Matsumoto Castle was built in 1594 and is the oldest surviving example of a castle with five external stories and six internal floors. The difference in the numbers makes a distinctive architectural feature tangible: the exterior view and the internal floor count describe two sides of the same structure. Because of its historical value, the castle is designated a National Treasure of Japan. It offers a concrete starting point in the country’s history for exploring Nagano Prefecture.

Art with Regional Connections

The Nagano Prefectural Art Museum focuses on works by artists with connections to Nagano Prefecture. The adjoining Higashiyama Kaii Gallery presents permanent and rotating exhibitions featuring works by Hokusai. In this museum setting, two distinct perspectives come together: the artists’ connections to the prefecture and the gallery’s Hokusai exhibitions. Those interested in art can distinguish between these focuses while exploring the region’s cultural offerings.

Mountain Landscapes and Protected Areas

In the Northern Alps area, Chubu-Sangaku National Park includes mountains reaching the 3,000-meter range. Among the mountain ranges with peaks such as Hakubadake, Tsurugidake, Tateyama, Yarigatake, Hotakadake and Norikuradake are some of the distinctive names of the mountain landscape described here. The Minami Alps UNESCO Eco Park has a different geographic scope: it extends across Yamanashi, Shizuoka and Nagano prefectures and includes ten cities, towns and villages. Places within Nagano that are part of it include Iida, Ina, Oshika Village and Fujimi. Both protected areas show that landscapes do not stop at administrative boundaries; their extent and the places named help put the regional context into perspective.

Activities Through the Seasons

In the Togakushi Highlands, visitors can explore nature in summer and go skiing in winter. The seasonal difference is clear: experience nature or choose winter sports, depending on when you visit the Highlands. Shiga Kogen also focuses on winter. In northeastern Nagano Prefecture, there are 18 large and small ski areas at elevations between 1,330 and 2,307 meters; the area is one of Japan’s largest snow and winter sports regions.

In the wider region, the Hakuba area in the Nagano Alps offers powder snow and Olympic-quality runs. The Senjojiki Cirque in the Nagano Alps was formed by a glacier. These two aspects offer different emphases: Hakuba is known for its snow and runs, while the Senjojiki Cirque highlights the formation of the landscape.

Local Cuisine and Hands-On Experiences

Nagano is considered the birthplace of soba noodles; visitors can enjoy soba there as part of Japanese food culture. Oyaki-making experiences offer another way to engage with food. In Nagano City, Ogawa Village and Iiyama, visitors can take part in these experiences at traditional old farmhouse-style shops or activity venues. This offers different culinary options: enjoying a dish or taking part in its preparation.

Getting to Kamikochi

Access to Kamikochi by private car is restricted. From the Nagano side, visitors use parking areas in the Sawando area and transfer there to a shuttle bus or taxi. If Kamikochi is part of your travel plans, allow for this transfer when planning your journey.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Matsumoto, Okaya, Chino, Nagano, Saku, Ueda, Shiojiri, Iida, Azuma, Chikuma, Minamijo, Azumino, Hakuba, Yamanouchi, Nagiso, Omi, Sakaki, Kitasaku District, Kamiina District, Nakaniikawa District, Suwa, Komoro, Ina, Komagane, Suzaka, Iiyama, Ōmachi, Shimotakai District, Kitaazumi District, Chiisagata District, Kiso District, Kamitakai District, Minamisaku District, Koumi, Tomi, Kiso, Shimosuwa, Nagawa, Shimojo.

For the main travel overview: Japan.