It's easy to see why people visit Nagano, given its skiing, museums and attractions, food, and nightlife.
The Zenkoji Temple is the center of Nagano. It is a major pilgrimage site and stores the first Buddhist statue ever to be brought into Japan when Buddhism was first introduced in the 6th century. The original statue remains hidden within the temple while a copy of it is shown to the public every six years for a few weeks. Zenkoji is also significant because the town of Nagano was built around it. Some of its features include a decorative main hall and dark underground passage to the "key to paradise" which is thought to grant salvation to anyone who touches it. Near the temple there is also the Zenkoji History Museum, the main Sanmon Gate, and the outer Niomon Gate. Just south of Zenkoji's main gate there is also Nishi-no-Mon, a sake brewery with a restaurant, small museum, and shops housed in traditional buildings. Other attractions of the city include the Shinano Art Museum which holds rotating exhibitions of local fine art, and the Olympic facilities remaining from the 1998 Winter Olympics. These include the M-Wave, the Olympic Stadium, the White Ring, and the Big Hat.
Outside of the city, to the forested mountains of the northwest, there is the Togakushi region of Nagano. Here is the home of the Togakushi shrine which consists of a lower, middle, and upper shrine important to Japanese mythology. They are connected both by roads and hiking trails up the mountain's forested slopes with opportunities to see a small waterfall, age old architecture, sacred trees, and a serene pond amidst mountain scenery. The Togakushi area is also home to the Togakure Ninja School, Togakushi Ninpo Museum, and the Kids Ninja Village-a small theme park with ninja related attractions.
Beyond the temples, shrines, Olympic facilities, and attractions of the mountainous Togakushi area, Nagano holds a festival each summer on the first Saturday in August. The festival is called Binzuru and involves a parade of people walking and dancing down the main street all the way down to the Zenkoji Temple to rub a Binzaru statue for luck.
If you seek some relaxation after all of your sightseeing, Nagano is also in the vicinity of some renowned onsen, or bath houses. Kagai Onsen Ichiyoukan has separate long flowing indoor baths for men and women, while Omuro Onsen Makibanoyu has a large outdoor bath with views across the Zenkouji Plain to the Northern Alps.
In the winter, Karuizawa is a popular mountain resort town to visit, while Nozawa Onsen serves as a hot spring and ski resort.
Skiing:
One of the biggest reasons tourists come to Nagano is to hit the slopes for skiing and snowboarding. The city hosted the 1998 Winter Olympics and many of the skiing events were held at ski resorts in the area. In the Nagano Prefecture you'll find several ski resorts with some of the most popular being the Hakuba ski areas, Shiga Kogen, Nozawa Onsen, and Myoko Kogen.
Museums and Attractions:
Nagano's museums and landmarks are must-sees for any visitor. The area is filled with history and there are many places to explore. Matsumoto Castle, the Matsumoto City Museum of Art, Zenko-ji Temple, and Togakushi Shrine are just some of the highlights.
Hiking:
The hiking paths in the vicinity of Nagano are superb. The surrounding area is filled with stunning scenery, natural beauty, and beautiful hikes. You'll find shrines and temples, historic villages, nice views, and peaceful walks throughout the region. One of the most unique walks is along the highest road in Japan, the Norikura Echo Line. The route is at 8,800 feet and is lined with ten meter high snow walls. It's open from from late April to the end of June every year.
Local tours that last a few hours can be a great way to explore Nagano. Prices vary by the type of activity or tour, the dates, and the size of the group. Here are a few of the highest rated tours by previous visitors:
- Tokyo: A Memorabele Snow Monkey Park and Zenkoji Temple Tour for $544 details
- Tokyo: Luxury Snow Monkey Park Private Tour In Land Cruiser for $557 details