Nagano Prefecture

Nagano (長野県, Nagano-ken) is a mountainous, landlocked prefecture in the center of Honshu, belonging to the Chubu Region. Located only an hour by shinkansen from Tokyo, the large prefecture is famous for its natural and rural beauty. Nagano hosted the Olympic Winter Games 1998. Prefectural capital is Nagano City.

Top destinations in Nagano

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  • 1
    Kamikochi••
    Popular mountain resort in the Japanese Alps.
    4.4
    ★★★★★
    532
  • 2
    Kiso Valley••
    Valley with nicely preserved post towns.
    4.4
    ★★★★★
    571
  • 3
    Yamanouchi••
    Home of hot spring bathing monkeys.
    4.2
    ★★★★★
    361
  • 4
    Onsen
    Shirahone Onsen•
    Small hot spring town known for its milky waters.
    4.0
    ★★★★★
    29
  • 5
    Matsumoto•
    City famous for its beautiful original castle.
    3.8
    ★★★★★
    1,370
  • 6
    Hakuba•
    One of Japan's best ski resorts.
    3.7
    ★★★★★
    660
  • 7
    Nagano•
    Former olympic city famous for its temple.
    3.5
    ★★★★★
    1,768
  • 8
    Takato Castle Park
    Castle ruins covered by cherry trees.
    4.0
    ★★★★★
    35
  • 9
    Nozawa Onsen
    Old fashioned hot spring and ski resort.
    3.8
    ★★★★★
    231
  • 10
    Obuse
    Pleasant town famous for chestnuts and Hokusai.
    3.8
    ★★★★★
    125
  • 11
    Norikura
    Mountain and highland in the Northern Japan Alps.
    3.7
    ★★★★★
    110
  • 12
    Karuizawa
    Upmarket mountain resort town.
    3.5
    ★★★★★
    915
  • 13
    Bessho Onsen
    Small hot spring town with beautiful temples.
    3.4
    ★★★★★
    107
  • 14
    Togura Kamiyamada
    Foreigner-friendly onsen town with historic fortress.
    3.0
    ★★★★★
    33

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