City break in Nagano. Active leisure ideas for Nagano - attractions, recreation and nightlife

Nagano has been known as a winter sports center since the Olympics. The prefecture is also famous for its variety of natural attractions. Jigokudani Park located at an altitude of 850 meters above sea level is very popular with travelers. The name of this park can be literally translated as "Hell's Valley". It owes its name to the hot springs located on its territory.

In some places, they approach so close to the surface that steam rises from the ground. In ancient times, local inhabitants believed that the entrance to the underworld was located somewhere here. The today's park features an amazing contrast of landscapes: valleys shrouded in the smoke of hot springs, dense forests, and snow-capped mountains. Another interesting feature of the park is the abundance of monkeys living here. They have long taken over the thermal pools and bask in them for days on end, attracting the attention of curious tourists.

Another interesting attraction is Nikko Cedar Alley listed in the Guinness Book of Records. The length of the alley is 35.5 km, and over 13,000 Japanese cedar trees are planted along it. The world's longest alley became forming more than a thousand years ago. The youngest trees that can be seen next to the alley are about 400 years old, and the oldest are over a thousand. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Hikers will have a chance to explore Kamikōchi, a mountainous highland valley with many hiking trails. The main part of the area is a plain located at an elevation of 1,500 meters above sea level. This area has been formed over thousands of years under the influence of constant volcanic eruptions. The last major eruption occurred here in 1915. Then it led to the formation of a beautiful lake, which is now an outstanding natural attraction. Lava flow blocked the river flowing here, so one can now see the trunks of old trees at the bottom of the lake.

Fans of unusual natural sights will be interested in visiting Kagami-ike Pond whose name translates as “Mirror Pond”. Its water is crystal-clear, so you can see your reflection as clear as in a mirror. The lake is located in a very beautiful natural area, surrounded by mounts and hills. The surrounding mountains are covered with dense vegetation and are reflected in the mirror-like surface, making these places even more amazing. Due to the scenery changing over the course of the year, the atmosphere of the place constantly changes too, so it'd be interesting to visit the lake even for those who have already been here once.

In winter, Nagano is visited by skiing and winter entertainment enthusiasts, as a rich sports infrastructure left over from the Olympics at the resort. There are ski slopes of various difficulty levels, including those suitable for professional athletes, beginners, and even children. Near the city of Nagano, tourists can find several sports resorts. The most attractive ones for ordinary tourists are Shiga Kogene and Hakuba. Apart from ski slopes, the prefecture boasts of more than forty ice rinks. In winter, a lot of space is reserved for active games. Most children's entertainments are free of charge.

Travelers with children will be happy to discover Nagano Chausuyama Zoo. The bulk of its inhabitants are animals inhabiting Japanese forests and mountains. Some of the friendliest are monkeys, which are allowed to be fed and even held in arms. The zoo is well equipped, with many ornamental plants planted throughout its territory. Visitors can enjoy recreation areas with benches, as well as several playgrounds for children.

In the warmer months, guests of Nagano can visit one of the amusement parks. The most interesting one is Kotengunomori. Founded in a natural environment, it has many interesting rides, most of which are made of wood. Here, visitors can test their strength and dexterity in dozens of ways. A significant part of the rides is for kids, however, some of them are available for adults. In the warm season, the main entertainments for visitors to Nagano are walks in picturesque places and acquaintance with natural attractions. All fans of winter sports are warmly welcome in winter.