Tourist Attractions

One of Japan's best mountain resorts. Many untouched nature remains, and you can stroll around the scenic spots including Kappa Bridge and Taisho Pond while hoping for the majestic Northern Alps. Nearest hot-spring facilities include Sakamaki hot spring ryokan and Shirahone hot spring.

This area is one of the most famous mountain resorts in Japan. It is recommended to take a day-trip into this atmospheric town, which will definitely charm you. The town is packed with quaint shops and restaurants, and there is also a lot to do for those who prefer sightseeing over shopping. You can visit the Stone Church, remarkable for its architectural design, or the Sezon Museum of Modern Art, or gain admission to the Former Mikasa Hotel that operates as a museum now. You can also see the Onioshidashi Park, with volcanic rock remains that give off a mysterious vibe with the Asama Kannon-do Temple behind them.

Matsumoto Castle was erected in the Warring States period, and is considered a National Treasure. It is sometimes called the “Crow” after its dark, black outer walls. Inside the castle, you can see an exhibition of weapons used in the Warring States period. There is also a moon-viewing room in the castle, which is used during the Moon Viewing festivals. For the spring period, Matsumoto Castle is also considered a good cherry blossom-viewing spot.

Shiga Kogen is a ski resort area, home to 21 different ski resorts. A perfect place to come to whether you’re a beginner, or a seasoned skier. Buying a lift pass will give you access to over fifty lifts, and gondolas, so you may freely explore the area. In the summer period, you can enjoy the view of the emerald green lake spreading out over the landscape.

The point of interest in Obuse is its historic town centre, where you can find various museums and traditional, Edo-style buildings. A trip to this town will certainly delight those who have an interest in Japanese culture and history. You can also find the Takai Kozan Memorial Museum here, who was one of Hokusai’s students. There is also a museum dedicated to Hokusai himself as well, a famous woodblock painter of the Edo period. You can also find popular restaurants and gardens in the area. This is a wonderful opportunity to explore more of the Edo era culture first-hand, while wandering around the charming town of Obuse.

This is an around an hour long course, in which you can learn the secrets of soba making from an instructor. You will be making the famous local soba noodles of Nagano, which you can immediately try for yourself at the venue afterwards. Immerse yourself in Japanese food culture by trying your hands at making it yourself!

Built during the Warring States period, this castle used to host famous warlords such as Takeda Shingen. The castle was mainly used as a fortress during Takeda’s attack of Uesugi Kenshin. The repairs of the castle finished in 2004. In addition, you can also find the houses of samurai clan in the area, such as the Sanda clan. The Sanda Treasure Museum teaches about the family’s history and displays various items that used to be in their possession. Don’t miss the opportunity to learn more about samurai!
The castle is also a popular cherry blossom viewing spot in the spring area.

The Zenkoji Temple is one of the most culturally important temples in Japan. It is said to hold the oldest Buddhist statue that was brought into Japan. You cannot see the original statue as it has been hidden from the public since 654, however, a copy of it is displayed for a short amount of time in every six years. There is also an underground passage in the temple where you can walk through, and search for the key of paradise, which is said to grant salvation to anyone who finds and touches it. There is also the Zenkoji History Museum located on site.

You can find a shrine-complex here, which is located at a pilgrimage route that has been established around two thousand years ago. These shrines are also related to a story from Japanese mythology, in which the Sun Goddess Amaterasu hid away, leaving the world in complete darkness. You can take a route to the upper shrine through the Mirror Pond (Kagamiike), a scenic spot in the area. The Togakure Ninpo Museum, dedicated to ninja, is also located in the close vicinity of the upper shrine.

This route leads you through beautiful sceneries of the Mount Tateyama in the Japan Alps. You can experience impressive snow walls, as well as a wide variety of vehicles to use along the way. There is the Tateyama Ropeway as well as the Tateyama Cable Car to try out. Explore how the scenery changes with each altitude!