Tourist Information of Nagano

Karuizawa, a refined highland resort, is known for its development as a villa and summer resort colored by foreign culture during the Meiji era. The "Shiraito Falls," where natural water springs and plenty of negative ions can be bathed, and the sky and trees reflected on the surface of the "Kumoba Pond" are truly photogenic. There are many high-quality and sophisticated spots scattered throughout the "Old Karuizawa Ginza Street," where old-fashioned shops and various other shops for villa residents are lined up, and cafes such as the "Manpei Hotel," loved by the John Lennon family, so it is highly recommended for adult trips.

Matsumoto has many historical sites such as "Nawate-dori" and "Nakamachi-dori" with old townscapes, centered around the national treasure, Matsumoto Castle. The old townscapes of the former houses that escaped destruction during the war are still preserved as they were at that time. Kamikochi, a mountain resort visited by many people every year, is famous for its beautiful starry sky, where you can feel the beauty of nature. "Narai-juku" in Shiojiri boasts the longest post town in Japan, and since the old buildings are still preserved, you can really feel like you've slipped back in time.

Ueda, surrounded by rich nature with the Chikuma River flowing through it, is a charming town that has been weaving history as the political and cultural center of Shinshu since ancient times. The "Ueda Castle Ruins Park," known as one of the famous castles in Japan, was built by Masayuki Sanada during the Azuchi-Momoyama period. The park is full of greenery and has a unique atmosphere that can only be found in historic Ueda. The "Komoro Castle Otemon Gate" in Komoro is designated as an important cultural property of Japan and is one of the representative Otemon gate architectures in eastern Japan, so be sure to visit it.

Azumino is a place where the contrast between the endless rural areas and the Alps creates a very calming atmosphere, making it a suitable place for "Japan's hometown." Blessed with rich nature and clean water, it is a place where crops such as rice, wasabi, and apples are grown. There are also many historical sites, art museums, and memorial halls, attracting many tourists to experience various cultures and arts. Hakuba is a place surrounded by nature where you can feel the beauty of the four seasons, and the mountains of the Alps in the distance make you feel very generous.

Togakushi is known as the birthplace of soba noodles and for its famous "Togakushi Plateau" which offers a spectacular view. The "Kamiyamada Onsen" has a 100-year history and its open-air bath provides a refreshing feeling while enjoying the beautiful mountain scenery, allowing you to truly relax in an elegant atmosphere. In the historical chestnut town of Obuse, gourmet food is a must-try, especially the sweets made with chestnuts, which are abundant and popular for food tours, including Western-style and Japanese-style sweets that can also be souvenirs.

The Shiga Kogen Road is the best tourist spot in Shiga Kogen, with a panoramic view of the great nature on both sides and no tall trees to obstruct the view. The "Jigokudani Yaen Koen" (Hell Valley Monkey Park) may seem like hell with its steep cliffs and hot spring steam, but this natural environment is a paradise for wild monkeys and a famous spot where you can observe them up close. The hot spring town of Nozawa Onsen Village is impressive with its faint hot spring scent and the constant sound of water. At the foot of the mountain, there are inns and omiya shops, and the "Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort" is located on the mountain slope.

In the central Alps of this area, there is the "Senjojiki Cirque," which is representative of Japan. In summer, you can enjoy activities such as hiking, and in winter, skiing. The magnificent and beautiful scenery that can only be seen in the high-altitude zone over 2500m will be an unforgettable memory. The "Takato Castle Ruins Park," which is rich in nature and a famous cherry blossom spot, is a park built on the site of the former Takato Castle, and still retains the atmosphere of the time. It is a recommended tourist spot for castle and history lovers, as it has deep connections with Takeda Shingen and Oda Nobunaga.

In this area surrounded by the rugged Southern Alps and Central Alps, with the Tenryu River flowing through it, you can enjoy thrilling activities such as river rafting. Achi Village has been certified by the Ministry of the Environment as the place where the stars shine the brightest, and has become increasingly popular as a spot where you can see the best starry sky in Japan.

Suwa has the head shrine of "Suwa Shrine" and the famous filming location "Tateishi Park." It is a tourist spot where you can overlook magnificent mountains from the "Kirigamine Highland." The beautiful lake in the forest that has been the subject of famous paintings and commercials, "Mishaka Pond," is a representative tourist spot of Tateshina, famous for its picturesque scenery that reflects the surrounding greenery like a painting. Yatsugatake has many alpine plants in the area due to its high altitude, and the layer of broad-leaved and coniferous trees is a sight that will make you feel strangely emotional.

Kiso, which flourished as a post town on the Nakasendo, still retains its post town, with "Tsumago-juku" being particularly famous. The harmony between the nostalgic post town and nature, with beautiful cherry blossoms, hydrangeas, and fresh greenery under a blue sky, gives you a sense of time-slipping back to the Edo period. You can also hike around the area and enjoy nature while seeing waterfalls, mountain passes, and waterwheels along the way.