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 combination of nature, recreational facilities, sports, and cultural attractions, the park is a popular destination for families and visitors of all ages.
The park is filled with greenery, and walking paths connect its various facilities, allowing visitors to explore the grounds at a leisurely pace while enjoying the changing scenery.
Each season offers a different atmosphere. Spring brings fresh green foliage, summer provides deep shade beneath the trees, autumn colors the landscape with brilliant foliage, and winter brings crisp air and snow-covered scenery.
Because the park changes with the seasons, visitors can discover something different each time they return.
Kitashinano Furusato-no-Mori Cultural Park offers a wide range of activities for both children and adults.
The summer bobsleigh is one of the park’s most exciting attractions. Built along a natural slope, the course allows visitors to experience the thrill of speed while enjoying the surrounding greenery.
The mallet golf course is an easygoing outdoor sports facility that can be enjoyed even by beginners. It is also used as a place for exercise, recreation, and social interaction among local residents and visitors.
The auto campground and day-camping area provide opportunities to spend time outdoors surrounded by nature. They are especially popular during weekends and holiday seasons, when families and outdoor enthusiasts come to enjoy camping and other activities.
Adventure Hill features a field-athletics course designed to make use of the natural slopes of the park. It is particularly popular with children, who can climb, balance, and move through the course while enjoying an active outdoor experience.
The area provides an enjoyable way for children to exercise while experiencing nature, and parents and children can take on the activities together.
Adjacent to the park is the Nakano City Museum, where visitors can learn about the natural environment, history, and culture of the region. The museum opened in 2009 and plays an important role as a cultural facility introducing the development and heritage of Nakano City.
Its permanent exhibition is divided into six sections focusing on nature, history, and culture. Through actual archaeological and historical materials, visitors can trace the story of Nakano from the Paleolithic period to the present day.
In 2014, archaeological materials excavated from the Yanagisawa Site in Nakano City, including bronze halberds and bronze bells from the Yayoi period, were returned from Nagano Prefecture.
These artifacts are designated as Important Cultural Properties of Japan, and a total of 212 valuable objects are preserved and displayed in the museum’s collection and exhibition area.
The discovery of the Yanagisawa Site contributed to a reassessment of what is known about society during the Yayoi period. The archaeological evidence also demonstrates the important role that the Nakano area played in ancient Japanese history.
The museum also houses what is described as the northernmost planetarium in Nagano Prefecture. Visitors can enjoy digital images of the night sky while learning about seasonal constellations through live commentary.
The immersive dome fills the visitor’s field of view with images of stars and space, making the planetarium an attraction enjoyed by both children and adults.
The Nakano City Museum stands on a small hill within the park. From its 21-meter-high observation room, visitors can enjoy wide-ranging views of the surrounding mountains, including Mount Kosha, Shiga Kogen, and the Northern Shinshu Five Mountains.
The observation room features glass walls offering a 360-degree panorama. The landscape changes throughout the year, from fresh greenery and summer forests to colorful autumn foliage and snow-covered winter mountains.
Summer Bobsleigh: Mid-April through November, primarily on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays.
Mallet Golf Course: April through November.
Shinshu-Nakano Archery Center: Available throughout the year.
Every Tuesday, except when Tuesday falls on a public holiday. Please note that individual facilities may have different operating schedules.
The park is approximately 10 minutes by car from the Shinshu-Nakano Interchange on the Joshin-etsu Expressway.
Kitashinano Furusato-no-Mori Cultural Park brings together nature, recreation, sports, and learning in a single expansive destination in Nakano City.
Visitors who want to stay active can enjoy summer bobsleigh, mallet golf, field athletics, and camping, while those interested in history and culture can explore the Nakano City Museum and its important archaeological collections.
The park is also a wonderful place to simply slow down and enjoy the changing scenery of northern Nagano. Whether traveling with children, exploring the region’s ancient history, or looking for a peaceful outdoor setting, the park offers many ways to experience the natural and cultural richness of Shinshu.