Nagano

What to know

Nagano City (長野), the capital of Nagano Prefecture, grew as a temple town around Zenkoji, one of Japan's most significant temples. In 1998, it hosted the Winter Olympic Games, and several former Olympic venues remain open to visitors.

Northwest of the city center, the forested mountains of Togakushi offer popular shrines and the legendary home of the Togakure Ninja School. The Togakushi Ninpo Museum and Kids Ninja Village provide fun entertainment and insight into the area's ninja heritage.

Activities and attractions

Togakushi ShrineThree popular shrines in the mountainsTogakure Ninpo MuseumEntertaining museum about the local ninjaZenkoji TempleVery popular temple in the center of NaganoNagano Prefectural Art MuseumExhibiting art related to Nagano PrefectureKids Ninja VillageFun theme park about the local ninjaOlympic FacilitiesRemaining facilities from the 1998 OlympicsYamanouchiHome of hot spring bathing monkeysMatsumotoCity famous for its beautiful original castleNozawa OnsenOld fashioned hot spring and ski resortObusePleasant town famous for chestnuts and HokusaiKaruizawaUpmarket mountain resort townBessho OnsenSmall hot spring town with beautiful temples