The Nozawa Onsen and Shiga Kogen areas are especially busy during the ski season. The area is also famous as a hot spring resort with high-quality hot springs, attracting tourists regardless of the season.
The Nozawa Onsen/Shiga Kogen area offers tourist attractions such as Shiga Kogen, Nozawa Onsen, and Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, tourist events such as the Soba Festival, Shibu Kyo, and Nozawa Onsen Dosojin Festival, and local gourmet foods such as Japanese sake, horse sashimi, and soba gaki.
Speaking of skiing, Shiga Kogen is a highland area located in Shimotakai County, Nagano Prefecture, and is home to the Shiga Kogen Ski Area. The panoramic view of the surrounding white mountains is truly spectacular, and the best part of skiing here is that you can ski downhill while viewing them.
In the surrounding lowlands, there are many ponds filled with melted snow, and many rare and endangered species of animals can be seen. Nozawa's hot springs include the famous "Kumano-te-washi-jo" (Bear's Te-washi-jo), which is famous for its sulfur spring water.
This area is a hot spring resort, where visitors can soak in various forms of hot spring water. It can be said to be a typical hot spring resort, a place where the Japanese atmosphere is concentrated. Nozawana Onsen is very famous for its "nozawana.
Famous sights around Shiga Kogen include the famous "Jigokudani Yaen-koen" where you can observe monkeys at close range, "Sekai Heiwa Kannon" where there is a flower festival in early spring, and "Yokoteyama Observatory" where you can see the sea of clouds.
If you are driving, you can also enjoy the spectacular view at "Yokoteyama Drive-in". Located at the far end of Shiga Kogen, "Yokoteyama" offers breathtaking panoramic views and delicious bread if you climb to the top of the 2,305-meter-high mountain via the Sky Lator and lift, which is the only way up in Japan.
Speaking of gourmet foods in the vicinity, "onsen manju" (hot spring buns) from "Shosen-do" are extremely popular. FUKIYA SHOTEN, located in the center of the hot spring resort area, also sells "onsen manju", but the manju here are unique and come in a variety of flavors.
For souvenirs, "banana rolls," which are only available in winter in this area, are good, or you can go for the standard "onsen manju" (hot spring buns).
If you are planning to explore the area by car, you can also enjoy your own unique way of having fun. The "Shiga-Kusatsu Road" is virtually the best sightseeing spot in Shiga Kogen. The panoramic view of the vast nature on both sides of the road, with not a single tall tree, is breathtaking.
The Higashidateyama Alpine Botanical Garden is also a relaxing place where you can see many alpine plants that you are not accustomed to seeing. There are also many wetlands in this area, which provide visitors with very beautiful scenery. If possible, it is a good idea to rent a car and tour around the area.
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...»
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 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 ...»
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. ...»
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...»
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...»
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)...»
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...»
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...»
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...»