2025 Nagano Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in July)

Toshio Suzuki is a producer at Studio Ghibli who has worked on many of the world's most famous animations, including "Spirited Away," "Princess Mononoke," and "My Neighbor Totoro." His upbringing is introduced, right up to the completion of the animated film. ✴︎ Introduction to books and films he encountered from his childhood ✴︎ Display of a life-size model of his room at the time ✴︎ Meeting with Isao Takahata and Hayao Miyazaki ✴︎ The story behind the birth of Studio Ghibli ✴︎ Behind the scenes of film planning and promotion, etc. It was introduced in great detail. Recommended for those who like animation and Ghibli works! Finally, you can also draw a Yubaba fortune ✨ There are also lots of cute goods lined up in the souvenir corner. "Suzuki Toshio and Ghibli Exhibition" [Dates] Friday, April 25, 2025 - Sunday, June 29, 2025 📍Nagano Prefectural Museum of Art 1-4-4 Hakoshimizu, Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture (inside Shiroyama Park, next to Zenkoji Temple) 🕰️Opening hours 9:00-17:00 (entrance to exhibition room until 16:30) *Reservation required for designated date and time ✴︎Closed on Wednesdays ✴︎Admission fee [Weekdays] General: 1,600 yen, Junior and senior high school students: 1,300 yen, Elementary school students: 800 yen [Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays] General: 1,800 yen, Junior and senior high school students: 1,500 yen, Elementary school students: 1,000 yen [Admission time slots] ① 9:00-9:30 ② 9:30-10:00 ③10:00-10:30 ④10:30-11:00 ⑤11:00-11:30 ⑥11:30-12:00 ⑦12:00-12:30 ⑧12:30-13:00 ⑨13:00-13:30 ⑩13:30-14:00 ⑪14:00-14:30 ⑫14:30-15:00 ⑬15:00-15:30 ⑭15:30-16:00 ⑮16:00-16:30 #AbsolutelyFreeTrip

Toyono Onsen Ringo no Yu in Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture After 6pm, admission is only 350 yen for adults! Even during the day, it's a great deal at 410 yen🔥 There's a restaurant inside, and the coffee milk you drink after the bath is the best👌🏻 Please go and check it out✨ #0 yen travel 📍Address: 417 Ishi, Toyono-cho, Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture 389-1106 🕰️Opening hours: 10:00-22:00 💰Price per person: From 350 yen 🏖️Atmosphere/facilities: Dining available 🅿️: Free parking available

Want to see towering trees and spectacular snowy scenery? Then you must visit Nagano, a hidden gem near Tokyo. Today, I'll share a detailed two-day Nagano travel guide, covering transportation, accommodation, itinerary, and food. Don't forget to like and save this post if you're planning a trip to Japan! First, let's talk about transportation. We departed from Tokyo and took the JR Shinkansen from Shinjuku Station. It takes about an hour and a half to reach Nagano Station. There are two types of tickets: reserved seats and non-reserved seats. Reserved seats are fixed and cost around CNY 400, while non-reserved seats don't have assigned seating and cost around CNY 300. Regarding accommodation, the city isn't very big. We booked our hotel near Nagano Station, as it's also where you catch the bus to Togakushi Shrine. The area has many restaurants and shopping centers, making it very convenient. Here's our three-day, two-night itinerary. Take notes and follow along! On the first day, we arrived in Nagano from Tokyo and took a good rest to prepare for an early start the next day. For dinner, we chose Matsuya, a popular Japanese fast-food chain, as we didn't want to venture too far from the hotel. It's truly a king of value; a large portion of pork cutlet curry rice costs only JPY 700! On the second day, we headed to Togakushi Shrine. We took the bus from bus stop No. 7 at Nagano Station. I recommend arriving at the station by 8:00 am to queue for the 8:30 bus, as you might not get a seat if you arrive right on time. Here's the train schedule; remember to take a screenshot and save it! After a 40-minute bus ride, we arrived at Togakushi Chusha and then hiked to Togakushi Okusha. We followed the mountain path with the crowd, and the scenery along the way was stunning. Walking through the snow-covered forest was incredibly healing! We even saw snow-capped mountains along the way, so don't forget to take photos! After about 30 minutes of walking, we reached Okusha, where the famous towering tree path is located. It felt like stepping into a forest of giants, straight out of a Japanese drama. You must experience this in winter! After exploring, you can have lunch at the soba restaurant near the entrance of Okusha. Although some people say the food isn't great, I personally enjoyed it. A warm bowl of soba noodles is perfect in such cold weather. I recommend the beef soba; it's delicious! Avoid the grated yam soba; it has a slimy texture and a strange taste. Afterward, you can grab an ice cream cone at the entrance for JPY 750. They have apple and buckwheat flavors; the apple one is very refreshing. Then, hike back to Togakushi Chusha and take the bus back. Get off at the Zenkoji Temple gate, but don't visit the temple yet, as it closes at 4:00 pm. Stroll from the Zenkoji Temple gate to Nagano Station. There are many interesting shops along the way, including a great clothing store called Freaks Store. They even have Arc'teryx and The North Face Purple Label, and many items are on sale, so it's worth checking out. For dinner, we chose a yakiniku restaurant. If you like lamb, you should try it. It's located in a hidden basement, but many celebrities have dined there. They only offer three types of lamb: fresh lamb, marinated lamb, and lamb offal. We ordered two portions of each type of lamb, and they were incredibly fragrant without any gamey taste. The price wasn't too expensive, around JPY 3,000 per person. On the third day, we woke up naturally and took the bus to Zenkoji Temple. The matcha shop on the pedestrian street near the temple gate is delicious and worth a try! What's unique about this temple is that it's the first time I've seen a fashion brand collaborate with a temple. There's a Beams x Zenkoji Temple collaboration shop with many cute items, so be sure to check it out. They also have a wide selection of omamori charms. You can also draw fortunes at Zenkoji Temple for JPY 200. If you get a bad fortune, tie it to the designated spot at the entrance. After visiting the temple, we returned to Tokyo. If you have time, you can also visit nearby Karuizawa. Nagano isn't a large city, so two days are enough to explore and enjoy the food. So, don't forget to visit this hidden gem during your trip to Japan!

The tranquility and beauty of winter, Nagano hot springs and skiing allow you to find yourself from the busyness. If you are looking for an ideal place for a winter vacation, where you can experience the tranquility of hot springs and immerse yourself in the beautiful snow scenery❄️, then KAI Alps Hot Spring♨️Hotel🏨 is a good choice. Located in Omachi Onsen, Nagano Prefecture, the land here is full of the charm of nature. Scenery at the foot of the Alps🎐 This hotel🏨 is located in the Northern Alps surrounded by snow-capped mountains. As the seasons change, the place presents a different look. In winter, streams formed by melted snow flow through the mountains, creating a picturesque snow scene. Whether you are wandering in the snow or in the hot springs ♨️, the scenery in front of you can make you feel the nature. Comfortable guest rooms🛏️integrate Japanese tradition and modern warmth The Japanese decoration style of the hotel room gives you a new experience in the Japanese atmosphere, equipped with modern facilities, and the Alps in front of the window are covered with snow❄️, right in front of you, as if you have entered another world. ♨️Hot ​​spring + food😋 Hot spring is this hotel. The open-air hot spring combines natural landscape with hot spring culture. You can sit in the pool, overlook the Alps, and feel the nourishment of snow and hot springs. If you want to try the delicacy here, you must try the "snow pot" - a creative dish that uses marshmallows to simulate the melting snow on the mountains. The marshmallows melt in the sauce, as if recreating the snow scene in the Alps. In addition to the snow pot, there are also Japanese dishes here, such as salted squid 🦑 cooked squid and mushroom miso soup, which are irresistible.

Hey, friends! 👋 Today, I want to recommend a great travel destination: Nagano, Japan! 🇯🇵 Not only does it have a rich history and culture, but it also has breathtaking natural scenery. Let's see how to explore Nagano in two days! 🔍 Day 1: Explore Nagano's History and Culture - Morning: Visit the Nagano City Museum of History to experience the charm of the city. - 🍜 Noon: Enjoy local specialties, such as Nagano ramen and sushi, at a local restaurant. - 🏞️ Afternoon: Visit Nagano Park, Tenryuji Temple, and other attractions to learn about the local culture. - 🌆 Evening: Head to the snack street for grilled fish and fried chicken with a night view. Perfect! 🌲 Day 2: Experience Nagano's Natural Scenery and Outdoor Activities - 🚶‍♂️ Morning: Go hiking in Senjozawa Park or Kamikochi to enjoy nature. - 🍴 Noon: Have fresh and delicious farm food at a restaurant at the foot of the mountain. - 🎿 Afternoon: Choose skiing or rafting according to the season and have fun. - ♨️ Evening: Relax in a hot spring hotel and unwind after a long day. This trip really made me feel the unique charm of Nagano. Do you want to try it too? Share your travel plans with us! 👇

Nagano is the capital of Nagano Prefecture and was once the host city of the Winter Olympics. The Zenkoji Temple is very famous. As the hotel room was not ready, I left my luggage and went straight to the temple. Zenkoji Temple is not far from Nagano Station, and you can take a bus or walk there. It was snowing heavily (the weather forecast said it was light snow, but it didn't look like it), and the scenery was different from that on a sunny day. I mentioned earlier that the transportation in Nagano is a bit inconvenient. I really felt it when I went to Togakushi Shrine, as there is only one bus (No. 70) that goes there (about one bus per hour). I originally planned to get on the bus at the stop near the hotel (it should be the second or third stop), but the bus was full and skipped the stop. I had to walk to the Nagano Station terminal and found a long line of people waiting for the bus. I doubted whether I could get on the next bus, but fortunately, the staff came out to check the situation and immediately arranged an extra bus. In addition, if there is no seat on the bus, you have to stand for more than an hour, which is quite exhausting, especially for someone like me who carries a camera bag. I went to Togakushi Shrine mainly to see the towering trees, and the snow scene was quite nice.

Many people know the name of Kumano Kodo, but Nagano also has an ancient road - Togakushi Kodo, which becomes one of the most attractive hiking routes in Japan in winter. . Togakushi Shrine is located at the foot of Mount Togakushi in northwest Nagano and is a collective name for five shrines: Okusha, Kuzuryusha, Chusha, Hino-mikosha, and Hokosha. The main experience here is the 6 km pilgrimage route to the five shrines, with towering trees and a snowy environment that will leave a lasting impression. . The order of the five shrines is Hokosha → Hino-mikosha → Chusha → Okusha → Kuzuryusha. The most famous tree-lined path is at the entrance of Okusha, with 400-year-old cedar trees that are so tall and thick that they seem to have no top, creating a solemn and awe-inspiring scene that is perfect for photos! . 🚌Transportation: You can take a bus at Platform 7 of Nagano Station. There is a ticket station next to the platform where you can buy a full-day pass for JPY 3,000 per person, which allows unlimited rides on these buses all day. Each shrine has a bus stop, and you can also take the bus back to Nagano City. . 🎿Travel gear: It snowed a while ago, so you can wear a 3-in-1 jacket or a thin waterproof down jacket, a sweater, and thermal pants. Wear high-top hiking shoes, and it is recommended to bring crampons and trekking poles, as the steps are quite slippery. ⚠⚠⚠Buses do not go to Okusha in winter⚠ December 14, 2024 - March 31, 2025 Buses only go to Chusha, not Okusha⚠To visit the ancient cedar path of Okusha, you must walk about 40 minutes from Chusha to the entrance of Okusha, and then walk about 2 hours round trip to see Okusha. . ❗Please cherish every restroom you encounter! Because they are rare! Some are even closed! 🍝Restaurant: On the way back to the entrance of Okusha, there is a soba noodle restaurant with a nice taste and a beautiful view by the window! You can pay electronically, but there may be no signal in the store, so you can prepare cash just in case. ⛩Five shrines introduction: 1⃣ Hokosha •Deity: Ame-no-Uwaharu-no-Mikoto •Blessings: Academic progress📚, skill improvement🎨, safe childbirth and child-rearing👶. 2⃣ Hino-mikosha •Deity: Ame-no-Uzume-no-Mikoto •Blessings: Performing arts improvement💃, good luck in love💌. 3⃣ Chusha •Deity: Ame-no-Yagokoro-Omoikane-no-Mikoto •Blessings: Career success💼, academic achievement🎓, good luck🌟. 4⃣ Kuzuryusha •Deity: Kuzuryu-no-Okami •Blessings: Wealth💰, agricultural harvest🌾, rain and water protection💦. 5⃣ Okusha •Deity: Ame-no-Tajikarao-no-Mikoto •Blessings: Wish fulfillment🎯, good luck and protection🛡

Japan's winter season, with its long-lasting snow period, sees Nagano, located in the central highlands of the 'Roof of Japan,' as a major snowfall area. Unlike the crowded and chilly Hokkaido, the serene and majestic Nagano is much gentler. Here, you can enjoy skiing, hot springs, and sightseeing just as well. I personally have a strong preference for natural and cultural landscapes and am not very interested in urban shopping. When I first saw these photos, I thought they were so beautiful that I had to visit. For the sake of a few pictures, I went to [Nagano] 🌲 💫 Travel Tips: ✅ Narai-juku: A post town that is more Kyoto than Kyoto itself, perfectly preserving the Showa era's charm with little commercial atmosphere. If you have enough time, you can stay overnight in the town. ✅ Togakushi Shrine: A mystical shrine that enshrines five Shinto shrines. The ancient path leading to the Okusha is lined with cedar trees over 400 years old, which look even more stunning covered in snow. If you want to visit the Okusha, be careful as the stairs and slopes at the end are very slippery. ✅ Jigokudani Monkey Park: You can watch monkeys soaking in hot springs. It is recommended to visit in the very cold winter or early in the morning to see the snow monkeys soaking voluntarily. ✅ Hakuba Village: A former Winter Olympics host site and one of Japan's top three ski resorts. A must-visit for skiing in Nagano, with multiple ski areas and abundant snow trails. Ski enthusiasts should not miss this place. ⭐ Recommended Hot Springs: ♨️ Shibu Onsen: With over 1300 years of history, strolling through the narrow alleys in the evening wearing a yukata and wooden clogs feels like being in the world of Spirited Away. There are nine public hot springs, each with its own unique features (each is said to have different therapeutic effects!). The nearby hot spring town is retro and quiet, with shops and restaurants, so you won't be bored after soaking in the hot springs.

Holiday in November 2024 Sunny Nagano was indeed cold. We started our drive from Tokyo at 4 AM for the autumn foliage viewing. Our destination was the Okusha parking lot of Togakushi Shrine. We arrived around 9 AM, and the parking lot was full. We were relieved to find a temporary parking lot. It took about an hour round trip from Okusha to the end point, walking at a fairly fast pace. We drove to Chusha, and the parking lot at Chusha was also full. We were about to give up, but we went down to Hokosha and found a temporary parking lot. Hokosha was quiet with few people. It took 30 minutes to walk to Chusha through the Shinto path. We got a fortune slip at Chusha and headed back.

The Nagano Electric Railway sightseeing train 'Limited Express YUKEMURI ~Relaxing Train~' is a special sightseeing train designed for tourists, operating on the Nagano Electric Railway Line in Nagano Prefecture. This limited express train is renowned for its comfortable ride and beautiful scenery along the way, making it an ideal choice for tourists to explore the natural beauty and cultural heritage of Nagano Prefecture. One of the highlights of the 'Limited Express YUKEMURI ~Relaxing Train~' is its front view seats. These seats are located at the front of the train and feature large observation windows, allowing passengers to enjoy an unobstructed view of the magnificent scenery along the route. Whether it's cherry blossoms in spring, lush greenery in summer, autumn leaves, or winter snow, passengers can get the best viewing experience here. You might wonder, where does the driver sit? The driver sits in the cab on the roof of the front view seats, climbing up a ladder to reach the cab each time, which is quite interesting. The Nagano Electric Railway 1000 series trains, originally the Odakyu 10000 series, were first put into operation in 1991. These trains served on the Odakyu Line for many years before being purchased and refurbished by the Nagano Electric Railway as sightseeing trains. The refurbished 1000 series trains retain their original comfort and advanced technology, with enhanced sightseeing features, becoming part of the 'Limited Express YUKEMURI ~Relaxing Train~'. There are many famous attractions along the Nagano Electric Railway line, including Zenkoji Temple, Yudanaka Onsen, and Shiga Kogen. Zenkoji Temple is one of the oldest and most important Buddhist temples in Japan, attracting numerous devotees and tourists. Yudanaka Onsen is known for its healing hot spring waters and traditional Japanese inns, making it an ideal place to relax and rejuvenate. Shiga Kogen is a paradise for skiing and mountaineering enthusiasts, offering magnificent natural landscapes and a wealth of outdoor activities.

Zenkoji Temple, located in Nagano City, is one of Japan's oldest and most significant Buddhist temples. It is said that the history of Zenkoji dates back to 642 AD when it was founded by Yoshimitsu Honda. The temple enshrines a statue known as 'Ikko Sanzon Amida Nyorai,' which is believed to be one of the earliest Buddhist statues in Japan. Throughout history, Zenkoji has been rebuilt and renovated multiple times, becoming a center of faith and culture that attracts countless devotees and tourists. The architectural style of Zenkoji is unique, blending various architectural elements. The main hall (Hondo) is one of the largest wooden structures in Japan, grand and magnificently decorated inside. The temple complex also includes many other important buildings, such as the Sanmon Gate, Kyozo (scripture house), and the bell tower, each showcasing exquisite craftsmanship and design. The temple gardens are another highlight, offering picturesque views that change with the seasons. The approach to Zenkoji is lined with traditional shops and restaurants, creating a rich historical atmosphere. Here, you can find stores selling local specialties and souvenirs, such as Shinshu miso, shichimi togarashi (seven-flavor chili pepper), and handicrafts. Visitors can also enjoy local delicacies like soba noodles (Shinshu soba) and grilled rice dumplings (dango). There are also teahouses along the approach, offering traditional Japanese sweets, making it a great place to rest and relax. 📍Address: 491 Motoyoshicho, Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture. It is about a 10-minute bus ride from Nagano Station, making it very convenient to access.

#Traveling by train 🚂 Hello ... Today, Gammy is in Japan. Gammy is traveling in Nagano Prefecture, near Matsumoto City. This time, we got to ride an old-fashioned train, which is incredibly classic and classy. 🏔️✨ On the way from the Japan Elf line back to Nagano City, the nature on both sides of the road is very beautiful. The seats are still good. Inside, you can take beautiful photos in a vintage style. The view of the rice fields and rice fields is very beautiful. 🥰 The impression is the 1-hour slow-life train ride. The wind blows gently on your face. It's so cool. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - #100TravelWays #journey #gmmsdiary #Travel #TravelAbroadByYourself #Japan #TravelByYourself #TravelingJapanByYourself #Nagano

#Travelwithme Nekomachi Geihinkan is a stylish cafe in Nagano that evokes the world of Ghibli. ☕️It's just a 3-minute walk from Nagano Station, so it's easy to get to. Recommended points━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━︎︎︎︎☑︎ The world view is complete from the entrance, and it's just so cute! ︎︎︎︎☑︎ The atmosphere is like a Ghibli movie, and everything looks great📸︎︎︎︎☑︎ The burgers and pizzas on the lunch menu are very filling🍕 The salads are served buffet style, which is nice🥗︎︎︎︎☑︎ Reservations are possible︎︎︎︎☑︎ The atmosphere is conducive to staying for a long time, so it's also great for girls' parties🙆♀️💓︎︎︎︎☑︎ It's also easy to access, just a 3-minute walk from Nagano Station👌🍽Store information━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━📍Store name: Nekomachi Geihinkan 🗺Address: 5F Taisei Avinas Building, 1-12-3 Minamichitose, Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture🚗Access: 3-minute walk from Nagano Station⏰Opening hours: lunch 11: 00-15:00 (L.O.14:00) Cafe 14:00-17:00 (L.O. 16:30)💳Payment methods: cash/credit card/electronic money/QR💵Budget: 2,000 yen and up #Nagano #Nagano gourmet #Ghibli world #Nagano sightseeing #cafe

Togakushi Shrine is located at the foot of Mt. Togakushi and consists of five shrines: Okusha, Nakasha, Hokosha, Kuzuryusha, and Hinomikosha. On the approach to Okusha (first photo), a row of 400-year-old Japanese cedar trees continues for about 500 meters from the red Zuishinmon Gate, and it takes about 40 minutes to walk to the main shrine. There is also Tenmei Inari Shrine on Mt. Togakushi. If you walk along the path shown in the fifth photo, you will see the red torii gate shown in the fourth photo. The greenery is beautiful along the way, so please go and check it out. 📍Togakushi Shrine Okusha Location: 3690 Togakushi, Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture Parking: About 200 spaces (free) at several locations near the entrance to the Okusha approach #TogakushiShrine #OkushaApproach #NaganoPrefecture #NaganoTrip #Shrine #DomesticTrip

Nagano is synonymous with soba noodles. I thought I'd go to a good restaurant anyway, so I went here on the recommendation of a friend who lives in Nagano 🥰 As soon as I arrived, there were customers lining up before the restaurant opened, so you could tell how popular it is. You take off your shoes and enter the restaurant in slippers ✨ When I went inside, I found it to be clean and bright, with flowers displayed throughout the restaurant, and a very comfortable atmosphere ☺️💐 Only available on weekends, they also serve country soba noodles, and there are thicker noodles, so it's definitely worth trying! But if you like thin noodles, you can also enjoy the aroma and firmness of the soba noodles with regular Zaru Soba. If you can't decide, I recommend Zaru Soba. 🏷️Nagano Trip Summary #mariko_nagano 𝕚𝕟𝕗𝕠𝕣𝕞𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -𖤣𖥧𖥣𖡡𖥧𖤣 📍#SobaNishizawa 👉A famous soba restaurant that attracts people from outside the prefecture ▼Business hours: 11:00 - 16:00 L.O. 15:00 ▼Closed: Mondays 🌍1943 Takada, Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture 🅿️Available 💰Cash only 𝕡𝕣𝕠𝕗𝕚𝕝𝕖- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -𖤣𖥧𖥣𖡡𖥧𖤣 I'm Mariko, a weekend getaway. 👉@mariko000001 My goal is to travel to all 47 prefectures and post about them. We basically travel by car, and we're a crazy couple who don't mind driving for 7 hours. Of course I want to highlight famous places, but also lesser known places💡 If you're happy to support me🧡, I'd be happy if you followed me🥹🫰 Comments and requests are very welcome, so I'm waiting for you✨ I'll do my best every day to help you on your travels, even if just a little🥰 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -𖤣𖥧𖥣𖡡𖥧𖤣 #Nagano #NaganoTourism #NaganoPrefecture #NaganoTrip #NaganoGourmet #Soba #TravelWithMe

When I woke up in the morning, it had turned from raining to snowing in Yudanaka ❄️ What good luck! Actually, we should have stayed in Nagano City yesterday. This was the only failed arrangement in this trip. A round trip from Nagano to Yudanaka takes nearly an hour. ⭕️To go to Togakushi Shrine, you actually need to start from the No. 7 bus 🚌 bus stop next to Nagano Station 🚉. You can take bus No. 70 or No. 73. ⭕️You can buy the round-trip ticket directly at the ticket shop next to the platform. There is a lady who speaks Chinese at the service desk. Thank you very much for her help. Although there are quite a few buses, the journey is still a bit far, so it is better to catch the bus in time. ⭕️The journey is quite long, most of the shops in the mountains are closed, and there are no vending machines, so everyone should remember to bring some dry food and water. ⚠️Highlight the key points⚠️: Information is next to the drop-off pointℹ️. If you don’t bring hiking shoes or crampons, you can rent them here. You will need them on the way up the mountain in winter! ⭕️Everyone needs to get off at this station and walk 1.5 kilometers to reach Giant Sequoia Road. ⭕️You must wear crampons here because the road is icy and difficult to walk on. ⭕️The road leading to Aoshe is like being in the land of giants. There are towering redwoods on both sides of the road. It is said that it takes more than 500 years to grow to such a thickness, and the trees are only on both sides of the road. They are not that big in the farther places. ⭕️Don’t underestimate the snow on the roadside. If you step on it, the snow will be over your knees.⚠️ ⭕️On this path, I indulged in the shock brought to me by the giant trees, and slowly went up this quiet and secret path. ⭕️The road near Aoshe is quite steep, ⚠️It is best to bring trekking poles🩼, otherwise it is easy to go up the mountain but difficult to go down. ⭕️The original plan was to hike for only 2 hours, but we ended up walking for 3-4 hours. The scenery along the way was so beautiful. It was already 15:30 when we got down the mountain, and it was already 17:00 when we arrived in Nagano City. ⭕️We found two Yakitori restaurants, but both were fully booked. It was not until the third one that they started to accommodate us. However, this one was unexpectedly delicious. If you also go to Togakushi Shrine, this Yakitori restaurant in Nagano City after going down the mountain is really top-notch! The price is affordable. We were so hungry that we only got empty plates. The boss would take whatever he wanted! (My English is not good, please use the translation software to order by yourself)

#thingstodo A wonderful place for a picnic and a beautiful view of Nagano below. We were a little too early in spring, the cherry blossom was just starting to bloom. The park is free and has many dinosaurs for the kids to explore and climb onto or into. Some of them double as slides or for climbing. There are some great slides which were very popular with all the kids in the park. So many smiling faces running up and down the hill. They will all sleep early tonight. Bring your lunch box with you and a blanket. Find some shade and enjoy the peace and quiet. Don't sit near the slides, too many happy kids. Lots of parking and clean toilets at the top of the hill. You will find plenty ty of green grass and shade to have your picnic before walking down to the play area.

Featured on Kaere Monday Mikke-tai!!, this is one of the most popular pancakes in Nagano, with lines every day. Recommended points: ① There are many seasonal and limited quantity options, so you can enjoy a variety of different types! ② The eggs used in the pancakes are raised in an open chicken coop with non-GMO feed, so they are healthy for your body! ③ There is also an online store where you can enjoy freshly made fluffy pancakes at home! ④ It's so delicious that you'll think the hour wait was worth it! [Caution] ① It's definitely better to make a reservation! ⇨ I didn't know anything and went to the opening without making a reservation, but I was guided by the reservation person, so I waited more than an hour for the food to come out💦 ② Even if you go early, it takes about an hour for the pancakes to come out!! I went in at the end of the opening time, and waited 40 minutes for the pasta and 1 hour and 10 minutes for the pancakes. ③ You need a car. It might be a good place to go for a drive from the station!! ④ Pancakes are surprisingly filling! We went as a group of three, and 3 pasta and 2 pancakes was just right! This place looks cute and is delicious, I want to go back when the season changes and new menu items come out! 📍Towa Cinq Address: 992-1 Wakatsuki Tojo, Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture Opening hours: Lunch 11:00-15:00 (Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays 15:30) Details are as of 2024/02/01. Please note that there may have been new changes! #Nagano Tourism #Nagano Gourmet #Nagano Cafe #Nagano Pancakes #Towa Cinq #Pancakes

#2024wish Admission fee is 400 yen for adults. The common ticket with the Treasure Museum and the Cultural and Martial Arts School is 1100 yen. It was a castle outer palace of Matsushiro Castle built in 1864 (Genji era) by Yukinori, the ninth lord of the domain, as the residence of his mother-in-law, Teishoin (the wife of Yukiyoshi), and was called "Shin Goten" at that time. In the Edo period, the wives and children of daimyo were obliged to live in Edo for the rest of their lives, but in 1862 (Bunkyu 2), due to the relaxation of the Sankinkokotai system due to the reform of Bunkyu carried out in the era of the 14th Shogun Iemochi Tokugawa, because their wives and children were allowed to return home, Matsushiro also needed a mansion. Later, Yukinori after his retirement also lived here, and after the Meiji period, it became the private house of Mr. Sanada, who became a count. In 1966, it was transferred to Matsushiro-cho at that time with generations of family treasures by the 12th head of the family, Mr. Koji. The main building, the front gate, 7 earthen buildings, and the garden convey the style of palace architecture at the end of the Edo period well, and it is a valuable building from the perspective of architectural history, and it is designated as a national historic site as one with Matsushiro Castle. The taste of the four seasons in the zata-style garden is also a highlight. I wish to travel to south korea in 2024

Zenko-ji Temple is famous for its ancient architecture and profound Buddhist heritage. I walked through the ancient corridors, feeling the sacredness of religion. The tranquility in the temple and the protection of the Buddha statues are like an experience of dialogue with spirituality. 🕊️🌸 The atmosphere in the temple is full of peace and tranquility. I meditate quietly in Zen and have a conversation with my inner self. It was a journey to connect deeply with my soul, to regain my balance and peace. 🙏🌸 Zenko-ji Temple is a spiritual journey into an ancient temple where the atmosphere is filled with tranquility and sacredness. If you also long for a journey of inner dialogue with yourself, why not find a suitable time to take a spiritual journey to Zenko-ji Temple! 🏯🕊️🙏 #Japanese and Korean urban attractions

Private vehicles are prohibited from driving up the mountain to Kamikochi, and everyone needs to take the bus instead. So we chose to take the bus at the Zedo Bus Terminal, which also has a large parking lot so it is very convenient. There are several parking lots at the Sawado Bus Terminal. We parked at the third parking lot. After passing through an underground passage, you will reach the bus terminal. It is a very spacious and comfortable wooden building with a simple visitor center that provides information about Kamikochi's environment, tourism ecology, and mountain hiking. There are also aunties who can speak English to assist with ticket purchases. Round-trip tickets from the Sawado Bus Terminal to Kamikochi are 2,400 yen for adults and 1,200 yen for children, and are valid for seven days. The parking fee for cars is 700 yen per day. We parked from 8/7 to 8/9 so it was 2100 yen for three days. There are several boarding points at the Zedo Bus Station, and there are also several drop-off points along the way near the main station near Kamikochi. You can choose the boarding and alighting points according to your itinerary, but if there are a lot of people, it is recommended to queue up at the main station to ensure a seat. There are many bus stops to Kamikochi, including Matsumoto and Shinjuku. If you are sure you want to go to Kamikochi, it is recommended that you book a ticket in advance! However, there is no reservation at Zedu Bus Terminal, so you have to queue up on the spot to buy tickets and get on the bus. Zedu Bus Terminal Opening period: Late April to November 15 (Open during Kamikochi Mountain Opening Period) ※Closed during winter Opening hours: During the Kamikochi shuttle bus operating hours Free admission Address: 4466 Azumi, Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture Phone number: 0263-93-3355 (We used the car navigation to set this number. We drove to the Azumi Village Office, so we used the Google navigation on our phone to find the correct location.) #Japan #Driving #Bus #Kamikochi

Shirakoma Pond is located in the primeval forest in the northern part of Yatsugatake. It is the largest natural lake in Japan above 2,100 meters above sea level. The ecology is quite rich, with hundreds of years of native trees and 485 species of mosses. It is a popular tourist attraction, and we also see many tour buses coming here. There are enough parking spaces if you arrive early, and there are notices on the surrounding roads that roadside parking will be banned. The entire lakeside trail is a wooden plank road that is easy to walk on. The whole area is a super primitive forest. It really looks like a scene from a magic princess where elves will appear! It only takes 15 minutes to get to Baiju Lake from the entrance. The road condition around the lake is also very good. The entire route is made of wooden planks, which is flat and easy to walk on. There is no need to climb up and down stairs. There are other mountain houses on the other side of the lake where you can stay, which look quite high-end. Not only can you hike, but many people also come here for boating. It’s really a comfortable place! Baijuma Pond 〒384-0704 Nagano Prefecture Minamisaku County Sakuho Town 8th District Melhen Kaido #Good place for parents and children #familytravel #Baikoma Pond #moss #forest #hiking #mountaineering

Nagano is famous for its soba noodles, but Togakushi’s soba is the most famous delicacy. I accidentally parked in the parking lot of Sobachu Uzura in the alley, walked along the path back to the intersection and queued up at Sobachu Uzura. It is only open until 4 o'clock and requires on-site registration and queueing. Local agricultural products are also sold at the entrance of the store, and of course, there is also their own buckwheat noodles. What is special is that you can clearly see the master chef making buckwheat noodles by hand through the glass window at the entrance! It's really magical. Start with a small dough and slowly knead it, flatten it, and knead it again until it becomes a super large, thin, and flat dough, and finally it is cut into buckwheat noodles. After waiting for about 30 minutes, we found a seat inside and were taken directly to the second floor to dine. The waiter was very kind and asked us where we were from. The interior of the restaurant is very traditional, very Japanese style. You need to take off your shoes and sit cross-legged, but it is very comfortable and relaxed. The employees are also very enthusiastic and polite. We looked at the menu and ordered using translation software. The food was served very quickly and the whole table was filled with delicious food in a short while. Our brother has always praised soba noodles as being super delicious! 😋After we finished eating, we went downstairs to pay the bill and met the master who was kneading the dough. He was very old and had a back brace on his waist. It should be the occupational injury caused by kneading buckwheat noodles by hand for many years. However, he greeted us warmly and kindly. He asked us where we were from in English, and was very happy that we came and wished us a pleasant journey. It was really a super warm greeting. Shinshu Togakushiyama Gomon-mae Soba Garden Uzura House 〒381-4101 Nagano Prefecture Nagano City Togakushi 3229 #Japan #self-driving #Nagano #Hakuba #Togakushi #Togakushi Shrine Okusha #Togakushi Shrine Nakasha #Handmade soba noodles #Soba noodles #Hydrangea

Togakushi Shrine is a shrine with a history of more than 2,000 years. From the top of the mountain to the bottom, there are five shrines: Oku-sha, Kuzuryu-sha, Naka-sha, Hinomiko-sha and Hoko-sha. They are a bit far apart, but you can walk to all of them. It just takes a long time to walk through all five shrines, so we only arranged to visit Oku-sha, Kuzuryu-sha and Naka-sha. Nakasha is the most convenient of all the shrines to reach. It is located in the busiest central area of ​​Togakushi. Nakasha has two entrances with large torii gates. The main entrance is the 11-meter-high large torii square at the turn on the road. There is a bus stop next to the square, which is very convenient for tourists to take the bus. Across the square is the Togakushi Tourist Information Center. There are shops and many soba restaurants next to it. I read some articles online that said this huge torii gate was not built with nails but was made up of structural components of different shapes. The two stones called Kutsu-ishi at the foundation of the Torii are not connected by anything. I really admire the Japanese traditional construction methods! Climb up the stairs from the big torii and you can see the natural monument "Sanbonsugi" and then you will reach the shrine⛩️. Another option is to drive up the mountain along the road. There is a free parking lot at the west entrance to the shrine. After parking your car, you can slowly walk into the shrine without having to climb stairs. If you walk from Aoshe to Zhongshe, it is about 4km and 70mins. If you walk from Hinomikosha Shrine for about 15 minutes, you can reach Nakasha Shrine. There are three cedar trees over 800 years old in Togakushi Central Shrine and the "Ryu no Tenkai Painting" in the main hall of the shrine, which are both worth seeing. It’s a pity that I didn’t take a picture of the dragon’s patio painting! Suddenly I think it is recommended to visit the shrine early in the morning or in the evening, there are really fewer people! #Japan #Nagano #Hakuba #Togakushi #Togakushi Shrine Okusha #Togakushi Shrine Nakasha #Sanbonsugi #Otorii Gate #Five Shrines #Dragon's Sky Painting #Main Hall

Autumn is ending but begining of a new season change before cold winter. Loving the Autumn season in Japan which so vibrant with so much insta picture que that you could see in real life painting. Tranquility and that peace and balance...... Hello Nagano! Hello Japan!.... Nice weather..... #fallvibes

Zenkoji is well-known among many people in Japan. This spot is in Nagano city, which is a popular place for skiing. A winter Olympic was held in Nagano. From Nagano station, you can walk or take a bus. The gate is so large that Japanese people are amazed whenever we see it . #Zenkoji #Japan #Temple #善光寺 #長野 #日本

Zenkoji Temple, located in Nagano Prefecture, Japan, is a must-visit place for tourists. The temple has a history of 1,400 years and houses the oldest Buddha statue. Despite this, Zenko-ji Temple does not belong to any sect, which means that anyone can come to worship. In addition to the ancient Buddha statues, there are also a series of Buddha statues in the temple for believers to pray for health and good luck. There are many in-house accommodations near the temple, where believers can stay and rest. They can participate in the temple's sutra copying, meditation, yoga and tea ceremony experiences. They can also attend morning classes and chanting with the monks at sunrise to cleanse their souls and get away from the hustle and bustle. In addition, there is a wishing wall in the temple which is covered with prayer boards from believers. There are various prayer boards on it, filled with everyone's wishes. In any case, it is a kind of spiritual comfort to the believers. In fact, Zenko-ji Temple is located in the city center, with very convenient transportation. It only takes 30 minutes to walk from Nagano Station. There are various delicious foods and unique small shops along the way. Practice eating while walking. The most distinctive one is the Shichimi powder specialty store, which is filled with Shichimi powder of different flavors, and allows customers to personally choose a unique Shichimi powder made with different ingredients. There is also ice cream covered with shichimi powder for you to try. Along the way, you will also see some restaurants, shops, and cafes with historical traces of different ages and styles. When you are tired of walking, sit down to rest, sip the hot roasted coffee and savor the historical sentiment. Address: 491 Motozen-cho, Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture Admission fee: Free inside the temple Main hall, circumambulation of the ordination platform, sutra hall, Zenkoji Museum Adult pass 500 yen Opening hours 06:00 - 19:30 #Nagano #Zenkoji Temple #Japanese Attractions

There are three main shopping hotspots near Nagano Station: 1) MIDORI A comprehensive shopping mall connected to Nagano Station, with chain clothing brands and famous boutiques, as well as a large number of shops selling famous Nagano souvenirs, such as Shinshu apples 🍎 food and soba 🍜, etc. There are several restaurants on the 3rd floor, serving all kinds of delicious food. 2) Nagano Tokyu Department Store is located across the road from JR Nagano Station and is the only and largest department store in the city. Goods include cosmetics, men's and women's clothing, fresh food 🥩🍎🐟 and so on. There aren't many people here, so the shopping experience is quite good. 3) Donki is a giant supermarket familiar to Hong Kong people. It is located across the road from JR Nagano Station and has a wide range of products. #Overseas Travel #travel