garden in the Togakushi area of Nagano City, located within Myoko-Togakushi Renzan National Park. Set at an elevation of approximately 1,200 meters, the garden spreads across a cool highland landscape where visitors can observe the plants, birds, and wildlife characteristic of the Togakushi area. With walking trails winding through fore...»
Gansho-in Temple is a historic Soto Zen Buddhist temple in Obuse, Nagano Prefecture. With a history dating back around 600 years, the temple is known as the family temple of Fukushima Masanori, a powerful feudal lord of the early Edo period. It is also famous for its extraordinary ceiling painting, “Phoenix Looking in All Directions”, created by the renowned ukiyo-e artist Katsushika Hokusai late ...»
Miwa Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine in the Miwa district of Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture. The shrine is an ancient Shikinaisha, meaning that it is listed in the Engishiki Jinmyocho, an important tenth-century record of officially recognized shrines in Japan. Miwa Shrine was also traditionally counted among the Seven Shrines of Zenkoji and has long been an important place of worship for loca...»
Takei Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine in the Higashimachi district of Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture. Together with Tsumashina Shrine and Yufuku Shrine, it is traditionally known as one of the Three Guardian Shrines of Zenkoji, protecting the sacred area around the famous Zenkoji Temple. According to shrine tradition, its origins date back to around 692, making it one of the ancient places of ...»
Tsumashina Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in a quiet residential area of Minami-Nagano, Nagano City. It is traditionally regarded as one of the Three Guardian Shrines of Zenkoji Temple, together with Takei Shrine and Yutaka Shrine, and is also counted among the Seven Shrines associated with Zenkoji. The shrine has long been closely connected with the religious history of the Zenkoji a...»
Yubuku Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine in Hakoshimizu, Nagano City. For centuries, it has been closely associated with the religious life of the Zenkoji area and is traditionally regarded as one of the Three Guardian Shrines of Zenkoji, together with Takei Shrine and Tsumashina Shrine. It is also counted among the Seven Shrines associated with Zenkoji. The shrine was formerly classified as a G...»
Matsushiro Onsen is a hot spring area in the Matsushiro district of Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture. It was once known as Kagai Onsen, and today it is enjoyed by visitors as a peaceful hot spring destination surrounded by the historic atmosphere of Matsushiro....»
Yawataya Isogoro is a long-established producer specializing in shichimi togarashi, the famous Japanese seven-spice blend, based in Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture. Its history dates back to 1736, during the Edo period, when the founder, Kan'emon, began selling chili peppers on the grounds of Zenkoji Temple. With a history spanning more than 280 years, Yawataya Isogoro is regarded as one of Japan'...»
Suzaka City is a charming destination in northern Nagano Prefecture where historic streets, beautiful mountain scenery, traditional culture, and local food come together. Once a prosperous castle-town-like settlement serving as the administrative center of the Suzaka Domain during the Edo period, Suzaka later developed into an important center of the silk industry. The prosperity of those days ca...»
Sugadaira Highland is a beautiful highland area extending from northern Ueda City to Suzaka City in Nagano Prefecture. Located at an elevation of approximately 1,250 to 1,650 meters, it forms part of Joshin'etsukogen National Park. Its cool climate and rich natural environment make Sugadaira a popular destination throughout the year. Visitors can enjoy changing seasonal scenery, while the refresh...»
Garyu Park is a spacious urban park in Suzaka City, Nagano Prefecture, where beautiful natural scenery, history, and local culture come together. The park was developed in 1931 and designed by Seiroku Honda, Japan’s first forestry doctorate holder, who was also involved in the design of Meiji Shrine and Hibiya Park. Recognized as one of Japan’s Top 100 Cherry Blossom Viewing Sites, as well as one...»
Suzaka City Zoo is a municipal zoo located within Garyu Park in Suzaka City, Nagano Prefecture. Closely connected with the local community, the zoo has been a popular place for recreation since it opened on October 1, 1962. Its compact size and warm atmosphere make it an appealing destination for families and travelers looking for a relaxed wildlife experience....»
Yonako Takizan Fudoji Temple is a historic temple of the Shingon Buddhism tradition, located in Yonako, Suzaka City, Nagano Prefecture. It is known as one of Japan’s Three Great Sacred Sites dedicated to Fudo Myoo, and stands at the foot of sacred Mount Yonako, with the spectacular Yonako Waterfall Group rising deep in the mountains behind it. The temple’s principal image is a standing statue of ...»
Obuse Town is a charming destination in northeastern Nagano Prefecture, known for its rich history, beautiful scenery, traditional culture, and exceptional local food. Although Obuse is one of the smallest municipalities in Nagano Prefecture in terms of area, it has become one of northern Nagano's most popular tourist destinations. Obuse is particularly famous for two things: chestnuts and Katsus...»
Tanaka Honke Museum is a private museum in Koku-machi, Suzaka City, Nagano Prefecture, housed within the former residence of the wealthy Tanaka merchant family. The family prospered from the middle of the Edo period onward, and their former home preserves a remarkable glimpse into the lifestyle and culture of a prosperous merchant household in premodern Japan. The museum occupies an expansive sit...»
Togura Kamiyamada Onsen is a historic hot spring destination in Chikuma, Nagano Prefecture. The name “Shinshu Togura Kamiyamada Onsen” collectively refers to the Togura and Kamiyamada hot spring areas on the left bank of the Chikuma River, together with the Shintogura Onsen area on the right bank. From its beginnings as a traditional hot spring retreat, the area developed into a lively resort town...»
Yonako Great Falls is a spectacular natural attraction in Yonako, Suzaka City, Nagano Prefecture. The site is famous for two impressive waterfalls, Gongen Falls and Fudo Falls, whose powerful vertical drops create one of the most striking waterfall landscapes in northern Nagano. Recognized as a National Place of Scenic Beauty and selected as one of the 100 Best Waterfalls in Japan, Yonako Great F...»
Iizuna Town is located in Kamiminochi District in northern Nagano Prefecture and is part of the Hokushin region. Surrounded by beautiful mountains and highland landscapes, the town offers a chance to experience the changing scenery of Japan's four distinct seasons. Iizuna is also one of Japan's major apple-producing areas. Its apples are part of the celebrated Shinshu apple tradition, with high-q...»
The Japanese Museum of Lighting is a unique cultural museum in Obuse, Nagano Prefecture, dedicated to the history and culture of “light” in Japanese life. Located in the courtyard of Chikufudo's main store, the museum introduces the many types of lighting devices that Japanese people used to illuminate their homes, shops, temples, and communities before modern electric lighting. For visitors from...»
The Obuse Museum & Nakajima Chinami Museum is an art museum in Obuse, Nagano Prefecture, created to promote local culture and introduce the beauty of art to visitors. The museum is particularly known for its collection of works by Chinami Nakajima, a celebrated Japanese-style painter born in Obuse, while also presenting exhibitions that explore the town's rich artistic and cultural heritage. ...»
Jokoji Temple is a historic Buddhist temple in Obuse, Nagano Prefecture, belonging to the Buzan school of Shingon Buddhism. Also affectionately known as “Tsumago Koyaku-shi”, the temple is especially famous for its Yakushido Hall, a designated Important Cultural Property of Japan. Surrounded by abundant nature, Jokoji offers a peaceful combination of history, Buddhist faith, traditional architect...»
Obuse Winery is a highly regarded winery in Obuse, Nagano Prefecture, known for producing distinctive, high-quality Japanese wines. Its story began in 1942, when founder Ichinojo Soga began making cider from locally grown apples. Over the decades, the winery evolved from fruit wine production to the cultivation of European grape varieties and the production of authentic wine. Today, Obuse Winery ...»
Takayama Village is a peaceful mountain community in northeastern Nagano Prefecture, surrounded by forests, high mountains, clear streams, and beautiful countryside. Known for its spectacular seasonal scenery and the Shinshu Takayama Hot Spring Village, Takayama offers travelers a chance to experience a quieter and more natural side of Nagano. The village stretches from the fertile plains borderi...»
Shinshu Takayama Hot Spring Village is the collective name for eight hot spring areas scattered along the Matsukawa Gorge in the central part of Takayama Village, in northern Nagano Prefecture. Each hot spring has its own source, mineral composition, water color, atmosphere, and surrounding scenery, making the area a rewarding destination for both onsen enthusiasts and nature lovers. From seclude...»
Yamada Onsen is the central hot spring resort of the Shinshu Takayama Hot Spring Village in Takayama Village, northern Nagano Prefecture. Nestled in a peaceful mountain setting surrounded by clear streams and forests, the resort combines a long history dating back to the Edo period with the atmosphere of a traditional Japanese hot spring town. Takayama Village was once part of the historic provin...»
Takayama Village in northern Nagano Prefecture is a peaceful mountain destination surrounded by forests, highlands, and beautiful winter scenery. During the snowy season, the village becomes a destination for skiing, snow play, and other winter activities, with two distinctive snow resorts offering very different experiences. Yamada Onsen Kids Snow Park is designed primarily for families and begi...»
The Matsukawa River flows through the mountainous landscapes of northern Nagano Prefecture before joining the Chikuma River. Rising in the mountains of Takayama Village and passing through Obuse Town and Suzaka City, it forms part of the Shinano River water system. The most scenic section is Matsukawa Gorge, a dramatic mountain valley famous throughout Japan for its spectacular autumn foliage. Th...»
Kaminari Falls is a spectacular waterfall in Takayama Village, Nagano Prefecture, where the Matsukawa River plunges through the dramatic landscape of Matsukawa Gorge. The waterfall is approximately 30 meters high and 5 meters wide, creating an impressive wall of rushing water, mist, and sound. Its powerful roar resembles the sound of thunder, which is reflected in its name, “Kaminari,” meaning th...»
Yataki Falls is a magnificent waterfall in Matsukawa Gorge in Takayama Village, Nagano Prefecture. With a total drop of approximately 180 meters, it is one of the most impressive natural sights in the region. True to its name, Yataki means “Eight Falls,” and the waterfall is characterized by a series of eight connected pools and cascading sections. Together, they create a remarkable landscape in ...»
Takayama Village's Five Great Cherry Trees refers to five magnificent single cherry trees scattered throughout Takayama Village in Nagano Prefecture. Estimated to be between 150 and 600 years old, these venerable trees have grown alongside the village's history and become an integral part of its rural landscape. Each tree was selected for its age, size, historical significance, and distinctive be...»
Issa Museum is a village-run registered museum in Takayama Village, Nagano Prefecture, dedicated to the life and literary legacy of Kobayashi Issa, one of the most celebrated haiku poets of the late Edo period. The museum's official name is Historical Park Shinshu Takayama: Issa's Village, while “Issa Museum” is the name by which it is commonly known. Its purpose is to preserve and introduce the ...»
Lake Nojiri is a beautiful natural lake in Shinano Town, Kamiminochi District, Nagano Prefecture. Located at an elevation of approximately 654 meters, the lake lies in a scenic highland landscape surrounded by the mountains of northern Nagano. The lake covers approximately 4.56 square kilometers, making it the second-largest natural lake in Nagano Prefecture after Lake Suwa. Its maximum depth rea...»
The Lake Nojiri Archaeological Sites are a remarkable group of prehistoric sites located around Lake Nojiri in Shinano Town, Nagano Prefecture. They extend across the lakebed, lakeshore, and surrounding hills, preserving traces of human activity dating from the Late Paleolithic period to the beginning of the Jomon period. Lake Nojiri lies at an elevation of approximately 654 meters between Mt. Ma...»
Mt. Kurohime is a graceful stratovolcano rising to 2,053 meters in Shinano Town, northern Nagano Prefecture. Its beautifully balanced shape has earned it the nickname “Shinano Fuji,” or the Mt. Fuji of the historic Shinano region, and the mountain has long been cherished by local residents. Mt. Kurohime is one of the Five Mountains of Northern Shinano, together with Mt. Madarao, Mt. Myoko, Mt. To...»
Naena Falls is a spectacular waterfall on the upper reaches of the Seki River, located on the border between Myoko City in Niigata Prefecture and Nagano Prefecture. The waterfall plunges approximately 55 meters, producing a powerful roar that has earned it the alternative name “Jishin Taki,” or “Earthquake Falls.” Naena Falls is also one of the waterfalls selected for Japan's Top 100 Waterfalls. ...»
Kurohime Fairy Tale Museum is a literary museum operated by Shinano Town in Nagano Prefecture. Opened in 1991, the museum is surrounded by the beautiful natural scenery of Kurohime Kogen, offering visitors a unique opportunity to experience literature, art, and nature together. With “Fairy Tales of the World” as its central theme, the museum introduces children's literature, picture books, tradit...»
Myosenji Temple is a temple of the Honganji-ha school of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism in Shinano Town, northern Nagano Prefecture. Its mountain name is Shuhokuzan, and its principal object of worship is a wooden standing statue of Amida Buddha. Quietly situated in the mountains of Shinano Town, Myosenji has a long and eventful history. The temple has survived religious changes, warfare, repeated relocat...»
Lake Nojiri Naumann Elephant Museum is a natural history museum in Shinano Town, Nagano Prefecture, dedicated to the Naumann elephant and the ancient environment of the Lake Nojiri region. The museum explores the changing natural environment and human history of the area from approximately 50,000 years ago to the present day. Its collections focus particularly on fossils discovered around Lake No...»
Shinano Town is a beautiful mountain town in northern Nagano Prefecture, bordering Niigata Prefecture. Surrounded by mountains, forests, lakes, and highlands, the town is one of the region’s most appealing destinations for travelers seeking nature, outdoor activities, and a slower pace of life. The town is best known for Lake Nojiri and Kurohime Highland, both of which offer a wide range of activ...»
Ogawa Village is a peaceful mountain village in northern Nagano Prefecture, located roughly halfway between Nagano City and Hakuba. Surrounded by forested mountains, deep valleys, and clear streams, the village is known for its beautiful rural landscapes and traditional way of life. Ogawa is particularly famous for its panoramic views of the Northern Japanese Alps. The scenery has been selected f...»
Kozanji Temple stands quietly amid the mountains of Ogawa Village in northern Nagano Prefecture. Belonging to the Buzan School of Shingon Buddhism, this historic temple is known by its mountain name, Hojuzan, and enshrines Shokannon Bosatsu, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, as its principal object of worship. Kozanji is the 33rd and final temple of the Shinano 33 Kannon Pilgrimage. Because it marks...»
Iwahana Cliffs is a striking natural landmark located along the Chikuma River near the border between Ueda City and Sakaki Town in Nagano Prefecture. The Chikuma River is the name used for the Shinano River within Nagano Prefecture, and here it flows between two imposing cliffs that face one another across the river. The cliff on the left bank is known as Hangai Iwahana, while the cliff on the ri...»
A Strategic Stronghold at the Heart of Sengoku Shinano Katsurao Castle was a mountain fortress located in what is now Sakaki Town, Nagano Prefecture. During Japan's Sengoku period, when regional warlords fought for control of the country, it served as the principal stronghold of the powerful Murakami clan. Located among mountains and overlooking important routes through northern Shinano, the cas...»
A Peaceful Retreat in the Mountains of Ueda Sugawako Lake is a tranquil mountain lake located in the Suwagata area of Ueda City, Nagano Prefecture. Surrounded by forests and mountains, it offers a peaceful escape from the city and a chance to enjoy the changing scenery of the Japanese countryside. The lake lies on the slopes of Mt. Komakiyama at an elevation of approximately 700 meters. It cover...»
Sakaki Town is located in northern Nagano Prefecture, at the meeting point of the Hokushin and Toshin regions. Surrounded by mountains and crossed from north to south by the Chikuma River, the town combines beautiful natural scenery with a long history, distinctive local cuisine, agriculture, and a strong tradition of manufacturing. Sakaki is part of Hanishina District and lies within the souther...»
Ueda City is located in eastern Nagano Prefecture and serves as the cultural, economic, and transportation center of the Toshin region. With a population and urban scale that make it one of Nagano Prefecture's major cities, Ueda offers a fascinating combination of samurai history, Buddhist temples, mountain scenery, hot springs, traditional food, and modern industry. The city is particularly famo...»
A Castle Famous for Strategy and Samurai History Ueda Castle is a historic flatland castle in Ueda City, Nagano Prefecture. Construction began in 1583 under the command of Sanada Masayuki, one of the most skilled military leaders of Japan's Warring States period. The castle became famous for the remarkable victories of the Sanada clan against much larger Tokugawa forces. Today, the castle ruins ...»
Shinano Kokubunji Temple is a historic Tendai Buddhist temple in Kokubu, Ueda City, Nagano Prefecture. Its principal image is Yakushi Nyorai, the Buddha of healing and medicine. The temple carries on the legacy of the original Shinano Kokubunji, one of the provincial temples established throughout Japan by imperial order during the Nara period. It is also widely known as Yokado and is one of Ueda'...»
Ueda City Museum is a municipal museum located within Ueda Castle Ruins Park in Ueda City, Nagano Prefecture. The museum introduces the history, culture, traditional industries, and natural heritage of the region, with a particular focus on Ueda Castle, the former Ueda Domain, and the castle town. For visitors exploring Ueda Castle, the museum offers an opportunity to look beyond the surviving wa...»
Shinano Omiya Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine in Ueda City, Nagano Prefecture. It is traditionally regarded as the former provincial grand shrine, or Sosha, of Shinano Province, where provincial governors are believed to have worshipped the major deities of the region. For centuries, the shrine has been revered as a guardian of the local community. During Japan's modern shrine-ranking system, ...»
Ikushima Tarushima Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine in Shimonogo, Ueda City, Nagano Prefecture. Traditionally regarded as the former provincial shrine, or Sōsha, of Shinano Province, it has been revered as an important guardian shrine since ancient times. The shrine is recorded in the Engishiki Jinmyōchō, a 10th-century compilation of Japan's important shrines, and was ranked among the prestigi...»
Jorakuji Temple is a historic Tendai Buddhist temple in the Bessho Onsen area of Ueda City, Nagano Prefecture. Known as a special head temple of the Tendai school, it has long been an important center of Buddhist faith and learning in the region. The temple's mountain name is Kongozan, and its principal object of worship is Myokanzechi Nyorai. Jorakuji is also known as the head temple of Kitamuki...»
Anrakuji Temple is a historic Zen temple in Bessho Onsen, Ueda City, Nagano Prefecture. Belonging to the Soto school of Zen Buddhism, it is traditionally regarded as the oldest Zen temple in Nagano Prefecture. The temple is known by the mountain name Sofukuzan and the temple name Gokoku-in, and its principal object of worship is Shaka Nyorai, the Buddha Shakyamuni. The temple's greatest treasure...»
Zensanji Temple is a historic Buddhist temple located at the foot of Mt. Tokko in Maeyama, Ueda City, Nagano Prefecture. It belongs to the Chisan school of Shingon Buddhism, and its principal object of worship is Dainichi Nyorai, the Buddha who represents the universal truth at the heart of Buddhist teachings. The temple is also known by the mountain name Tokkosan or Dokkozān. Standing at the sou...»
A Historic Thatched-Roof Temple in the “Kamakura of Shinshu” Chuzenji Temple is a historic Buddhist temple located in Maeyama, Ueda City, Nagano Prefecture. It belongs to the Chisan School of Shingon Buddhism and is traditionally known by the mountain name Ryuo-zan and the temple name Enmeiin. Surrounded by the beautiful landscape of Shioda Plain at the foot of Mt. Tokko, the temple has long been...»
A Legendary Hot Spring Town Surrounded by History and Tradition Bessho Onsen is a historic hot spring resort located at an elevation of approximately 570 meters in Ueda City, Nagano Prefecture. Known as one of the oldest hot spring resorts in Shinshu, the region has been associated with healing waters since ancient times. According to local legend, the hot springs were discovered by Yamato Taker...»
A Peaceful Hot Spring Retreat Surrounded by Nature and Tradition Kakeyu Onsen is a historic hot spring resort located in Ueda City, Nagano Prefecture. Nestled along the clear waters of the Uchimura River, the resort is surrounded by mountains and forests, creating a peaceful atmosphere far from the bustle of major cities. Kakeyu has long been known as a destination for toji, the traditional Japa...»
A Peaceful Hidden Gem Surrounded by Nature and History Reisenji Onsen is a small and secluded hot spring resort nestled in the mountains of Ueda City, Nagano Prefecture. Surrounded by forests and mountain scenery, this quiet destination offers a traditional atmosphere where nature, history, and hot spring culture come together. Unlike larger Japanese hot spring resorts, Reisenji Onsen has very f...»
A Museum Dedicated to the Literature of Shotaro Ikenami and the Sanada Clan The Ikenami Shotaro Sanada Taiheiki Museum is a literary museum in Ueda City, Nagano Prefecture, dedicated primarily to Sanada Taiheiki, a historical novel by renowned Japanese author Shotaro Ikenami. The novel tells the dramatic story of the Sanada clan, a powerful samurai family active during Japan's turbulent Sengoku p...»
A Rare Museum Dedicated to the Art of Woodcarving The Ozawa Woodcarving Museum is a specialized museum in Ueda City, Nagano Prefecture, dedicated to the art and culture of woodcarving. One of the few museums in Japan devoted specifically to this art form, it introduces visitors to the beauty of hand-carved wood through an extensive collection created by Chiharu Ozawa and his son Toshiharu Ozawa. ...»
Discover the Artistic Heritage and Creative Spirit of Ueda The Ueda City Museum of Art is a cultural and artistic center in Ueda City, Nagano Prefecture. It introduces visitors to the region's rich artistic heritage while providing spaces where local residents and artists can create, exhibit, and experience art. The museum's history is closely connected with Kanae Yamamoto, a pioneering Western-...»
A Memorial Museum for Student Artists Lost in World War II Mugonkan is a unique art museum in Ueda City, Nagano Prefecture, dedicated to the works and memories of young student artists who lost their lives during World War II. Opened in 1997 through the efforts of museum founder Seichiro Kubo, it is both an art museum and a place of remembrance. The museum does not simply present paintings as wo...»
Where the Afterglow of Their Art Lives On KAITA EPITAPH Zanshōkan is an art museum located in Maeyama, Ueda City, Nagano Prefecture. Opened in 2020, the museum carries on the spirit and collection of the former Shinano Dessin Museum, creating a new space where the art and memory of artists who died young can continue to be experienced. Set quietly in the mountains of Ueda, the museum offers visi...»
Discover How Fire and Light Shaped Everyday Life in Japan The Takeshi Tomoshibi Museum in Ueda City, Nagano Prefecture, is a unique museum dedicated to the history and culture of traditional lighting. Its collection includes a wide variety of objects such as oil lamps, candle holders, lanterns, and other lighting devices, offering an insight into how people used fire and light in everyday life be...»
A Spacious Mountain Resort for Skiers and Snowboarders of All Levels Sugadaira Kogen Snow Resort is a historic ski resort located in the scenic highlands of Ueda City, Nagano Prefecture, in the area formerly known as Sanada Town. Opened in January 1928, it has welcomed skiers for generations and is now widely known as Sugadaira Kogen Snow Resort. The resort is made up of several interconnected s...»
A Local Specialty Born in Ueda Oidadare Yakitori is a distinctive local specialty from Ueda City, Nagano Prefecture. Unlike ordinary yakitori, in which grilled chicken is typically brushed with sauce or seasoned before serving, Oidadare Yakitori is enjoyed with a rich soy sauce-based sauce containing plenty of grated garlic. The freshly grilled chicken skewers are either dipped into the sauce or...»
A City Where History, Mountain Scenery, and Local Culture Meet Komoro City is a historic city in eastern Nagano Prefecture. Located in the highlands of eastern Shinshu, the city is surrounded by mountains and blessed with dramatic landscapes, historic sites, traditional culture, hot springs, and locally produced food and wine. Komoro became a municipality in 1954. During the Edo period (1603–186...»
A Prestigious Edo-Period Lodging and Transportation Facility The Former Komoro Honjin stands in the historic Komoro Post Town along the old Hokkoku Kaido in Komoro City, Nagano Prefecture. Dating from the Edo period (1603–1868), the building served both as a honjin, a prestigious lodging facility for high-ranking travelers, and a tonya-ba, an administrative station responsible for managing transp...»
Historic Castle Ruins in the Heart of Komoro Komoro Castle is a historic castle site in Komoro City, Nagano Prefecture. Once located in the former Saku District of Shinano Province, the castle played an important role in the history of the region from the Sengoku period through the Edo period. Komoro Castle is also known by several distinctive names, including Kaigetsu Castle, Anajo (“Sunken Cas...»
A Glimpse into the World of Edo-Period Travelers Komoro Post Town Honjin Omoya is a historic building associated with Komoro Post Town, which flourished along the Hokkoku Kaido during the Edo period. Together with the nearby Former Komoro Honjin, it preserves an important part of the history of the highway and the post town that once welcomed daimyo, court nobles, and high-ranking samurai traveli...»
Preserving the Spirit of a Pioneering Private School The Komoro Gijuku Memorial Museum is a historical museum in Komoro City, Nagano Prefecture. The building is a reconstructed main school building of Komoro Gijuku, a private school that operated during the Meiji period. After being relocated and restored, it opened as a museum in 1994. The museum introduces the history of Komoro Gijuku through ...»
A Relaxing Green Space Centered Around Otomeko Pond...»
Where Art, Architecture, History, and Mountain Scenery Come Together The Komoro Kogen Museum of Art and Shirotori Eisetsu Museum is a municipal art museum located near the summit of Mt. Iizunayama in the northwestern part of Komoro City, Nagano Prefecture. Opened on October 7, 1998, the museum was established as a center for promoting the arts and bringing together the cultural heritage of the lo...»
A Peaceful Highland Retreat in the Mountains of Komoro Hishino Onsen is a quiet hot spring resort tucked away in the mountains of Komoro City, Nagano Prefecture. Located at an elevation of approximately 1,000 meters, the area is surrounded by fresh mountain air, forests, and beautiful seasonal scenery. With the mountains around Mt. Asama forming the backdrop, Hishino Onsen offers a peaceful atmo...»
A Secluded Retreat Surrounded by the Silence of Nature Takamine Onsen is a secluded hot spring destination in Hishidaira, Komoro City, Nagano Prefecture. Located at an elevation of approximately 2,000 meters in the Takamine Highlands, the hot spring is surrounded by the pristine natural environment of Joshin'etsukogen National Park. With clear mountain air, vast highland scenery, and an atmosphe...»
A Sacred Mountain Temple Where History and Nature Meet Nunobiki Kannon, formally known as Nunobikisan Shakson-ji Temple, is a historic Tendai Buddhist temple in Komoro City, Nagano Prefecture. The temple is dedicated to Shō-Kanzeon Bosatsu, the Sacred Kannon, and is the 29th temple on the Shinano Thirty-Three Kannon Pilgrimage, a traditional pilgrimage route devoted to Kannon, the Buddhist bodhis...»
Komoro City Zoo is a municipal zoo located in Komoro, Nagano Prefecture, within the historic grounds of Kaikoen Garden. Established in 1926, it is known as the oldest zoo in Nagano Prefecture. Although relatively compact in size, the zoo offers visitors the chance to encounter a wide variety of animals in a friendly and accessible setting....»
A Memorial Museum Dedicated to One of Japan's Leading Modern Writers Komoro City Toson Memorial Museum is a literary museum located within Kaikoen in Komoro City, Nagano Prefecture. The museum commemorates the life and literary achievements of Toson Shimazaki, one of Japan's most influential poets and novelists of the modern era. Designed by renowned Japanese architect Yoshiro Taniguchi, the mus...»
Art, Architecture, and the Spirit of Komoro The Keizo Koyama Museum of Art is located in the scenic grounds of Kaikoen in Komoro City, Nagano Prefecture. The museum is dedicated to Keizo Koyama, one of the leading Japanese Western-style painters of the Showa era, and preserves his artistic legacy for future generations. The museum building was designed by renowned Japanese architect Togo Murano ...»
Kaiko Shrine is located in the heart of Kaikoen, the park surrounding the former site of Komoro Castle in Komoro City, Nagano Prefecture. The shrine stands on what was once the castle's main compound, or honmaru, making it a unique place where visitors can experience the history of Komoro through both its castle ruins and religious traditions. Surrounded by the seasonal beauty of Kaikoen, the shr...»
Saku City is a scenic city in eastern Nagano Prefecture, located in the Tōshin region near the border with Gunma Prefecture. The city stretches across the Saku Basin at an elevation of around 700 meters, surrounded by mountains including Mount Asama, Mount Arafune, and the mountains of the Yatsugatake and Tateshina areas. The eastern and southern parts of Saku are blessed with beautiful highland ...»
An-yoji Temple is a historic Rinzai Zen temple in Yasuhara, Saku City, Nagano Prefecture. Belonging to the Myoshinji school of Rinzai Buddhism, the temple is officially known as Horinzan An-yoji. Surrounded by the peaceful scenery of the Saku Basin, An-yoji has long served as an important center of local Buddhist faith. Its grounds contain historic buildings, cultural treasures, and fascinating l...»
Ryuunji Temple is a historic Soto Zen temple located in Iwamurada, Saku City, Nagano Prefecture. Its mountain name is Otazan, and its principal Buddhist image is the Eleven-Headed Kannon, a form of the bodhisattva of compassion. Quietly situated amid the historic landscape of the Saku Basin, Ryuunji has played an important role in the area's religious and cultural history for centuries. The templ...»
Teishoji Temple is a historic Soto Zen temple in Maeyama, Saku City, Nagano Prefecture. Its mountain name is Dogenzan. Surrounded by quiet natural scenery, the temple has long been a place of Buddhist faith and meditation, and is counted among the 100 Historic Temples of Shinshu. The peaceful grounds are home to impressive historic buildings, stone monuments, and old trees. Together, they create ...»
The Former Nakagomi School is a historic schoolhouse in Nakagomi, Saku City, Nagano Prefecture. Built in the early years of the Meiji period, it is one of Japan's notable examples of giyofu architecture, a style that combined traditional Japanese construction techniques with Western architectural ideas. The building is designated as a National Important Cultural Property and Historic Site. More t...»
Komagata Shrine stands in Tsukahara, Saku City, Nagano Prefecture. With a history rooted deep in the medieval period, the shrine is home to a remarkably preserved Muromachi-period main sanctuary, recognized for its architectural and historical importance as a National Important Cultural Property. Surrounded by greenery and a quiet atmosphere, Komagata Shrine offers visitors a glimpse into the rel...»
Shinkai Sansha Shrine stands in Miyashiro, Taguchi, Saku City, Nagano Prefecture. Also known as Shinkai Shrine, it has long been one of the most important places of worship in the Saku region. Once regarded as the principal shrine of Saku District, the shrine attracted widespread devotion and was also ranked as a former prefectural shrine in modern times. Its traditional crest, featuring a paulow...»
Tatsuoka Castle is a remarkable historic site in Taguchi, Saku City, Nagano Prefecture. Built during the final years of the Edo period, it is famous for its unusual five-pointed star-shaped fortress design, known in Japanese as a goryokaku or bastion-style fortification. Japan has only two surviving examples of this distinctive star-shaped fortress design: Tatsuoka Castle in Nagano and the much l...»
Kondai-ji Temple is a historic temple of the Ji-shu school of Japanese Buddhism in Saku, Nagano Prefecture. Its official name is Shiunzan Raigo-in Kondai-ji, and its principal object of worship is Amida Buddha. The temple dates back to 1279, during the late Kamakura period. It is said to have been founded by Ippen Shonin, the founder of the Ji-shu school. According to tradition, the local warrior...»
Saku City Museum of Modern Art is a public art museum in Saku, Nagano Prefecture, located in a peaceful, green section of Komaba Park. As one of Saku's important cultural institutions, the museum attracts art enthusiasts from both within Nagano Prefecture and from across Japan....»
Sakumo is an interactive children's museum in Saku, Nagano Prefecture, where children can discover the wonders of science through hands-on exhibits and playful experiences. Officially known as the Saku City Children's Future Museum, the facility introduces fascinating themes such as Earth, life, and space in ways that are easy and enjoyable for children to understand. Since opening in 2001, the m...»
Saku City Tenrai Memorial Museum is a museum in Saku, Nagano Prefecture, dedicated to the art of Japanese calligraphy. The museum celebrates the achievements of Tenrai Hidai, a leading calligrapher who played an important role in the development of modern Japanese calligraphy. The museum displays not only works by Tenrai himself, but also calligraphy by his wife, Shokin Hidai, and many of his stu...»
Usuda Star Dome, officially known as the Saku City Astronomical Observatory, is a public observatory located in Usuda, Saku City, Nagano Prefecture. Opened on November 29, 1996, the observatory has welcomed astronomy enthusiasts, families, and visitors interested in the mysteries of the universe. One of its distinctive features is its public nighttime observing sessions. On nights when the facili...»
Saku Hotel is a historic accommodation in Iwamurada, Saku City, Nagano Prefecture, combining the atmosphere of a traditional Japanese inn with the convenience of a modern hotel. It offers hot spring bathing as well as facilities suitable for both sightseeing and business travelers. The history of Saku Hotel dates back to 1428, during the Muromachi period, making it one of the oldest established i...»
Saku Ichimanri Onsen Hotel is a full-service hotel with natural hot spring facilities in Nakagomi, Saku City, Nagano Prefecture. Formerly known as the “Golden Century,” the hotel has long been used by both local residents and visitors to the area. After undergoing a new chapter of development under the Breezbay Hotel Group, the property reopened with renewed facilities and services. Today, it off...»
The Saku Balloon Festival is a major annual hot air balloon event held in Saku City, Nagano Prefecture, every year from May 3 to May 5. Against the beautiful backdrop of the Chikuma River and majestic Mount Asama, colorful hot air balloons fill the spring sky, creating an unforgettable sight for visitors. The festival combines serious hot air balloon competitions with a variety of activities for ...»
Onattō is a traditional fermented food that has been passed down for generations in the Saku region of eastern Nagano Prefecture. Unlike the natto commonly known in Japan as fermented soybeans with a characteristic sticky texture, Onattō is made by fermenting cooked rice with rice koji. The natural fermentation process allows koji mold to break down the starch in the rice and convert it into suga...»
An-yoji Ramen is a local specialty of Saku City in eastern Nagano Prefecture, created as a regional revitalization project using locally produced ingredients and traditional food culture. The ramen was jointly developed in 2008 by local volunteers, the Saku Chamber of Commerce and Industry, miso producers, and the head priest of An-yoji Temple. Its defining ingredient is An-yoji Miso, a locally p...»
Karuizawa is a renowned highland resort in eastern Nagano Prefecture, famous throughout Japan and internationally as a summer retreat and villa destination. Located in the Saku region at the southern foot of Mount Asama, it is surrounded by forests, mountains, streams, and a refreshing highland climate. In a narrow sense, Karuizawa refers particularly to Karuizawa Town, especially the Old Karuiza...»
Karuizawa is a highland resort town in Kitasaku District, Nagano Prefecture, located on the southeastern foothills of Mount Asama. Known throughout Japan as one of the country's premier summer retreats and resort destinations, Karuizawa combines refreshing mountain scenery with a distinctive atmosphere shaped by more than a century of international and Western cultural influence. Cool summers, fo...»
The Karuizawa Town History and Folklore Museum is a local history museum in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture, dedicated to preserving and introducing the region's rich history, culture, and traditional way of life. The museum began in 1963 as the Karuizawa Town Museum. Since then, it has collected and displayed a wide range of materials documenting the development of Karuizawa, its cultural activitie...»
The Oiwake-juku Folk Museum is a local history museum in the Oiwake area of Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture. The museum preserves and introduces valuable materials related to the history, folklore, and literature of Karuizawa, offering visitors an opportunity to learn more about the culture and development of this historic mountain town. Oiwake was once an important post town on the Nakasendo, one o...»
The Tatsuo Hori Memorial Museum is a literary museum in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture, dedicated to the life, works, and literary world of Tatsuo Hori, one of the notable writers of modern Japanese literature. The museum stands on the site of Hori's former home, where he spent his later years. Surrounded by the quiet natural landscape of Karuizawa, it offers visitors an opportunity to discover the...»
The Shaw House Memorial is a historic building in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture, closely associated with the origins of Karuizawa as a summer resort. It commemorates Alexander Croft Shaw, a Canadian Anglican missionary who visited Karuizawa during the Meiji period and played an important role in establishing its tradition as a cool summer retreat. In 1888, Shaw built this house as his own summer v...»
The Nakasendo 69 Stations Museum is located in the Oiwake area of Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture. The museum introduces the history, post-town culture, customs, and landscapes of the Nakasendo, one of the five major highways developed during Japan's Edo period. Through historical documents, ukiyo-e prints, maps, books, and other materials, the museum allows visitors to imagine what it was like to t...»
The Nakasendo is one of the five major highways developed by the Tokugawa shogunate during the Edo period (1603–1868). It connected Nihonbashi in Edo, present-day Tokyo, with Sanjo Ohashi in Kyoto, following an inland route through the mountains and basins of central Japan. Unlike the Tokaido, which followed a more southerly route along the Pacific coast, the Nakasendo crossed the interior of Jap...»
The Sezon Museum of Modern Art is a museum dedicated to modern and contemporary art in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture. Surrounded by the lush forests of the Karuizawa highlands, the museum offers a peaceful setting where visitors can experience outstanding works by artists from Japan and around the world. Far from the bustle of the city, the museum brings together art, architecture, and nature in a...»
The Le Vent Museum of Contemporary Art is a museum in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture, that opened in 1997. Operated by the Karuizawa Institute of Art and Culture, a public interest incorporated foundation, the museum provides a peaceful setting where art, education, and culture come together. Surrounded by the greenery of Karuizawa, the museum offers visitors an opportunity to discover the artistic...»
Karuizawa Taliesin is a large cultural and leisure complex in the southern part of Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture. Built around Lake Shiozawa, the facility combines art museums, historic buildings, gardens, restaurants, and family-friendly activities in a beautiful natural setting. At the heart of the complex is Lake Shiozawa, an artificial lake created in 1961 using water from the Washiana Irrigat...»
Karuizawa Kogen Bunko is a literary museum located on the southern side of Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture, beside the peaceful waters of Lake Shiozawa. Opened in August 1985, the museum is part of the Karuizawa Taliesin complex and preserves and displays materials connected with writers and poets who had strong ties to Karuizawa. Surrounded by trees and the tranquil scenery of the highlands, the mu...»
Peynet Museum is located beside Lake Shiozawa within the lush grounds of Karuizawa Taliesin in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture. Opened on July 26, 1986, it was the world's first personal museum dedicated to the French artist and illustrator Raymond Peynet, and remains the only museum of its kind in Japan. Surrounded by forest and the peaceful waters of the lake, the museum offers an intimate introdu...»
The Koko Fukasawa Museum of Wildflowers is located beside Lake Shiozawa within the scenic Karuizawa Taliesin complex in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture. Opened in July 1996, the museum is a private museum dedicated to the life and work of Western-style painter Koko Fukasawa. Another museum with the same name can be found in Morioka, Iwate Prefecture, Fukasawa's birthplace. The Karuizawa museum, howe...»
Forest of MUSE Karuizawa is a museum park in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture, where art, culture, and the natural beauty of the highlands come together. Covering approximately 20,000 square meters, the site is surrounded by a peaceful forest and provides a relaxing cultural experience for visitors of all ages. The complex includes the Karuizawa Picturebook Museum, the picturesque natural garden at i...»
Karuizawa Picturebook Museum is a museum dedicated to picture books, located within the Forest of MUSE museum park in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture. Since opening in July 1990, the museum has introduced visitors of all ages to the history, artistry, and imagination of picture books. Surrounded by the forests of southern Karuizawa, the museum offers much more than indoor exhibitions. Its spacious g...»
Erz Toy Museum of Karuizawa is a cultural facility within the Forest of MUSE museum park in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture. Opened in April 1998, the museum introduces visitors to the fascinating world of traditional wooden toys from Germany's Erzgebirge region. The museum was designed by Ruisei Keikaku Shitsu, an architectural firm known for creating spaces that emphasize the warmth of wood and ha...»
Karuizawa Kusabana Museum is a small private museum in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture, dedicated to the beauty of wildflowers and plants. The museum features works by painter Koichi Ishikawa (1937–2007), who devoted much of his later career to depicting the wildflowers growing naturally around Karuizawa. His delicate watercolor sketches and oil paintings capture wildflowers with gentle colors and s...»
Karuizawa New Art Museum is a private museum of contemporary art in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture. Since opening in April 2012, it has presented innovative works by artists from Japan and around the world, adding a distinctive contemporary dimension to Karuizawa's rich cultural landscape. The museum was designed by architect Rikuo Nishimori. Its sophisticated glass exterior and predominantly white...»
Tasaku Museum is an art museum in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture, dedicated primarily to the works of Western-style painter Kosuke Tasaki, one of Japan's leading painters of mountain landscapes. Opened in 1986, the museum stands in the tranquil natural surroundings of Karuizawa and offers visitors an opportunity to experience the majestic mountain landscapes captured through Tasaki's unique artistic...»
Wakita Museum is a private art museum surrounded by the beautiful natural landscape of Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture. The museum is dedicated primarily to the works of Kazu Wakita, one of Japan's leading Western-style painters of the 20th century. Nestled among the forests of Karuizawa, the museum offers a peaceful setting where visitors can encounter Wakita's poetic artistic world while enjoying ...»
Karuizawa Ando Museum is a private museum in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture, dedicated exclusively to the works of Tsuguharu Foujita (Léonard Foujita). Opened in October 2022, the museum presents works spanning Foujita's career from his early years through his final period. With a collection devoted entirely to one artist, the museum offers an unusually focused opportunity to follow the development...»
Mampei Hotel is one of Japan's most celebrated classic hotels, located in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture. Founded in 1894, the hotel has developed alongside Karuizawa's rise as a summer resort and has welcomed numerous distinguished guests from Japan and abroad. Today, Mampei Hotel is operated by Mampei Hotel Co., Ltd., part of the Mori Trust Group, and is also known as Karuizawa Mampei Hotel. With...»
Tsuruya Ryokan is a historic Japanese inn in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture, with a history stretching back several centuries. Originally established as the Hatago Tsuruya during the early Edo period, the inn has witnessed the transformation of Karuizawa from a post town along the Nakasendo highway into one of Japan's best-known summer resorts. Since the Meiji period, Tsuruya Ryokan has also been c...»
Karuizawa St. Paul's Catholic Church is a historic Catholic church and chapel in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture. Set among the forests of the resort town, the beautiful wooden church blends naturally with its surroundings and is regarded as one of Karuizawa's notable historic buildings. The church belongs to the Diocese of Yokohama and is officially known as Karuizawa Catholic Church. Its distincti...»
Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza is a large resort-style shopping complex located just outside the South Exit of Karuizawa Station in Nagano Prefecture. Surrounded by beautiful seasonal scenery, it offers visitors the chance to enjoy shopping while experiencing the relaxed atmosphere of a mountain resort. With its convenient location and extensive selection of stores, the shopping plaza is a popul...»
Stone Church and Uchimura Kanzo Memorial Hall is a unique church and memorial facility in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture. Located beside Hotel Bleston Court and quietly surrounded by a lush forest, the building creates a deeply peaceful atmosphere where architecture, nature, and spirituality come together. The church was built to commemorate the life and ideas of Kanzo Uchimura, an influential Chri...»
Sengataki Falls is a beautiful waterfall in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture, where the quiet atmosphere of the forest meets the powerful force of flowing water. With a drop of approximately 20 meters, it is often described as having the greatest vertical drop in Karuizawa. Surrounded by rich natural scenery, the waterfall takes on a different appearance with every season. It is a popular destination...»
Kumano Kotai Shrine is a remarkable shrine located directly on the border between Karuizawa in Nagano Prefecture and Annaka in Gunma Prefecture. The prefectural boundary runs directly through the shrine building, making this a rare place where visitors can experience worship in two prefectures at the same time. Although the shrine building is shared, the Nagano and Gunma sides are administered in...»
Old Karuizawa Main Street is a lively shopping and dining district along Prefectural Route 133 in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture. Known locally as Old Karuizawa Ginza or Old Karuizawa Ginza Street, it is one of the most popular places to explore when visiting Karuizawa. The street is lined with long-established shops, fashionable boutiques, cafes, restaurants, bakeries, and specialty stores. The co...»
Karuizawa Union Church is a historic interdenominational church in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture. Its origins date back to 1897, when it was established as the Karuizawa Union Christian Church. Founded on the principle of a “Union Church,” which welcomes Christians from different denominations, the church developed into more than a place of worship. It became a gathering place where people from Ja...»
Mikado Coffee Karuizawa Kyudo Branch is a long-established coffee shop located along Old Karuizawa Ginza, one of the most popular areas for sightseeing in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture. The story of Mikado Coffee began in 1948 in Nihombashi, Tokyo, with the sale of coffee and café supplies. The Karuizawa Kyudo Branch opened in 1952 and has since become a beloved destination for visitors and promin...»
The Former Mikasa Hotel is one of the few purely Western-style wooden hotels in Japan designed and built by Japanese craftsmen during the late Meiji period. Opened in 1906, the hotel welcomed many prominent figures, politicians, and cultural figures and became known as the “Rokumeikan of Karuizawa.” Its architectural and historical significance was officially recognized in 1980, when the building...»
Honzawa Onsen is a remote hot spring in the mountains of Mt. Yatsugatake in Minamimaki Village, Minamisaku District, Nagano Prefecture. Located at an elevation of approximately 2,150 meters, it is renowned as one of Japan's highest-altitude hot springs. Reaching Honzawa Onsen requires hiking, as there is no direct access by car or public transportation. The journey through the mountain landscape ...»
Takizawa Farm is an interactive agricultural and dairy farm located in the Nobeyama Highlands of Minamimaki Village, Minamisaku District, Nagano Prefecture. At an elevation of approximately 1,375 meters, the farm is surrounded by beautiful highland scenery and offers visitors opportunities to interact with animals and experience farming and dairy production. The spacious grounds are home to cows,...»
Yatsugatake Kogen Uminokuchi Nature Resort is a scenic highland resort spread across the eastern foothills of the Yatsugatake Mountains in Minamimaki Village, Minamisaku District, Nagano Prefecture. At an elevation of approximately 1,500 meters, the area is surrounded by clear mountain air and beautiful natural landscapes. The resort is home to several distinctive facilities, including Yatsugatak...»
The Yatsugatake Mountains form one of Japan's most impressive mountain regions, stretching across Nagano and Yamanashi prefectures to the east of Lake Suwa. Listed among Japan's 100 Famous Mountains, the range attracts hikers, climbers, nature lovers, and visitors throughout the year. Yatsugatake does not refer to a single mountain. The name describes a group of numerous peaks, and the exact boun...»
Omachi City, also known as Shinano-Omachi, is located in northwestern Nagano Prefecture and is surrounded by the spectacular mountains of the Northern Japan Alps. With abundant forests, crystal-clear water, alpine landscapes, and a rich cultural heritage, Omachi is one of Nagano's most distinctive mountain destinations. The city is widely known as the Nagano-side gateway to the Tateyama Kurobe Al...»
Nishina Shinmeigu Shrine stands in Omachi City, Nagano Prefecture, surrounded by a peaceful forest and the clear waters of the Takase River. Dedicated to Amaterasu Okami, the sun goddess and principal deity of Ise Jingu, the shrine has a history stretching back more than a thousand years. Long regarded as one of the oldest shrines in the Shinshu region, Nishina Shinmeigu is particularly important...»
Shio no Michi Chojiya is a historical museum in Omachi City, Nagano Prefecture, dedicated to the history of the Chikuni Kaido, traditionally known as the Salt Road. This historic route connected Itoigawa on the Sea of Japan with Matsumoto and the inland Shinshu region, carrying salt, seafood, and other essential goods. The museum occupies the former residence of the Hirabayashi family, a prominen...»
Omachi Energy Museum is a museum in Omachi City, Nagano Prefecture, dedicated to energy, electricity, and the history of power generation. It opened on April 27, 1982, against the backdrop of Omachi's long history of hydropower development. Hydroelectric power projects began to develop in the area before World War II, while after the war, Omachi became an important base for the construction of th...»
Omachi Mountain Museum is a municipal museum in Omachi City, Nagano Prefecture, dedicated entirely to the mountains and the relationship between people and the mountain environment. Affectionately known in Japanese as Sanpaku, it was the first museum in Japan to make mountains its central theme. The museum played an important role in the development of Omachi as a city deeply connected with mount...»
Roadside Station Pokapoka Land Miasa is a multifunctional roadside rest area in Omachi City, Nagano Prefecture, located along Nagano Prefectural Route 31. Surrounded by the beautiful natural scenery at the foot of the Northern Alps, it offers much more than a place to take a break. The facility combines a hot spring, accommodation, restaurant, and tourist information services, making it a conveni...»
Tateshina Town is located in the central part of Nagano Prefecture, in Kitasaku District. Surrounded by mountains and highland landscapes, the town combines beautiful nature with historic post-town scenery from the days of the old Nakasendo Road. The name Tateshina comes from Mount Tateshina, the beautiful mountain rising along the southern edge of the town. The mountain was historically also wri...»
Mount Tateshina is a 2,531-meter-high volcano located at the northern end of the Yatsugatake mountain range in Nagano Prefecture. Its graceful, almost perfectly conical profile has earned it the names “Suwa Fuji” and “Mountain of the Goddess”. It is also one of Japan's celebrated 100 Famous Mountains. Part of the Yatsugatake-Chushin Kogen Quasi-National Park, Mount Tateshina attracts hikers, natu...»
Miyota Town is a scenic town in Kitasaku District, Nagano Prefecture, blessed with beautiful natural surroundings and a long history. The northern part of the town spreads across the foothills of majestic Mount Asama, while its convenient location near Karuizawa, Komoro, and Saku makes it an attractive base for exploring eastern Nagano. Although the area is close to well-known resort destinations...»
Sakuho Town is located in the eastern part of Nagano Prefecture, in the southern Saku region of central Japan. Surrounded by mountains, forests, highland plateaus, and clear mountain streams, the town is a beautiful destination where visitors can experience the quiet landscapes of the Japanese Alps. The Chikuma River flows through the center of the town, while the Yatsugatake mountain range rises...»
Shirakaba Resort Ikenotaira Family Land is a large leisure and resort complex located beside Lake Shirakaba in Tateshina Town, Nagano Prefecture. Surrounded by the mountains and forests of the Tateshina highlands, the resort brings together amusement attractions, animal experiences, outdoor activities, gardens, museums, hot springs, and accommodation. The surrounding Shirakaba Resort area also fe...»
Lake Shirakoma is a beautiful mountain lake located at an elevation of 2,115 meters on the border of Sakuho Town and Koumi Town in Nagano Prefecture. Set at the foot of the Northern Yatsugatake Mountains in the Yachiho Highlands, the lake is surrounded by ancient forests covered in moss, creating an atmosphere that feels almost otherworldly. As the largest lake in Japan located at an elevation ab...»
Tateshina Teddy Bear Museum is a unique museum located beside Lake Shirakaba in Tateshina Town, Nagano Prefecture. Home to approximately 11,000 teddy bears collected from around the world, it is one of the largest teddy bear museums in the world. As soon as visitors enter the museum, they are transported into a charming world that feels like stepping into a picture book. The exhibits are arranged...»
Yachiho Highland is a beautiful highland area in Sakuho Town, Nagano Prefecture, spreading across the northern foothills of the Yatsugatake Mountains. Unlike some of Nagano's more heavily developed mountain resorts, Yachiho has retained much of its original landscape and offers visitors a peaceful experience surrounded by forests, lakes, and alpine scenery. National Route 299 runs through the hig...»
Megami Lake is a beautiful highland lake in Tateshina Town, Nagano Prefecture, surrounded by the forests and mountains of the Yatsugatake-Chushin Kogen Quasi-National Park. Located at an elevation of approximately 1,540 meters, the lake is known for its peaceful scenery and the changing beauty of its landscape throughout the year. Although commonly known as Megami Lake, its official name is Akanu...»
Tsugane-ji Temple is a historic Tendai Buddhist temple in Tateshina Town, Nagano Prefecture. Its mountain name is Enichizan, and its formal name is Shugakuin. The temple enshrines Shō-Kannon, the Sacred Kannon Bodhisattva, and has been an important center of faith for local people for centuries. Tsugane-ji was once counted among the Five Great Tendai Temples of Shinano and played an important rol...»
Shinraku-ji Temple is a historic Buddhist temple in Miyota Town, Nagano Prefecture, located on the southern foothills of Mount Asama. Belonging to the Chizan School of Shingon Buddhism, the temple has the mountain name Asamayama and is dedicated to Fugen Bosatsu, the Bodhisattva of Universal Virtue. The history of Shinraku-ji is traditionally traced back to the Asuka period. According to temple t...»
Asama Jomon Museum is a municipal museum in Miyota Town, Nagano Prefecture, dedicated to two fascinating themes: the ancient Jomon period and the natural history of Mount Asama, one of Japan's active volcanoes. Opened in 2003, the museum is located within the cultural complex École Miyota, together with a hall and library, and serves as an important center for local culture. The Jomon period last...»
Koumi Town is a scenic mountain town in Minamisaku District, eastern Nagano Prefecture. Surrounded by the Yatsugatake Mountains to the north and the Oku-Chichibu Mountains to the south, the town is blessed with a refreshing highland climate and beautiful landscapes that change with the seasons. The Chikuma River flows through the town, while mountains, lakes, forests, and valleys create an ideal ...»
Kawakami Village is a scenic mountain village in the eastern part of Minamisaku District, Nagano Prefecture. Located at elevations of more than 1,000 meters, the village is known for its cool highland climate, beautiful mountain scenery, and clear streams. Kawakami is home to the source of the Chikuma River, the upper reaches of the Shinano River, which is Japan's longest river. Although the vill...»
Mount Tengu is one of the most distinctive peaks of the Yatsugatake Mountains in Chino, Nagano Prefecture. With its rugged ridgelines, alpine scenery, and rewarding hiking routes, it attracts mountain lovers throughout the year. The mountain consists of two summits: West Tengu Peak at 2,645.8 meters and East Tengu Peak at 2,640 meters. Together, they form the highest mountain area in the northern...»
Koumi Kogen Museum of Art is a municipal art museum in Koumi Town, Minamisaku District, Nagano Prefecture. Opened in 1997, the museum was designed by internationally renowned Japanese architect Tadao Ando. The building's clean lines and exposed reinforced-concrete surfaces create a sophisticated modern atmosphere, while its architecture is carefully integrated with the surrounding natural landsca...»
Inagoyu Onsen is a historic hot spring in the Inago area of Koumi Town, Nagano Prefecture. Located at an elevation of approximately 1,500 meters at the foot of the Northern Yatsugatake Mountains, the hot spring is surrounded by quiet coniferous forests and pristine mountain air. Far from the noise and bustle of the cities, Inagoyu offers a peaceful retreat where visitors can enjoy the healing atm...»
Lake Matsubara is a scenic group of highland lakes in Koumi Town, Minamisaku District, Nagano Prefecture. Located at an elevation of around 1,100 meters, the area offers beautiful views of the Yatsugatake Mountains and Mount Tengu, making it one of the natural symbols of Koumi. The name Lake Matsubara refers collectively to three lakes: Lake Inako, Lake Chōko, and Lake Ōtsukiko. Among them, Lake ...»
Omiyama Archaeological Site is an important archaeological site in Kawakami Village, Minamisaku District, Nagano Prefecture. The site preserves the remains of a settlement dating from the Middle Jomon period, approximately 4,500 to 5,000 years ago. Built on a plateau more than 1,300 meters above sea level, the site is known as one of the highest-altitude circular settlements from the Jomon period...»
Mount Kobushigatake is a 2,475-meter-high mountain in the Okuchichibu range, standing at the boundary of Nagano, Yamanashi, and Saitama prefectures. It is one of Japan's 100 Famous Mountains and is also known as Mount Kobushidake. The mountain's name is traditionally said to come from the three former provinces that meet here: Koshu, corresponding to present-day Yamanashi; Bushu, corresponding to...»
Nyakuichi-Oji Shrine is a historic shrine in Omachi City, Nagano Prefecture, with deep connections to the former Nisha clan and the religious traditions of the northern Shinshu region. Once the guardian shrine of the Nisha clan, the shrine has been revered for centuries and is associated with Kumano worship. The shrine is particularly notable for its historic architecture and for preserving trace...»
Lake Kizaki is a scenic mountain lake in Omachi City, Nagano Prefecture, and one of the Three Lakes of Nishina. Located at the southern end of the group, it has long been a favorite destination for both local residents and travelers. With the majestic Northern Alps rising to the west, Lake Kizaki offers beautiful scenery in every season. The lake is also known for its wide range of outdoor activi...»
Lake Nakatsuna is a beautiful mountain lake in the northern part of Omachi City, Nagano Prefecture. It is one of the Three Lakes of Nishina, together with Lake Aoki and Lake Kizaki, and lies between the two. Although it is the smallest of the three, with an area of approximately 0.14 square kilometers, its peaceful atmosphere and beautiful natural surroundings make it a special destination for tra...»
Lake Aoki is a beautiful mountain lake in the northern part of Omachi City, Nagano Prefecture. It is the northernmost and largest of the Three Lakes of Nishina, a group that also includes Lake Nakatsuna and Lake Kizaki. Known for its exceptionally clear water, Lake Aoki offers spectacular views of the Northern Alps reflected on its blue surface. Surrounded by forests and mountains, the lake chang...»
The Three Lakes of Nishina are a group of three beautiful natural lakes in the northern part of Omachi City, Nagano Prefecture: Lake Aoki, Lake Nakatsuna, and Lake Kizaki. Set at the foot of the Northern Alps, the three lakes are among the few natural lakes in Nagano Prefecture and are known for their clear water, rich natural surroundings, and beautiful seasonal scenery. From north to south, the...»
Takase Dam is a massive rock-fill dam built on the upper reaches of the Takase River in Omachi City, Nagano Prefecture. Completed in 1979, it is managed by Tokyo Electric Power Company Renewable Power and plays an important role in Japan's hydroelectric power infrastructure. Standing approximately 176 meters high, Takase Dam is the tallest rock-fill dam in Japan and the second-highest dam in the ...»
Omachi Dam is a massive concrete gravity dam in Omachi City, Nagano Prefecture, built on the upper reaches of the Takase River, part of the Shinano River system. Rising 107 meters high, the dam is operated by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism as a multipurpose dam serving several important functions, including flood control, water supply, and hydroelectric power generatio...»
Yasaka Otaki Waterfall is a spectacular 50-meter waterfall in the Yasaka area of Omachi City, Nagano Prefecture. Surrounded by mountains and forests, it has long been cherished by local residents for its impressive scale and natural beauty. The waterfall is also known as a “Urami no Taki,” or “waterfall viewed from behind.” Its most unusual feature is that visitors can walk behind the falling wat...»
The Former Nakamura Family Residence is a historic farmhouse in the Miasa area of Omachi City, Nagano Prefecture. Built in the early Edo period, the residence provides a rare glimpse into the architecture and everyday life of a prosperous farming family more than 300 years ago. The main house was constructed in 1698, during the Genroku era. As a farmhouse whose construction date can be clearly es...»
Mount Yari is one of Japan's most spectacular mountains, rising to 3,180 meters in the southern part of the Hida Mountains, better known as the Northern Alps. It is the fifth-highest mountain in Japan and is instantly recognizable by its dramatic, spear-like summit that rises sharply toward the sky. Known affectionately in Japan simply as “Yari”, the mountain has long been regarded as one of the ...»
Kurobe Dam Curry is a distinctive local dish from Omachi City, Nagano Prefecture, created in the shape of the famous Kurobe Dam. Combining food and sightseeing in a uniquely Japanese way, this curry has become a popular specialty among visitors exploring the Northern Alps and the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. The dish is designed to resemble the dramatic structure of Kurobe Dam, with rice forming...»
Yumata Onsen is a remote hot spring destination deep in the Takase Gorge of Omachi City, Nagano Prefecture. Surrounded by the rugged mountains of the Northern Alps, it is a place where hot spring water emerges naturally along the riverbank, creating an extraordinary experience far removed from ordinary sightseeing. Located along the Takase River, Yumata is surrounded by some of Japan's most spect...»
Mount Goryu is one of the great peaks of the Northern Alps, rising to 2,814 meters along the border of Nagano and Toyama prefectures. Located in the Northern Alps' Kashimayari-Goryu mountain range, known as the Hinter Hida Mountains or Ushiro-Tateyama Range, it is celebrated for its powerful, rugged profile and spectacular alpine scenery. The summit area belongs to Kurobe City in Toyama Prefectur...»
A Quintessential Japanese Landscape at the Foot of the Northern Alps Azumino City is located in the central part of Nagano Prefecture, in the Chushin region, and stretches across a broad alluvial fan at the foot of the Northern Alps. With crystal-clear spring water, lush green fields, peaceful rural scenery, and magnificent mountain views, Azumino is often described as one of the places where vis...»
Ikeda Town is a beautiful rural town in northwestern Nagano Prefecture, located in the northern part of the Azumino area. The town stretches along the eastern foothills of the Northern Alps, offering spectacular views of the mountains to the west, while the clear waters of the Takase River flow through the area. Ikeda once flourished as a post town along the historic Chikuni Kaido, an important r...»
Hakuba Village is a spectacular mountain resort in northwestern Nagano Prefecture, nestled at the foot of the Northern Alps. Famous around the world for its winter sports, Hakuba also offers hiking, trekking, cycling, and a wide range of outdoor activities from spring through autumn. Hakuba gained international recognition when it hosted events during the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics, including al...»
Mount Shirouma (Shirouma-dake, also known as Hakuba-dake) is a spectacular 2,932-meter-high mountain in the northern part of the Northern Alps, also known as the Hida Mountains. Rising along the border between Nagano and Toyama prefectures, the mountain lies within Chubu-Sangaku National Park and is recognized as one of Japan's 100 Famous Mountains as well as one of the country's 100 Famous Mounta...»
Hakuba Great Snowfield is one of Japan's most impressive alpine snowfields, located in Hakuba Village in northern Nagano Prefecture. It is widely known as one of Japan's Three Great Snowfields and is one of the most iconic mountain landscapes in the Northern Alps. An alpine snowfield is an accumulation of snow that remains in mountain valleys and on slopes even through the summer. At Hakuba Great...»
Hakuba-Ōike Pond is a beautiful volcanic freshwater lake located at an elevation of 2,379 meters in Otari Village, northern Nagano Prefecture. Surrounded by the dramatic peaks of the Northern Alps, this remote alpine lake is one of the region's most impressive natural landscapes. Hakuba-Ōike is the second-largest mountain lake in the Northern Alps, after Kazufu-ike Pond, which lies approximately ...»
Himekawa River is a major river that flows from northern Nagano Prefecture through Itoigawa City in Niigata Prefecture before reaching the Sea of Japan. Rising amid the mountains of the Hakuba area, the river is renowned for its exceptionally clear water, dramatic mountain scenery, and deep connections with the history, mythology, and geology of the region. Himekawa was officially designated as a...»
Aoni Village is a historic mountain settlement in the northeastern part of Hakuba Village, Nagano Prefecture. Located at an elevation of approximately 760 meters on a mountainside, the village preserves a traditional rural landscape that has developed in harmony with the surrounding mountains and forests. Aoni is part of the Kita-Shiro district of Hakuba Village and has been designated as an Impo...»
The Ikeda Public Museum of Art, officially known as the Ikeda Town Museum of Art, is a municipal art museum located in Ikeda Town, Kitaazumi District, Nagano Prefecture. Opened in 1994, the museum is a member of the Azumino Art Line, a network of art museums and cultural facilities spread throughout the Azumino region. Set on elevated ground within the foothills of the Northern Alps, the museum o...»
Mount Karamatsu rises to 2,695.9 meters in the Northern Alps of Japan, forming part of the rugged Ushiro-Tateyama Mountain Range. The mountain straddles Hakuba Village in Nagano Prefecture and Kurobe City in Toyama Prefecture. Together with Mount Tsurugi, Mount Tateyama, and Mount Kashima-Yarigatake, it is one of the few mountains in Japan where glaciers still exist. The presence of a glacier mak...»
Happo Pond is a beautiful alpine pond located at an elevation of approximately 2,060 meters in Hakuba Village, Nagano Prefecture. Situated near the ridgeline of the Ushiro-Tateyama Range in the Northern Alps, the pond covers an area of approximately 2,321 square meters. Although relatively small, Happo Pond is one of the most celebrated scenic destinations in the Hakuba mountains. The area has a ...»
Matsukawa Village, located in northern Nagano Prefecture, is a peaceful rural community surrounded by the magnificent mountains of the Northern Alps. Situated in the northern part of the Azumino area, between Omachi City and Azumino City, the village is known for its spectacular mountain views, expansive rice fields, clear streams, and relaxed countryside atmosphere. With the snow-covered peaks o...»
Otari Village, located in Kitaazumi District in northwestern Nagano Prefecture, is a beautiful mountain village known for its spectacular natural environment and exceptionally heavy snowfall. In winter, the village is transformed into a vast landscape of snow, attracting skiers and snowboarders from Japan and around the world. From spring through autumn, the scenery changes dramatically, offering ...»
National Alps Azumino Park is a vast national government park extending across Azumino City, Omachi City, and Matsukawa Village in Nagano Prefecture. Covering a total area of approximately 353 hectares, the park combines spectacular Northern Alps scenery with forests, rivers, flower fields, cultural exhibits, and outdoor recreation. Designed around the natural and cultural character of the Azumin...»
Uzume Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine in Matsukawa Village, northern Nagano Prefecture. Surrounded by peaceful farmland in the Azumino area, the shrine is dedicated to Ame-no-Uzume-no-Mikoto, a deity traditionally associated with dance, performing arts, good fortune, and happiness. Locally, Ame-no-Uzume is affectionately known as Okame-sama. With its quiet rural setting and distinctive religio...»
Owada Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine in Matsukawa Village, northern Nagano Prefecture. Surrounded by a peaceful forest of tall cedar trees, the shrine has long been an important place of worship for the local community. It is said that approximately half of the population of Matsukawa Village belongs to the shrine's ujiko, or traditional community of parishioners. This deep connection with lo...»
Mount Amakazari rises to 1,963.2 meters along the border between Otari Village in Nagano Prefecture and Itoigawa City in Niigata Prefecture. Located on the western edge of Myoko-Togakushi Renzan National Park, the mountain belongs to the Kubiki Mountain Range and is one of Japan's 100 Famous Mountains. Although Mount Amakazari is not quite 2,000 meters high, its summit offers an impressive 360-de...»
Otari Village Folk Museum is a local history museum in Otari Village, Nagano Prefecture, dedicated to preserving and introducing the history, culture, and traditional way of life of this mountainous community. The museum itself is one of its most fascinating features. The present building was relocated in the middle of the Meiji period and was used for many years as a rare thatched-roof village g...»
Tsugaike Kogen is a beautiful highland area in Otari Village, Nagano Prefecture, spreading across the eastern foothills of Mount Hakuba-Norikura in the Northern Alps. Rising from approximately 800 meters to 2,000 meters above sea level, this vast mountain landscape offers a different experience in every season. The upper reaches of the highland lie within Chubu-Sangaku National Park and are espec...»
Otari Onsen is a historic hot spring resort in Otari Village, northern Nagano Prefecture, surrounded by the pristine mountains and forests of Myoko-Togakushi Renzan National Park. With a history of more than 450 years, the secluded hot spring has long been associated with the legend of Takeda Shingen, the powerful warlord of Japan's Warring States period, and is traditionally known as one of his h...»
Daio Wasabi Farm is one of Japan's largest wasabi farms and one of the most popular attractions in Azumino, Nagano Prefecture. Covering approximately 15 hectares, the farm is surrounded by the beautiful landscapes of the Northern Alps and is visited by travelers from Japan and around the world. The secret behind the farm's success is the extraordinary abundance of clear spring water flowing from ...»
Rokuzan Art Museum is a unique museum in Hotaka, Azumino, Nagano Prefecture, dedicated to the life and work of Morie Ogiwara, one of the pioneers of modern Japanese sculpture. Known by his artist name, Rokuzan, Ogiwara helped open a new chapter in Japanese sculpture by combining the realistic techniques of Western art with a distinctly Japanese sensitivity. Surrounded by trees, flowers, and the p...»
Azumino Swiss Village is a multifaceted tourism and leisure complex in Azumino, Nagano Prefecture, set against the magnificent backdrop of the Northern Alps. Combining local food, wine, agriculture, horseback riding, shopping, and cultural events, it offers visitors an easy way to experience many of the attractions that make Azumino special. Surrounded by the area's beautiful rural scenery, the c...»
Honjin Todoriki Residence is a historic estate in Todoriki, Hotaka, Azumino, Nagano Prefecture, preserving the atmosphere of Japan's Edo period. The residence was once used by the lord of Matsumoto Castle as a resting place during hunting excursions, which led to it being known as a “Honjin,” a prestigious lodging and reception place for feudal lords and official travelers. For generations, the T...»
Nakabusa Onsen is a historic hot spring retreat nestled in the mountains of Azumino, Nagano Prefecture, at an elevation of approximately 1,462 meters on the slopes of Mount Tsubakurodake in the Northern Alps. Surrounded by clear mountain air and pristine natural scenery, this secluded hot spring has welcomed visitors for generations. The centerpiece of the resort is a long-established inn with ro...»
Gohoden Flood Control Pond is a tranquil waterside area in Nakagawate, Akashina, Azumino, Nagano Prefecture. Located along the right bank of the Saigawa River, the pond is particularly famous as a wintering ground for swans that migrate south from northern regions each year. Together with nearby Saigawa Swan Lake, Gohoden is one of Azumino's most appealing places for enjoying the beauty of migrat...»
Lake Saigawa Hakucho is a scenic man-made lake located along the middle reaches of the Saigawa River in the Toyoshina area of Azumino, Nagano Prefecture. Surrounded by the peaceful landscapes of the Azumino countryside, the lake offers visitors a chance to enjoy the changing beauty of nature throughout the year. The lake was originally created when a water intake dam was built across the Saigawa ...»
Manganji Temple is a historic Buddhist temple located in the Makimura area of Hotaka, Azumino, Nagano Prefecture. Surrounded by forests and mountain scenery, the temple belongs to the Buzan School of Shingon Buddhism and is dedicated to Senju Kannon, the Thousand-Armed Kannon. The temple is also the 26th temple of the Shinano 33 Kannon Pilgrimage and has long been affectionately known as “Shinano...»
Azumino Winery is a winery and dairy-product producer located in the Mitsusato-Ogura area of Azumino, Nagano Prefecture. Blessed with clear mountain water, fresh air, and the beautiful landscapes of the Northern Alps, the winery creates wine and yogurt while sharing the natural character of Azumino with visitors and customers throughout Japan. The winery was established after the facilities of th...»
Hotaka Onsen, also known as the Azumino Hotaka Onsenkyo, is a tranquil hot spring resort in Azumino, Nagano Prefecture. Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Northern Alps, it is one of the area's best-known hot spring destinations, offering a relaxing combination of warm mineral-rich waters, forest scenery, and the peaceful atmosphere of the Azumino countryside. The hot spring district stretc...»
Koiwakate Castle was a medieval mountain fortress located in what is now Azumino, Nagano Prefecture. The castle was associated with the Furumaya clan, a branch of the powerful Nishina clan that controlled the region during Japan's turbulent Warring States period. Built in the former Koiwatake area of Azumi District, the castle occupied a strategically important position in the mountains. Today, t...»
Matsuoji Temple is a historic temple of the Koyasan Shingon Buddhist tradition, located in the peaceful mountain foothills of Hotaka-Ariake in Azumino, Nagano Prefecture. Known by its mountain name, Kakuozan, and temple name, Joraku-in, the temple enshrines Yakushi Nyorai, the Buddha of Healing, as its principal object of worship. Surrounded by the clear air, forests, and rural landscapes of Azum...»
Ariakesan Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine in Hotaka-Ariake, Azumino, Nagano Prefecture. For centuries, the shrine has been closely connected with Mount Ariake, a sacred mountain that has been worshipped as a divine presence in its own right. Set amid the clear air and beautiful natural surroundings of Azumino, the shrine is backed by the dramatic mountains of the Northern Alps. Its worship com...»
Mount Ariake, also known as Ariakeyama or Ariakezan, is a 2,268-meter mountain located on the eastern edge of the Jonen Mountain Range, part of the Northern Alps of Japan. The entire mountain lies within Nagano Prefecture, rising prominently to the west of the Azumino basin. With its distinctive, well-proportioned trapezoidal shape, Mount Ariake has long been compared to Mount Fuji. It is therefo...»
Matsumoto City is located in the central part of Nagano Prefecture and is one of Japan's most fascinating destinations for travelers seeking a combination of history, culture, art, and mountain scenery. With the majestic Northern Alps rising to the west, the city developed around Matsumoto Castle as a historic castle town and today remains one of the major cultural and tourism centers of the regio...»
The Former Kaichi School in Matsumoto is one of Japan's most remarkable surviving school buildings from the early Meiji period. Completed in 1876, it is an outstanding example of Giyofu architecture, a uniquely Japanese style that combines Western architectural ideas with traditional Japanese craftsmanship. Originally built in Honmachi in central Matsumoto, the school building was later carefully...»
The Former Matsumoto Higher School was established in Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture, in 1919 during the Taisho era. As one of Japan's government-run higher schools, it played an important role in the development of modern higher education and later became one of the predecessors of Shinshu University. Today, the historic school buildings remain carefully preserved within the Agatanomori area of Ma...»
The Former Matsumoto Catholic Priest's Residence is a beautifully preserved Western-style building from Japan's Meiji era and is regarded as the oldest surviving Western-style building in Nagano Prefecture. Built as a residence for Catholic missionaries, the building provides a fascinating glimpse into the period when Western culture and Christianity were gradually taking root in Japan. Today, th...»
Nakamachi Kurassic-kan is a cultural and community facility located along Nakamachi Street in central Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture. Surrounded by the distinctive black-and-white namako-kabe storehouse buildings of the historic district, it is an ideal place to experience the atmosphere of Matsumoto's old castle town while discovering its traditional architecture and local culture. The complex was...»
Matsumoto City Museum of Art is a municipal art museum located in central Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture. The museum focuses particularly on artists with connections to Matsumoto and the wider Shinshu region, presenting a diverse collection alongside changing exhibitions. One of the museum's greatest attractions is its connection with Yayoi Kusama, the internationally renowned contemporary artist w...»
Matsumoto City Museum is a municipal museum in central Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture, dedicated to preserving and introducing the history, culture, and everyday life of the region. With a collection of approximately 100,000 objects, including historical materials associated with Matsumoto Castle and folk artifacts donated by local residents, the museum offers an excellent introduction to the city a...»
Matsumoto City Museum of Timepieces is a unique museum in central Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture, where visitors can explore the history and culture of timekeeping through an impressive collection of traditional Japanese and Western clocks. Opened on September 1, 2002, the museum is a branch of Matsumoto City Museum. Its collection allows visitors to see how clocks developed over the centuries whil...»
Matsumoto City Museum of Measuring Instruments is a unique museum located along Nakamachi Street, one of Matsumoto's most atmospheric historic districts. The museum explores the history and culture of measurement through an unusual collection of scales, measuring devices, and related objects used from the Edo period through the early Showa era. The museum was created by preserving and renovating ...»
Matsumoto City Historic Village is an open-air museum where historic buildings from different periods have been relocated, preserved, and opened to the public. As a branch of Matsumoto City Museum, it introduces the modernization of Matsumoto and the wider Shinshu region through the buildings in which people actually lived and worked. Spread across a spacious 6,400-square-meter site, the village ...»
The Japan Ukiyo-e Museum is a specialized museum dedicated to ukiyo-e, the colorful woodblock prints and paintings that flourished in Japan from the Edo period onward. Located in Shimadate, Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture, the museum opened in 1982 and has welcomed ukiyo-e enthusiasts, researchers, and travelers from Japan and around the world. The museum houses approximately 100,000 ukiyo-e-related...»
Matsumoto Alps Park is a large urban park located on the hills in the northwestern part of Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture. Covering approximately 71 hectares at an elevation of around 800 meters, the park makes the most of the area's rolling terrain, forests, open spaces, and spectacular mountain scenery. From the park, visitors can look west toward the majestic Northern Alps and the Azumino Valley...»
Baba Family Residence is a remarkably well-preserved historic house in Uchida, Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture. Built and developed by the influential Baba family during the Edo period, the estate provides a fascinating glimpse into the lives of a wealthy rural family and the social structure of premodern Japan. Today, the residence is open to the public as a branch of Matsumoto City Museum. In 1996...»
Former Yamabe School is a beautifully preserved Western-style schoolhouse dating from the early Meiji period in Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture. Today, the building is open to the public as the Former Yamabe School History and Folklore Museum, a branch of the Matsumoto City Museum. With its distinctive blend of traditional Japanese construction techniques and Western-inspired design, the schoolhouse...»
Genchi Well is a historic well located in central Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture. Designated as a Special Historic Site of Matsumoto City, it is one of the city's most famous sources of spring water and an important symbol of Matsumoto's long relationship with clean groundwater. Matsumoto is blessed with numerous wells and natural springs, but Genchi Well is particularly notable for its abundant fl...»
Nawate Street Shopping District is a lively historic shopping street in central Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture. Located close to Matsumoto Castle and Yohashira Shrine, it is one of the most enjoyable places to experience the atmosphere of Matsumoto's former castle town. Stretching along the Metoba River, the narrow pedestrian street is lined with traditional-style buildings, cafés, restaurants, sou...»
Kōbōyama Kofun is an ancient burial mound located in Namiyanagi, Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture. Built between the late 3rd and mid-4th centuries, it is considered one of the oldest examples of a keyhole-shaped burial mound in eastern Japan. The mound was constructed around the time when the Kofun period was beginning in Japan, making it an important archaeological site for understanding the transi...»
Gofukuji Temple is a historic Buddhist temple located in Uchida, Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture. Belonging to the Chizan School of Shingon Buddhism, the temple is also known by its mountain name, Kinpōzan. It stands quietly on the western slope of Mount Hachibuse, at an elevation of about 1,929 meters, surrounded by forests and the peaceful scenery of the mountains. With a history said to reach bac...»
Genkoji Temple is a historic temple of the Jodo school of Buddhism located in Omura, Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture. Its formal name is Metobasan Dojuin Genkoji, and the temple has a history dating back to the Muromachi period. Surrounded by forests and seasonal flowers, it is particularly famous as a temple of peonies, attracting visitors in spring when more than a thousand magnificent blossom...»
Josenji Temple is a historic Soto Zen Buddhist temple located at the foot of the mountains in Hata, Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture. Its mountain name is Tenyozan, while it is widely known by the name Mizusawa Kannon. Founded in 1552, the temple has long served as an important center of local faith. Its principal Buddhist image is Shaka Nyorai, the Historical Buddha. Surrounded by forests and t...»
Tsukama Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in the Tsukama district of Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture. It is also known locally as Tsukama Hachimangu and Kokufu Hachimangu. The shrine has been deeply connected with the history and religious traditions of the Matsumoto area for more than 1,200 years. The principal deities enshrined here include Okinaga Tarashihime no Mikoto (Empress Jingu), H...»
Omiya Atsuta Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in the Azusagawa area of Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture. The area was formerly known as Azusagawa Village in Minamiazumi District. In earlier times, the shrine was known as the Omiya of Nishimaki-go, Azumi District, Shinano Province. For centuries, the shrine was revered as a guardian of the waters of the Azusa River, which has played an impor...»
Fukashi Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in Fukashi, Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture. It was formerly designated as a prefectural shrine and is now a Beppyo Shrine of the Association of Shinto Shrines, a status given to a select group of shrines with particular historical and religious significance. Locally, the shrine is affectionately known as Tenjin-sama. Its principal deities are Sugaw...»
Yohashira Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in Ote, Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture. It is affectionately known by local people as Shinto-san. The name Yohashira means "four pillars," referring to the four principal deities enshrined here. Although the shrine itself was established during the Meiji period and is relatively young compared with many historic shrines in Japan, its religious sig...»
Hotaka Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine in Hotaka, Azumino City, Nagano Prefecture. Known as the guardian shrine of the Japanese Alps, it has been worshipped by the people of Azumino for centuries and is closely connected with the ancient Azumi people, a seafaring community whose ancestral deity is enshrined here. The origins of the shrine are said to reach back to the age of Japanese mythology....»
Matsumoto Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in Marunouchi, Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture, immediately north of Matsumoto Castle. Locally, it is affectionately known as Gosha, meaning "Five Shrines." It was formerly called Gosha Shrine because five deities were enshrined here. The shrine has a close historical connection with the Toda family, who served as lords of the Matsumoto Domain...»
Nagano Gokoku Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in Misuzu, Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture. It enshrines the spirits of people from Nagano Prefecture who died in national conflicts from the Meiji Restoration through World War II. Surrounded by a solemn and peaceful forest, the shrine expresses remembrance and gratitude toward those who lost their lives. For visitors, its quiet atmosphe...»
Isagoda Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in San-no-miya, Shimadate, Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture. It has long been revered as the Third Shrine of Shinano Province and is listed in the Engishiki Jinmyocho, an ancient register of officially recognized shrines compiled in the Heian period. The shrine was formerly classified as a Prefectural Shrine. The shrine crest features the distin...»
Utsukushigahara Onsen is a peaceful hot spring resort on the outskirts of Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture, at an elevation of approximately 800 meters. Although it is more than 10 kilometers from the Utsukushigahara Highlands in a straight line, the hot spring area takes its name from this nearby scenic mountain region. Surrounded by nature and steeped in history, Utsukushigahara Onsen is known...»
Asama Onsen is a historic hot spring resort in northeastern Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture. Known for centuries as the “inner retreat of Matsumoto”, it lies only about 10 minutes by car from the center of the former castle town. Despite its convenient location, the area is surrounded by the quiet atmosphere of the mountains and the traditional charm of a Japanese hot spring town....»
Sanbondaki Falls is a spectacular waterfall located at the uppermost part of Norikura Kogen in the Azumi area of Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture. Designated as a Prefectural Place of Scenic Beauty and selected as one of the 100 Best Waterfalls in Japan, it is one of the region's most impressive natural attractions. The name Sanbondaki means "Three Waterfalls." As the name suggests, three separate st...»
Zengoro Falls is a graceful waterfall in the Suzuran area of Azumi, Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture. Located in the upper reaches of Norikura Kogen at the foot of Mount Norikura, the waterfall is approximately 22 meters high and 8 meters wide. Together with Sanbondaki Falls and Bandokoro Falls, it is one of the celebrated Three Waterfalls of Norikura. The name Zengoro Falls is said to come from a lo...»
Bandokoro Otaki Falls is one of the signature waterfalls of Norikura Kogen, located in the Bandokoro area of Azumi, Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture. With a drop of approximately 40 meters and a width of about 15 meters, it is one of the three celebrated waterfalls known as the Three Waterfalls of Norikura, together with Sanbondaki Falls and Zengoro Falls. From Prefectural Route 84, the Norikuradake ...»
Misuzu Lake is a peaceful highland lake located at an elevation of approximately 1,000 meters in Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture, formerly part of Hongo Village in Higashichikuma District. Despite being only a few kilometers from the hot spring resort of Asama Onsen and easily accessible from central Matsumoto, the lake is surrounded by fresh mountain air and beautiful seasonal scenery. Originally c...»
Norikura Kogen Onsen is a renowned hot spring resort in Azumi, Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture, where natural hot spring water from the slopes of Mount Norikura, the southernmost major peak of the Northern Alps, is brought down to the resort area. At an elevation of approximately 1,500 meters, the hot spring village is surrounded by magnificent mountain scenery and offers a relaxing retreat in every ...»
Ichinoseenchi Nature Park is a vast natural area covering approximately 600,000 square meters in the central part of Norikura Kogen in Azumi, Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture. Located at an elevation of around 1,500 meters, the park offers an opportunity to experience the changing beauty of the Japanese Alps throughout the year. In spring, delicate Asian skunk cabbage flowers bloom across the wetland...»
Matsumoto Folkcraft Museum is a folkcraft museum set amid a quiet rural landscape in Satoyamabe, Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture. Founded in 1962 by Taro Maruyama, the museum is based on the belief that true beauty can be found in the everyday handmade objects created by craftspeople whose names are often unknown. Maruyama was deeply inspired by the Mingei movement advocated by Muneyoshi Yanagi, whi...»
Mount Jonen is a 2,857-meter-high mountain spanning Matsumoto and Azumino in Nagano Prefecture. It is the principal peak of the Jonen Mountain Range in the southern part of the Hida Mountains, better known as the Northern Alps. Its distinctive pyramid-shaped profile rises prominently above the Azumino Plain and has long been cherished by local residents as a symbol of Azumino. Recognized as one o...»
Mount Hotaka is the collective name for a magnificent group of mountains in the Hida Mountains, part of Chubu-Sangaku National Park. The range is centered on Mount Okuhotaka, which rises to 3,190 meters, making it the third-highest mountain in Japan. It is also recognized as one of Japan's 100 Famous Mountains, New 100 Famous Mountains, and 100 Famous Flower Mountains. Together with Mount Yari, t...»
Shiojiri City is located in the central part of Nagano Prefecture, in the Chushin region. Surrounded by beautiful mountains and blessed with a rich cultural heritage, the city occupies the southern end of the Matsumoto Basin. Since ancient times, Shiojiri has developed as an important transportation hub connecting the Pacific coast and the Sea of Japan side of Japan. Today, major railway lines an...»
Roadside Station Narai Kiso Ohashi is located in the Narai district of Shiojiri City, Nagano Prefecture, along National Route 19. Surrounded by beautiful nature and traditional architecture, it is a peaceful place where travelers can take a break while experiencing the character of the historic Kiso region. The main attraction is the neighboring Kiso Ohashi Bridge, an impressive wooden bridge tha...»
Roadside Station Osakada Park is a large recreational park located in Shiojiri Town, Shiojiri City, Nagano Prefecture. Loved by local residents as well as visitors of all ages, it combines the convenience of a roadside station with the spacious attractions of an urban park. The grounds bring together nature, learning, recreation, sports, and food, making it a place where visitors can play, learn,...»
Are Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine in Shiojiri City, Nagano Prefecture. It is listed in the Engishiki Jinmyocho, an ancient record of officially recognized shrines compiled in the 10th century, making it one of the region's Shikinaisha, or shrines recorded in this important historical register. The shrine has been worshipped by local communities since ancient times and was formerly classified...»
Ono Shrine and Yahiko Shrine are two historic Shinto shrines located in Nagano Prefecture, with Ono Shrine in Kitakono, Shiojiri City, and Yahiko Shrine in Ono, Tatsuno Town. The two shrines have shared a close relationship since ancient times and stand side by side within the same sacred forest. According to tradition, they were once a single shrine complex. Today, the two shrines are independen...»
Chokoji Temple is a historic Soto Zen temple located in the western part of Shiojiri City, Nagano Prefecture. Its mountain name is Seishozan, and its principal Buddhist image is Shaka Nyorai, or Shakyamuni Buddha. The temple is also known as one of the pilgrimage sites dedicated to Bishamonten, one of the Seven Lucky Gods of Shinshu. Surrounded by peaceful forests, the temple grounds offer a tran...»
Eifukuji Temple is a historic temple of the Koyasan Shingon school of Buddhism in Shiojiri, Nagano Prefecture. Its mountain name is Jiganzan, and the temple has long been an important center of local faith. Its principal object of worship is the Komagata Batokannon, a Horse-Headed Kannon statue traditionally attributed to Gyoki, the celebrated Buddhist monk of the Nara period. With its combinatio...»
Saifukuji Temple is a historic Soto Zen temple in Shiojiri, Nagano Prefecture. Its mountain name is Hoshozān, and it is traditionally said to have been founded in 1565 by the famous Sengoku-period warlord Takeda Shingen. With more than 400 years of history, the temple has long been a place of Buddhist faith and local tradition. One of Saifukuji's greatest attractions is its beautiful strolling po...»
Shiojiri Tanka Museum is a museum dedicated to the literary culture of tanka poetry in Shiojiri, Nagano Prefecture. Opened in October 1992, the museum introduces visitors to the history of modern Japanese tanka through works, letters, manuscripts, and other materials connected with poets who had strong ties to the Shiojiri area. Quiet and atmospheric, the museum offers a fascinating opportunity t...»
Mount Takabocchi is a 1,665-meter-high mountain on the border between Okaya City and Shiojiri City in Nagano Prefecture. Located within the Yatsugatake-Chushin Kogen Quasi-National Park and the Enrei-Ojo Prefectural Natural Park, it is known for its expansive highland scenery, spectacular views, and deep connections with the history and culture of the surrounding communities. The summit rises abo...»
Midoriko Lake is a tranquil man-made lake in Shiojiri City, Nagano Prefecture, surrounded by lush forests and peaceful natural scenery. The lake was formed by a dam built on the Tagawa River, part of the Shinano River system, originally to secure water for agriculture. Today, Midoriko is a popular place for local residents and visitors to relax and enjoy the changing scenery of the four seasons. ...»
Shinshu Shiojiri Agricultural Park Tirol Forest is an outdoor experience-based theme park in Shiojiri City, Nagano Prefecture. Set at an elevation of approximately 1,000 meters, the park enjoys the fresh, clear air of the highlands and features a picturesque landscape inspired by Austria's Tyrol region. Surrounded by scenery reminiscent of the European Alps, Tirol Forest offers a wide variety of ...»
Roadside Station Kiso Narakawa is a popular roadside destination in the Narakawa area of Shiojiri City, Nagano Prefecture, located along National Route 19. Surrounded by beautiful seasonal scenery, the area preserves the traditional culture of Kiso as well as the warm, everyday way of life of its local communities. The central attraction is the Kiso Kurashi no Kogei-kan, a museum and shop dedicat...»
Shiojiri-juku was the 30th of the 69 post towns counted from Edo along the historic Nakasendo route. Located in what is now Shiojiri Town in Shiojiri City, Nagano Prefecture, it flourished as an important transportation hub where travelers, goods, and information passed between different parts of central Japan. Surrounded by mountains, Shiojiri-juku developed at a strategic crossroads connecting ...»
Hiraide Archaeological Site is a remarkable archaeological complex in the Hiraide area of Soga, Shiojiri City, Nagano Prefecture. The site preserves evidence of human settlement stretching from the Jomon period to the Heian period, covering approximately 5,000 years of history. Buildings, artifacts, and other remains discovered here provide valuable evidence of the knowledge, beliefs, culture, an...»
Ina City lies in the northern part of the Ina Valley in southern Nagano Prefecture. Surrounded by magnificent mountains and shaped by a long history, it is one of the representative cities of the southern Shinshu region. The Akaishi Mountains, or Southern Alps, rise to the east, while the majestic Kiso Mountains, or Central Alps, extend to the west. Between them, the clear waters of the Tenryu Ri...»
Takato Castle Ruins Park is located in Higashi-Takato, Takato Town, Ina City, Nagano Prefecture, on the former site of Takato Castle, a fortress built during Japan's Warring States period. The park is nationally renowned for its spectacular spring cherry blossoms and has been selected as one of Japan's 100 Best Cherry Blossom Viewing Sites. Every spring, the distinctive Takato Kohigan-zakura cher...»
Miharashi Farm is a hands-on agricultural park in Nishiminowa, Ina City, Nagano Prefecture. Also known as Habiro Agricultural Park, it is conveniently located about five minutes by car from the Ina Interchange on the Chuo Expressway, making it an easy destination for visitors exploring southern Nagano. Surrounded by the rich natural environment of the Ina Valley, the park brings together farms, h...»
Mount Senjo rises to an elevation of 3,033 meters on the border between Ina City in Nagano Prefecture and Minami-Alps City in Yamanashi Prefecture. Located within Minami Alps National Park, it is one of the representative peaks of the northern Akaishi Mountains, or Southern Alps. Known for its broad, gentle ridgeline and graceful appearance, Mount Senjo is affectionately called the “Queen of the ...»
Onshoji Temple is a Nichiren Buddhist temple located in Yamamuro, Takato Town, Ina City, Nagano Prefecture. Its mountain name is Myōchōzan. Known for centuries as the “Peony Temple,” Onshoji is especially beautiful from around mid-May to early June, when approximately 2,000 peony plants representing 180 varieties bloom throughout the grounds. The temple becomes filled with the fragrance and color...»
Nakao Kabuki is a traditional form of rural kabuki preserved in the Nakao district of Hase, Ina City, Nagano Prefecture. It was designated an Ina City Intangible Folk Cultural Property on June 24, 1998, and remains an important part of the region's cultural heritage. The tradition is believed to have begun during the middle of the Edo period, when a local resident named Komatsu Asaemon learned th...»
Hokoji Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in Nishi-Takato, Takato Town, Ina City, Nagano Prefecture. It has long been revered by the local community and is surrounded by the rich natural landscape of Takato. The shrine is traditionally believed to have been founded in 721, during the Nara period, giving it a history of more than 1,300 years. Located west of the former Takato castle town, ...»
Shintokukan was the domain school of the Takato Domain in Shinano Province, established within Takato Castle in what is now Takato Town, Ina City, Nagano Prefecture. Founded in 1860, during the late Edo period, it operated for only 13 years until the early Meiji period, yet educated and produced many people who went on to play important roles in modern Japan. The survival of a domain school build...»
Bungui Pass is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,424 meters, located on the border between Ina City and Oshika Village in Shimoina District, Nagano Prefecture. It lies along the historic Akiba Kaido, the road that once connected the region with Akihajinja in present-day Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture. Today, much of this historic route corresponds to National Route 152. For centuries, Bungui P...»
Tsuetsuki Pass is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,247 meters, located on the border between Ina City and Chino City in Nagano Prefecture. It is recognized as one of the 100 Famous Mountain Passes of Japan. Since ancient times, the pass has served as an important route through the mountains. The ancient Tosan-do, the historic Tsuetsuki Kaido, and later National Route 256 all passed through th...»
Takato Soba is a traditional way of enjoying soba that originated in Takato, in Ina City, Nagano Prefecture. The culinary tradition was later carried to the Aizu region of Fukushima Prefecture, where it developed its own distinctive style. The story of Takato Soba connects Shinshu and Aizu through centuries of culinary history. A soba tradition that developed in Takato during the Edo period trave...»
Milk Bread is a beloved sweet bread from Nagano Prefecture, particularly associated with the Shinshu region. It consists of a thick, soft, fluffy bread filled generously with smooth white cream. Simple, comforting, and nostalgic, it has been enjoyed since the Showa era and is now often described as one of Shinshu's soul foods. The classic shape is rectangular, although some bakeries make their Mi...»
Minowa Dam is a multipurpose dam built by Nagano Prefecture on the Sawagawa River, a Class A river belonging to the Tenryu River system, in Minowa Town, Kamiina District, Nagano Prefecture. The dam is a 72-meter-high concrete gravity dam constructed for flood control, water resource development, and the supply of tap water. Completed in 1992, Minowa Dam continues to play an important role in prot...»
Mount Jinbagata is a 1,445.35-meter-high mountain in Nakagawa Village, Kamiina District, Nagano Prefecture. It belongs to the Ina Mountains and forms part of the Tenryu-Koshobusuikei Prefectural Natural Park. Known affectionately as the “mountain of the hearts of Nakagawa's residents,” Mount Jinbagata attracts hikers, campers, photographers, and other visitors throughout the year. From the summit...»
The Bee Museum is a rare museum dedicated entirely to bees, located in Nakagawa Village, Kamiina District, Nagano Prefecture. The museum introduces the fascinating relationship between people and these remarkable insects, with a particular focus on the culture and traditions of the Ina Valley. In the Ina Valley, bee larvae have traditionally been eaten as a valuable source of protein. Bees have a...»
Sakado Bridge is a historic road bridge spanning the Tenryu River in Nakagawa Village, Kamiina District, Nagano Prefecture. Designated as a National Important Cultural Property, the elegant bridge is one of the village's most significant cultural landmarks. The bridge forms an important part of the local road network, connecting with National Route 153 and Prefectural Route 18, the Ina-Ikuta-Iida...»
Anforme Nakagawa Village Museum is a unique art museum located in Nakagawa Village, Kamiina District, Nagano Prefecture. It is Japan's only museum specializing in Art Informel, an influential form of postwar abstract art that emerged in Europe. Surrounded by the peaceful mountains and countryside of Nakagawa Village, the museum offers a tranquil setting where art and nature exist side by side. Th...»
Koshibu Dam stands on the border between Matsukawa Town in Shimoina District and Nakagawa Village in Kamiina District, Nagano Prefecture. Built on the Koshibu River, a tributary of the Tenryu River, it is a large concrete arch dam standing 105 meters high. Operated as a multipurpose dam under the direct management of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Koshibu Dam serves ...»
Senjojiki Cirque is a magnificent glacial landform stretching beneath Mount Hoken in the Central Alps, also known as the Kiso Mountains, across Komagane City and Miyata Village in Nagano Prefecture. It is believed to have been formed approximately 17,000 to 19,000 years ago during the last glacial period, when the movement and erosion of glaciers gradually carved the mountain landscape into its d...»
Mount Hoken is a dramatic 2,931-meter peak rising in the Kiso Mountains, also known as the Central Alps, in Nagano Prefecture. Located south of Mount Kisokoma, it is particularly striking when viewed from the Senjojiki Cirque below, where its steep rocky summit rises sharply toward the sky. With its rugged profile and imposing rock walls, Mount Hoken has become one of the most recognizable landsc...»
Kozenji Temple is a distinguished temple of the Tendai school of Buddhism located in Akaho, Komagane City, Nagano Prefecture. Its mountain name is Hosshakusan, and its temple name is Mudoin. The temple's principal object of worship is a sacred, normally hidden statue of Fudo Myoo, the Buddhist deity associated with protection and unwavering determination. Kozenji has long been one of the most imp...»
Omike Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in Akaho, Komagane City, Nagano Prefecture. Locally, it is also affectionately known as Bijogamori, meaning “Forest of Beauty.” For centuries, it has been revered as the principal guardian shrine of the local community and has served as an important spiritual center for the people of Komagane. The shrine enshrines three deities: Yamato Takeru no Mi...»
Hayataro Onsen is a hot spring resort located in Komagane City, Nagano Prefecture, amid the beautiful Komagane Highlands with spectacular views of the Central Alps. Although the resort first opened in 1994 and is relatively new compared with many of Japan's historic hot spring towns, its combination of mountain scenery, peaceful surroundings, and gentle waters known for their skin-softening qualit...»
Komagane City Museum is located within the Komagane General Cultural Center in Kamihosakae-machi, Komagane City, Nagano Prefecture. The museum shares its entrance with the Komagane City Library and serves as an important center for learning, cultural activities, and community exchange. Its collections cover a wide range of subjects, including the history, culture, and natural environment of Komag...»
Komagane City is a scenic city in southern Nagano Prefecture, in the southern Shinshu region. The city was established in 1954 and lies between two magnificent mountain ranges: the Central Alps (Kiso Mountains) to the west and the Southern Alps (Akaishi Mountains) to the east. Komagane is known for the beautiful phrase “A city where two Alps are reflected”, an expression that captures its unique ...»
Suwa City is located in southern Nagano Prefecture, at the heart of the Suwa Basin surrounding Lake Suwa. Blessed with beautiful natural landscapes and a rich cultural heritage, the city is one of Nagano's most distinctive destinations for travelers seeking a combination of scenery, history, traditional culture, and hot springs. In the city center, Kamisuwa Onsen has long been known as a major ho...»
Kiso-Fukushima Local History Museum is a regional museum located in Fukushima, Kiso Town, Nagano Prefecture. It preserves and introduces the history, culture, and traditional way of life that developed in the Kiso Valley over centuries. The museum focuses particularly on the history of Kiso-Fukushima as a post town along the Nakasendo, one of the major routes connecting Edo, present-day Tokyo, wi...»
Tenaga Shrine stands on Mount Chausuyama in Kamisuwa, Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture. Formerly classified as a prefectural shrine, it is now designated as a Beppyo Shrine under the Association of Shinto Shrines. For centuries, it has been closely connected with the religious traditions and everyday life of the people of Suwa. The shrine occupies a hillside overlooking Lake Suwa. Despite being only ...»
Hatsushima Island is a man-made island floating in Lake Suwa in central Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture. Created in April 1954 as a launch site for the Lake Suwa Festival Lake Fireworks Display, which continues to be held every summer, the island has become one of the distinctive features of the lake. Located approximately 250 meters offshore from Lakeside Park on the eastern shore of Lake Suwa, Hat...»
Buppō Shōryūji Temple is a historic temple of the Kōyasan Shingon Buddhist tradition in Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture. Its mountain name is Bessawa Shōgonzan, and its formal temple name is Daikokūzō-in. Locally known simply as Buppōji, the temple has played an important role in the religious and cultural history of the Suwa region for centuries. The temple's principal object of worship is a normal...»
Zenkoji Temple in Suwa is a historic temple of the Chizan School of Shingon Buddhism located in Konan, Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture. Its mountain name is Matsuosan. The temple is traditionally associated with Honda Yoshimitsu, and is one of the three temples in Nagano Prefecture known as Zenkoji: Zenkoji Temple in Nagano City, Moto-Zenkoji in Iida City, and Zenkoji in Suwa City. All three temples...»
Suwa City Museum of Art is a charming museum located beside Lake Suwa in Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture. Together with the neighboring Katakurakan, a nationally designated Important Cultural Property, the museum forms a picturesque setting where Japanese and Western architectural influences exist alongside the natural beauty of the lakeshore. The museum has long served as a center for local art and...»
Katakurakan is a historic hot spring facility located in the Kamisuwa Onsen area of Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture. Standing beside Lake Suwa, the impressive Western-style architecture creates a distinctive atmosphere that has been preserved for nearly a century. Managed by the Katakurakan Foundation, the complex consists of three buildings: the Assembly Hall, Bathhouse, and connecting passageway. ...»
Discover the History and Culture of the Suwa Region Suwa City Museum is a municipal museum located in Suwa, Nagano Prefecture, introducing the region’s rich history, culture, natural environment, and religious traditions. Opened in 1990, the museum presents the many layers of Suwa’s heritage, including Suwa Taisha Shrine, the Takashima Domain, Lake Suwa, and the famous Onbashira Festival. The mu...»
Suwa City Taizi Harada Museum of Art is a municipal art museum located on the southeastern shore of Lake Suwa in Shibasaki, Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture. The museum is dedicated primarily to the works of local artist and graphic designer Taizi Harada, whose gentle paintings portray the landscapes, traditions, and everyday life of rural Japan. Opened in 1998, the museum was founded around the conc...»
Kitazawa Museum of Art stands on the shores of Lake Suwa in Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture. The museum is renowned for its collection of exquisite glassworks from the French Art Nouveau period, alongside works by leading Japanese painters of the modern era. The museum was founded by Toshio Kitazawa, founder of KITZ Corporation, with the aim of promoting culture and making art more accessible to the...»
SUWA Glass Village Museum is a museum dedicated to glass art and craftsmanship, located on the shores of Lake Suwa in Toyota, Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture. It forms part of SUWA Glass Village, one of Japan’s largest glass-themed entertainment facilities, where visitors can discover an extensive collection of glassworks from Japan and around the world. The entire facility displays and sells approx...»
The Sanritsu Hattori Museum of Art is a tranquil museum located on the shores of Lake Suwa in Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture. Operated by the Sanritsu Hattori Museum of Art Foundation, the museum houses a diverse collection ranging from ancient Japanese and East Asian art to modern Western paintings. The collection contains approximately 1,400 works, including masterpieces designated as National Tr...»
Kamisuwa Onsen is a historic hot spring resort in the heart of Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture. Located on the eastern shore of Lake Suwa, the area has long prospered as a town associated with Suwa Taisha Grand Shrine. Surrounded by mountains and the lake, the scenic hot spring district is home to a variety of traditional inns, hotels, public baths, and other attractions. Historic buildings, foot ba...»
Kirigamine is a beautiful highland area in central Nagano Prefecture, extending across Chino City, Suwa City, and Shimosuwa Town. Reaching elevations of around 1,900 meters, it forms part of the Yatsugatake-Chushin Kogen Quasi-National Park. The name Kirigamine literally means “Mist Peak,” reflecting the area's tendency to be covered in mist. It was once also known as “Kiri no Mine,” or the Peak ...»
Yashimagahara Wetland is a remarkable high-altitude wetland located in the northwestern part of Kirishimine, within the Yatsugatake-Chushin Kogen Quasi-National Park in central Nagano Prefecture. Stretching across Suwa City and Shimosuwa Town, the wetland lies at an elevation of approximately 1,632 meters. With its tranquil ponds, expansive wetlands, seasonal flowers, and surrounding mountains, Y...»
The Onbashira Festival is a spectacular and powerful traditional festival held every seven years in the Suwa region of Nagano Prefecture. It is the largest ceremonial rebuilding festival of Suwa Taisha, one of Japan's most distinctive Shinto traditions. The festival's official name is Shikinen Zouei Onbashira Taisai, meaning the Grand Festival of Periodic Shrine Renewal and Onbashira. The traditi...»
The National New Fireworks Competition is a spectacular fireworks competition held every year on the first Saturday of September on Lake Suwa in Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture. Together with the Suwa Lake Fireworks Festival held on August 15, it is one of the two major fireworks events associated with Suwa. Rather than simply presenting a large-scale fireworks display, this event gives young firewo...»
The Suwa Lake Fireworks Festival, officially known as the Suwa Lake Festival Lake Fireworks Display, is one of Japan's most spectacular summer fireworks events. Held every year on August 15 on the shores of Lake Suwa in Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture, the festival attracts visitors from across Japan and beyond. As the fireworks burst above the lake, their brilliant colors are reflected on the water...»
Okaya City is an attractive industrial city on the western shore of Lake Suwa in southern Nagano Prefecture. Although it is the smallest municipality in Nagano Prefecture by area, it has the highest population density in the prefecture, reflecting the way the city has developed by making effective use of its limited land. Okaya flourished for many years through its silk-reeling industry and becam...»
Moriya Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in the Kawagishi-Higashi Hashihara district of Okaya City, Nagano Prefecture. It has long been closely connected with the religious traditions of the Suwa region. The shrine was formerly classified as a village shrine under Japan's prewar shrine ranking system and was revered as the guardian shrine of the former Hashihara Village. Even today, it r...»
Okaya Silk Museum is a museum in Okaya City, Nagano Prefecture, dedicated to the history and technology of the city's silk-reeling industry. Once known throughout Japan as a major center of silk production, Okaya earned the nickname “Silk City” during the development of Japan's modern industry. The museum's popular name, “Silk Factory Okaya,” combines two meanings: “silk” and “factory,” while als...»
Senninzuka Jogaike Pond is a scenic irrigation pond in Nanakubo, Iijima Town, Kamiina District, Nagano Prefecture. Located within the Central Alps National Park, the pond is surrounded by beautiful mountain scenery and seasonal nature. The pond was constructed in 1934, using the dry moat of Kitayama Castle, also known as Funayama Castle, which was built during Japan's Warring States period. Its o...»
Iijima Jinya was once a government office operated by the Tokugawa Shogunate in what is now Iijima Town, Kamiina District, Nagano Prefecture. It served as an administrative center for the shogunate's territories, known as tenryo, in the Ina Valley of Shinano Province. The building seen today is a faithful reconstruction based on archaeological excavations and research into historical documents ca...»
Tatsunoumi Pond is a beautiful irrigation pond located in Higuchi, Tatsuno Town, Kamiina District, Nagano Prefecture. Loved by local residents, it is both an important agricultural water source and a popular spot for enjoying the area's natural scenery. The pond holds approximately 30,000 cubic meters of water, covers about 27,000 square meters, and has a circumference of roughly 700 meters. Comp...»
Ono-juku is a historic post town that stretches across what are now Tatsuno Town in Kamiina District and Shiojiri City, Nagano Prefecture. It flourished as a post station on the early Nakasendo route and the Sanshu Kaido, serving as an important transportation hub between the Suwa and Matsumoto areas and the Ina Valley. Although the major highway routes later changed, the area retains a quiet his...»
Yokokawa Dam is a gravity-type concrete dam built on the Yokokawa River, part of the Tenryu River system, in Tatsuno Town, Kamiina District, Nagano Prefecture. Although the dam is 41 meters high, it plays an important role in protecting the local community and supporting regional development through flood control and water management. The dam is surrounded by abundant forests and mountain scenery...»
Ono Shidareguri Native Forest is one of Japan's rarest natural forests, located in the Ono district of Tatsuno Town, Kamiina District, Nagano Prefecture. At an elevation of approximately 950 to 1,200 meters, around 800 unusual weeping chestnut trees grow naturally across the mountain slopes, creating an almost otherworldly landscape. Unlike ordinary chestnut trees, the branches of these trees han...»
PRINCE & SKYLINE MUSEUM is an automobile museum located within Toridaira Yamabiko Park in Okaya City, Nagano Prefecture. Perched on a hillside overlooking the magnificent waters of Lake Suwa, the museum offers visitors a chance to explore the history of the Nissan Skyline, one of Japan's most iconic automobiles, while enjoying the surrounding mountain scenery and changing seasons. Since openi...»
Toridaira Yamabiko Park is a large recreational park in Okaya City, Nagano Prefecture, where visitors can enjoy nature, sports, leisure activities, and spectacular mountain views. Although it is only about 2 kilometers from the city center, the park sits on a highland between 950 and 1,020 meters above sea level, surrounded by the fresh greenery and seasonal beauty of the mountains. From the park...»
Ilf Doga Museum is an art museum in Chuocho, Okaya City, Nagano Prefecture, dedicated primarily to the works of Takeo Takei, a renowned children's artist born in Okaya. Opened on April 18, 1998, the museum introduces visitors of all ages to the distinctive charm of dōga, an artistic genre created for children but developed as an independent form of art. The museum's nickname, “Ilf” (ILF), was coi...»
Okaya Museum of Art and Archaeology stands along Dōgakan Street in the heart of Okaya City, Nagano Prefecture, an area known for its strong connection with art and culture. Officially called the Okaya Municipal Museum of Art and Archaeology, it is an unusual cultural facility that brings together two different fields: fine art and archaeology. The museum consists of an art section displaying work...»
The Little Picture Book Art Museum is a private museum in Nagano Prefecture dedicated to the art of picture books. Founded by renowned picture-book author Wakiko Sato, creator of the popular Baba-baachan series, the museum focuses primarily on original illustrations from picture books created by artists from Japan and around the world. It is a place where both children and adults who love picture...»
Chino City is located in the southern part of Nagano Prefecture and is surrounded by some of the region’s most spectacular mountain and highland scenery. The city is home to the Yatsugatake Mountains, Tateshina Highlands, Lake Shirakaba, and Mount Kurumayama, making it a popular destination for travelers seeking nature, outdoor activities, and refreshing mountain air. Chino became a city in 1958 ...»
Mishakaike Pond is a remarkably tranquil reservoir in Toyohira, Chino City, Nagano Prefecture. Located at an elevation of approximately 1,500 meters within the Yatsugatake-Chushin Kogen Quasi-National Park, the pond is surrounded by beautiful mountain forests and changes its appearance dramatically with the seasons. The pond covers approximately 0.1 hectares, has a maximum depth of about 8 meters...»
The Kita-Yatsugatake Ropeway is a popular mountain attraction in the Tateshina Highlands of Chino City, Nagano Prefecture. It offers an easy way to experience the spectacular natural scenery of the northern Yatsugatake Mountains without the need for a long mountain climb. The ropeway connects the 1,771-meter-high mountain station with the summit station at an elevation of 2,237 meters, overcoming...»
Lake Tateshina is a peaceful highland lake located in the Tateshina Highlands of Kitayama, Chino City, Nagano Prefecture. At an elevation of approximately 1,250 meters, the lake is surrounded by forests of Japanese larch and white birch, creating a beautiful natural setting in the mountains. The tranquil surface of the lake reflects the magnificent forms of Mount Tateshina and the Yatsugatake Mou...»
Chino City Togariishi Jomon Archaeological Museum is an archaeological museum in Chino City, Nagano Prefecture, dedicated to the rich Jomon culture that flourished around the foothills of the Yatsugatake Mountains. The museum houses and displays numerous important artifacts excavated from the Togariishi and Yosukeone archaeological sites and surrounding areas. Among its most remarkable treasures ...»
Mount Kita-Yokodake is a beautiful mountain in the northern part of the Yatsugatake Mountains, which extend across Nagano and Yamanashi prefectures. It is one of the representative peaks of the Northern Yatsugatake area and is popular with hikers, nature lovers, and visitors looking for an accessible mountain experience. Its official name is simply Mount Yokodake. However, because another mountai...»
Kuruma-yama is a 1,925-meter-high mountain located on the border between Chino City and Suwa City in Nagano Prefecture. It is the highest peak of the Kirigamine Highlands and one of the most popular destinations in the area for hiking, sightseeing, and nature observation. With its gentle slopes and expansive grasslands, Kuruma-yama is accessible to a wide range of visitors, from beginner hikers a...»
Tateshina Barakura English Garden is located in the Tateshina Highlands of Chino City, Nagano Prefecture. Opened in 1990, it is known as Japan's first full-scale English-style garden, introducing the traditions and beauty of British garden culture to Japan. The garden was created under the direction of Kei Yamada, a leading figure in the world of British horticulture. Her vision was to create a p...»
Tateshina Amusement Aquarium is located in the Tateshina Highlands of Chino City, Nagano Prefecture, at an elevation of approximately 1,750 meters. Known as the highest-altitude aquarium in Japan, it offers visitors a truly unusual experience: a world of water and freshwater life high in the mountains. Opened in 1993, it is the only aquarium in Nagano Prefecture. Surrounded by the forests and hig...»
A Temple Dedicated to Traffic Safety and One of Honshu's Latest Cherry Blossom Spots Shokoji Temple is located in the Tateshina Highlands of Chino City, Nagano Prefecture. Established in 1970, the temple stands at an elevation of approximately 1,200 meters and is known for its beautiful late-blooming cherry blossoms in spring. Officially, it is a branch temple of the historic Yakushiji Temple in ...»
Fujimi Kogen Resort is a year-round mountain resort located in Fujimi Town, Suwa District, Nagano Prefecture. Set at an elevation of more than 1,300 meters, the resort offers spectacular views of the Southern Alps, with Mount Fuji visible in the distance on clear days. Winter brings skiing and snowboarding, while from spring through autumn the resort becomes a destination for flowers, hiking, art...»
Fujimi Panorama Resort is a highland resort in Fujimi Town, Suwa District, Nagano Prefecture, offering a wide range of outdoor activities throughout the year. The resort's ski slopes extend along the eastern slopes of Mount Nyukasa, located at the northern end of the Southern Alps. In winter, the resort becomes a popular destination for skiing, snowboarding, and snow trekking. When the snow melts...»
Mount Nyukasa is a 1,955-meter-high mountain in central-western Nagano Prefecture, located at the northern end of the Akaishi Mountains, better known as the Southern Alps. With its relatively gentle slopes, it is often described as one of the foothills or outlying peaks of the Southern Alps and is a popular destination for hiking and nature walks. From the summit, hikers can enjoy an almost 360-d...»
Roadside Station Shinshu Tsutaki-juku is located along National Route 20 in Fujimi Town, Suwa District, Nagano Prefecture. It stands in the historic area of Tsutaki-juku, a former post town on the Koshu Kaido highway that once connected Edo, present-day Tokyo, with the Kai and Shinshu regions. During the Edo period, Tsutaki-juku was the 43rd post station on the Koshu Kaido and served as an import...»
Yatsugatake Nature and Culture Park is a highland recreational park located at an elevation of approximately 1,300 meters in the Yatsugatake Central Highlands of Hara Village, Suwa District, Nagano Prefecture. Surrounded by forests and mountain scenery, the park is designed around the theme of experiencing and connecting with the natural environment of the Yatsugatake area. Visitors can enjoy out...»
Shimosuwa Town, located in Suwa District in central Nagano Prefecture, is a historic town surrounded by beautiful mountains and Lake Suwa. Human settlement here dates back to ancient times, and the area is said to have been known as Tsuchitake-go during the Heian period. The town grew around Shimosuwa-juku, a post town where the Nakasendo and Koshu Kaido routes once met. Many historic buildings, ...»
Suwa Lake Museum and Akahiko Memorial Hall, officially known as the Shimosuwa Municipal Suwa Lake Museum and Akahiko Memorial Hall, is a municipal museum located on the shores of Lake Suwa in Shimosuwa Town, Nagano Prefecture. Taking advantage of its lakeside setting, the museum explores the region through the theme of “Lake Suwa and the Lives of Its People,” introducing the lake’s natural environ...»
Harmo Museum of Art is located on the shores of Lake Suwa in Shimosuwa Town, Nagano Prefecture. The museum opened in April 1990 through the efforts of Tomio Hama, founder of the industrial robot manufacturer Harmo, and director Takako Seki. Surrounded by Lake Suwa and the mountains of central Nagano, it offers a peaceful setting in which visitors can enjoy art away from the bustle of the city. Th...»
The Manji Stone Buddha is a unique stone Buddhist image located in Higashiyamada, Shimosuwa Town, Nagano Prefecture. Created in 1660 during the early Edo period, it stands quietly among rice fields across the Togawa River from Suwa Taisha Shimosha Harumiya Shrine. Owned by Shimosuwa Town and designated as a town-designated Tangible Cultural Property in 1982, the statue is officially registered as...»
Shimosuwa Onsen is a historic hot spring area in Shimosuwa Town, Nagano Prefecture. Surrounded by nature, with Lake Suwa to the south and the Chikuma Mountains to the north, the town has flourished for centuries as both a gateway to Suwa Taisha Shrine’s Lower Shrine and an important post town where the Nakasendo and Koshu Kaido highways once met. Today, numerous natural hot springs continue to fl...»
Jiunji Temple, also known as Hakuzan Jiunji, is a temple of the Myoshinji branch of the Rinzai school of Zen Buddhism in Shimosuwa Town, Nagano Prefecture. Its mountain name is Hakkasan, and its principal image is the Eleven-Headed, Thousand-Armed, Thousand-Eyed Kannon Bodhisattva. Founded in the late Kamakura period, Jiunji is one of the oldest Zen temples in Nagano Prefecture. For more than 700...»
Wada Pass is a historic mountain pass located on the border between Nagawa Town in Chiisagata District and Shimosuwa Town in Suwa District, Nagano Prefecture. The pass was crossed by the Nakasendo, one of the Five Routes of the Edo period that connected Edo, present-day Tokyo, with Kyoto. Rising to approximately 1,531 meters at its highest point, Wada Pass was once considered the most difficult se...»
Shimosuwa Aozuka Kofun is an ancient burial mound located in Aozuka, Shimosuwa Town, Suwa District, Nagano Prefecture. It is the only known keyhole-shaped burial mound in the Suwa region, making it an exceptionally important archaeological site for understanding the area's ancient political and religious history. The kofun stands near Suwa Taisha Shimosha Akimiya, on the tip of a gently sloping h...»
Shimosuwa Konjakukan Oideya is an interactive museum in Shimosuwa Town, Nagano Prefecture, where visitors can explore the themes of “time” and “history” through hands-on exhibits. Shimosuwa lies in the Suwa region, an area known as the birthplace of Japan’s modern watchmaking industry. The museum offers a fascinating journey across vastly different periods of history, bringing together the region’...»
Iida City is a beautiful city in the southern part of Nagano Prefecture, in the region known as Southern Shinshu. It is the southernmost city in Nagano and has developed as the central city of the Ina Valley. Surrounded by the magnificent mountains of the Southern and Central Alps, with the Tenryu River flowing through the city, Iida is blessed with rich natural scenery. Its location has made Iid...»
Moto-Zenkoji Temple is a historic Tendai Buddhist temple in Zakōji, Iida City, Nagano Prefecture. Widely regarded as the birthplace of Zenkoji faith, it is said to be the first place where the principal Buddhist image of the famous Zenkoji Temple in present-day Nagano City was enshrined. With a history stretching back nearly 1,400 years, the temple is an important pilgrimage site connected with t...»
Tenryu Gorge is a spectacular gorge in Iida City, southern Nagano Prefecture, carved over countless years by the powerful Tenryu River. Designated as a Place of Scenic Beauty by the Japanese government, it is also part of the Tenryu-Okumikawa Quasi-National Park and is one of southern Nagano's most impressive natural landscapes. The Tenryu River has long been known as a powerful and sometimes tur...»
Shimoguri no Sato is a beautiful mountain settlement in Kamimura, Iida City, Nagano Prefecture. Perched along mountain ridges at an elevation of approximately 800 to 1,000 meters, the village is known as the “Japanese Tyrol” because of its dramatic mountain scenery and traditional way of life. Houses and cultivated fields appear to cling to slopes reaching a maximum gradient of approximately 38 d...»
Toyama-go is a remote mountain region stretching along the Toyama River, a tributary of the Tenryu River, near the southern edge of Nagano Prefecture. Surrounded by steep mountains and deep valleys, the area has long been known for its rich natural environment, distinctive culture, and traditional way of life. Historically, Toyama-go was associated with the Hatamoto branch of the Toyama clan. Tod...»
Shirabiso Highland is a spectacular mountain plateau in Kamimura, Iida City, Nagano Prefecture, located at an elevation of approximately 1,918 meters. Its name comes from the shirabiso fir, an evergreen conifer belonging to the fir family that grows naturally in the high mountains. Stretching across the mountains facing the majestic peaks of the Southern Alps, the highland is known as a mountain ...»
Iida City Zoo is a municipal zoo located in Iida City, southern Nagano Prefecture. Opened on May 5, 1953, it has long been loved by local residents and visitors alike. The zoo stands at the southern end of Iida's famous Apple Tree-lined Street, making it easy to visit while exploring the city center. Admission is free, yet visitors can encounter a wide variety of animals and enjoy opportunities t...»
Iida City Museum is a municipal cultural complex in Iida, Nagano Prefecture, combining the functions of both an art museum and a natural and cultural history museum. With its broad collection spanning the natural sciences, humanities, and fine arts, the museum introduces the distinctive natural environment, history, and culture of the Ina Valley. Rather than serving simply as a place to view exhi...»
Iida City Kawamoto Kihachiro Puppet Museum is a unique museum dedicated to the art of puppetry in the center of Iida, Nagano Prefecture. It showcases the remarkable puppets created by Kihachiro Kawamoto, one of Japan's leading puppet animation artists, and introduces visitors to the artistic appeal and cultural heritage of Japanese puppetry. With its connection to both traditional puppetry and an...»
Iida Apple Tree-lined Street is a beautiful avenue of apple trees in the center of Iida, Nagano Prefecture. The trees stretch for approximately 400 meters and have become one of the city's most recognizable landmarks. Created as part of Iida's recovery after a devastating fire, the avenue has come to symbolize reconstruction, hope, and community spirit. In spring, delicate white apple blossoms li...»
Kazakoshi Mountain is a 1,535-meter-high mountain rising west of central Iida in Nagano Prefecture. It is recognized as one of the 100 Famous Mountains of Shinshu and the New 100 Famous Flower Mountains of Japan. Located on the eastern fringe of the Central Alps, its distinctive profile can be seen from many parts of Iida City. For centuries, Kazakoshi Mountain has been revered as a sacred mounta...»
Sora Sanpo Tenryukyo is an elevated pedestrian walkway built beneath the roadway of the Tenryukyo Bridge on the San-En-Nanshin Expressway in Iida, Nagano Prefecture. The bridge is approximately 280 meters long and 80 meters high, and the walkway opened in 2019. Located above the famous Tenryukyo Gorge, Sora Sanpo offers visitors a completely different perspective on the dramatic scenery carved by...»
Otaguri is a traditional local dish from the Ina Valley in southern Nagano Prefecture, made by slowly simmering horse intestines until tender. Particularly popular in the cities of Ina and Iida, this distinctive regional specialty can be found not only in local homes but also at izakaya pubs and casual restaurants. With its rich flavor and unique texture, Otaguri is especially popular as a dish t...»
Kaizenji Temple is a historic temple of the Myoshinji school of the Rinzai Zen tradition, located in Kamikawaji, Iida, Nagano Prefecture. Its mountain name is Jushuzan, and the temple's principal Buddhist image is Shō-Kannon Bosatsu, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. Surrounded by trees and quiet countryside, Kaizenji offers a peaceful atmosphere where visitors can experience both the spiritual char...»
Risshakuji Temple is a historic temple of the Koyasan Shingon Buddhist tradition located in Tatsuishi, Iida, Nagano Prefecture. Its mountain name is Senzuzan, and it is the first temple on the Ina Saigoku 33-Kannon Pilgrimage. For centuries, the temple has been deeply revered by local residents, who affectionately call its principal Kannon image the “Persimmon Kannon.” Traditionally believed to h...»
Komyoji Temple is a historic temple of the Chizan school of Shingon Buddhism located in Kume, Iida, Nagano Prefecture. Its mountain name is Engyozan, and the temple's principal object of worship is Kannon, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. For centuries, Komyoji has been revered as a place to pray for safe childbirth and the blessing of children. Set quietly among the hills, the temple combines a de...»
Bun-eiji Temple is a historic temple of the Chizan school of Shingon Buddhism in Iida, Nagano Prefecture. Its mountain name is Nangenzan. Nestled among the green hills in the southern part of Iida, the temple has served as a center of local Buddhist faith for centuries since its foundation during the Kamakura period. The quiet temple grounds preserve numerous historic buildings and cultural treas...»
Roadside Station Shinshu Niino Sengokudaira is located along National Route 151 in Anan, Shimoina District, Nagano Prefecture. Set at an elevation of approximately 800 meters in the highland area known as Sengokudaira, it welcomes travelers with clear mountain air, beautiful scenery, local foods, and the warm hospitality of southern Nagano. The roadside station is known as one of the southern gat...»
Waseda Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in the Mishima-Yama area of Oshimojo, Anan, in southern Nagano Prefecture. Situated at an elevation of approximately 560 meters, the shrine has long been deeply revered by local residents and has served as an important spiritual center for the surrounding mountain communities. One of the shrine's most impressive features is a magnificent Japanese ...»
Fudo Falls is one of the most impressive waterfalls in the Ina Valley, located in Takamori Town, Shimoina District, Nagano Prefecture. Selected as one of the 100 Scenic Sites of Nagano's Natural Landscapes, the waterfall lies deep in the mountains at an elevation of approximately 1,100 meters. With a drop of approximately 50 meters and a width of around 10 meters, Fudo Falls has a dramatic scale....»
Ruriji Temple is a historic Tendai Buddhist temple in Takamori Town, Shimoina District, Nagano Prefecture. Its mountain name is Daishozan, and its formal name is Ioin. Founded in 1112 during the Heian period, the temple has more than 900 years of history and has long been an important center of faith and culture in the Ina Valley. The temple's principal Buddhist image is a group of three wooden s...»
Shimoichida School is a historic school building in Takamori Town, Shimoina District, Nagano Prefecture. Designated as a Takamori Town Tangible Cultural Property, it is an important surviving example of school architecture from Japan’s Meiji period (1868–1912). The building is especially notable for its distinctive blend of Western-style architecture and traditional Japanese design. Its unusual a...»
Takenouchi Residence is a historic traditional farmhouse in Yoshida, Takamori Town, Shimoina District, Nagano Prefecture. Built during the Edo period, it was designated a National Important Cultural Property in 1973 and is one of the area's most valuable surviving examples of traditional residential architecture. The house stands on a terrace overlooking the Tenryu River and has been associated w...»
Hirugami Onsen is one of the most famous hot spring resorts in southern Nagano Prefecture. Located in Achi Village, Shimoina District, it is surrounded by the clear waters of the Achi River and beautiful mountain scenery. Although the present hot spring resort has a relatively recent history, the quality of its mineral-rich water, peaceful atmosphere, and convenient location have made it a popula...»
Sonohara is a historic area of Chisato in Achi Village, Shimoina District, Nagano Prefecture. Surrounded by the mountains at the eastern foot of Mount Ena, the area has been celebrated in Japanese literature and poetry for more than a thousand years. Sonohara is particularly famous as a utamakura, a place name traditionally associated with classical Japanese poetry. From ancient times through the...»
Shinano Hiei Kojo-in is a Tendai Buddhist temple located in Sonohara, Chisato, Achi Village, in southern Nagano Prefecture. For centuries, it has been associated with the safety and spiritual well-being of travelers crossing the mountains. The temple enshrines Yakushi Ruriko Nyorai, the Medicine Buddha, and stands in an area rich in history, literature, and natural beauty. The surrounding region ...»
Hanamomo Village and Tsukikawa Onsen is a beautiful mountain area in the Nishichi district of Chisato, Achi Village, in southern Nagano Prefecture. Every spring, approximately 5,000 hanamomo trees burst into bloom across the valley, transforming the landscape into a spectacular display of red, white, and pink blossoms. The area developed around the accommodation facility Noguma-no-Sho Tsukikawa, ...»
Achi Shrine is an ancient Shinto shrine in Achi Village, Shimoina District, Nagano Prefecture. Recognized since ancient times as a Shikinaisha, a shrine listed in the classical Engishiki records, it has a long and distinguished history closely connected with the culture and traditions of the Shinano region. The shrine is dedicated primarily to Ame-no-Yagokoro-Omoikane-no-Mikoto, a deity tradition...»
The Manto-Mongolian Development Peace Memorial Museum is located in Achi Village, Shimoina District, Nagano Prefecture. The museum preserves and presents the history of the Japanese settlement groups that were sent to Manchuria and Inner Mongolia during the period before and during World War II, providing an important place to reflect on history and the value of peace. It is the only privately op...»
The Median Tectonic Line Museum is located in Oshika Village, Shimoina District, Nagano Prefecture. It is Japan's only specialized museum dedicated to the Median Tectonic Line, one of the country's most important geological features. Through actual rock specimens, geological materials, maps, and explanatory exhibits, the museum introduces the enormous fault system that has played a major role in ...»
Atebi-daira Bird Forest is a beautiful natural area in Urugi Village, Shimoina District, Nagano Prefecture. Located within the Tenryu-Okumikawa Quasi-National Park, the forest preserves a rich natural environment on the eastern foothills of Mount Chausuyama. The forest covers approximately 60 hectares and is known for its diverse plant and animal life. With its quiet woodland atmosphere, fresh mo...»
Oshika Kabuki is a remarkable form of local kabuki theater that has been passed down for more than 300 years in Oshika Village, Shimoina District, Nagano Prefecture. It is designated as a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property and represents one of Japan's most distinctive surviving traditions of community theater. During the Edo period, performances of kabuki by ordinary people wer...»
Kashio Onsen is a remarkably unusual hot spring located along the Shio River in Oshika Village, Shimoina District, Nagano Prefecture. Deep in the mountains and far from the sea, it produces naturally salty water with a salt concentration almost comparable to seawater. This extraordinary hot spring has been closely connected with the daily life and culture of the local community for centuries. Sur...»
Fukutokuji Temple is a historic Tendai Buddhist temple located in Okawara Kamikura, Oshika Village, Shimoina District, Nagano Prefecture. The temple's mountain name is Io-zan, and it is particularly renowned for its main hall, which is designated as a National Important Cultural Property. Standing quietly in a secluded mountain setting, Fukutokuji preserves valuable examples of Japanese religious...»
Oyamada Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in Hisawa, Shimojo Village, Shimoina District, Nagano Prefecture. It is one of the rare ancient shrines in the region whose name appears in the Engishiki, a tenth-century record of important shrines throughout Japan. Only two shrines in the Shimoina area are counted among these ancient Shikinaisha, making Oyamada Shrine particularly valuable from...»
Muku Hatoju Memorial Library is a public library in Takagi Village, Shimoina District, Nagano Prefecture, with a dedicated memorial museum honoring Muku Hatoju, one of the region’s best-known writers of children’s literature. The library carries on his belief in the power of reading, providing a welcoming place where local residents and visitors can enjoy books, learning, and cultural activities t...»
Shimotsuki Kagura is a traditional folk performing art passed down for generations in Tenryu Village, Shimoina District, Nagano Prefecture. Held during the eleventh month of the traditional Japanese lunar calendar, known as Shimotsuki, these sacred rituals express gratitude to the gods for the year's harvest while praying for peace, good health, and prosperity in the coming year. The name Tenryu ...»
Roadside Station Shinanoji Shimojo “Soba no Shiro” is a popular roadside destination in Shimojo Village, Shimoina District, Nagano Prefecture. Located along National Route 151, it serves as a convenient base for exploring southern Nagano and offers travelers an enjoyable combination of local food, shopping, hands-on experiences, nature, and history. The facility has a distinctive castle-like appe...»
The Great Cedar of Tsukize stands in the Tsukize district of Neba Village, Shimoina District, Nagano Prefecture. One of the largest giant trees in Nagano, it rises approximately 40 meters into the sky and has a trunk circumference of about 13.8 meters. Its age is estimated at more than 1,500 years, with some traditions placing it at approximately 1,800 years old. For centuries, the enormous cedar...»
Shimosuwa-juku was the 29th post station from Edo on the Nakasendo, one of Japan’s major highways during the Edo period. It was also the western terminus of the Koshu Kaido, making it an important crossroads for travelers, merchants, and feudal lord processions. Today, the historic town lies in the center of Shimosuwa Town in Nagano Prefecture, at the western entrance to the difficult Wada Pass. ...»
Honjin Iwanami Residence is a historic mansion that preserves the history and prestige of Shimosuwa-juku, one of the important post towns along the Nakasendo. Located at the crossroads of the Nakasendo and Koshu Kaido highways, Shimosuwa flourished as a major transportation hub during the Edo period. A honjin was an officially designated lodging facility reserved for high-ranking travelers such a...»
Nidec Music Box Memorial Museum Suwanone is a specialized museum dedicated to music boxes in Shimosuwa Town, Nagano Prefecture. Operated by Nidec Instruments Corporation, a pioneer in music box manufacturing, the museum showcases the region's long tradition of precision craftsmanship alongside the delicate beauty of music box melodies. Visitors can enjoy the museum in many different ways: learnin...»
Onbashira-kan Yoisa is a hands-on museum dedicated to the famous Onbashira Festival, a spectacular Shinto ritual held once every seven years in the Suwa region of Nagano Prefecture. Located just about a three-minute walk from Suwa Taisha Shimosha Harumiya Shrine, the museum offers visitors an opportunity to experience the history, traditions, excitement, and deep local pride associated with one of...»
Yashima Marsh, also known as Yashimagahara Marsh, is one of Japan’s most remarkable high-elevation wetlands. Located at an altitude of approximately 1,630 meters in the northwestern part of the Kirigamine Highlands in central Nagano Prefecture, it is renowned for its rich natural environment and exceptional scientific value. The marsh was designated a National Natural Monument in 1939 and has been...»
Shimosuwa Town flourished as an important post town along the Nakasendo, one of Japan's historic highways connecting Edo and Kyoto. Today, historic buildings and small museums scattered throughout the town preserve memories of life from the Edo period through the Meiji and Showa eras. These places are more than sightseeing attractions. They are welcoming spaces where visitors can take a break whi...»
A Historic Home Where a Master of Modern Japanese Tanka Found Inspiration Shiin Sanbo is the former residence of Akahiko Shimaki (1876–1926), one of the leading poets of the Araragi school of modern Japanese tanka poetry. Located in the Takagi district of Shimosuwa Town, Nagano Prefecture, the house is where Shimaki spent the final years of his life and created many of his celebrated poems. It is...»
Tatenoumi Lake is a small reservoir in Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture, originally constructed in 1923 to provide irrigation water for rice fields. Located at an elevation of approximately 1,250 meters, the lake is surrounded by rich forest and is now part of Tatenoumi Park, a spacious recreational area where visitors can enjoy the changing scenery of the four seasons. The quiet surface of the lake,...»
Izumiko Lake is an artificial reservoir surrounded by rich woodland in the highlands of Nagano Prefecture. Located at an elevation of approximately 1,250 meters, the lake enjoys a cool, refreshing mountain climate and beautiful natural scenery throughout the year. Forests of Japanese larch, maple, and other trees surround the water, creating a different atmosphere in every season. Fresh green fol...»
A Scenic Destination Where the Mountains, Kiso River, and Historic Kiso Road Meet Kiso Town is located in the central part of Kiso District in southwestern Nagano Prefecture. Surrounded by magnificent mountains and crossed by the clear waters of the Kiso River, the town is one of the communities belonging to the Association of the Most Beautiful Villages in Japan. Kiso has long developed as an i...»
Roadside Station Kiso Fukushima is a popular roadside facility along National Route 19 in Kiso Town, Nagano Prefecture. Located near the center of the historic Kiso Road, it offers an excellent setting from which to admire the majestic form of Mount Ontake. The facility includes a shop filled with local specialties, fresh agricultural products, traditional crafts, and regional foods, as well as a...»
Roadside Station Hiyoshi Kiso-Komagatake Kogen is a popular roadside station along National Route 19 in Kiso Town, Nagano Prefecture. Set against the magnificent backdrop of Mount Kiso-Komagatake in the Central Alps, it is an ideal place to take a break while traveling through the historic Kiso Valley. The facility brings together the natural beauty, history, and food culture of Kiso. Visitors ca...»
Fukushima-juku was the 37th of the 69 post towns along the Nakasendo, the historic highway that connected Edo, present-day Tokyo, with Kyoto. Located in what is now Fukushima in Kiso Town, Nagano Prefecture, it developed as an important center of transportation, culture, and commerce in the Kiso Valley. The town is particularly famous for Fukushima Checkpoint, one of the most important checkpoint...»
Yamamura Daikan Residence and Fukushima Checkpoint are two important historic sites in Kiso Town, Nagano Prefecture. Both are closely connected with the Yamamura family, who governed the Kiso Valley during the Edo period, and with the checkpoint that controlled traffic along the Nakasendo. These sites offer a fascinating look at the political administration, transportation system, and everyday li...»
Kozenji Temple is a historic temple of the Myoshinji school of Rinzai Zen Buddhism, located in Fukushima, Kiso Town, Nagano Prefecture. Its mountain name is Banshozan, and together with Chofukuji Temple in Kiso Town and Josenji Temple in Okuwa Village, it is counted among the three great temples of Kiso. The spacious temple grounds are surrounded by ancient trees and filled with a profound sense ...»
Chofukuji Temple is a historic temple of the Myoshinji school of Rinzai Zen Buddhism, located in Fukushima, Kiso Town, Nagano Prefecture. Its mountain name is Ryugen-zan, and together with Kozenji Temple in Kiso Town and Joshoji Temple in Okuwa Village, it is counted among the Three Great Temples of Kiso. The peaceful grounds are surrounded by old trees and the mountains of Kiso, creating a beaut...»
Tokuonji Temple is a historic temple of the Myoshinji school of Rinzai Zen Buddhism located in Hiyoshi, Kiso Town, Nagano Prefecture. Its mountain name is Nissho-zan. The temple is also one of the pilgrimage sites of the Kiso Seven Lucky Gods, where Bishamonten is enshrined, and is the 22nd temple on the Chubu 49 Yakushi Pilgrimage. Tokuonji is particularly famous for its connection with Kiso Yos...»
Mitake Ropeway is one of the best ways to experience the spectacular natural beauty of Mount Ontake, carrying visitors from the mountain foothills to a highland world at an elevation of 2,150 meters. Located in Kiso Town, Nagano Prefecture, the ropeway connects Kanose Station at 1,570 meters with Iimori Kogen Station at the seventh station of Mount Ontake. The route stretches for approximately 2,...»
Goryokan is a historic building in Fukushima, Kiso Town, Nagano Prefecture, and is known as the oldest surviving Western-style building in the Kiso Valley. With its dignified appearance and deep connection to the region's forestry history, the building is designated as a Tangible Cultural Property of Kiso Town. Its official cultural property name is the Former Kiso Branch Office of the Imperial F...»
Fukushima Sekisho was one of the four most important checkpoints established along Japan’s major highways during the Edo period (1603–1868). Located almost halfway along the Nakasendo, it stood at a strategically important point in the Kiso Valley. The checkpoint was protected by the Kiso River on one side and steep mountain slopes on the other, making it an ideal location for controlling traffic....»
Mount Kiso-Komagatake rises to 2,956 meters above sea level on the border of Agematsu Town, Kiso Town, and Miyada Village in Nagano Prefecture. It is the highest peak of the Central Alps, also known as the Kiso Mountains, and is celebrated as one of Japan’s 100 Famous Mountains, the New 100 Famous Mountains, and the 100 Famous Mountains of Flowers. Known locally as Kiso-Koma, the mountain has lon...»
Ono Falls is a beautiful waterfall in Ono, Agematsu Town, Kiso District, Nagano Prefecture. Also written as “Ono-no-Taki,” the waterfall is a graceful 15-meter cascade located on a tributary only about 100 meters from the main stream of the Kiso River. Its waters originate on Mount Kazakoshi, one of the mountains of the Central Alps. Known since ancient times for its tranquil beauty, Ono Falls is...»
Rinsenji Temple is a historic temple of the Myoshinji school of Rinzai Zen Buddhism in Agematsu Town, Kiso District, Nagano Prefecture. Its mountain name is Nezamezan, and the temple stands beside the spectacular natural landscape known as Nezame-no-Toko. With its dramatic rocks and clear waters, Nezame-no-Toko has long been celebrated as one of the great scenic places of the Kiso Valley. Rinsenj...»
A Scenic Wonder Created by the Kiso River Nezame-no-Toko is one of the most spectacular scenic sites in Kiso, located in Agematsu Town, Kiso District, Nagano Prefecture. It is counted among Japan’s Five Great Gorges and was designated a National Place of Scenic Beauty on March 7, 1923. Here, the clear waters of the Kiso River flow between enormous granite formations, creating a dramatic landscap...»
A Birthplace of Forest Bathing Akasawa Natural Recreation Forest is a vast national forest in Agematsu Town, Kiso District, Nagano Prefecture, managed by the Chubu Regional Forest Office of the Forestry Agency. Also known as the Akasawa Primeval Forest, the area is famous for its beautiful natural stands of Kiso hinoki cypress. Towering trees, some more than 300 years old, fill the forest with a ...»
A Peaceful Mountain Village Where Nature and History Meet Okuwa Village is a beautiful mountain community in Kiso District, Nagano Prefecture, located in the southern part of the Kiso Valley. The broad Kiso River flows through the village, while steep mountains, clear streams, and deep forests surround the settlements. Okuwa has also played an important role in the history of the Nakasendo, the ...»
Ohtaki Village is a beautiful mountain village in the southwestern part of Nagano Prefecture, in the Kiso region. Nestled at the foot of majestic Mount Ontake, the village has long been regarded as a sacred place for Ontake worship, attracting pilgrims and mountain travelers for generations. Surrounded by the blessings of nature, Ohtaki is a place where the history of forestry, traditional mounta...»
Nagiso Town lies at the southern end of the Kiso Valley in southwestern Nagano Prefecture. Much of the town is covered by forest, while the clear waters of the Kiso River flow through its center. For centuries, local communities have lived in harmony with this mountainous environment, preserving traditions and skills shaped by nature. Nagiso is best known for historic post towns such as Tsumago-j...»
Momosuke Bridge is a beautiful wooden suspension bridge spanning the Kiso River in the Yomikaki district of Nagiso Town, Kiso District, Nagano Prefecture. Completed in 1922, during Japan's Taisho era, the bridge was built under the direction of Fukuzawa Momosuke, then president of Daido Electric Power Company. The bridge was originally constructed to transport materials needed for the development...»
A Scenic Collection of Waterfalls Surrounded by Pristine Forest Tadachi Falls is a spectacular group of waterfalls deep in the mountains of Nagiso Town, Kiso District, Nagano Prefecture. Rather than a single waterfall, the site consists of more than ten waterfalls of various sizes, flowing through a rugged mountain valley surrounded by pristine forest. Thanks to its dramatic scenery and natural ...»
A Sacred Shrine at the Foot of Mount Ontake Otaki Ontake Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine in Otaki Village, Kiso District, Nagano Prefecture, and one of the principal centers of Ontake Mountain worship. It is also known as Otaki-guchi Ontake Shrine or Ontake Shrine Otaki-guchi, reflecting its location along the Otaki-guchi trailhead on the southern side of Mount Ontake. Mount Ontake has long b...»
Joshoji Temple: A Historic Zen Temple in Kiso One of the Three Great Temples of Kiso Joshoji Temple is a historic temple of the Myoshinji school of Rinzai Zen Buddhism located in Suhara, Okuwa Village, Kiso District, Nagano Prefecture. Its mountain name is Jokaizan, and it is regarded as one of the three great temples of the Kiso Valley, together with Kozenji Temple and Chofukuji Temple in Kiso ...»
Suhara-juku is a historic post town in present-day Ōkuwa Village, Kiso District, Nagano Prefecture. It was the 39th post station along the Nakasendo, one of the Five Major Highways of the Edo period connecting Edo, present-day Tokyo, with Kyoto. Located almost in the center of the Kiso Valley, Suhara-juku once welcomed travelers, merchants, and officials making their way along the mountain road. ...»
Nojiri-juku is the 40th post station along the historic Nakasendo, the major highway that connected Edo, present-day Tokyo, with Kyoto during the Edo period. Located in present-day Ōkuwa Village in Kiso District, Nagano Prefecture, it once served as an important resting place for travelers making their way through the rugged Kiso Valley. Among the eleven post towns of the Kiso Road, Nojiri-juku h...»
Atera Valley is a spectacular gorge carved by the Atera River in Okuwa Village, Kiso District, Nagano Prefecture. Stretching for approximately 15 to 18 kilometers, the valley reaches depths of up to 1,000 meters in places, creating a dramatic landscape surrounded by the mountains of Kiso. The gorge lies along the Atera Fault, which runs near the border between Nagano and Gifu prefectures. Its gra...»
Kiso Village is located in the northeastern part of Kiso District, Nagano Prefecture, surrounded by mountains rising to around 2,000 meters. Situated at the source of the Kiso River, the village has long been regarded as the “origin of Kiso,” a place where abundant forests and pure mountain water have supported local life and culture for centuries. With beautiful scenery changing throughout the s...»
Yabuhara-juku is a historic post town in Kiso Village, Nagano Prefecture, that flourished as the 35th station along the Nakasendo, one of the major highways connecting Edo, present-day Tokyo, with Kyoto during the Edo period (1603–1868). Located near the heart of the Kiso Valley, Yabuhara became an important center of travel, commerce, and cultural exchange as travelers and merchants passed throug...»
Minamimaki Village is a beautiful mountain village in Minamisaku District, Nagano Prefecture, surrounded by mountains reaching around 2,000 meters in elevation. The village is broadly divided into two areas: the Uminokuchi area, which stretches along the Chikuma River, and the Nobeyama Highland area, which spreads across the foothills of the Yatsugatake Mountains. The difference in elevation betw...»
Minamiaiki Village is a quiet mountain community in Minamisaku District, Nagano Prefecture. Stretching from east to west, the village is surrounded by mountains and wilderness, with roughly 80 percent of its total area covered by forests and open mountainous land. Ten settlements are scattered along the Minamiaiki River, preserving the peaceful scenery and traditional atmosphere of a Japanese moun...»
Kitaaiki Village is a small, peaceful mountain community in Minamisaku District, Nagano Prefecture, bordering Ueno Village in Gunma Prefecture. Surrounded by mountains and blessed with abundant natural beauty, the village sits at a relatively high elevation and offers a different landscape in every season. Approximately 90 percent of the village is covered by forests and mountainous land. Clear s...»
Nagawa Town is a scenic mountain town in east-central Nagano Prefecture, located in Chisagata District. Surrounded by highlands, mountain passes, forests, and historic post towns, the town offers a remarkable combination of natural beauty and cultural heritage. The higher areas of Nagawa are pleasantly cool in summer and become winter destinations for skiing and snow activities. Historic roads an...»
Aoki Village is a peaceful agricultural and mountain community in Chisagata District, almost at the geographical center of Nagano Prefecture. Surrounded by mountains and blessed with abundant forests, hot springs, and historic cultural sites, the village is known both as a relaxing rural destination and as the “Village of Gimin,” a place associated with people who stood up for justice during times...»
Nagakubo-shuku was the 27th post station counted from Edo along the Nakasendo, one of Japan's major historic highways connecting Edo, present-day Tokyo, with Kyoto. It is located in Nagakubo, Nagawa Town, in Nagano Prefecture. The town was formerly written as “Nagakubo-shuku” using a different kanji character for “kubo.” Nagakubo-shuku developed as an important transportation and logistics hub be...»
Wada-shuku was the 28th of the 69 post towns along the historic Nakasendo route, counted from Edo, present-day Tokyo. Located in Wada, Nagawa Town, in Nagano Prefecture, it once flourished as an important transportation hub connecting Edo and Kyoto, with travelers, horses, and goods constantly passing through....»
Hoshikuso Pass Obsidian Source Site is an important archaeological site in Nagawa Town, Nagano Prefecture, preserving traces of obsidian mining from the Jomon period. Designated a National Historic Site in 2001, it is also one of the component cultural properties of the Japan Heritage designation “The Jomon World of the Starry Central Highlands.”...»
A Mysterious Mountain Pond with a Fascinating Legend Yonoike Pond is a quiet and secluded pond in the Nonnoiri area of Wada, Nagawa Town, Nagano Prefecture. Nestled in the mountains, the pond is also known as Hitoyoike or Nonnoiri no Ike and has long been familiar to local residents. Located at an elevation of approximately 990 meters, Yonoike is surrounded by forests and mountain scenery. Its n...»
A Historic Pass in the Mountains of Nagano Shunara Pass, also known locally as Shonara Pass, lies on the border between Aoki Village in Chiisagata District and Chikuhoku Village in Higashichikuma District, Nagano Prefecture. At an elevation of approximately 914 meters, this mountain pass has long served as an important route connecting the Ueda area with the Omi area. For centuries, the pass was...»
A Quiet Retreat with Centuries of Bathing Tradition Tazawa Onsen is a peaceful hot spring village in Aoki Village, Nagano Prefecture. Tucked away in the mountains of Shinshu, the area has been known as a place for toji, the traditional Japanese practice of staying at a hot spring for extended periods to rest and recuperate. Today, Tazawa Onsen is designated as a National Hot Spring Resort for Re...»
A Quiet Mountain Retreat in Aoki Village Kutsukake Onsen is a small and peaceful hot spring village tucked into the mountains of Aoki Village, Nagano Prefecture. Surrounded by forests and mountain scenery, this secluded onsen retains the atmosphere of an old-fashioned Japanese therapeutic retreat. Aoki Village is sometimes called the “Kamakura of Shinshu” because of its rich concentration of his...»
Discover the Life and Legacy of a Pioneer of Japan's Railway Industry The Keita Goto Future Creation Museum is a cultural exhibition facility in Aoki Village, Nagano Prefecture, dedicated to the life, achievements, and ideals of Keita Goto, the founder of what became the Tokyu railway group. Born in Aoki Village, Goto rose from a career as a government official to become one of Japan's most infl...»
Discover the Natural and Cultural Charms of Eastern Shinshu Tomi City is a scenic city in eastern Nagano Prefecture, in the region known as Toshin. Surrounded by mountains, rivers, farmland, and historic settlements, the city offers a rich combination of nature, history, food, hot springs, and art. Tomi City was established in 2004 through the merger of Tobu Town and Kitamimaki Village. The name...»
Step into the Atmosphere of Old Japan Unno-juku is a historic post town in the Honkaikino district of Tomi City, Nagano Prefecture. Located along the former Hokkoku Kaido, one of the important highways of the Edo period, the town preserves a remarkable traditional streetscape that allows visitors to experience the atmosphere of Japan several centuries ago. Unno-juku originally developed as part ...»
A Scenic Highland Resort Between Nagano and Gunma Yunomaru Highlands is a spectacular mountain area spanning Tomi City in Nagano Prefecture and Tsumagoi Village in Gunma Prefecture. Located at elevations of approximately 1,800 to 2,000 meters, the highlands form part of the Joshin'etsukogen National Park. The area is surrounded by mountains reaching around 2,000 meters in elevation. Mt. Yunosuma...»
A Historic Center of Ise Worship in Shinshu Omi Shinmeigu Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in Omi Village, Higashichikuma District, Nagano Prefecture. With a history closely connected to Ise Jingu, one of Japan's most important Shinto shrines, it has long served as a center of Ise worship in the Shinshu region. Surrounded by forests and the peaceful rural landscape of Omi Village, the ...»
A Scenic River Flowing Through the Mountains of Chikuhoku The Bessho River is a Class A river in the Shinano River system that flows through Chikuhoku Village in Higashichikuma District, Nagano Prefecture. Surrounded by deep mountains and rich natural landscapes, the river flows northward through the village before joining the Omi River. Although the Bessho River is only about 12 kilometers long...»
A Sacred Temple Surrounded by the Mountains of Omi Hozenji Temple is a historic Soto Zen temple in Omi Village, Higashichikuma District, Nagano Prefecture. Its mountain name is Butsugan-zan, and the temple is best known as the first temple of the Shinano 33 Kannon Pilgrimage, a traditional pilgrimage route dedicated to Kannon, the Buddhist bodhisattva of compassion. Surrounded by the peaceful co...»
A Unique Museum beside Lake Hijiri Hijiri Museum is a local museum in Omi Village, Higashichikuma District, Nagano Prefecture, dedicated to the history, culture, and development of science and technology in the region. Its official name is the Omi Village Hijiri Museum. The museum stands beside Lake Hijiri in the scenic Hijiri Highlands, surrounded by the mountains and forests of Omi Village. It...»
A Dramatic Landscape of Rocks, Cliffs, and Dragon Legends Sanseiji Gorge is a scenic gorge in Ikusaka Village, Higashichikuma District, Nagano Prefecture. Located along the Sai River, one of the major rivers flowing through Nagano, the gorge is part of the Hijiriyama Highlands Prefectural Natural Park. The dramatic landscape of Sanseiji seems almost as though a giant dragon once tore its way thr...»
An Ancient Temple Surrounded by Nature Kiyomizu-dera Temple stands quietly amid the forests of the Kiyomizu Highlands in Yamagata Village, Higashichikuma District, Nagano Prefecture. This historic temple belongs to the Shingon school of Japanese Buddhism and is known by the mountain name Jigenzan. Tradition traces the temple's origins back to the Nara period, making it one of the ancient religio...»
A Historic Temple in the Asahi Village Countryside Korin-ji Temple is a historic Shingon Buddhist temple located in Nishisemba, Asahi Village, Higashichikuma District, Nagano Prefecture. Belonging to the Koyasan Shingon Buddhist tradition, the temple is known by the mountain name Seikozan and enshrines Fudo Myoo, the Buddhist deity of wisdom and protection, as its principal image. The temple is ...»
Nature, History, and Outdoor Activities in the Shinshu Highlands Hijiri Highlands is a scenic highland area in Omi Village, Higashichikuma District, Nagano Prefecture, situated at an elevation of approximately 1,000 meters. The area is designated as part of Hijiriyama Highlands Prefectural Park and is known as a destination where visitors can enjoy nature and outdoor activities throughout the yea...»
A Historic City in Northern Nagano Chikuma City is located in the northern part of Nagano Prefecture, in the Hokushin region, and stretches across the middle reaches of the majestic Chikuma River. Surrounded by mountains and rich in cultural heritage, the city offers a fascinating combination of natural beauty, ancient history, traditional townscapes, and hot spring culture. Chikuma City was est...»
A Long-Established Japanese Inn in Togura-Kamiyamada Onsen Sasaya Hotel is a historic Japanese ryokan located in Togura-Kamiyamada Onsen in Chikuma City, Nagano Prefecture. Founded in 1903, during the Meiji period, the inn has more than 120 years of history and has continued to welcome guests with traditional Japanese hospitality, elegant surroundings, and relaxing hot spring baths. The extensiv...»
Chishikiji Temple is a historic Buddhist temple located in Kamiyamada, Chikuma City, Nagano Prefecture. Belonging to the Chisan School of Shingon Buddhism, the temple is officially known as Seigenzan Chishikiji and enshrines the Eleven-Headed Kannon, or Juichimen Kannon, as its principal Buddhist image. Surrounded by the peaceful landscapes of the Chikuma River and the mountains of Shinshu, Chish...»
Kamuriki Mountain is a 1,252-meter-high mountain that straddles Chikuma City and Chikuhoku Village in Nagano Prefecture. Rising at the southwestern edge of the Nagano Basin, it is known for its beautiful natural scenery, fascinating geology, and deep connections with Japanese history, literature, and folklore. The mountain has several names, including Kamuriki-yama, Kamuriki-yama (Kanmu-dake), Sa...»
A Scenic Landscape Shaped by Nature, Agriculture, and Japanese Culture Obasute Rice Terraces, located in Yawata, Chikuma City, Nagano Prefecture, are among Japan's most celebrated terraced rice-field landscapes. For centuries, the terraces have been admired for their beauty and their association with Tagoto-no-Tsuki, or “the moon in every rice paddy.” When the paddies are filled with water, the ...»
Obasute Station is a small railway station on the JR East Shinonoi Line in Yawata, Chikuma City, Nagano Prefecture. Perched at an elevation of approximately 551 meters on the mountainside, the station is famous not only as a transportation stop but also as one of Japan’s most spectacular railway viewpoints. From the station, visitors can look across the broad Zenkoji Plain, also known as the Naga...»
Obasute Service Area is a highway rest area on the Nagano Expressway (E19) in Chikuma City, Nagano Prefecture. Located at an elevation of approximately 616 meters, it stands high above the surrounding landscape and offers an exceptional panoramic view of the Zenkoji Plain. The service area is located near Obasute Station on the JR Shinonoi Line, one of Japan's Three Great Train Window Views. Howe...»
Takemizuwake Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in Yawata, Chikuma City, Nagano Prefecture. Known as a Shikinaisha and Myojin Taisha, the shrine has been an important center of worship in the former Province of Shinano for centuries. It is traditionally regarded as one of the Four Great Shrines of Shinano and has long been closely connected with the people and landscape of the Chikuma Riv...»
Sarashina Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine in Chikuma City, Nagano Prefecture. With a long history closely connected to the former Sarashina region, the shrine is listed in the Engishiki Jinmyocho, a tenth-century register of officially recognized Shinto shrines, and is therefore regarded as a Shikinaisha. The shrine's former status was that of a Go-sha, or district shrine, and it has been an i...»
Mizukami Funayama Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine in Tokura, Chikuma City, Nagano Prefecture. Standing near the Chikuma River, the shrine has long been closely connected with the history of the surrounding community. The area once flourished as Shimotokura-juku, a post town along the Hokkoku Kaido, an important highway that connected the inland regions of central Japan with the Sea of Japan. T...»
Inariyama-juku is a historic post town in Chikuma City, Nagano Prefecture. Located along the Hokkoku West Road, also known as the Zenkoji Kaido or Zenkoji West Road, it was the tenth post station when counted from Seba-juku. The town stood at an important junction where the Hokkoku West Road met the Tani Kaido. During the Edo period, this route was an important access route for travelers heading ...»
Kuwabara-juku is a former post town in the Kuwabara district of Chikuma City, Nagano Prefecture. Located along the historic Zenkoji Kaido, also known as the Hokkoku West Road or Zenkoji West Road, Kuwabara served as an ai-no-shuku, or intermediate post station. Unlike a full post station, an ai-no-shuku provided travelers with a place to rest and goods with a place to be transferred between trans...»
Arato Castle is a medieval mountain castle located in the mountainous area of Kamiyamada, Chikuma City, Nagano Prefecture. It was also known as Arato Castle or Yamada Castle in historical records. The castle once belonged to the former Sarashina District of Shinano Province and is now designated as a Historic Site by Chikuma City. Today, the ruins have been developed as Chikuma City Shiroyama His...»
Apricot Village, known in Japanese as Anzu no Sato, is one of the most beautiful spring destinations in Chikuma City, Nagano Prefecture. Centered around the Mori and Kurashina districts, this rural landscape is famous for its vast orchards of Japanese apricot trees. Every spring, the hillsides are covered with delicate pink and white blossoms, creating a spectacular landscape often described as “...»
Nagano Prefectural Museum of History is a public museum located within Shinano no Sato Historic Park in Chikuma City, Nagano Prefecture. Surrounded by important archaeological and historical sites, including the Mori Shogunzuka Kofun Museum, Shina no Mura, and the Hanishina Kofun Burial Mounds, the museum provides an excellent introduction to the long history and culture of the Shinano region. Th...»
Chorakuji Temple, formally known as Obasutezan Hoko-in Chorakuji, is a historic Tendai Buddhist temple in Chikuma City, Nagano Prefecture. Dedicated to the sacred image of Sho-Kanzeon Bosatsu, or the Bodhisattva Kannon, the temple is the 14th temple on the Shinano Thirty-Three Kannon Pilgrimage. Built on the slopes of Mt. Obasute, Chorakuji offers sweeping views across the Nagano Basin, tradition...»
The Kanden Tunnel Electric Bus connects Ogizawa Station in Omachi City, Nagano Prefecture, with Kurobe Dam Station in Tateyama Town, Toyama Prefecture. The mountain bus route runs for approximately 6.1 kilometers through a tunnel deep beneath the Northern Alps. Starting at an elevation of about 1,433 meters at Ogizawa and arriving at approximately 1,470 meters at Kurobe Dam, the route has a surpr...»
Ogizawa Station is a mountain transportation hub in Omachi City, Nagano Prefecture, located at an elevation of approximately 1,433 meters and surrounded by the magnificent peaks of the Northern Alps. It is the Nagano-side starting point of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route and the main gateway for travelers heading to the spectacular Kurobe Dam. With a large parking area, the station is also conve...»
One of Japan’s Most Impressive Mountain Tourism Routes The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is one of Japan’s most spectacular mountain journeys, connecting Ogizawa Station in Omachi, Nagano Prefecture, with Tateyama Station in Tateyama Town, Toyama Prefecture. The route stretches for approximately 37.2 kilometers and crosses an elevation difference of about 1,975 meters through the heart of the Nort...»
Nagano-grown watercress is a fresh and flavorful leafy vegetable cultivated in the clear spring waters of Azumino, where snowmelt from the Northern Alps rises from the ground. Known in Japan as oranda-mizugarashi, or Dutch watercress, it has a refreshing peppery flavor with a subtle bitterness. Watercress is traditionally served as a garnish alongside meat dishes, but its crisp texture and distin...»