Nagano Prefecture: Castles, Mountains, and Seasonal Experiences

Matsumoto Castle and peaks reaching 3,000 meters offer two very different perspectives on Nagano Prefecture. Add seasonal activities, art, wildlife watching, and regional cuisine to the mix. To plan your trip, it helps to first decide which interests you most.

Matsumoto Castle and Art

Matsumoto Castle was built in 1594 and is the oldest surviving example of a castle with five exterior stories and six interior floors. The different counts of exterior stories and interior floors illustrate the building’s external and internal structure. In recognition of its historical value, the castle is designated a National Treasure of Japan. Its construction date, architecture, and designation make it a prominent cultural attraction in the prefecture.

The Nagano Prefectural Art Museum features works by artists connected to Nagano Prefecture. Its Higashiyama Kaii Gallery hosts permanent and rotating exhibitions featuring works by Hokusai. Alongside the castle’s history, this offers a distinct art-focused option for planning your trip.

Mountains and Different Scales

In the Northern Alps, Chubu-Sangaku National Park includes mountains reaching 3,000 meters. Its peaks include Hakubadake, Tsurugidake, Tateyama, Yarigatake, Hotakadake, and Norikuradake. Further afield in the region, the Senjojiki Cirque in the Nagano Alps was formed by a glacier. The Minami Alps UNESCO Eco Park extends across Yamanashi, Shizuoka, and Nagano and includes ten cities and municipalities. These include Iida, Ina, Oshika Village, and Fujimi in Nagano. The examples differ in geographic scale, from named peaks in the Northern Alps to an Eco Park that spans three prefectures.

Seasonal Activities and Wildlife Watching

In the Togakushi Highlands, visitors can explore nature in summer and ski in winter. Shiga Kogen, in the northeast of the prefecture, sits at elevations of 1,330 to 2,307 meters and includes a total of 18 large and small ski areas. The region is one of Japan’s largest snow and winter sports destinations. Further afield in the region, Hakuba in the Nagano Alps offers powder snow and Olympic-quality runs. These destinations offer different winter highlights: Shiga Kogen for the number and elevation of its ski areas, and Hakuba for its powder snow and Olympic-quality runs.

At Jigokudani, visitors can watch wild monkeys bathe in hot springs. This nature experience offers a different focus from mountain landscapes and seasonal activities.

Experience Soba and Oyaki

Nagano is considered the birthplace of soba noodles, and visitors can enjoy soba there as part of Japanese food culture. Oyaki-making experiences offer a different culinary experience: visitors can take part in Nagano City, Ogawa Village, and Iiyama. The experiences are held in traditional shops styled like old farmhouses or at activity venues. While soba is enjoyed as part of food culture, Oyaki experiences focus on taking part in the preparation.

Getting to Kamikochi and Finding a Hotel

When traveling to Kamikochi, it is important to note that private cars are restricted. From the Nagano side, visitors use parking areas in the Sawando area and transfer there to a shuttle bus or taxi. Factor this transfer into your travel plans and check in advance which shuttle bus or taxi options are available for your visit.

A trip focused on castles and art appeals to different interests than a stay centered on nature exploration, winter sports, or regional food experiences. Search for hotels in Nagano Prefecture based on the activities that matter to you.

Discover more destinations: Chiisagata District, Kiso District, Matsumoto, Okaya, Chino, Shimosuwa, Koumi, Nagano, Saku, Ueda, Shiojiri, Iida, Azuma, Chikuma, Minamijo, Azumino, Hakuba, Yamanouchi, Nagiso, Omi, Sakaki, Kitasaku District, Kamiina District, Nakaniikawa District, Suwa, Komoro, Ina, Komagane, Suzaka, Iiyama, Ōmachi, Shimotakai District, Kamitakai District, Kitaazumi District, Minamisaku District, Nagawa, Shimojo, Tomi, Kiso.

For the main travel overview: Japan.