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Ideal Time to Visit Nagano
Nagano showcases its unique beauty in every season and remains a premier tourist destination for many travelers. While Nagano is worth visiting year-round, the most beautiful and enticing time to visit is during the summer season.
Thanks to its natural blessings of stunning landscapes and abundant lakes and rivers, Nagano becomes an ideal summer retreat for many travelers. Visitors often come here to relax by the lakes, admire the scenery, and immerse themselves in the picturesque natural landscapes. Additionally, summer is a time for cultural festivals, outdoor activities, museum visits, and experiencing various local activities.
Nagano Summer Tourism
Moreover, due to its numerous lakes, rivers, and hilly terrain, coupled with its high altitude location, Nagano enjoys cooler temperatures than many other places even in summer. This creates a pleasant atmosphere that attracts many visitors for relaxation and rejuvenation.
Transportation in Nagano
After landing at Tokyo International Airport, travelers can continue their journey to Nagano by train from Tokyo Station in about one and a half hours. It is recommended to use a Japan Rail Pass to save on expenses when traveling to Nagano.
Explore Nagano by Bicycle
After arriving in the city, here are some popular modes of transportation to explore Nagano:
Accommodation Options in Nagano
Nagano is a renowned tourist destination, attracting many visitors to the city every year. Therefore, tourism and accommodation services here are well invested in and meticulously built in terms of design, facilities, and services. Here are some lodging options compiled based on the preferences of many travelers in recent times:
What to Eat in Nagano?
Indulge in Katsudon Rice in Nagano
Traditional Oyaki Pastry in Nagano
Try Gohei Mochi on the streets of Nagano
Unique Basashi Dish from Nagano Region
Enjoy the Tempting Cold Soba Noodles
Top 8 Tourist Attractions in Nagano
As a city blessed by nature and possessing a rich ancient culture, the tourist attractions in Nagano leave a profound impression on many visitors.
Kamikochi Valley
Kamikochi Valley is renowned for its majestic mountainous beauty, stretching approximately 15km at an elevation of 1500m above sea level. The valley is surrounded by four large mountains, including the volcanic peaks of Yakedake, Nishihotakadake, Maehotakadake, and Okuhotakadake. Thanks to its favorable terrain and rich natural scenery ranging from forests to rivers and lakes, this place is chosen by many travelers as an ideal hiking destination in the summer.
Apart from hiking, visitors can explore the valley through gentler activities such as long walks and camping. One of the most beautiful and flat routes that attracts many sightseers is the trail along the Azusa River. Along the journey along the riverbank, you can easily find the famous Kappa Bridge. Additionally, there are many food and souvenir shops around the area for you to rest and shop.
Nagano Travel and Exploring Kamikochi Valley
Visitors to the valley often immerse themselves in the local culture, savoring specialties and experiencing life close to nature. Especially in summer and autumn, you can easily spot various animal species in the surrounding forests such as monkeys, deer, and various rare birds.
Kiso Valley
Kiso Valley is located in the southwest of Nagano Prefecture, an area with rugged mountains and dense forests. Particularly, the valley holds historical value with the ancient Nakasendo trade route still existing to this day. It is also famous for the sacred Mount Ontake, where various religious beliefs coexist, including Shintoism, Buddhism, and ancient shamanic practices.
Explore Kiso Valley during your Nagano trip
Upon reaching the enchanting land of Kiso, you'll be awestruck by its majestic beauty. Visitors can delve into the cultural treasures of the region, from purchasing souvenirs crafted from hinoki cypress wood to sampling sake. Many adventurers explore Kiso through activities like mountain climbing, camping, and long-distance hiking. Exploring the post towns of Tsumago, Magome, and Narai, discovering the remote village of Otaki, and witnessing the sacred waterfall at Mount Ontake are all enticing experiences.
The Nishina Sanko Lakes Complex
Comprising three natural lakes—Aoki Lake, Nakasuna Lake, and Kizaki Lake—this area is renowned for its picturesque landscape and exceptional recreational activities. Visitors can partake in various pursuits year-round, including mountain climbing, skiing, camping, hiking, fishing, and cycling.
Aoki Lake, the largest within the complex, offers sweeping views of the Hakuba mountain range. Its grandeur and ever-changing scenery throughout the seasons make Aoki an ideal destination for nature enthusiasts.
The Splendor of Aoki Lake
Situated near residential areas, Kizaki Lake boasts a harmonious beauty and spacious surroundings, making it a popular spot for various recreational activities and leisurely tours. Visitors can enjoy activities like small boat rides, kayaking, canoeing, and nearby hot springs for relaxation and wellness.
Exciting Experiences at Kizaki Lake
Nakasuna, the smallest lake within the complex and nestled between the other two lakes, is renowned for ice fishing during winter. Visitors can indulge in delicacies prepared from the freshly caught seafood right after their fishing expedition. It's a rare experience that you must try when visiting Nakasuna in the winter.
Ice Fishing on Nakasuna Lake in Winter
Matsumoto Castle
Matsumoto is known as the gateway to the 'Alps of the Shinshu region.' It houses Japan's oldest castle of the same name. Situated in the heart of Nagano prefecture, Matsumoto attracts numerous visitors with its stunning natural scenery, ancient architecture, and tales of yore surrounding the castle.
Exploring Matsumoto Castle while touring Nagano
Visitors often come here first to explore the architectural marvel of Matsumoto Castle, considered the national treasure of Japan. In Matsumoto, visitors can marvel at the main tower consisting of 5 stories, built with original wood and featuring the characteristic curved roof of East Asian architecture. There are also various weapons from the medieval era to help you understand historical battles through documents and stories passed down.
Karuizawa Town
Karuizawa Town is an exciting Nagano tourist destination for many visitors, especially those who love shopping and experiencing local cuisine. Karuizawa blends tranquility with liveliness. Located at the foot of Mount Asama, the town exudes the fresh green hues of mountain forests. Visitors can stroll around, explore the streets, and admire the majestic beauty of Mount Asama from afar.
Exploring Karuizawa Town
Stepping into the town, you'll undoubtedly be amazed by the myriad of shops offering a diverse range of goods. Many restaurants and cafes scattered throughout the town serve a variety of local and international delicacies.
Hakuba Village
Hakuba Village is even more beautiful in winter, which is also the time when it welcomes the highest number of tourists each year. Its natural features and geographical location make the village even more appealing to winter sports enthusiasts.
Hakuba Village is situated near Hakuba Sports Park, Tsugaike Ski Resort, Hakuba Goryu, and Hakuba Iwatake,… Therefore, you can spend a significant amount of time playing snow games or participating in various sports activities while touring the village.
The Beauty of Hakuba When Traveling to Nagano in Winter
The village becomes even more enchanting when blanketed in pristine white snow. You can admire beautiful corners of the village or experience the Happo-one Adam gondola ride for breathtaking views. Additionally, there are many other places to explore in Hakuba Village such as the mini train park, art museums,…
Naumann Nojiri-ko Elephant Museum
The elephant museum is located near Lake Nojiri-ko, renowned for recreating the historical imprints of caves, flora, and the lives of the people around Lake Nojiri-ko 50,000 years ago. Particularly, it houses fossils of ancient Naumann elephants that have long been extinct. Visitors can witness and even touch fossilized elephant specimens at the museum.
Explore the Elephant Museum in Nagano
Each year, this place also hosts numerous exhibitions showcasing various historical artifacts such as everyday items of the former Nojiri-ko region residents, tools made of stone, bone, and fossils of deer species,... It's also an intriguing way to learn about the local history and culture for visitors.
Jigokudani Park
Jigokudani Park is one of Nagano's renowned tourist destinations that you should visit. It serves as a conservation area for monkeys in the region, so you'll encounter and observe various monkey species up close at almost every spot in the park. What attracts visitors here the most is the unparalleled sight of monkeys bathing in hot springs. In fact, snow covers this place for about a third of the year, making the image of monkeys bathing in hot springs amidst the white snowscape amusing and captivating.
Exploring Jigokudani Monkey Park
The monkeys are quite accustomed to cameras, so you can easily take photos and videos of them. However, it's important not to get too close as they may react defensively due to their wild instincts. Besides monkey watching, the scenery in the park is quite picturesque and mystical, so you can take a leisurely stroll and contemplate the tranquility of nature.
Essential Tips for Traveling to Nagano
Based on many experiences traveling to Nagano, here are some important tips to make your trip more fulfilling.
Posted by: Nguyen Duc Hung
Keywords: Travel Experience in Nagano and Top 8 Destinations in Nagano
