Nagano Prefecture

A mountain prefecture ringed by the Japanese Alps, home to Kamikochi, Hakuba skiing, Matsumoto Castle, and Nakasendo post towns.

Nagano Prefecture is inland in central Honshu, crossed by the Northern, Central, and Southern Alps, and is Japan's leading mountain resort region. Matsumoto Castle has a National Treasure keep, Kamikochi is ideal for hiking in summer and autumn, Hakuba and Shiga Kogen are famous ski areas, Karuizawa is a summer retreat, and Zenkoji Temple and the Jigokudani Monkey Park are also popular; Tsumago-juku on the Kiso Road preserves the look of a Nakasendo post town, and you can hike from there to Magome-juku in neighboring Gifu Prefecture. Escape the heat and go climbing in summer, and ski in winter. The Hokuriku Shinkansen runs via Karuizawa and Nagano, and the JR Chuo Line limited express goes to Matsumoto.

Destinations

• Matsumoto
• Karuizawa
• Hakuba
• Kiso Valley (Tsumago & Magome)
• Nagano
• Yamanouchi

Itineraries

• Grand Kanto & Shinshu Loop – A loop from Tokyo covering Hakone, Mt. Fuji, Matsumoto, Kamikochi, the Snow Monkeys, Kusatsu, and Karuizawa.
• Shinshu Snow Monkey, Onsen & Powder Snow – A winter route starting from Nagano to see the snow monkeys, staying in Shibu Onsen and Nozawa, and ending with skiing…
• Tokyo, Hokuriku, Takayama & Kyoto Northern Route – Skip the Tokaido route and travel via Karuizawa, Nagano, Kanazawa, Shirakawa-go, and Takayama to Kyoto.
• Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, Hakuba & Matsumoto – Cross Tateyama from Toyama via the Kurobe Gorge to the Nagano side, then follow the mountain line through Hakuba and Ma…
• Nakasendo Kisoji Trail Hiking – A slow-paced hiking route from Inuyama to Matsumoto, walking from Magome to Tsumago and Torii Pass, with stays in histo…
• Tokyo to Kyoto via Japan Alps – Bypass the Tokaido and take the mountain route from Tokyo to Kyoto via Matsumoto, Kamikochi, Takayama, and Kanazawa.
• Tokyo City, Kawagoe, Mount Takao and Karuizawa – Spend four days exploring central Tokyo, plus three day trips to Little Edo Kawagoe, Mount Takao and Karuizawa
• Ikaho, Kusatsu & Karuizawa Hot Spring Drive – A self-drive trip from Tokyo through Gunma's two major hot spring towns, descending to Karuizawa through volcanic lava…