About | Access | Area Map | Attractions
About
Nagano City (in Japanese; Nagano Shi;) is the capital city of Nagano Prefecture and is in the Chuubu region of Japan (middle area, see map below). As of October 1, 2016, the city had an estimated population of 375,234 people. Nagano has a long and colorful history and in recent "modern" history it became well known because it hosted the winter Olympics in 1998. Nagano has not been so much of a typical foreigner tourist destination in the past but recently foreigners have been visiting Nagano for it's outdoor type activities and the Monkey Park which is close by. Many Japanese tourists visit Nagano and Nagano Prefecture in the summer in order to get away from the heat, climb mountains and look at picturesque nature spots while in the winter they visit one of the many ski resorts throughout the area such as Shika Kogen (one of the largest in Japan) and Mount Hakuba.
Short History: Nagano proper dates from the 12th-13th century and grew up around the Zenkoji Temple. The Zenkoji Temple was relocated to the Nagano area (it was called Shinano Province at that time) in 642 AD and a small town started to grow at the temple's gates. A bronze Buddha, believed to have been a gift from Korea in the 6th century ad, is enshrined in the Zenkoji Temple, which is one of the most popular Buddhist temples in Japan. Furthermore, the newly developing town was a "Post Station" on the Hokkoku Kaidou (highway) connecting Edo (Tokyo) with towns and villages on the coast of the Sea of Japan. During the Sengoku Era (Japans Feudal times 1467-1603) the Nagano Basin was the scene right out of a movie like "The Last Samurai" as two feuding clans, the Takeda Shingen and the Uesugi Kenshin, fought for control over the area. Some of the most famous "Samurai" battles were fought near and around Nagano city including the "Battles of Kawanakajima"... in one case the actual leaders of both sides fought a hand to hand battle! (Actually the leader of the Uesugi clan burst into the headquarters of the Takeda clan on his horse and Takeda's leader fought off the attack with a signaling fan!) During the Sengoku Era there were quite a few castles and forts that dotted the Nagano Prefecture area but most all were destroyed by battles at the time or the Meji Restoration order to destroy them. After the Meiji restoration the modern town of Nagano was established in 1889. Then in 1897 it was elevated to "City Status". Nagano City was the first city founded in Nagano Prefecture and the 43rd city in Japan.
Nagano can be reached by the Shinkansen (Bullet Train) in under two hours. The famous Zenkoji Temple is close to downtown and can be easily accessed from Nagano Station but for many of the other attractions you will need to ride local trains, rent a car or ride buses.
Access
The "Access" Graphic above is a simplified "Quick Glance" at transportation options. Due to fluctuating schedules & pricing, Times & Costs are subject to change.
from Tokyo
- by Train - The Japan Rail Pass is valid for the Bullet Train to Nagano.
- Bullet Train - around 8,200 yen and takes about 1.5 - 2 hours (depending on the train)
- Bullet Train for Nagano Leaves from Tokyo and Ueno Stations in Tokyo.
- Bullet Train - around 8,200 yen and takes about 1.5 - 2 hours (depending on the train)
- by Bus - around 3,000 - 4,000 yen and takes about 3 - 5 hours (depending on traffic). JR passes may not be valid on bus. Please contact bus company for details.
- Alpico Bus Website for more information.
- Willer Express Bus Website for more information.
Area Map
Attractions
Here is a list of some of the top Attractions in & nearby Nagano. View all Attractions in Nagano.
Zenko-ji
Hours: The grounds of Shrines and Temples are generally open 27/7, 365 days a year but, many set their own hours. If hours are set, they are generally open from 9:00 a.m. or 10:00 a.m. in the morning and close around 4:30 p.m. or 5:00 p.m. in the evening.
Cost: The general grounds of Shrines and Temples are free but may charge a small fee (a couple/few hundred yen) for special gardens, exhibitions, artifact viewing, etc.
Map: Google Map
Zenko-ji is a Buddhist temple in Nagano, Japan. It is one of Japan's most important Buddhist temples because it stores the FIRST Buddhist statue ever to be brought into Japan. The commandments of the temple require absolute secrecy of this statue, prohibiting it to be shown to anyone, including th... more details
Jigokudani Monkey Park
Hours: April - October: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm, November - March: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm (last entry 30 min. before closing)
Closed: No closing days but, unexpected closures might happen due to the weather conditions.
Cost: Adult (18+): 800 yen, 6-17: 400 yen, under 6: free.
Map: Google Map
Jigokudani Monkey Park, Yosemite (CC BY 3.0) Jigokudani Monkey Park is a world wide famous place where Japanese Macaque monkeys soak in a hot springs. Images of these monkeys have even been printed in the National Geographic Magazine. The "Monkey Park" is part of the "Joshinetsu Kogen National Park... more details
Togakushi Shrine
Hours: The grounds of Shrines and Temples are generally open 27/7, 365 days a year but, many set their own hours. If hours are set, they are generally open from 9:00 a.m. or 10:00 a.m. in the morning and close around 4:30 p.m. or 5:00 p.m. in the evening.
Cost: The general grounds of Shrines and Temples are free but may charge a small fee (a couple/few hundred yen) for special gardens, exhibitions, artifact viewing, etc.
Map: Google Map
The Togakushi Shrine (in Japanese; Togakushi Jinja; 戸隠神社) is a Shinto shrine in Nagano Prefecture, Japan. It sits at the base of Mt. Togakushi in the National Park "Myoukou Togakushi Renzan National Park". Togakushi Shrine is actually five shrines encompassing a large area and ea... more details
Matsushiro Castle
Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (Last Entry at 4:30 p.m.)
Closed: No closing days
Cost: Free
Map: Google Map
Matsushiro Castle, originally known as Kaizu Castle is near Nagano and played a role in the long rivalry between Takeda Shingen and Uesugi Kenshin. It is a Japanese "flatland" castle in Matsushiro town (a suburb of Nagano City) located at a strategic location by the Chikuma river near th... more details
Kasugayama Castle
Hours: Always open
Closed: No closing days
Cost: Free
Map: Google Map
Trail leading up the mountain to Kasugayama Castle Kasugayama Castle was a castle in Japan built in the Sengoku Period (Warring States period 1467-1600). It was one of the largest and strongest mountain castles built and was the Home Base castle for Uesugi Kenshin, one of Japan's most famous Daimy... more details
Zenkoji is a Buddhist temple in Nagano, Japan. It is one of Japan's most important Buddhist temples because it stores the FIRST Buddhist statue ever to be brought into Japan. The commandments of the temple require absolute secrecy of this statue, prohibiting it to be shown to anyone, including the chief priest of the temple! However, a replica of the statue called "Maedachi Honzon" was built.... see more details.
Nagano Monkey Park is a world wide famous place where Japanese Macaque monkeys soak in a hot springs. Images of these monkeys have even been printed in the National Geographic Magazine. The "Monkey Park" is part of the "Joshinetsu Kogen National Park", locally known as Shigakogen. "Jigokudani" means "Hell's Valley" in English and is due to the steam and boiling water that bubbles.... see more details.
Togakushi Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Nagano Prefecture, Japan. It sits at the base of Mt. Togakushi in the National Park "Myoukou Togakushi Renzan National Park". Togakushi Shrine is actually five shrines encompassing a large area and each about 2km (1.25 miles) apart (be prepared for some walking). The five shrines are, 1.) Houkou Sha (lower shrine) dedicated to.... see more details.
Matsushiro Castle is a Japanese "flatland" castle in Matsushiro town (a suburb of Nagano City) located at a strategic location by the Chikuma river near the major Japanese city of Nagano in Nagano Prefecture. The castle was originally built under orders of Takeda Shingen (a Daimyou; Lord) in 1560 and was called Kaizu Castle. Kaizu Castle was used as a "base of operations".... see more details.
