Nagano city in the Japanese Alps is best known internationally as the host of the 1998 Winter Olympics and as the gateway to the Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park.
But it also has Zenko-ji Temple, one of Japan’s most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites, excellent access to the ski resorts of Hakuba and Shiga Kogen, and a position between Tokyo and Kanazawa, making it a natural stop on an extended Japan itinerary.
Quick Answer: Nagano: Mountain city in the Japanese Alps, 1 hour 45 minutes from Tokyo by Hokuriku Shinkansen. Famous for Zenko-ji Temple, Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park (Japanese macaques bathing in hot springs), ski resorts, and alpine scenery. A natural stop between Tokyo and Kanazawa guide.
Getting to Nagano
From Tokyo
Hokuriku Shinkansen (Kagayaki or Hakutaka) from Tokyo Station to Nagano Station. Approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes. Cost: approximately 8,420 yen. Covered by the JR Pass guide. Trains run frequently throughout the day.
From Kanazawa
Hokuriku Shinkansen from Kanazawa to Nagano. Approximately 1 hour. Cost: approximately 7,170 yen. Covered by JR Pass. Makes the Tokyo-Nagano-Kanazawa routing natural for a Japan itinerary. See the Kanazawa guide and the Kyoto to Kanazawa guide.
From Matsumoto
JR Shinonoi Line from Matsumoto to Nagano. Approximately 50 minutes, 840 yen. See the Matsumoto guide.
What to Do in Nagano
Zenko-ji Temple
One of Japan’s most visited and most important Buddhist temples, founded in 642 AD and housing what is said to be the first Buddhist statue ever brought to Japan (the statue is hidden from public view). The temple is the terminus of several historic pilgrimage routes, and the approach along Omotesando (the long street from Nagano Station) evokes the pilgrimage journey. The tunnel beneath the main hall (Kaidan Meguri) allows visitors to walk in complete darkness and touch a sacred key entry to the main hall: 500 yen.
Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park
The most famous wildlife attraction in Japan. Japanese macaques (snow monkeys) bathe in the natural hot spring pool at Jigokudani year-round. Still, the most photogenic season is winter (December to March), when the monkeys sit in the steaming pool surrounded by snow. The walk from the bus stop to the park takes approximately 30 minutes through the forest entry: 800 yen. Take the bus from Nagano Station to Kanbayashi Onsen bus stop (approximately 40 minutes), then walk into the valley.
Togakushi Shrine
A series of three shrines deep in the mountains west of Nagano, reached by a 2-kilometre approach through ancient cedar forest. The upper shrine (Togakushi Okusya), through the cryptomeria-lined path, is one of the finest shrine approach walks in Japan. The area is also famous for its soba noodles. approximately 1 hour from Nagano by bus.
Skiing and Winter Activities
The Nagano area hosted multiple events at the 1998 Winter Olympics,s and the surrounding mountains have excellent ski infrastructure. Hakuba Valley (approximately 1 hour by bus from Nagano) is the main international ski resort area with multiple interconnected resorts. Shiga Kogen (approximately 1.5 hours by bus) is Japan’s largest ski area by area. Both are accessible from Nagano Station. See the Japan ski resorts guide for the broader Japan ski guide.
Day Trips from Nagano
- Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park: 40 minutes by bus from Nagano Station. See above.
- Matsumoto guide: 50 minutes by JR train: Matsumoto Castle and the Wasabi Farm.
- Togakushi: 1 hour by bus from Nagano Station. Shrine complex and cedar forest approach.
- Obuse: 40 minutes by private Nagano Electric Railway. Small town famous for chestnut sweets and the Hokusai Museum.
How Long to Stay
One night: Zenko-ji on arrival evening and morning, Snow Monkey Park in the afternoon. Two nights: add Togakushi or Matsumoto. Nagano, as a transit stop on the Hokuriku Shinkansen, makes for a 3- to 4-hour visit to Zenko-ji and the Snow Monkey Park before continuing to Kanazawa. See the Japan 10-day itinerary for how Nagano fits into a longer Japan itinerary.
Nearby Guides
- Matsumoto guide
- Kanazawa guide
- Shirakawa-go guide
- Takayama guide
- Japan ski resorts guide
- JR Pass guide
- Best places to visit in Japan
FAQ
When is the best time to visit the Snow Monkey Park?
The monkeys use the hot spring pool year-round, but the most famous images are from winter (December to March) when snow covers the surroundings. Summer visits still feature monkeys in and around the valley,y but without the snow backdrop. The park is open year-round.
Is Nagano city worth visiting, or just the Snow Monkey Park?
Both. Zenko-ji Temple is one of Japan’s finest pilgrimage temples and deserves at least 90 minutes of your time. The combination of Zenko-ji in the morning and the Snow Monkey Park in the afternoon makes a full and excellent day. Nagano city itself, beyond these two attractions, is pleasant but less compelling.
Is the JR Pass valid for Nagano?
Yes. The JR Pass fully covers the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo to Nagano. Local buses in Nagano are generally not covered. See the JR Pass guide for pass coverage details.
