Nagano Prefecture
Information
Nagano Prefecture is located basically in the center of Japan and is surrounded on all four sides by 3000-meter tall mountains, earning it the nickname of the “Roof of Japan”.
In 1998, Nagano hosted the Winter Olympics and Paralympics. The world-class snow resorts of Hakuba, Shiga Kogen Heights and NozawaOnsen continue to attract winter sports enthusiasts every year.
In addition, Nagano has convenient rail and expressway access to Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto, and other major cities, and is in close proximity to such premier sightseeing spots as Mt. Fuji, Hida-Takayama, and the Tateyama Kurobe Alpen Route.
Access
Despite being such a mountainous prefecture (its nickname is “The Roof of Japan”), access to Nagano is remarkably easy especially thanks to the shinkansen bullet train and series of automobile expressways built for the 1998 Winter Olympics. In an astonishingly quick 1hr. 25min. you can escape the concrete jungle of Tokyo and arrive at Nagano Station and be surrounded by mountains. For those without a JR Rail Pass and/or with more time than money, highway busses connect Japan’s major metropolitan areas with most of Nagano’s cities. From those hubs, the majority of the prefecture’s destinations are accessible via local train or bus. Just be aware that here in the countryside, service can be infrequent so check the schedules ahead of time and plan accordingly. Hiring a rental car (make sure to specify snow tires for winter driving) or using taxis can add flexibility. If coming straight from Narita, Haneda or Central (Chubu) Airports, consider using an airport shuttle. And don’t forget, Matsumoto Airport offers daily flights to/from Fukuoka and Sapporo.
5 MUST-SEE spots
Matsumoto Castle
Matsumoto’s namesake castle is the oldest existing castle in Japan and is recognized as a National Treasure. The contrasting black and white plaster of the exterior stands out boldly against the magnificent backdrop of the Japanese Alps. Built with many unique architectural elements, Matsumoto Castle also features a moon viewing pavilion, indicative of the lifestyle of the feudal lords. The grounds of the castle come alive in color in the spring with cherry blossoms.
In between the castle and Matsumoto Station are two shopping streets not to be missed, Nawate-dori (aka “Frog Street”) with small specialty shops and eateries, and Nakamachi, lined with picturesque Kura (earthen-walled store-house) –type buildings.
Information
| Location | 4-1, Marunouchi, Matsumoto City Map |
|---|---|
| TEL | 0263-32-2902 |
| FAX | 0263-32-2904 |
| m-castle@city.matsumoto.nagano.jp | |
| URL | http://www.matsumoto-castle.jp/lang/ |
| Business hours | 8:30 – 17:00 (entrance closes at 16:30) |
| Usage fee | Adults : 610 yen Children : 300 yen |
| Date(s) | Close on Dec 29 – 31 |
| Seasonal Info | Cherry blossoms: mid-April – late-April |
Kamikochi
Kamikochi is the crown jewel of the Japanese Alps. The scenic area is a basin at 1500 meters elevation. The Alps rise an additional 1500 meters from there, creating a stunningly magnificent background with the beautiful aquamarine Azusa River in the foreground. This is a very popular place for mountain trekking, and the traditional starting point is Kamikochi’s symbolic bridge, Kappa-bashi. Downriver is Taisho Pond whose waters provide picture-perfect reflections of the Hotaka Range. Upriver is mystical Myojin Pond. Many tourists just come for the day, but one of the best ways to enjoy Kamikochi is to spend the night and take an uncrowded evening or early morning stroll.
Information
| Location | Kamikochi, Matsumoto City Map |
|---|---|
| TEL | 0263-95-2606 |
| FAX | 0263-95-2611 |
| kamikochi-vc@mb.neweb.ne.jp | |
| URL | http://www.kamikochi.org/ |
| Date(s) | late April to late November (Official Opening Ceremony: April 27th) |
| Seasonal Info | Autumn colored leaves: early-October – mid-October |
Zenkoji Temple
Zenkoji temple has been revered for over 1400 years as Japan’s primary center of Buddhist faith. Zenkoji houses the first Buddhist statue to come to Japan, attracting pilgrims from all denominations. 6 million visitors come every year to be awed by this masterpiece of Buddhist architecture. It is the largest temple in all of eastern Japan and testament to the faith of its followers. In 1998, the bells of Zenkoji rang in the start of the Winter Olympics in a wish for world peace.
Information
| Location | Zenkoji Temple, 491, Motozen-machi, Nagano City Map |
|---|---|
| TEL | 026-234-3591 |
| FAX | 026-235-2151 |
| URL | http://www.zenkoji.jp/ENGLISH/about/ |
Togakushi Okusha Shrine and Forest Reserve
Togakushi is considered to be a spiritual mountain with its 5 shrines being related to Japan’s creation myth. Along the way to the “Back Shrine”, Okusha, the path is lined by ancient cedar trees that exude an almost spiritual feeling of the majesty and power of nature. The path borders the Togakushi Forest Reserve, a mecca for bird watching, with over 120 species of wild birds. Wildflowers express the changing of the seasons in an almost continual parade of flowers, featuring the creamy white blossoms of the mizubasho skunk cabbage in spring and early summer.
Information
| Location | Togakushi Chu-sha, Nagano City Map |
|---|---|
| TEL | 026-254-2200 |
| FAX | 026-254-2200 |
| Business hours | 9:30 – 17:00 |
| Usage fee | Free |
| Date(s) | Late Apr – Nov 30; Closed on Mondays (but open on National Holiday-Mondays, closed next day instead) |
Jigokudani Yaen Koen (“the Snow Monkey Park”)
Jigokudani, home of the world-famous “snow monkeys”, is situated in the valley of the Yokoyu River, downstream from Shiga Kogen and just upriver from Yudanaka and Shibu Onsen. Over 160 Japanese Macaque monkeys inhabit the area and despite the harsh conditions (snow-covered for one-third of the year) and the rough cliffs and hot springs bursting from the ground (hence the name, Jigokudani means “Hell’s Valley”), the area is paradise for the monkeys. The reason is that same hot spring water collects in pools that the monkeys enjoy bathing in. This provides an opportunity for us humans to watch the Macaque up close and observe their fascinating behavior (not to mention enjoy the blissful looks on their faces as they soak in their onsen). Just before the entrance to the park is the Jigokudani Steam Vent, a nationally registered natural object and an impressive example of natural onsen forces at work. Across the Yokoyu River is Korakukan Ryokan where humans also can enjoy an onsen bath.
Information
| Location | 6845, Hirao, Yamanouchi Town Map |
|---|---|
| TEL | 0269-33-4379 |
| FAX | 0269-33-8521 |
| webmaster@jigokudani-yaenkoen.co.jp | |
| Business hours | Summer: 8:30 – 17:00 / Winter: 9:00 -16:00 |
| Usage fee | Adults : 800 yen Children : 400 yen |
