Should You Visit Nagano?

Is Nagano worth visiting?

Nagano is worth visiting for one to three days so that you can explore everything that the city has to offer. 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. It's often mentioned as one of the best places to visit in major publications, such as in Money's Best Places to Travel in 2023.

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

Reasons to Visit Nagano

Skiing
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.

Museums
The area is filled with history and there are many places to explore. Matsumoto Castle, the Matsumoto City Museum of Art, Zenko-ji Temple, and Togakushi Shrine are just some of the highlights.

Food
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.

Nightlife
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.

Hiking
The surrounding area is filled with stunning scenery, natural beauty, and beautiful hikes. You'll find shrines and temples, historic villages, nice views, and peaceful walks throughout the region. One of the most unique walks is along the highest road in Japan, the Norikura Echo Line. The route is at 8,800 feet and is lined with ten meter high snow walls. It's open from from late April to the end of June every year.

Resorts
You'll find wonderful mountain resorts throughout the entire prefecture.

Historical Sights
Throughout the prefecture there is a lot of history and charming towns. If you're willing to get out of Nagano City, you can enjoy an area filled with tradition and culture. In particular, Tsumago-juku was the first preserved old town in Japan.

Shopping
There are a number of shopping streets that are fun to explore including the historic street of Naka-mise. This street is lined with tea shops, cafes, traditional stores, and more. While there aren't a huge number of shopping centers around town, Midori Nagano is one of the biggest.

Is Nagano worth visiting in the Summer?

The weather in Nagano is fairly warm during summer, and stays around 25°C (77°F). But it can get as warm as 29°C (84°F) at times, too. It's also quite rainy during this season, so be prepared.

The peak season for travel is summer in Nagano, so expect to see more tourists than usual. This destination is quite touristy, so in the high season it's busier than usual. You'll see larger crowds and longer lines, as well as higher prices. On the other hand, there's plenty to see and do at this time of year because everything is open.

The nearby hiking this time of year is a must-do, so take some time to get out on the trails, take in some fresh air, and enjoy the scenery. This is a great time of year to take a hike, browse the museums, and enjoy the amenities of a resort. Also, you can experience the big city activities, the historic old town, and the nightlife.

Is Nagano worth visiting in the Autumn?

Autumn is the shoulder season for travel in Nagano. This destination is quite touristy, so in the shoulder season you'll still come across plenty of touriss. However, the prices tend to be a little cheaper.

Keep in mind that it can be fairly rainy during autumn, and temperatures hover around 16°C (60°F).

Autumn is a great time of year to explore the numerous museums and landmarks around town. They are fun for the whole family as well great for couples. You'll find plenty to do during autumn, as you'll be able to take in the beautiful scenery, browse around the old town, and spend time at the museums. Also, you can discover the big city activities and go hiking.

Is Nagano worth visiting in the Winter?

The high season for travel in Nagano is the winter, so expect to see more tourists than usual. This destination is quite touristy, so in the high season it's busier than usual. You'll see larger crowds and longer lines, as well as higher prices. On the other hand, there's plenty to see and do at this time of year because everything is open.

The weather in Nagano can be quite cold during winter, and averages around 2°C (36°F). But be prepared for much lower temperatures, too.

Most visitors come during the winter for the terrific skiing and snowboarding, as it's the main activity here. During this season it's fun to experience the snow skiing, the museums and landmarks, and the cuisine. Also, you can check out the historic old town, the nightlife, and the big city activities.

Is Nagano worth visiting in the Spring?

You'll find the weather to be very nice here during spring with average temperatures around 11°C (52°F).

Spring is the shoulder season for travel in Nagano, which means slightly less visitors than in the peak season. This destination is quite touristy, so in the shoulder season you'll still come across plenty of touriss. However, the prices tend to be a little cheaper.

The stunning mountain scenery at this time of year shouldn't be missed. You can wander around the town to enjoy the sights, but the real charm is when you get out into the nearby mountains. Drive, bike, hike, go camping, or just relax in the awe of the mountain views. This is a great time of year to browse the shops, wander through the museums, and take in the beautiful scenery. Also, you'll be able to admire the historic sights and grab some drinks at a bar.

Things to Consider Before Visiting Nagano

Getting Around
The area is not very walkable, and public transit is not great here, so it might be difficult to get around without arranging your own transportation.

The Cost
Depending on your budget, schedule, and travel style, Nagano might be an expensive destination for you. You can find out the travel costs for Nagano here or see if Nagano is expensive here.

Related

What is Nagano most famous for?

Nagano is most famous for its historic temples, beautiful mountain setting, and being the host of the 1998 Winter Olympic Games. People visit this impressive city for its great skiing, museums, food, nightlife, and hiking. It's also known for resorts, historical sights, and shopping. It is often described as alpine, scenic, historic, and traditional.

What is the most famous sight in Nagano?

The most popular sight in Nagano is Zenko-ji Temple. You can see prices and costs for this and other sights in Nagano on our travel costs page.

Or, see tickets, activities, and tours for Zenko-ji Temple and other attractions here.

How touristy is Nagano? Is it a popular city to visit?

Nagano is a popular city for tourists and travelers. Here are some of the most popular activities and tours. (Prices in US Dollars)

• Nagano Sake Tasting Walking Tour: $49
• Food & Cultural Walking Tour around Zenkoji temple in Nagano: $87
• Full-Day Tour: Matsumoto Castle & Kamikochi Alpine Valley: $181
• Izakaya Food Night Tour in Nagano: $100
• Snow Monkey & ZinkoJi With Sake Tasting Private Tour: $550
• Welcome to Private Tour with a Local: $55
• Zenkoji Experience Tour: Overnight 'Shukubo' (Temple Lodge): $226
• 4 Day - From Nagano to Kanazawa: Ultimate Central Japan tour: $800

How long should I spend in Nagano?

The ideal length of time for a trip to Nagano is one to three days. Since Nagano has activities such as skiing, museums, dining, and nightlife, many visit for up to three days.

If you have a specific amount of time for your trip, see our advice about how much time to spend here: Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Nagano?, Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Nagano?, and Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Nagano?.