Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Nagano?

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Nagano?

Most people spend one to three days in Nagano during their visit. The scenic city offers amazing highlights such as the snow skiing, the famous sights and museums, the hiking, and the cuisine.

Nagano is the capital and largest city in Nagano Prefecture. It's surrounded by mountains and nearby you'll find many historic towns. The region is filled with temples, shrines, and beautiful hiking trails. There's also skiing during the winter months.

Do you have one or two days to visit Nagano? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.

Is one day enough time in Nagano?

The city of Nagano boasts plenty of sights and attractions, making it a popular destination for tourists. Given only one day, you will likely find yourself hurrying to experience the mountain town vibe and surrounding mountains here. You won't want to miss the chance to ski down the slopes, explore the museums and famous sights, get out into nature, and sample the delicious cuisine. To truly savor all that the city boasts, a longer amount of time is recommended. Many vacationers opt for one to three days to thoroughly enjoy the mountain vibe of the city. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations for making the most of your visit.

How to spend a day in Nagano

Don't miss Zenko-ji Temple during your trip to Nagano, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.

The restaurant and food scene here is top notch, so make sure you spend time at one of the local restaurants where you can taste the delicious cuisine. You'll find many of Japan's culinary favorites here like ramen, udon, sushi, and sashimi. There are also regional dishes and some comfort food like Tonkatsu and Oyaki Dumplings.

The public transit in Nagano is fast and efficient. Over the course of a few days, you should be able to explore the city quite easily and affordably. The main station in town is Nagano Station. There's a bus and train system through the area, including buses that run to Zenkoji Temple. There's also a bus that goes to the Togakushi area and takes about an hour. However, renting a car will give you more freedom and efficiency. .

Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Nagano?

Many visitors spend a weekend in Nagano to take in the town and the mountain scenery, too. This is a good amount of time to see the scenic city's major attractions such as the snow skiing, the famous sights and museums, and the hiking. If you have a weekend here, we have a few suggestions of things to do below.

Narai-juku historic town, Nagano, Japan (©Nagano Prefecture/©JNTO)

How to spend 2 days in Nagano

Having a weekend (two to three days) in Nagano will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the city.

Snow skiing is the main attraction here in winter, so make sure you spend at least a day on the slopes. The city hosted the 1998 Winter Olympics and many of the skiing events were held at ski resorts in the area. In the Nagano Prefecture you'll find several ski resorts with some of the most popular being the Hakuba ski areas, Shiga Kogen, Nozawa Onsen, and Myoko Kogen.

The nightlife scene is very popular here. After dark, head out to one of the many venues around town. The nightlife scene is varied, from local and intimate venues, to wild and crazy clubs. You'll find all styles and activities such that whatever you're looking for, the city likely won't disappoint.

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Nagano, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.