When traveling to Japan for the first time, it can be hard to look beyond Tokyo. But Japan is a large and varied country, and there are plenty of places worth visiting outside the capital. For starters, check out “100 Experiences in Japan,” a comprehensive guide book recently released by the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO). Organized by seven passion points, including the outdoors and nature, it’s a great introduction to the many unique regional cultures and natural landmarks around the country. One spot that caught our eye is Nagano Prefecture, a mountainous area in central Japan (and host of the 1998 Winter Olympics). Nagano offers all kinds of opportunities for outdoor adventure, and its historic towns, gorgeous scenery, hot springs, and world-class skiing and snowboarding make it well worth a visit.
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Kamikochi ©JNTO What to Do Although it’s not far from Tokyo, Nagano is a world apart from the massive city. The region is home to the Japan Alps (hence its nickname, “the roof of Japan”), and opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, camping, and skiing abound. One of the best ways to experience the mountains is with a trip to Chubu Sangaku National Park. Kamikochi, a scenic resort area in the park, offers fantastic views of the Japan Alps and plenty of opportunities for hiking. Stretch your legs on trails along the Azusa River and keep an eye out for local wildlife, like monkeys and deer. This region is especially great in the fall, when the deciduous trees are ablaze with color.
Japan Alps ©Matsumoto city/©JNTO If you’re up for something more adventurous than a day hike, head to Mount Hotaka. This 10,465-foot peak is the highest in Japan’s Northern Alps, and it’s a big draw for campers, hikers, and mountain climbers. For camping, trek up to Karasawa, a sprawling tent village at about 7,500 feet with a lively party atmosphere and excellent views of the mountain range. Just make sure you start your hike early in order to secure a good camping spot. If you’re an experienced climber and want to summit Mount Hotaka, Karasawa also makes the perfect base camp for alpine expeditions further up the mountain. Head over to KARASAWA HÜTTE to rent mountaineering gear and make sure to say hello to Takashi Yamaguchi, the owner of the lodge and the head of the mountain rescue team.
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Nagano is also a mountain biking mecca. The prefecture is home to many ski resorts (see below), and the resorts often convert their runs into downhill trails during the warmer months. Whether you’re a veteran shredder or new to the sport, there’s plenty of terrain to explore. Nozawa Onsen Snow Resort in the northeastern corner of the prefecture offers four different MTB courses, and in the Hakuba Valley, Fujimi Panorama Resort boasts one of the largest mountain bike trail networks in the country, all accessible via gondola. The longest trail stretches five miles and descends over 2,000 feet, which will definitely keep your stoke meter revved. And don’t bother packing your wheels: Bike rentals are available right at the base of the mountain.
Hakuba Iwatake Ski Resort ©Tourism Commission of Hakuba Village/©JNTO Winter is when Nagano really shines. Although places like Niseko on the island of Hokkaido are well known for powder, we’ll let you in on a little secret: Nagano offers some of the best skiing and snowboarding in Japan. It did host the Winter Olympics, after all. There are a dizzying number of slopes to choose from. Start in Hakuba, which hosts 11 different ski resorts and boasts some of the best snow in Japan. Warm up at Tangram Madarao Tokyu Hotel & Resort, which features mostly expert and intermediate terrain spread across over 1,700 feet of vertical. Then head to Hakuba Iwatake Snow Field, which occupies all sides of a mountain peak and offers 360-degree views as you carve up the resort’s 26 groomed trails and 300 acres of pristine skiing. That should give your legs a workout, but there’s even more terrain to conquer. Grab a Hakuba Valley Ticket to access 10 of the area’s resorts (buses run between them and the village) and ski and ride to your heart’s content. For skiing outside of Hakuba, Nozawa Onsen Snow Resort ranks high on our list. Nestled on Mt. Kenashi, this resort boasts over 3,500 feet of vertical and, according to the JNTO, receives nearly 33 feet of snow in an average season. It has a good mix of expert and beginner terrain, so you don’t have to worry about getting in over your head—or getting bored. Plus, it’s located right near the charming town of Nozawa Onsen and its geothermal baths, which are great for some après-ski relaxing. How to Get There To get to northern Nagano from Tokyo, catch a Hokuriku Shinkansen bullet train, which will get you to the city of Nagano in under 90 minutes. You can also get to the city of Matsumoto, another good jumping off point, by catching a train from Tokyo’s Shinjuku Station.
©Sumiyosiya Nozawaonsen Where to Stay The Sumiyosiya Nozawaonsen hotel in the quaint town of Nozawa Onsen is a great place to stay, especially if you plan to do some skiing or mountain biking while in Nagano. It’s local hospitality at its finest: The rooms are beautifully decorated and showcase fine Japanese architecture, and the on-site restaurant features traditional Japanese kaiseki—multi-course dinners using local ingredients. Plus, the slopes and trails are just a few minutes away.
©Sumiyosiya Nozawaonsen
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When traveling to Japan for the first time, it can be hard to look beyond Tokyo. But Japan is a large and varied country, and there are plenty of places worth visiting outside the capital. For starters, check out “100 Experiences in Japan,” a comprehensive guide book recently released by the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO). Organized by seven passion points, including the outdoors and nature, it’s a great introduction to the many unique regional cultures and natural landmarks around the country.
One spot that caught our eye is Nagano Prefecture, a mountainous area in central Japan (and host of the 1998 Winter Olympics). Nagano offers all kinds of opportunities for outdoor adventure, and its historic towns, gorgeous scenery, hot springs, and world-class skiing and snowboarding make it well worth a visit.
The Best Japanese Whiskies You Need to Know
Read article
What to Do
Although it’s not far from Tokyo, Nagano is a world apart from the massive city. The region is home to the Japan Alps (hence its nickname, “the roof of Japan”), and opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, camping, and skiing abound.
The Best Japanese Whiskies You Need to Know
Read article
The Best Japanese Whiskies You Need to Know
One of the best ways to experience the mountains is with a trip to Chubu Sangaku National Park. Kamikochi, a scenic resort area in the park, offers fantastic views of the Japan Alps and plenty of opportunities for hiking. Stretch your legs on trails along the Azusa River and keep an eye out for local wildlife, like monkeys and deer. This region is especially great in the fall, when the deciduous trees are ablaze with color.
If you’re up for something more adventurous than a day hike, head to Mount Hotaka. This 10,465-foot peak is the highest in Japan’s Northern Alps, and it’s a big draw for campers, hikers, and mountain climbers. For camping, trek up to Karasawa, a sprawling tent village at about 7,500 feet with a lively party atmosphere and excellent views of the mountain range. Just make sure you start your hike early in order to secure a good camping spot. If you’re an experienced climber and want to summit Mount Hotaka, Karasawa also makes the perfect base camp for alpine expeditions further up the mountain. Head over to KARASAWA HÜTTE to rent mountaineering gear and make sure to say hello to Takashi Yamaguchi, the owner of the lodge and the head of the mountain rescue team.
America’s Japanese Bar Boom Is Here
Read article
Nagano is also a mountain biking mecca. The prefecture is home to many ski resorts (see below), and the resorts often convert their runs into downhill trails during the warmer months. Whether you’re a veteran shredder or new to the sport, there’s plenty of terrain to explore. Nozawa Onsen Snow Resort in the northeastern corner of the prefecture offers four different MTB courses, and in the Hakuba Valley, Fujimi Panorama Resort boasts one of the largest mountain bike trail networks in the country, all accessible via gondola. The longest trail stretches five miles and descends over 2,000 feet, which will definitely keep your stoke meter revved. And don’t bother packing your wheels: Bike rentals are available right at the base of the mountain.
America’s Japanese Bar Boom Is Here
Read article
America’s Japanese Bar Boom Is Here
Winter is when Nagano really shines. Although places like Niseko on the island of Hokkaido are well known for powder, we’ll let you in on a little secret: Nagano offers some of the best skiing and snowboarding in Japan. It did host the Winter Olympics, after all. There are a dizzying number of slopes to choose from.
Start in Hakuba, which hosts 11 different ski resorts and boasts some of the best snow in Japan. Warm up at Tangram Madarao Tokyu Hotel & Resort, which features mostly expert and intermediate terrain spread across over 1,700 feet of vertical. Then head to Hakuba Iwatake Snow Field, which occupies all sides of a mountain peak and offers 360-degree views as you carve up the resort’s 26 groomed trails and 300 acres of pristine skiing. That should give your legs a workout, but there’s even more terrain to conquer. Grab a Hakuba Valley Ticket to access 10 of the area’s resorts (buses run between them and the village) and ski and ride to your heart’s content.
For skiing outside of Hakuba, Nozawa Onsen Snow Resort ranks high on our list. Nestled on Mt. Kenashi, this resort boasts over 3,500 feet of vertical and, according to the JNTO, receives nearly 33 feet of snow in an average season. It has a good mix of expert and beginner terrain, so you don’t have to worry about getting in over your head—or getting bored. Plus, it’s located right near the charming town of Nozawa Onsen and its geothermal baths, which are great for some après-ski relaxing.
How to Get There
To get to northern Nagano from Tokyo, catch a Hokuriku Shinkansen bullet train, which will get you to the city of Nagano in under 90 minutes. You can also get to the city of Matsumoto, another good jumping off point, by catching a train from Tokyo’s Shinjuku Station.
Where to Stay
The Sumiyosiya Nozawaonsen hotel in the quaint town of Nozawa Onsen is a great place to stay, especially if you plan to do some skiing or mountain biking while in Nagano. It’s local hospitality at its finest: The rooms are beautifully decorated and showcase fine Japanese architecture, and the on-site restaurant features traditional Japanese kaiseki—multi-course dinners using local ingredients. Plus, the slopes and trails are just a few minutes away.
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