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Sightseeing in Nagano - what to see. Complete travel guide

長野・松本城天守群 ∣ Matsumoto castle・Nagano [EXPLORED] The city is located in the central part of the country and is characterized by the presence of the highest mountain ranges in Japan (Hotaka, Jari, Kiso and Akaisi), between which flow fast mountain rivers, the largest of which are Hime, Chikuma and Kiso. This unique landscape has made its impact on climatic conditions of the region. In summer it is pretty cool in Nagano, and winters are always cold and snowy.
Advices to travellers: what you should know while being in Nagano
1. Most tourists visit Nagano in winter, as well as during major religious holidays. Hotel rooms should be booked in advance for such periods. 2. The best option for active tourists would … Open
The city has always been very attractive in commercial and military terms, because it connects the eastern and western parts of the country. Due to the fact Nagano was chosen to host the Olympic Games in 1998, the city's main attractions are mainly sports facilities. These are modern hi-tech facilities, which will conquer the heart of any athlete. Of course, in Nagano you will also find several ancient temples, one of the most famous of which is Dzenkodzi founded in the 7th century. Its construction lasted until the 18th century, and it’s really hard to find another church that can conquer in terms of beauty and grandeur.
Not far away from the city is located one of the most notable historic sites - Kawanakajima field. It was the witness of five major battles. Nowadays here is installed a statue in the memory of those, who fell in these battles. The monument depicts the events of 1561 and shows the fight of samurai warriors who led the warring clans. Chubu Sangaku National Park is one of the most beautiful places is the region. On the territory of the park you can see another significant architectural structure - the old feudal castle Matsumoto, which construction took place in the 16th century. Copyright www.orangesmile.com
Extraordinary weekend in Nagano - unusual places, services and attractions for travel gourmet
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In warm weather the city attracts visitors primarily by its historical monuments, while in winter Nagano turns into a beautiful ski resort. Here you will find 100 modern ski centers, 40 ice rinks, and many sports facilities.
In the vicinity of Nagano, there are many interesting natural attractions, including Lake Kagami-ike also known as Mirror Pond. The amazing feature of this pond is its crystal clear, calm water, where wave ripples are extremely rare. Togakushi mountains are reflected on the surface of the lake as in a mirror - you can admire their landscapes endlessly. It is noteworthy that the landscape may look very different depending on the season.
Shopping in Nagano - main shopping streets, outlets and boutiques
Nagano's main shopping street is Naka-mise. Its name can be literally translated as "shops inside the temple." On this historic street, you can find shops of various profiles, many of which … Open
Not far from the lake is Nojiri-ko Naumann Elephant Museum. It would be interesting to visit this paleontological museum for all nature enthusiasts and families with children. The basis of its exposition is petrified remains of animals that inhabited our planet more than five million years ago. One of the most valuable exhibits is the skeleton of Naumann's Elephant that died out millions of years ago. It is allowed to touch some of the exhibits of the museum, so it is especially popular among tourists with small children.
A cultural program should definitely include a visit to Sanada Treasure Museum. The museum exposition is based on personal belongings of representatives of the noble clan of Sanada. Here you can see rich antique armor and unique weapons, as well as jewelry made of precious metals. In total, the museum collection numbers more than 50,000 exhibits, one way or another related to the famous clan.
Family holidays with kids in Nagano. How to entertain your child, things to show to children.
Many of Nagano's attractions are ideal for families. Chibikko Ninja Village would be a great place to have fun with kids. This amusement park provides attractions for children of any age. … Open
A beautiful traditional wooden building houses Tanaka Honke Museum. The historical building in which the museum is located was once the residence of wealthy traders of Tanaka. In this museum, visitors can see examples of goods that helped traders to multiply their wealth hundreds of years ago. Samples of cotton, rapeseed oil, grains and other goods that were worth their weight in gold are stored here. The museum also displays a very interesting collection of antique furniture, national costumes, and works of art.
All wishing to enjoy walking in picturesque places should definitely visit a flower garden, in the vicinity of Nagano. This beautiful historic garden located in Obuse was founded in the early 17th century. The best time to visit the garden is from April to December when hundreds of plant species blossom on its territory.
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Reference information
Map of all castles
Survived castles around Nagano
♥   Castle 'Matsushiro Castle' Nagano, 9.4 km from the center. On the map   Photo
♥   Castle 'Ueda Castle' Ueda, 28 km from the center. On the map   Photo
♥   Castle 'Komoro Castle' Komoro, 41.6 km from the center. On the map   Photo
♥   Castle 'Matsumoto Castle' Matsumoto, 49.6 km from the center. On the map   Photo
♥   Castle 'Hayashi Castle' Matsumoto, 49.8 km from the center. On the map   Photo
Map of all parks
National and city parks around Nagano
♥   Prefectural Natural Park 'On Take' , 26.5 km from the center. On the map   Photo
♥   Prefectural Natural Park 'Hakuba sanroku' , 32.1 km from the center. On the map   Photo
♥   Prefectural Natural Park 'Nomugi' , 50 km from the center. On the map   Photo
♥   Prefectural Natural Park 'Arimine' , 69.8 km from the center. On the map   Photo
♥   Prefectural Natural Park 'Jobu' , 97 km from the center. On the map   Photo

Sights around Nagano from our guide 'Extreme places on Earth'

Dai-Shimizu tunnel

From the series “The Greatest Tunnels in the World”
Check on the map:   Distance from Nagano center - 66.8 km.
However, the tunnel has been completed. Today it is an essential part of the country's transport infrastructure. There has been also a pleasant event related to the history of Dai-Shimizu establishment. Paving the underground passage, workers have discovered a unique mineral spring. Its development began immediately. Rich in minerals healing water is now available for guests of the country. It is sold in many nearby local stores. … Read further

Matsumoto Castle

From the series “Impressive Castles and Palaces Located on Water”
Check on the map:   Distance from Nagano center - 49.6 km.
Today the tourists have a unique opportunity to climb up the steep steps of the castle, to look into the hall of the Samurai and to see the collections of the ancient weapons. On the main tower of the castle was the excellent viewing platform. To get to it you have to cross a very narrow and steep staircase. Remarkable that the variety of narrow passages and steep stairs are not the fault of medieval construction workers. The steep steps and narrow corridors were built to improve the castle fortification. In the summer the interesting festivals dedicated to the national culture are held in the castle. The Mondfestival takes place here in autumn. In the night of the full moon, the tourists aim to climb up to the lookout platform of the main tower from which the wonderful view of the full moon opens. … Read further

Sightseeing in regions nearby Nagano

Kanazawa
Without a doubt, Kanazawa Castle is the main attraction of this Japanese city. The city of Kanazawa grew around this castle. The Maeda family was the founder of the gorgeous building. Each new owner was adding additional details to the construction depending on own ... Open »
Niigata
Niigata is one of the largest prefectures of the country and the leading manufacturer of rice. That is why the prefecture is sometimes called "rice basket". As the forest industry is also well-developed here, numerous furniture factories and industrial wood processing ... Open »
Tokyo
Japanese culture is very different from Western culture. It is multifaceted and often highly original, just like the nightlife of Tokyo, where everyone can find something to fit his/her taste - from trendy cafes and restaurants 25 to extravagant strip bars and discos . ... Open »
Kanagawa
Kanagawa prefecture is located on Honshu Island. Today this is one of the main industrial centers of the country. Despite the fact that Kanagawa was severely destroyed by the earthquake in 1923 and then suffered loss during World War II, today this is a modern and ... Open »
Kamakura
Do you want to see the main shrine in Kamakura? In this case, visit Tsurugaoka Hachimangū. Until the 12th century, this temple was a shrine of two religions, namely, Shintoism and Buddhism. The Meiji period government didn’t like that and decided to remake the ... Open »
Nagoya
Large Nagoya that underwent a lot of trials has preserved its historic and cultural heritage for all these years. The modern megacity will definitely impress fans of sightseeing tours. They can visit Nagoya Castle, old shrines, Buddhist temples and different ... Open »
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