Nagano, Japan: 10 Best Things To Do

Nagano, Japan: 10 best things to do

By Anna Purpurpurpur

Nagano is the main city of Nagano prefecture, and one of its defining features is its altitude and the mountains surrounding it.

I’ve never been to this part of Japan before (although I’ve definitely heard of Matsumoto Castle and snow monkeys at the Jigokudani Monkey Park in the same prefecture), so I didn’t know what to expect. But it turned out perfect!

Eventually I can call Nagano one of the most amazing Japanese cities I’ve ever been to! It has impressive historical sights, parks, delicious local dishes and many more, and I’d gladly return there to spend more time.

Besides that, Nagano is easily accessible by train from Tokyo: it takes less than 2 hours from Tokyo Station to get there (and the views out of the train window don’t disappoint). Scroll down to see more!

1. Visit the underground tunnel of Zenko-ji

Zenko-ji is undoubtedly the prominent landmark of Nagano. This magnificent Buddhist temple dates to the 7th century and remains one of Japan’s main pilgrimage sites.

It also played a part in the 16th-century feud between Uesugi Kenshin and Takeda Shingen. It was rebuilt numerous times, and the current main hall dates back to the early 18th century. The photography inside is forbidden, but believe me, it looks grand!

There’s also a curved tunnel below the hall completely deprived of light – the legend says that if you find a key or a metal bar there, you’ll find your way to heaven! And we did, actually!

The territory of the temple is absolutely charming, with all the camellia and cherry trees in bloom with stone lanterns everywhere.

Did you know that Kobayashi Issa, a famous haiku poet, was born in Nagano province and dedicated his haiku to this temple? You’ll find the monument to him here as well.

You can also spot a three-story pagoda with a small museum inside, the pillars, Rokujizō, the statues of the six Bodhisattvas, and two gates, Sanmon and Niomon. Overall, it’s one of the most impressive temple you can visit in Japan!

2. Try oyaki at Nakamise Street

You’ll find Nakamise Street between Sanmon and Niomon gates. It’s a lively shopping street with souvenir shops, matcha shops, apple-themed shops, cafes selling Oyaki and even Starbucks!

Matcha shop there was just amazing, specialising solely on matcha products: matcha ice cream, iced matcha, matcha warabimochi… Also you can spot a statue of an ox on one of the houses – probably, it’s linked to a folclore story when a women chased after an ox wishing to retrieve a piece of clothes from the animal, and she ended up in Zenkoji and realised there that her life lacked faith.

Oyaki is a kind of fried pie with filling, and it’s a local speciality. They are served piper hot, and be careful while eating them! However I must admit that those pies are delicious. and we almost skipped a lunch because we had too many oyaki.

3. Admire nature at Joyama Park

Joyama Park is an absolute must-see in Nagano! It’s a public park located on the slopes of a small hill – and imagine what?

It’s all covered with Sakura trees and a breathtaking spot to walk around in spring! People come here for a picnic, dogs play, and kids run in the playground. It sounds idyllic, right?

4. Buy apple-related food

Have you seen the mascot of Nagano? It’s a green bear with a red apple on its head.

Nagano is famous for its apples, and Nagano’s apple gardens are considered to be perfect for growing those fruits in terms of climate. That’s why you see apples everywhere!

5. See Japanese artists at Nagano Prefectural Art Museum

Nagano Prefectural Art Museum was designed by Hayashi Shoji from Nikken Sekkei Ltd – and it is simply amazing not to mention an art! Its amazing modern building, located not far from Zenko-ji temple, is organically integrated into the landscape.

Initially it was known as Nagano Prefectural Shinano Art Museum (dating to 1966) and it was renamed three years later and enlarged and reopened in 2021. There, you can explore temporary and permanent exhibitions of Japanese artists, including famous post-war artist Kaii Higashiyama (photography, for some reason, is forbidden in some halls).

Don’t miss an open-air cafe on the top floor!

6. Notice the 1998 Winter Olympic Games signs

Nagano is famous for hosting the Winter Games in February 1998; memorabilia remains in the city. For instance, you can’t miss a big sign at the Midori station.

Moreover, the Omotesando Nagano Olympic Memorial Park was also established in 2012 to highlight this event.

7. Explore the site of Yokoyama Castle

Some fortifications were erected on a hill overlooking Nagano in the 16th century – and as far as I understood, there once stood Yokoyama Castle which was destroyed. All you find here are Takeminakata Tominomikoto Hikokamiwake Shrine and the flattened castle ruins.

If you ask see, this spot definitely has Spirited away vibe, as if the spirits and yokai were hiding from humans in the daylight.

But that’s not all: as this site sits on the top of the hill, it’s a very picturesque spot, with sakura trees blooming in the spring and the mountains at the background.

8. Consider visiting snow monkeys at Joyama Zoo

You probably know that Nagano prefecture is famous for snow monkeys – but you can find them in Nagano too, but not in the wild. Head to the Nagano Joyama Zoo then!

And you can give some food to the monkeys too (but I haven’t noticed any regulations for the feeding). Apart from the monkeys, there are also sea lions, deer, penguins, pelicans and smaller animals. If you’re travelling with kids, they might enjoy a merry-go-round and a monorail here.

Overall, it’s a small and old-fashioned zoo typical of this part of Asia, where animals sadly don’t have much space. However, it’s worth visiting if you’re in Nagano in spring like us because the whole zoo area is buried in blooming cherry trees, and, as a bonus, you’ll get a nice view over the mountains!

9. Eat at Kuraniwa Patio Daimon

Kuraniwa Patio Daimon is a small district of shops and restaurants close to Zenko-hi temple. Patio Daimon is famous for its architecture: you’ll see traditional warehouses, or ‘kura’, here, giving it the vibe of an old town!

You can also find some workshops here. So, come here for food (for instance, to try Nozawana Greens vegetables) or authentic experiences!

10. Learn a story behind Saiko-ji temple

Saiko-ji temple was founded in 1199 by Karukaya, a nobleman who became a Buddhist hermit, and the temple’s site is tranquil and beautiful. The story of Karukaya became the plot of the oldest Japanese illustrated book.

The story behind it is a bit tragic because the guy left his kid Ishido and his pregnant wife. When they eventually found him, he pretended that Karukaya had died. Later on, the lady dies, and so does her second child. Ishido returns to the hermit, not knowing that this is his father. Karukaya didn’t tell the poor boy anything, keeping him devoted to religion, which was probably considered right then.

Pictures of the floating world