Nagano

Nagano (長野) is the capital of Nagano prefecture, in the Chubu district of Japan.

Culture and History

Nagano hosted the 1998 Winter Olympic Games. Many of the Olympic facilities remain open - like the M-Wave speedskating arena and the Aqua-Wing arena - making Nagano a popular destination for indoor and outdoor sports enthusiasts. It's also a key launching point for trips to onsen and ski resorts in the nearby mountains, which are often referred to as "the Japanese Alps".

Travel to Nagano - Visa Requirements

By train

The Hokuriku Shinkansen, also known as the Nagano Shinkansen, or by the name Asama (あさま), was completed in time for the 1998 Winter Olympics. There are approximately 2-3 departures per hour from Tokyo Station, taking approximately 1 1/2 - 2 hours to make the journey at a cost of ¥7970 each way. You can breathe easy, as smoking was banned on all Asama trains as of December, 2005.

The Wide View Shinano limited express train runs hourly from Nagoya to Nagano. Taking about three hours, and at a cost of ¥7130 each way, this is the best method of reaching Nagano by train from Kyoto, Osaka, and elsewhere in western Japan; simply take the Shinkansen and change to the "Shinano" in Nagoya.

Buses to Nagano

Highway buses from Tokyo depart from the terminal in Shinjuku, and from the Sunshine City Prince Hotel in Ikebukuro. The trip takes around three and a half hours, and the fare is ¥4000 one-way. The ¥7200 round trip fare is about half the cost of the Shinkansen.

Hankyu and Nankai buses also make a few daytime and nighttime runs from Osaka and Kyoto to Nagano. The day runs take about seven hours, and the night runs, nine hours. Expect to pay in the range of ¥6200 one-way, ¥10000 round trip from Osaka, and ¥5300 one-way, ¥9500 round-trip from Kyoto.

Tours and Getting around Nagano

Nagano tourist attractions and sightseeing

• Zenkōji(善光寺) temple, first built in the 7th century, is a major pilgrimage site. Its major draw is the hibutsu (秘仏), or hidden buddha, a statue that is displayed to the public only every six years (the next time will be in April 5 through May 31, 2009). The major renovation of the great inner gate finished in 2007.
• Nishi-no-Mon, southwest of Zenkoji main gate. A sake brewery with attached restaurant and shops, all housed in traditional buildings. The brewery has a small free museum, though it consists of little more than some historic photographs and a view of the stainless-steel brewing equipment.
• Nagano Prefectural Shinano Art Museum [1], just east of Zenkoji. The prefecture's premier art museum. The museum's Higashiyama Kaii Gallery showcases the tranquil landscapes (depicting Northern Europe as well as Japan) of one of the masters of nihon-ga (traditional "Japanese-style painting").

Nagano city tours

• Binnzuru, the big summer festival, has 35 years of history. Every year, more than 200 groups take part in this festival. They walk and dance through Chuo-dori with Shamoji.

Nagano souvenirs and shopping

• Yawataya Isogoro, Daimonm-cho 83, just south of Zenkoji main gate. A 280-year-old store specializing in shichimi ("seven flavors"), a condiment consisting of ground chili peppers, sesame, citrus, and other spices, commonly sprinkled on soba noodle soup. Yawataya's distinctive tin containers are a fixture in soba shops throughout Japan.

Nagano Restaurants: cheap, moderate and expensive

• Sakura, in the Nishi-no-Mon brewery (above). Most of the items on the menu feature miso (fermented bean-paste) which is made with sake by-products. (For an exotic dessert, try miso ice cream.)
• Hungry Caterpillar Cafe, Daimon 56-1, Nagano(On main street south from Zenkoji, 100m south of Daimon intersection), ☎ 026-233-5510. 11:00-18:00. Great sandwiches. Many of the foods enjoyed by the Very Hungry Caterpillar can be found on the menu. Many other nice cafes and restaurants in charming courtyard at rear. 

Nagano nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs

• Bluebird, 1418 Minami Ishidocyo, Daito Building 3F, 5 minute walk rom Nagano Station, take the West Exit, cross street near Starbucks and go up the narrow street. Bluebird is at the end, overlooking the street across from Again department store., Phone: 02-6226-3945.. Western-style pool/dart bar. Hip Hop nights and the occasional tattoo show.
• High-Five, Phone: 090-1868-5815. 5 minute walk from Nagano Station, take the West Exit, it's in the alley between Hotel Ikemon and Hotel Nagano. Small, central nighclub.
• Shiga-Kogen Brewery, in Yudanaka on the way to the monkey park, Phone: 0269-33-2155, [2]. A 200 year old sake brewery that has just opened a microbrewery. Free sake and beer tasting on site and excellent locally made beers.

Nagano cheap and luxurious hotels, youth hostels and lodging

Budget

• Zenkoji Kyoujuin, [3]. Housed in a former temple building a few blocks from Zenkoji. Owner speaks basic English, and is more than happy to use it.Shared room with futon, ¥3360; private room, ¥4000.  

Splurge

• Go-Honjin Fujiya (御本陳藤屋) [4], Daimon-cho 80, just south of Zenkoji main gate. An elegant old traditional inn, founded in 1661 as a stage along the Northern Country road. Its current form was built in 1923 and is a superb example of Taisho-era Western-style architecture.

Get out

• Jigokudani Monkey Park — snowbathing monkeys just half an hour away

This page was last edited by Andrew Todd. Based on work by Jani Patokallio, tyler, jtobiska@gmail.com, Marc Heiden, Colin Jensen, Jose Ramos and Paul N. Richter, Wikitravel user(s) Texugo, Haru, Morph, Drcwright, Episteme, Thewayoftheduck and Mnd and Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel. - Content on this page is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 1.0 license