LIFE at Shinshu

Kitashinano

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  Jigokudani Monkey Park

  This is a famous spot where monkeys enter the hot spring. Here the life of Japanese monkeys can be seen in natural surroundings.

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  Oyaki

  This is a representative local food of Shinshu in which vegetables or other filling is wrapped with a coating of wheat flour and roasted. In the past this was the staple diet in hilly and mountainous areas where rice could not be grown. Various fillings are used, such as eggplant, pumpkin, adzuki beans, shimeji mushrooms, etc.

Northern Alps

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  Kamikōchi

  Kamikōchi is one of the gateways to the Northern Alps. Here it is possible to walk along a nature research route along the Azusa River or through coniferous forests while enjoying the view of 3,000m high mountains.

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  Mount Tsubakuro

  With an elevation above sea level of 2,763m, this is one of the representative mountains of the Northern Alps. It is a popular mountain because of the beauty of the contrast between the gray color of the granite and the green of the dwarf stone pines, the dicentra clustered in the sand and gravel areas near the mountain peak, etc.

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  Mount Norikura

  Mt. Norikura is located at the southern end of the Northern Alps, and its highest peak, Mount Kengamine, is 3,026m above sea level. It is possible to go by bus as far as Mount Norikura Tatamidaira at an elevation above sea level of 2,702m. From the peak of this mountain a great panorama unfolds in which many famous peaks can be seen such as the peaks in the Hotaka Mountain Range and of Mount Yari, the Central Alps and the Southern Alps, etc.

Hakuba

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  Tsugaike Nature Park - Hakuba

  In the Hakuba area, skiing can be enjoyed in winter, and trekking amid the beautiful mountain scenery can be enjoyed in summer. There are many courses for walking such as Tsugaike Nature Park, which can be reached comparatively easily by taking a gondola lift and ropeway.

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  Hakuba Ski Jumping Stadium

  The ski jump competitions in the Nagano Winter Olympics in 1998 were carried out here. The tower can be climbed by means of lift and elevator, so it is possible to experience the height of the starting position.

Azumino

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  Water Mill

  Azumino has a rural landscape reminiscent of "ancestral home" that resides in the heart of Japanese people. There are many places here with plentiful water flow from the Northern Alps.

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  Green Horseradish Fields

  The green horseradish (wasabi) of Azumino where there is plentiful pure water from the Northern Alps is a delicacy. The cluster of spring water green horseradish fields of Azumino has been selected as one of the 100 best waters in Japan.

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  Dosojin

  Dosojin can be seen everywhere in the tranquil rural landscape of Azumino. They are familiar since ancient times as gods protecting the villages.

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  Rokuzan Art Museum

  This is an art museum that houses the works of the sculptor Rokuzan Ogiwara, a native of Azumino. The ivy-covered church-like building is impressive. Azumino has many art museums loved by artists.

Matsumoto City

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  Matsumoto Castle

  This castle, which was constructed at the end of the 16th century, is a symbol of Matsumoto. It is also referred to as "Crow Castle" due to its black castle appearance. It is possible to go to the top floor of the castle, from which there is a superb view of the Northern Alps.

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  Matsumoto City Museum of Art

  Matsumoto City Museum of Art is an impressive monument to the international artist Yayoi Kusama, who was born in Matsumoto City. It also includes a permanent exhibition of the works of Yayoi Kusama. There are also many other museums within the city.

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  Matsumoto Bonbon

  This is a festival held in Matsumoto City in August every year in which the residents participate. The participating groups known as "ren" dance through the streets from Matsumoto Station to Matsumoto Castle.

Kiso

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  Tsumago-Juku

  Tsumago-Juku was one of the posting stations on the Nakasendo, a main road during the Edo Period. Streetscape with the atmosphere of that era still remains today. The approximately 8km road to the adjacent posting station at Magome-juku is a popular trekking course.

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  Gohei-Mochi

  This is local food eaten in the Kiso and Ina regions. In the past it was a delicacy eaten for hospitality and on celebratory occasions. It is made by placing ground rice on a stick, applying a paste made from walnuts, miso, sugar, etc., and grilling. There are various shapes and tastes depending on the region or the family.

Ina

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  Takato Castle Site Park Cherry Blossom

  This is one of the famous locations for cherry blossom in Japan. From the beginning to the middle of April more than 1,500 Takato-kohigan (Prunus subhirtella) cherry trees are in blossom in Takato Castle Site Park.

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  Senjojiki Curl

  Senjojiki Curl at an elevation of 2,600m can be easily reached by bus and ropeway. It is beautiful in summer for its fields of alpine flowers, and in autumn for the changing of colors. The ropeway also operates in winter, and in spring back-country skiing can be enjoyed.

Nagano City

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  Zenkoji

  This is an old temple constructed in the middle of the 7th century, that is representative of Japan. It is visited by many people from all over Japan. During the Edo Period (the beginning of the 18th century) it was reconstructed, and it includes many sites within the temple precincts including the Main Hall, which has been designated as a National Treasure, the Sammon gate, an Important Cultural Property on which major repairs have been completed, etc.

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  Old Battle Site of Kawanakajima

  This is the site of battles that occurred over a period of 12 years between Kenshin Uesugi and Shingen Takeda, two great commanders representative of the Warring States period (in the 16th century). A statue showing Shingen and Kenshin battling one-on-one on horses has been erected at the site.

Around Nagano City

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  Cedar Avenue of Togakushi

  Togakushi is visited by many worshipers as a sacred place for mountain worship. More than 100 giant cedars line the approach road, creating a profound mystical and sublime atmosphere.

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  Soba (Buckwheat Noodle)

  Soba is a local food of Shinshu. Famous sobas that can be only eaten locally are produced in various places within the Prefecture. The new soba that can be eaten in restaurants from about November is particularly delicious.

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  Terraced Rice Fields of Obasute

  Terraced rice fields are rice fields on the slope of a mountain. The terraced rice fields of Obasute have been selected as an Important Cultural Landscape. The reflection of the moon in each of the rice fields creates a magical scene, so the terraced rice fields of Obasute have become famous as a place for viewing the moon.

Ueda City

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  Ueda Castle site

  During the Warring States period Ueda Castle was the residence of the great commander Sanada. Three of the towers of the castle remain. It has now been developed as a park for passing on history, and is famous as a place for cherry blossom.

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  Shinshu Sanada Musketeers

  Shinshu Sanada Musketeers was established in 1994 in order to preserve the ancient gun skills of the Shinshu Sanada Musketeers. The Ueda Sanada Festival is held in April every year, at which it is possible to see a reenactment of these military skills.

Karuizawa

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  Shiraito Falls

  Ground water gushing from the rock wall drops delicately over a height of 3m and a width of 70m. It is particularly beautiful during the new greenery of early summer or during the color changes of autumn.

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  Shaw Memorial Chapel

  In the latter half of the 19th century, the Canadian missionary Alexander Croft Shaw was attracted by the nature in Karuizawa, and visited it every year, developing Karuizawa as a summer retreat. Besides the Shaw Memorial Chapel, there are many sites such as churches and hotels, etc., dating from that period.

Suwa

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  Suwa Lake Fireworks Festival

  This is the foremost fireworks festival in all Japan in terms of both number of fireworks launched and the scale. The surface of the lake is brightly colored by about 40,000 fireworks, such as fireworks on the water surface and a cascade of fireworks connecting the lake to the shore (Niagara), etc.

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  Suwa Lake

  Suwa Lake is the largest fault lake within the Nagano Prefecture, located within the center of the Prefecture. It is a major tourist area that includes many hot spring resorts, art museums, and other museums nearby. Also, precision industries are prospering in this area.

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  Suwa Grand Shrine, Shimosha Akimiya

  Suwa Grand Shrine, which enshrines the gods of hunting, wind, water, and riches, consists of four building complexes: the Kamisha Honmiya (main shrine), the Kamisha Maemiya (old shrine), the Shimosha Akimiya (autumn shrine), and the Shimosha Harumiya (spring shrine). Suwa Grand Shrine is the head shrine of the Suwa network of shrines throughout Japan, and is one of the oldest Shinto Shrines in Japan.