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Nagano City
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All of the best ski resorts and sightseeing are just a skip and a hop away making Nagano City the best winter holiday hub in the entire Nagano Prefecture!
A trip to Hakuba, Japan is no simple venture. And, to no surprise, this leads many to overpack their schedule with winter holiday FOMO or, even worse, miss out on next-level powder. But it doesn’t have to be this way. If making the most out of your ski trip to Japan is a top-priority (without the stress), Nagano City is the destination you never knew you needed, but once visited, will never be able live without.
As the largest city in the prefecture, the sightseeing, dining, and entertainment are some of the best around. And, with the most active transportation system in Nagano, getting to Hakuba (and other ski areas) is incredibly easy with shuttle buses such as Alpico Bus. Just look off in any direction for the silhouette of snow-capped mountains that peek through the city sights, grab your skis if you have, and one of their many, frequent buses will get you where you need to be.
While in the city, enjoy historic temples and shrines, watch (and take part in) local Japanese festivals that paint the city streets with colour and excitement, and eat your days away with the traditional cuisine that has coined the area a mecca for adventurers and foodies alike. Forget over-priced and over-overcrowded resort accommodation without missing any of the powder at Nagano City, and make this trip one you’ll never forget.
Culinary Delights
Staying in Hakuba?
All the best food in one place, without the long lines and waiting times
At night, eateries in smaller towns of ski areas, like Hakuba, get slammed with insane dinner rushes that lead to long lines and a nightly hassle of trying to find somewhere to eat. Nagano City, on the other hand, has over 4,000 restaurants that offer everything you could want; from traditional and local cuisine to Japanese favourites like ramen, curry, sushi, yakinikuk and shabu-shabu. But the culinary world of Nagano City is by no means small. Grab Chinese or Italian, head over to one of the many craft beer bars, or sit down with a juicy burger if that’s what you’re in the mood for; the options are endless. Nagano City also has the added benefit of an abundance of restaurants that caters to vegan, vegetarian and other dietary-restricted visitors.
Click here for the shuttle bus timetable and reservation for Hakuba and Nagano line.
https://www.alpico.co.jp/en/timetable/hakuba/r-nagano-hakuba/
You can find your favorite restaurants on this site.
http://shokutabinagano.com/sp/
Transportation
Shuttle buses, all of the best ski resorts and sightseeing are
just a skip and a hop away
Nagano City is only 80-minutes away from Tokyo via bullet train. This not only makes it the fastest-to-reach big ski destination in all of Japan, but means that visitors can easily travel to their heart’s content throughout the country. Better yet, via shuttle buses, all of the best ski resorts and sightseeing are just a skip and a hop away making Nagano City the best winter holiday hub in the entire prefecture! Check out just how easy it is:
Hakuba Ski Resort ⟷ Nagano City – 70-minutes via Alpico Express Bus
Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort ⟷ Nagano City – 75-minutes via Express Bus
Togakushi Ski Resort ⟷ Nagano City– 60-minutes via Shuttle Bus
Matsumoto Castle ⟷ Nagano City – 65-minutes via train
Kanazawa City ⟷ Nagano City – 65~87-minutes via bullet train
Snow Monkey Park ⟷ Nagano City – 75-minutes via shuttle bus
***For timetables and reservations,
Nagano City and Hakuba for the Alpico Shuttle Bus, click https://www.alpico.co.jp/en/timetable/hakuba/r-nagano-hakuba/
Nagano City and other areas for the Alpico Shuttle Bus, click https://www.alpico.co.jp/en/
Sightseeing
Zenkoji Temple
Perhaps one of the most important and popular temples in all of Japan, Zenkoji dates back to the 7th century; almost as far back as the introduction of Buddhism in Japan! Step back in time as you enter the grounds through either of the two gates, Nio-mon or San-mon, and stand in awe of the abundant historic architecture. The areas surrounding the temple are as bustling as can be with cultural activities, restaurants, food stands, stores and more.
Zenkoji Temple Link : https://www.zenkoji.jp/en/
Togakushi Shrine
Just a short bus ride away from Zenkoji Temple lies the otherworldly Togakushi Shrine. Hidden away in lush green forests, this stunning shrine exudes a peacefulness and beauty reminiscent of scenes in the beloved film, Totoro. The journey consists of 3 shrines (lower, middle and upper), which together accumulate to a 2-kilometre woodland walk easily enjoyed in the warmth of summer or the cool winter air.
Togakushi Shrine Link : https://www.snowmonkeyresorts.com/smr/nagano-city/things-to-do-in-togakushi/
Matsushiro Castle
In the southern-part of Nagano City, lies this lesser-known gem. Explore the ruins of Matsushiro Castle and the surrounding town, many buildings being the former residences of samurai, which date back to the Edo Period. The Sanada Treasures Museum is also close by and this area is accessible via Alpico Shuttle Bus.
Matsushiro Castle Link : https://www.snowmonkeyresorts.com/smr/nagano-city/things-to-do-in-matsushiro/
Matsumoto Castle
Those staying in Nagano City will not want to miss out on a visit to Matsumoto Castle. Just a short ride away via Alpico Shuttle Bus, this is one of only a handful of castles bestowed as a prestigious National Treasure of Japan. Enjoy the spectacular sights from the castle grounds below or take the hike up the steep steps inside for breath-taking rooftop views of Matsumoto City.
Matsumoto Castle Link : https://www.matsumoto-castle.jp/eng
Snow Monkey Park
No winter holiday in Nagano Prefecture is complete without a visit to the Jigokudani Yaen Koen (Snow Monkey Park). This is the only place in the world to watch on as these adorable little monkeys kick back and soak away in the natural hot springs of the valley to fend off the fatigue of their busy lives in the chilly powder snow. Needless to say, you’ll want to bring your camera.
Snow Monkey Park Link : https://en.jigokudani-yaenkoen.co.jp/
Events & Expeiences
Zenkoji Temple Special Experience with Nagano Wine Premium Dinner
featuring ”The Drops of God”
The special tour to explore and experience "Zenkoji Temple” will be held including dinner supervised by Karuizawa Marriott Hotel with superb local Nagano wine. Collaboration with the popular manga “Kami no Shizuku (The Drops of God)”
Event Dates: 24,25,26 January 2025
Venue: Zenkoji Temple
Zenkoji Daikanjin Special Experience
Daikanjin Temple, one of the 39 temples managed under Zenkoji, offers a collection of unique cultural experiences. This includes Zazen (Sitting Meditation) and Shakyo (Copy Sutra Meditation) rituals. Shakyo focuses on gaining a sense of inner peace and harmony through writing Buddhist Sutra, which also serves as a fantastic chance for guests to try their hand at traditional Japanese calligraphy. These each cost 1,000 Yen per 30-minute exercise.
They also offer a Goma Prayer Ceremony. Here, participants submit a wish for the monk to offer up in prayer to a statue of Hudo-myo, a Buddhist God who wards away misfortune. It costs 1,000 Yen to offer up your wish and 3,000 Yen to participate in the ceremony. The Goma Prayer Ceremony is undertaken 5 times per day.
***Please note that some experiences require a reservation.
21st Annual Nagano Tomyo Festival
From Friday, February 9 until Monday, February 12, 2024, stop by Zenkoji Temple for the 21st Annual Nagano Tomyo Festival. Here, a brilliant display of lights and lanterns line the buildings and streets in commemoration of the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics. The festival will take place from 18:00 – 21:00 each day (Sunday will end at 20:00).
Zenkoji Omotesando Illumination
From December 21, 2024 to February 11, 2025, the streets leading up to Zenkoji Temple and areas of the temple itself will be dosed in an ethereal array of vibrant illuminations. The event will take place each night from 17:00 to 22:00
Setsubun Festival
Every year on February 3, a Setsubun Festival is held at Zenkoji Temple and Akiba Shrine, which is located in Gondo-cho. During the festival, 300~400 lucky men and women (consisting of celebrities, guests and paid slots open to the public) throw beans and small goodie bags into the crowd below as part of the event's prayer for good health.
Togakushi Ski Resort
