Tag: nagano
Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park: The Perfect Wintery Day Trip
The smell of sulfur gradually seeps through the air, and steam rises up beyond the trees in Jigokudani snow monkey park. Located in a valley of the Yokoyu River in northern Nagano Prefecture, 267 km northwest of Tokyo, literally, the name means “Hell Valley”.
Hakuba’s Happo One Hike: Autumn Edition
Looking to stretch our legs on a recent trip to Hakuba, we weighed up the options available to us in October (hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, rafting) and settled on the Happo One ‘Nature Trail’ hike. There, we’d...
Togakushi Kodo: A Spiritual Off-The-Beaten-Path Journey
For those looking to get off the beaten track and experience something authentic, the Togakushi Kodo Pilgrimage makes for a fantastic day-trip from Nagano. This lush, mountainous region is home to natural mineral springs, giant trees and...
All The Matsumoto Highlights In This One Day Itinerary
Matsumoto is a castle city, surrounded by the stunning mountains of Nagano prefecture. With one of Japan’s 5 most precious castles, a charming traditional aesthetic and an abundance of fresh flowing natural spring water, it makes for...
Matsumoto Musts: Folk Crafts and Unique Foods To Seek Out
Like many of Japan’s prefectures, Matsumoto has some fantastic local specialties. From unique Matsumoto foods to folk crafts and natural resources, here are the key things you should seek out during your visit.
Fresh...
Nojiri Loop Course: 15km Loop Around A Glacial Lake
The summer haven of Lake Nojiri resides in the deepest corners of hearts and souls around the globe. Though if you’ve never heard of it, we’re not surprised. This ancient glacial lake in Nagano’s Myoko Togakushi Renzan...
Togakushi Soba: One Of Nagano’s Unique Varieties
From a prehistoric paste to the modern noodle, there has been a long history of soba in Nagano Prefecture. The geography and climate have always been perfect for growing high-quality buckwheat, but it wasn’t until the Edo...
Nawate dori: Matsumoto’s Charming Frog Street
A visit to the mountain city of Matsumoto wouldn’t be complete without a stroll down Nawate Street. Just 10 minutes’ walk from Matsumoto Castle, the quaint Nawate-dori looks as though it’s been plucked from the pages of...
Nakamachi Street: Matsumoto’s Historic Thoroughfare
Nakamachi Street is one of the most beloved of all Matsumoto attractions. A walk along this shopping street, with its Edo era facades, transports you back in time a few hundred years to when this modern city...
Delicious Tempura Soba at Nozawa Onsen’s Sobadokoro Daimon
Whether you’ve come to Nozawa Onsen in search of snow, hot springs or mountain village charm, one thing’s for sure: you’re going to need to eat. Lucky for you, this remote town is frequented by people from...
