"NAGANO" Top 5 Page for this destination Nagano by kiwigal_1

Nagano Travel Guide: 88 reviews and 184 photos

As of May 3rd 2002 I no longer live in Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture which is the place I called home for 16 months. Most of the pictures I have put here were taken the winter of 2000-2001.

During Winter Nagano is usually covered in snow and is very beautiful. During Summer and Spring Nagano is full of colour as all the peach and apple trees bloom and grow their delicious fruit! (The specialty of the region!). Autumn brings an array of colours as the trees change from green to golds, oranges and reds. Nagano is a place that can be enjoyed all year round! It is a wonderful place to go snowboarding or skiing and also to see the cute monkeys in the snow! I'll no longer be there to act as tour guide but have a read of this page for plenty of excellent ideas of what to do in Nagano and feel free to email me if you have any questions related to Nagano or Japan.

This picture was taken at a rotenburo near Jigokudani Monkey Park. Haven't you always wanted to bathe naked with wild animals in the middle of winter? An experience indeed!

For more information on places to see in Japan please look at my Japan page.

Zenkoji Festival - January 2003

Zenkoji in laser lights

This picture was sent to me by a friend in Nagano who was there for a special laser light display at Zenkoji.

Pros and Cons

Pros:The mountains, great outdoor leisure opportunities
Cons:Heavy snowfall makes it hazardous for driving in winter
In a nutshell:A beautiful wonderland with many interesting places to explore

Last visit to Nagano: May 2002
Intro Updated Jun 21, 2004
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Reviews (45)

LAKE SUWA Off The Beaten Path (11)

I have already mentioned the great Fireworks display held at Lake Suwa in summer. This place is a gorgeous place to... more travel advice

Zenkoji Festival - January 2003 Nightlife (3)

Zenkoji Temple was lit up with laser lights for a special festival in January 2003 more travel advice

THE MONKEY PARK Off The Beaten Path (11)

This pic is one of my favourites. This monkey reminds me of a Japanese Oji-San (Old man). Please look under General... more travel advice

JIGOKUDANI KOEN Favorites (10)

This park is world famous and often referred to as The Monkey Park . It has Japanese Macaques (the most northern most... more travel advice

What to Pack (2)
See All My friend Kizuku
Shopping (1)
What to Buy in Nagano?
Restaurants (4)
See All CAPRICIOSA
Transportation (2)
See All AIRPORT TAXI SERVICE
Things to Do (3)
See All ZENKOJI TEMPLE

Tourist Traps (2)
See All Winter Olympics Information
Hotels (2)
See All NAGANO CITY ACCOMMODATION
Local Customs (4)
See All SOBA
Warnings Or Dangers (1)
SNOW
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Comments (141)

SLLiew Jun 2, 2009 at 5:48 PM Report Abuse

Nice page of Nagano. Bring back fond memories of Japan, especially wild flower viewing in the highlands. Arigatou. SL:)
volopolo Mar 17, 2009 at 10:19 AM Report Abuse

Japan is in my dreams to travel. Little expensive for me but anyway
mhaberma Feb 11, 2009 at 4:13 PM Report Abuse

When I took this taxi service in January it was 10,500 yen.
bluezinc Dec 5, 2008 at 1:13 PM Report Abuse

Wow! Where is this? I've never been to on onsen with monkeys! Also, I thought you weren't allowed to bring cameras into onsens?
Marisola May 26, 2008 at 7:44 PM Report Abuse

I love your pictures of Zenkoji! I miss Nagano so much! I lived there for 14 months! What were you doing there?
edelng Aug 30, 2007 at 11:27 PM Report Abuse

I will be going to Nagano on 22nd Nov with my family for 4 days. I would like go to Hakuba and its surroundings. Hope we can see some snow at that time.
herrylaw Feb 27, 2007 at 7:04 PM Report Abuse

Nice page and very useful information about taxis between Nagano and Narita, but please note that Chuo Taxi's number is 026-282-7777
terps94 Apr 8, 2006 at 11:03 AM Report Abuse

wonderful page!! and your pic in the onsen made me miss those winter time in northern japan
KidRock Dec 9, 2005 at 7:43 PM Report Abuse

Damn the towel! :-) Great page.
jamiesno Nov 23, 2004 at 3:04 PM Report Abuse

Rhianon great opening pic, one of the most original I seen on here yet, hehehe. Nice job! You would like my Mont Tremblant, QC page with the Scandanavian Bath. Cheers to those sneaky friends! :-) Great tips too!