Nagano
Discover Nagano
Nagano (長野) is the capital of Nagano prefecture, in the Chubu district of Japan. It flourished as a temple city of Zenkō-ji, a famous temple. 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".
What to Experience in Nagano
Taste of Nagano...
Not available
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsNagano is accessible from Tokyo station via the Hokuriku Shinkansen, formerly known as the Nagano Shinkansen. The trip takes anywhere from 80 to 110 minutes depending on the train that is used, but generally the Kagayaki (かがやき) and the Hakutaka (はくたか) services make fewer stops than the Asama (あさま). The fare is ¥8,200 for a reserved seat. Standard and Green Car seats are fully covered by the respective versions of the Japan Rail Pass, but if you want to use the premium GranClass seats - which feature airline-like business class seats and personal attendant service - you will have to pay the limited express and GranClass surcharges (an additional ¥11,910 from Tokyo to Nagano), as any version of the Japan Rail Pass only covers the base fare....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
There are buses that loop around the city center called the Gururingo (ぐるりん号). If you stay within the main area a ride is only ¥100. Nagano is famous for Togakushi soba. Also be sure to get some Oyaki, a delicious and cheap Japanese dumpling. It comes in many different flavoured fillings, both sweet and savoury.
Money & Budget
Nagano is famous for Togakushi soba. Also be sure to get some Oyaki, a delicious and cheap Japanese dumpling. It comes in many different flavoured fillings, both sweet and savoury.
Safety Information
Nearby Destinations
Glimpses of Nagano
brown monkey on body of water shallow focus photography
Castle Matsumoto Tenshukaku, Matsumoto - Japan
green and white pagoda
A red and white bridge and some trees and buildings
a large golden vase sitting in front of a tall building
A group of people standing in front of a building
brown and green mountains under white clouds and blue sky during daytime
Curious Eyes
at obasute station 姨捨駅
at Matsumoto Castle Park 松本城公園 05/22/2019
brown monkey on body of water shallow focus photography
Castle Matsumoto Tenshukaku, Matsumoto - Japan
green and white pagoda