Nagano City (English)

English 英語

SPECIAL EDITION

17

Let's start the trip In the middle of the Japanese archipelago you will find Nagano City.

The fastest way to reach it from Tokyo is by Shinkansen which takes about 90 minutes. Nagano is also connected by high-speed train to other major cities such as Osaka and Nagoya. The main charm of Nagano is that it is surrounded by lush nature, rich culture and beliefs that have been passed down since old times but are still very much alive.

■

Nagano City Tourist Information Center at Nagano Staion

As soon as you come out of the Shinkansen ticket gate at Nagano Station, you will see the tourist information center right in front of you.

Feel free to browse through information brochures or ask the English speaking staff members for their advice. The tourist information center shares the same floor space with a café, so you can take a rest while checking out everything that Nagano has to offer. info 9am - 7pm (Apr - Oct), 9am - 6pm (Nov - Mar) *hours may differ JR Nagano Station's East-West passageway around New Year 1038-4 Kitagawara, Kurita, Nagano-shi

■

ATM

A currency exchange machine is available at the Tourist Information Center Currencies Available US Dollar, Euro, British Pound, Chinese Yuan, Taiwanese Dollar, Hong Kong Dollar, South Korean Won, Thai Baht, Singapore Dollar, Malaysian Ringgit, Australian Dollar, Canadian Dollar *Exchange to Japanese yen only.

2

P4

P5,P9 ,P12

to Nagano!

Go by bus - a convenient way to explore the city!

■

Bus Stop Information in front of Nagano Station/Buses for Zenkoji Temple

P13 Zenkoji Line/Binzuru-go...Zenkoji Temple Bus Stop The minibus circles the outskirts of the temple ground. It departs from Nagano Station and goes via Chuo-dori Street and Zenkoji-Daimon. 【Fares】Adult: 150yen, Child: 80yen (up to age 12) Gururin-go(Clockwise/Anticlockwise)...

Bus Stop for Zenkoji Temple entrance Buses for the 45 min. round trip leave every 15 min. There is one set fare for all stops. 【Fares】Single ride: Adult: 100yen, Child: 50yen (up to age 12) ■ Alpico Bus Nagano Station Information Center Tel.026-277-0404 ■ Nagano Dentetsu Bus Tel.026-295-8008 Zenkoji Temple,Matsushiro one-day Pass

P6 P8 ,P14 P15

(Unlimited one-day travel on the buses for Zenkoji Temple,Matsushiro and Kawanakajima.)

Fares】Adult: 1500yen, Child: 750yen (up to age 12) There are also discounts on admission to tourist facilites. Tickets can be purchased in advance at the Alpico Bus Nagano Station Information Center.

Buses for suburban sightseeing routes Togakushi Kogen—No.70 or No.71(Togakushi Kogen),Depart Nagano Station bus stop no.7. Approx. 1hr.

Iizuna Kogen—No.70 or No.71(Togakushi Kogen),Depart Nagano Station bus stop no.7. Approx. 30min.

Kinasa(Okususobana)—No.75(Okususobana Shizen-en),Depart Nagano Station bus stop no.7. Approx. 2hr.(seasonal operation) Buses for Northen Alps Hakuba(Happo,Goryu)—Express bus for Hakuba/Hakuba Norikura, Depart Nagano Station bus stop no.6. Approx. 1hr.

Tugaike Kogen—Express bus for Hakuba/Hakuba Norikura, Depart Nagano Station bus stop no.6. Approx. 1hr.40min.

Tateyama Kurobe Alpin Route—Express bus for Omachi/Ogisawa,Depart Nagano Station bus stop no.5. Approx. 1hr.30min. (seasonal operation)

【

P10 P11

How to ride the bus in Nagano City

●

(1) Board the bus from the back door.

(2) Take a numbered ticket as you board.

(3) Press the button to get off at your desired stop.

(4) Pay your fare before getting off the bus.

(5) Get off the bus from the front door. ※In some cases, tickets should be purchased in advance.

Paying fares

Cash is the most frequent payment method for fares in Japan.

Major credit cards might not be accepted.

3

Discover mysterious legends and Togakushi Shrine and Zenkoji Temple Togakushi Shrine Kuzuryu Shrine Zuishinmon gate

Okusha Shrine

(Main Shrine)

Chusha Shrine

Hinomikosha Shrine Hokosha Shrine

Chusha Shrine

↓to NAGANO CITY center

The enshrined deity is called Ame no Yagokoro Omoikane no Mikoto, and is the god of intelligence and wisdom who managed to open the Rock Cave of Heaven and restore Amaterasu to the world. Near the area there are three seven hundred year old cedar trees overflowing with power. The Sazare Waterfalls are right behind the shrine and gazing upon them is said to increase your luck. There are also omikuji, (small pieces of paper with one’s fortune written on them) at the Togakushi Shrine, which are unique to Japan. Just tell the priest your age, pay a fee and your omikuji will be drawn for you.

Unlike other shrines, omikuji from Togakushi Shrine are not meant to be tied to tree branches but taken home as a guide for everyday life.

Togakushi Shrine consists of five shrines located at the base of Mt. Togakushi. According to Japanese mythology, the goddess of the sun, Amaterasu, ridden by grief, hid herself in a cave, plunging the world into darkness. The other deities strived to lure her out, finally succeeding to fling away the stone door where it landed to form Mt. Togakushi (literally,“the door of hiding”), thus returning the sun to our world. Whether or not the story is true, deities that appeared in the story are enshrined here and the mythology has added a bit of charm to Togakushi.

Hokosha Shrine Hinomi - kosha Shrine DAY 1 DAY 2 4

Nagano Station

Nagano City

Approx 60min by bus

Togakushi Area

The interior of Togakushi Shrine has a simple and peaceful design. This shrine is thought to bring artistic talent and marriage blessings.

① Togakushi Shrine

Chusha ② Togakushi Ninja Museum Okusha

① O-asaji - Morning services at Zenkoji Temple ② Explore around Zenkoji Temple and

Monzen-machi ③ Cultural experience at Omotesando ④ Shop at station building MIDORI

A steep staircase leads to the top of the shrine. The carvings of this shrine are well worth a visit.

Nagano Station

Approx 60min by bus

Nagano Station

Stay at Shokubou around Zenkoji Temple

Recommended

Trip

1

power spots

Okusha (Main Shrine) & Kuzuryusha (Kuzuryu Shrine)

▲

Okusha (Main Shrine)

Ameno Tajikarao, the god who opened the gate of the Celestial Rock Cave, is worshipped here. The entrance torii, (Shinto shrine gate) and the main building of the shrine are approximately two kilometres apart from each other. The shrine is built at the foot of the 1,911 metre tall Mt. Togakushi, in front of a rock wall.

▲

Kuzuryusha (Kuzuryu Shrine)

Kuzuryusha is dedicated to the nine-headed dragon god, who is the landowner of Togakushi and is located on the left side of the main shrine. He is also known as the god of tooth decay.

Zuishinmon Gate

▶

Gods use the vermillion lacquered gate which is in the middle of the road which approaches the rear shrine. Its impressive appearance is sure to fill you with a sense of awe.

Near the gate there is also a famous cedar tree.

Kagami Ike (Mirror Lake)

Traditional craft [bamboo work]

You should definitely buy traditional bamboo items from Togakushi as a souvenir. The use of bamboo for crafting is something of a regional speciality of Togakushi, which is why Togakushi’s soba is served on a bamboo draining basket.

The mountains of Togakushi reflect beautifully on the surface of this lake, creating a magnificent image. The area is said to be a power spot for purifying the mind and body, and activating a person's energy.

5

Zenkoji Temple filled with history and urban legends Zenkoji Temple is a very old Buddhist temple where generations of people have come to worship for more than 1,400 years. The Buddha enshrined here is said to be the oldest in Japan and no one has ever been allowed to see it, giving it the name the “Secret Buddha”. The paved street leading up to the temple is lined with souvenir shops, soba restaurants, and temple lodgings to serve visiting worshippers and tourists. Zenkoji attracts many visitors from throughout the nation and around the world.

Main Hall of Zenkoji Temple

The main hall of Zenkoji Temple is designated as a National Treasure of Japan, although the enshrined Buddha of Amitabha Tathagata is kept hidden. While visitors aren't permitted to see this Buddha, they can pay their respects in the inner sanctuary. In the main temple hall, there is a statue called “Binzuru-Sama”. It is said that sick or injured people who touch the statue in the same place as the affected part of their body will be cured.

Volunteer guides at your service Free guided tours are available in several foreign languages for those interested in learning more about the history and cultural background of Nagano and Zenkoji Temple.

Check out the details at http://www. zenkoji.jp/ENGLISH/guide/

Culture Experience

O-asaji – Morning services at Zenkoji Temple

Get up early and experience a series of Buddhists’ rituals. First, kneel down in front of Hondo (main hall) and let the top priest bless you by touching your head with a Buddhist rosary, a ritual known as O-JUZU CHODAI. Then sit for the morning service in the inner sanctuary.

info The temple grounds can be viewed all day. The hours for the inner sanctum and main building change according to the sunrise. 500 yen (adults), 200 yen (high school students), 50 yen (elementary & junior high school students) 15 min by bus from JR Nagano Station, get off at Zenkoji Daimon bus stop and walk another 5 min 491 Motoyoshi-cho, Nagano-shi

6

Okaidan Meguri (Tour in the Pitch Dark Tunnel ) Here you can walk through the passageway beneath the main hall and search for the “key to paradise” in absolute darkness.

It is believed that if the visitors touch this lock, they will be allowed to enter paradise. There is also the sarira and the statue of a sitting Buddha displayed next to a stairway, which was a gift from the Thai royal family to signify friendship between Japan and Thailand.

Seson-in Shakado Temple

Zenkoji Temple Main hall Daikanjin Temple Daihongan Temple

Seson-in Shakado Temple Byakurenbou Temple

Yawataya Isogoro Main Shop Patio Daimon Kuraniwa The temple worships Japan’s only life-sized reclining Buddha statue. The Buddha looks to the west, symbolizing reaching the state of Nirvana in one’s afterlife. Standing next to the reclining Buddha is Bishamonten, who is one of the Seven Gods of Fortune. Why not try collecting all seven seal stamps of the seven gods, as they are all within walking distance of Zenkoji Temple and Nagano Station. info

8am - 4pm Worship session 1,000 yen, limited to 10 people (includes a tour of the inside of the temple hall) 15 min by bus from JR Nagano Station, get off at Zenkoji Daimon bus stop and walk another 4 min 475 Motoyoshi-cho,Nagano-shi

Daihongan Temple is the main temple of the Jodo sect of Buddhism. Since its original construction, it has served as a residence for the high priestess. It has close ties with Zenkoji and the head priestess of Daihongan shares responsibility with the head priest of Daikanjin for the rituals at Zenkoji.

The squeezable “Hitonigiri Jizo” amulet is a popular souvenir. Whenever you feel unsure of yourself, hold it with your left hand and feel its soothing power.

Daihongan Temple

Mujina Jizo of Byakurenbou Temple

info Treasure Sanctuary 8am 3:30pm Treasure Sanctuary 500 yen (adults), 100 yen (elementary, junior high & high school students) 15 min by bus from JR Nagano Station, get off at Zenkoji Daimon bus stop 500 Motoyoshi-cho, Nagano-shi

info

15 min by bus from JR Nagano Station 492 Motoyoshi-cho, Nagano, Nagano-shi

↓ Nagano station There is a story that once upon a time, a Mujina (raccoon dog) disguised itself as a man and stayed one night at Byakurenbou Temple. As he felt guilty about eating other animals, he wanted to go to Zenkoji to pray fervently for his next life. However, a human discovered his secret and the Mujina was forced to run away before having the chance to pray. This is why there is both a statue of a Jizo and a Mujina in front of Byakurenbou Temple. info 15 min by bus from JR Nagano Station, get off at Zenkoji Daimon bus stop 465 Motoyoshi-cho, Nagano-shi

Daikanjin Temple As the main temple of the Tendai sect of Buddhism, Daikanjin Temple boasts a history as long as that of Zenkoji Temple. Together with the head priestess of Daihongan Temple, the head priest of Daikanjin Temple serves as the head priest of Zenkoji Temple.

10min on foot

Zenkoji offers a wide range of omikuji, charms and ema (little wooden plaques, on which you write your own wish). The most fancy ones are omikuji out of a capsule-toy vending machine, or ones having a Rilakkuma (character in form of a bear) design.

- Shukubo (temple lodgings) -

Goshuin (seal stamp) and Omamori (lucky charm)

Omikuji – Fortune Slips

Shukubos are Buddhist temples that provide visiting pilgrims and tourists with accommodation. Whether you are religious or not, staying at a Shukubo is a great way to experience Japanese culture. Yakuoin Temple offers a chance to stay overnight at a shukubo at Zenkoji Temple. You can also sample shojin ryori (a vegetarian diet brought into Japan with the introduction of Buddhism).

Rooms are on a par with a ryokan (Japanese style inn), but do remember it is a temple and not a hotel. info

10 min by taxi from JR Nagano Station 657 Motoyoshi-cho, Nagano-shi

7

Get to know Japanese tradition and culture Experience Japanese culture in one of the many unique shops around Zenkoji.

After praying at the temple, there are several activities for you to enjoy which can only be experienced here.

You can enter Zenkoji Temple anytime during the day or night, although the main hall is closed, and buy charms or try omikuji (fortune-telling paper) from the vending machines.

Cultural Experience

Galerie Ren

Cultural Experience

Kotaki

This shop sells sachets, nioibukuro in Japanese, and decorative twisted paper cords with scents made from natural materials. These products are a typical Japanese tradition, but you can feel the modern touch and can even make your own sachets during the workshop. By combining different materials, you can experience a wide range of different fragrances. The sachets’ bags are made of Kimono fabric which attributes to the Japanese style. The workshop only lasts around ten minutes, so even those who are running short on time can enjoy it. One sachet costs 600 yen.

Create your own kaleidoscope at this stylish handicraft workshop affiliated with Byakurenbou Temple. Just choose from a variety of colourful objects, put them into a clear tube, and then peer through the eyepiece to see ever-changing patterns of beautiful colors and shifting images.

info 10am - 5pm Closed: Tue Kaleidoscope-making experience 2,160 yen 15 min by bus from JR Nagano Station, get off at Zenkoji (including materials) Daimon bus stop and walk another 4 min 465 Motoyoshi-cho, Nagano-shi

Konohanaya

Konohanaya sells marmalade, and tsukemono (pickled vegetables) using products from Nagano. While enjoying a cup of green tea with small samples of these vegetables, you can leisurely choose the next thing you're interested in trying. These tsukemono go best with Thai rice porridge. The shop building itself used to be an old ryokan, which you can enter and take photos of. info 10am - 6pm (10am - 5pm during winter) Temple or 10 min by bus from JR Nagano Station

8

7 to 8-min walk from Zenkoji 515 Daimon-machi, Nagano-shi

info 10am - 6pm Closed: Wed 5-min 90 Yokowalk from Zenkoji Temple machi, Nagano-shi

Home of Ninja and a Samurai Town If you are interested in the history of Japan, then you cannot miss the chance to visit Nagano city. This is the district where the ninjas and warlords familiar from games and manga lived and played an active role hundreds of years ago. In the Ninja Village Togakushi and the warlord’s castle town Matsushiro, you will find a number of places that provide an enjoyable experience where you can feel like a ninja or warlord yourself.

Togakushi – Home of Ninja and Mystery Hidden on a highland surrounded by mountain ranges, Togakushi is home to many legends including that of the Togakushi Ninja. Nowadays a ninja’s role in assassinating and spying may have been replaced by modern weaponry and the Internet, but the mystery remains in Togakushi, not least because of its ninja legend, historical shrines, and an avenue of old cedar trees that seems to lead you into another world.

Togakushi Ninja Museum

Ninja Trick Mansion Ninja Trick Mansion is a challenging trick maze for kids and adults alike to sneak through trapdoors and hidden staircases in a series of secret-filled rooms.

Just a heads up for ninja wannabes, the maze is for real and you may need some ninja talent to get out of it!

Start your exploration of Togakushi Ninja by visiting this museum. Exhibits include tools, costumes, and weapons that will give you a general picture of the ninja way of life and skills practiced by ninjas. For a more active experience, try throwing shuriken (ninja’s secret weapon) at the Shuriken Dojo. info

9am - 5pm 600 yen (adults), 400 yen (elementary & junior high school students) 1hr 10min bus ride from JR Nagano Station to Okusha Iriguchi bus stop 3688-12 Togakushi, Nagano-shi

info 9am - 5pm 600 yen (adults), 400 yen (elementary & junior high school students) 1hr 10min by bus from JR Nagano Station to Okusha Iriguchi bus stop 3688-12 Togakushi, Nagano-shi

Chibikko Ninja Village Ninja Trick Mansion Togakushi Ninja Museum

A ninja-themed amusement park offering various hands-on attractions and ninja shows. Here you can dress up as a ninja and work your way through various obstacles as if you are a real ninja sneaking into enemy territory. There are also exhibitions on how ninjas are portrayed in pop culture such as anime and video games.

Chibikko Ninja Village To Nagano City Center

info 9am - 5pm (end of Apr - end of Nov) 500 yen (elementary students - adults), 230 yen (4 - 6 years old) 60 min by bus from JR Nagano Station 3193 Togakushi, Nagano-shi

Ninja Daimon

Opened in 2015 near Zenkoji Temple, this ninja amusement park is like a mini version of the Chibikko Ninja Village in Togakushi. The entrance may look small, but inside it has a bouldering wall, a ninja trick mansion and a shuriken throwing area that ensure a fulfilling ninja experience. Its shuriken monaka ice cream and Ninja sweet are also recommended.

info 9:30am - 6pm Closed: Wed 15-min walk from JR Nagano Station or 5-min walk from Zenkoji Temple 530 Daimon-cho, Nagano-shi

9

A town of samurai

Matsushiro

Facing rivers and backed up by mountains, Matsushiro has been a strategic stronghold since the warring states period in the 16th century.

After the Tokugawa Shogunate restored peace and stability to Japan, the Sanada clan - who had one of the best warriors - was sent to Matsushiro and ruled the domain for more than 200 years. Matsushiro nowadays is a scenic small town dotted with samurai residences and relics of the past.

Site of Matsushiro Castle

Sanada Treasures Museum

Speaking of the Sanada clan, the most familiar name is likely to be Sanada Yukimura, who was known as “the number one warrior in Japan” during the warring states period. The museum’s exhibits tell a lively story of the Sanada clan over the past 400 years.

Visitors can also put on replica armors and pose for pictures.

Although it burned down and had to be rebuilt, a castle town comprised of more than 100,000 stones has developed around Matsushiro Castle. You can visit the castle gate, wooden bridge, stone wall, earthwork and castle moat. info 9am - 5pm Free 30 min by bus from JR Nagano Station, get off at Matsushiro Station bus stop and walk another 5 min Matsushiro castle site 44 Matsushiro, Matsushiro-machi, Nagano-shi

Matsushiro Bicycle Rental

Rental bicycles are very convenient when going around Matsushiro City and you can even rent an electric bicycle. Rental centers are at the following places; Matsushiro product hall (Butsusankan) and Matsushiro Walking Center as well as various other locations.

info 9am - 5pm Closed: Tue 300 yen (adults), 120 yen (elementary & junior high 30 min by bus from JR Nagano Station, get off at Matsushiro school students) 4-1 Matsushiro, Matsushiro-machi, Station bus stop and walk another 3 min Nagano-shi

Rokumonsen emblem

The Sanada Family’s coat of arms was Rokumonsen, which literally means "six coins". You can see many Rokumonsen emblems around Matsushiro.

info Matsushiro Tourist Information Center

9:30am - 4:30pm (bicycle return until 4:30pm) 300 yen 4-1 Tono-machi, Matsushiro, Matsushiro-machi, Nagano-shi

info Matsushiro Machi-Aruki Center 500 yen (half day), 1,000 yen (a day) Matsushiro-machi, Nagano-shi

Site of Matsushiro Castle

9am - 5pm 577 Ise-machi,

MATSUSHIRO Bus Stop

The Battlefield of Kawanakajima

Bunbu Gakko

(Samurai School)

Tourist information center

Sanada Treasures Museum Sanada Residence bunbu gakko

Former residence of Higuchi

Zozan Shrine Former residence of Yokota 10

Located about four kilometres from Matsushiro, Kawanakajima was one of the most famous battlefields during the Warring States period, during which Takeda Shingen and Uesugi Kenshin battled fiercely for control of this strategic stronghold.

There is a statue depicting the legendary duel between Kenshin and Shingen in the battle of Kawanakajima. info Free 10 min by taxi from Matsushiro Station 1384-1 Oshimada-machi, Nagano-shi

The Matsushiro Bunbu Gakko (Samurai School), was the domain school for the sons of the Sanada clan. info 9am - 5pm 160 yen (adults), 60 yen (elementary & junior high school students) 30 min by bus from JR Nagano Station, get off at Matsushiro Station bus stop and walk another 5 min 205-1 Matsushiro, Matsushiromachi, Nagano-shi

●

Koto Experience

Rokumonsen (6 coins) “walk and eat” ticket

The koto is a stringed and iconic Japanese instrument. Women of the Masuda family in Matsushiro have been learning the “Yatsuhashi style” of koto for generations. Here, tourists can also try playing the koto.

Cultural Experience

This ticket can be bought for 600 yen and exchanged at Matsushiro specialty shops for three to six items.

There are about 12 to 15 participating shops in town, making this a very good deal! When walking around Matsushiro, do not miss the chance of trying several local specialties including oyaki (Japanese dumpling) and senbei (rice crackers). info Rokumonsen “walk and eat” ticket 600 yen

Sanada Residence

Built in 1864 as the residence for the lord’s mother-in-law, the Sanada Residence is a fine example of traditional Japanese architecture and garden. Thanks to a volunteer group dedicated to preserving the cultural assets of Matsushiro, tourists can try playing koto or doing kirigami (paper cutting) in one of the old warehouses.

Higurashi-an

[ Places to purchase the ticket ] Matsushiro Tourist Information Center 4-1 Tono-machi, Matsushiro, Matsushiro-machi, Nagano-shi

info 9am - 5pm 200 yen (adults), 80 yen (elementary & junior high school 30 min by bus from JR students) Nagano Station, get off at Matsushiro Station bus stop and walk another 5 min 1 Matsushiro, Matsushiro-machi, Nagano-shi

Matsushiro Machi-Aruki Center 577 Ise-cho, Matsushiro-machi, Nagano-shi

Play fan tossing at the former Higuchi family residence

Cultural Experience

The former Higuchi family residence is a typical residence for an upper class samurai in Matsushiro. The building is managed by an NPO, which holds exhibitions and events from time to time.

For example, you can try tosenkyo (a fan tossing game). Two people play against each other by tossing an opened folding fan at a target which is stood on a box. The aim is not only to hit the target, but to also do it gracefully, as the score is determined by the placement of the fan, target and box.

If trying local food ranks high on your bucket list, this is the place to be.

Utilizing old samurai residence built in the end of Edo era, Higurashi-an serves tasty set meals featuring Matsushiro’s specialty nagaimo yam. Miso-flavoured grated yam has a sticky texture and goes well with barley rice and soba noodles.

info 9am - 5pm Free 30 min by bus from JR Nagano Station, get off at Matsushiro Station bus stop and walk another 13 min 202-1 Matsushiro, Matsushiro-machi, Nagano-shi

Zozan Shrine

info 11am - 3pm Closed: Tue 30 min by bus from JR Nagano Station, get off at Matsushiro Station bus stop and 190-2 Matsushiro, Matsushiro-machi, walk another 3 min Nagano-shi

DAY 1 DAY 2

Nagano Station

Matsushiro City

Approx 60min by bus

Togakushi Area

A shrine built in memory of Sakuma Zozan, a prominent scholar during the late Edo and Bakumatsu period. You can also buy chiemochi, a local delicacy which is rumoured to increase intelligence. info 30 min by bus from JR Nagano Station, get off at Matsushiro Station bus stop and walk another 10 min 1502 Matsushiro, Matsushiro-machi, Nagano-shi

① Togakushi Shrine ② Togakushi Ninja Museum

Ninja Trick Mansion ③ Chibikko Ninja Village

① Site of Matsushiro Castle ② Sanada Treasures Museum ③ Sanada Residence ④ Bunbu Gakko (Samurai School) ⑤ Cultural experience at the samurai house

Approx 60min by bus

Approx.

30min by bus

Nagano Station

Nagano Station

Approx 30min by bus

Matsushiro-so (Matsushiro Onsen Hot Spring)

Recommended

Trip

2

11

The beauty of "Japan's four seasons" which is blessed with an abundance The Four Seasons

Japanese urban dwellers often call the natural beauty of Nagano “the spiritual home of Japan,” and harbour a powerful longing for it. Beautiful blossoms in spring, refreshing breeze in summer, red leaves in autumn, and a winter where everything on earth is covered with silver snow. Can you believe that the very same place shows a totally different side for each season? Once you visit, you will definitely want to come back again in another season.

TOGAKUSHI SKI AREA

Togakushi is the legendary home of Togakushi Ninja, and this ski resort has plenty of ninja elements, including a “Ninja Slope” designed to make ski training more fun with ninja-themed obstacles. After a good day’s skiing, you can feast on Togakushi soba noodles or fried pork cutlet in the alpine restaurant for an unforgettable ski resort dining experience.

Spring

Flowers bloom at the same time, as if they were competing with each other.

r

Summe

Refreshing highlands where the buckwheat flowers are in full bloom.

As spring comes after a long winter of Nagano, the temperature goes up and various kinds of flowers suddenly start to bloom. A lot of spring flowers - not only cherry blossoms but peach, apricot and ume (plum) tree blossoms - emit beautiful pinkish glows, making the surrounding scenery fantastic and like being in a dream.

DAY 1

Nagano Station

Approx 60min by bus

info 9am - 4:30pm (lift for 2 or 4 persons), 8:30am - 4:45pm (other lifts) 60 min by bus from JR Nagano Station 3682-3 Togakushi, Nagano-shi

Togakushi Ski Area

The highlands at an elevation of over 1,000 metres are located about an hour's drive from downtown Nagano city. While it might be scorching hot in Tokyo or Osaka during the summer, here it is like another world, where you can enjoy camping or boat rowing in cool and refreshing surroundings.

Approx 60min by bus

Nagano Station Stay in Nagano City

DAY 2

Autumn

Everything from the mountains to the valleys and villages is brilliantly coloured during this time.

Red or yellow autumn leaves in Nagano look like a piece of Yuzen-dyed silk kimono.

When the leaves on the mountains change colour, people start eating newly made buckwheat noodles or picking apples.

Iizuna Kogen Ski Resort

Approx 60min by bus

Nagano Station

Recommended Trip 3 12

is condensed into Nagano, of natural beauty. in Nagano City Win ter

Let’s play in Nagano’s powder-like snow.

As the Winter Olympic Games was held in Nagano before, the city owns two ski slopes and the skating rink “M-Wave.”

IIZUNA KOGEN SKI RESORT Located to the north of Nagano city, the ski resort is conveniently accessible from Nagano Station with a 40-minute bus ride. It was one of the venues for the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics and has a variety of slopes for different skill levels. There is also a sledging course and a kids park for casual visitors.

Kotengu-no Mori Adventure Park Located next to a camping site on Iizuna Highland, this adventure park has 31challenging rope courses to test your athleticism and courage. The whole course measures about 700 metres in length and you need about 30 minutes to conquer all the obstacles.

Best of all, admission is free! info 9am - 4:30pm (end of Apr - end of Oct) Behind the grounds of the Iizuna Kogen campsite (2471-608 Ageya, Nagano-shi)

Hotels in Nagano There is a wide range of hotels from luxury to economy, as the Winter Olympic Games was held before in Nagano city. Dormitories such as Moritomizu Backpackers, DOT HOSTEL NAGANO and ORAHO NAGANO are highly popular among foreign tourists.

info

Station

8:30am - 4:30pm

40 min by bus from JR Nagano

1-1 Tomita, Nagano-shi

☆Festival and Event Information in Nag

Winter January

Togakushi Dondo-yaki Festival

The traditional event “Dondo-yaki” takes place on a ski slope. Other highlights of the festival include sliding down the slope with a torch, or fireworks.

ano☆

Winter February

Zenkoji Temple Tomyo Festival

Zenkoji Temple is lit up in five colours and the approach to the temple where the lanterns are arranged in a line is truly fantastic.

Spring Zenkoji Temple Hana Kairo Flower May Festival The entrance path to Zenkoji Temple is carpeted with flowers. → PH

Summer

Nagano Binzuru

The whole town is swallowed up in a wave of dance. Anyone who wants to join in will be wholeheartedly welcomed. → PH

Matsushiro-han Sanada

Autumn Jumangoku Festival October More than 250 people who are dressed up as samurai or princess parade on the main streets. → PH

Summer

Autumn October

Iizuna Fire Festival Fireworks are launched and the Japanese traditional ceremonial court music is performed in an illusory atmosphere on the stage of Daizahoshiike.

Togakushi Buckwheat Noodle Festival The buckwheat noodles made from newly harvested crops are presented to gods of Tokakushi.

13

f o y t e i r a v e g r a l a y o . d o o j f t e m n r u E s local go

’ o n a g Na Station Building MIDORI Nagano's food has everything in the way of taste, from sweet to salty. If you are planning to buy some for a souvenir, "Omiyage Avenue ORAHO" in the station building MIDORI is highly recommended.

There is a wide variety of choice and you are sure to find whatever you want in the way of Nagano's special products here!

★ Goods from the shop can be bought here as well.

Monzensaryo Yayoiza

Situated in a renovated old town house near the Zenkoji Temple entrance, Monzensaryo Yayoiza serves local cuisine made with seasonal ingredients of Nagano. Its signature dish is seiro mushi, or dishes steamed in a wooden container. Wagyu beef and fresh vegetables are steam cooked to ensure both maximum goodness and a tender texture. info 11:30am - 8:30pm Closed: Tue & every 2nd Wed of the month 25-min walk 503 Daimonfrom JR Nagano Station cho, Nagano-shi

There are many high quality crops cultivated with a combination of clean air, fresh water, and cool weather. The food is created with the wisdom and ingenuity passed down over the generations, so you should definitely take the time to enjoy a large variety of Nagano’s local gourmet food.

Azumaya

Hidden away in an unassuming alley near Zenkoji Temple, Azumaya is a fine dining Japanese restaurant that used to be traditional Japanese warehouses, and whose building boasts almost 200 years of history. This classy restaurant offers impressive three-tier lunch boxes featuring local chicken and egg, or steak, which offers fantastic value for money. info Lunch 11am - 2pm, Dinner 5pm 10pm Closed: Sun 5-min walk from Zenkoji 104 Higashi-machi, Nagano-shi Temple

A whole new world: Miso vs Buckwheat noodle flavoured soft ice cream At Monzen-machi in front of Zenkoji Temple, why don’t you try the soft ice cream made using the local – and rather unusual! - specialty ingredient. One is the Miso soft ice cream with a mild miso flavour. Although it doesn't seem like it would go together, in fact the sweetness and saltiness complement each other beautifully. The other is the soba (buckwheat noodle) soft ice cream. You can enjoy soba powder with its thin greyish tint and a faint buckwheat noodle scent. Which of the two would you like to try?

Yawataya Isogoro Main Shop

Shojin Ryori Shojin Ryori has its origin in the Buddhist priests’ practice of asceticism. Because of this, the cuisine does not include any fish or mammal meat as ingredients but instead uses vegetables, seaweeds, tofu as a soybean production and yuba, or dried bean curd, as the main foodstuff.

Each meal is elaborate with plenty of eyecatching colours. You can try the Shojin dish at Shukubo, or guesthouses kept by a temple, or Japanese restaurants in the city.

14

Literally meaning “seven flavours”, shichimi is a mixed pepper seasoning that makes a perfect complement to soba noodles. Traditional Japanese spices are put to new use at Yawataya Isogoro to make sweets and cosmetics. For a new experience, try the seven variations of Shichimi Macaroon, where each one is seasoned differently to produce a unique flavour. info 9am - 6:30pm from JR Nagano Station cho, Nagano-shi

20-min walk 83 Daimon-

Togakushi Soba

Togakushi Soba

Yamaguchi-ya

Ninja soba The star-shaped tempura looks like a ninja’s shuriken; moreover, the shredded radish served over the soba is like the mystic smoke through which a ninja escapes from enemies.

Togakushi soba has its own history and characteristics that make it a must-try for everyone. It originated as a portable food for monks practicing asceticism in the mountains of Togakushi. Since soba is easy to prepare and contains essential nutrients, it makes an ideal food for ninja as well.

Nurtured by a cool climate thanks to an altitude of 1,200 metres, the temperature gap between daytime, morning and evening increases the taste of the soba. Currently this soba is being served at various accommodations, facilities and more than twenty soba shops.

info 10:30am - 5pm Closed: Tue from Dec - Apr 60 min by bus from JR Nagano Station 3423 Chusha, Togakushi, Naganoshi

Okushamae Shokudo

"Naosuke" You can have buckwheat dumplings in any buckwheat noodle restaurant in Nagano.

Some restaurants even offer them for free.

The dumplings are so reasonably priced that we strongly suggest all visitors to Nagano try them out at least once. Each restaurant has its own recipe for the dumpling; one only poured with sweet soy sauce, another deeply fried until it is nice and crispy.

How about trying some and comparing the tastes?

Oyaki and Making Oyaki experience

"Patio Daimon"

This soba shop is known for its Kamozaru-soba, cold buckwheat noodles with a dipping duck soup.

For those who like it hot, spicy Kamozarusoba is also available.

info 9:30am - 4:30pm (Apr - Nov), 10am - 4pm (Dec – Mar) Closed: Wed 1hr 20min by bus from JR Nagano Station 3688 Okusha, Togakushi, Nagano-shi

★

Renovated from old warehouses, Patio Daimon houses a variety of handicraft shops and restaurants serving quintessential Nagano food. To start with, try making oyaki – a flour bun typically filled with pickled vegetables or red bean paste - at Ogawano-Sho”Oyaki-Mura”. The chef will take you through it step by step and afterwards you can have your hand-made oyaki grilled over coals and served hot and fresh.

Patio Daimon Kuraniwa info

15 min by bus from JR Nagano Station 54 Daimon-cho, Nagano, Nagano-shi

Freshly picked apples and sweets made from apples in Nagano Nagano Prefecture is famous for its apples, and you can enjoy apple picking at many different spots in the area. For example, the slope area that widely spreads behind Zenkoji Temple, also known as “Ojoji,” is the best place to grow apple trees, which is evident by the high quality apples. If you want to taste fresh, sweet fruit, you should look no further than here.

Access is simple: take a taxi from Zenkoji Temple and it's only a five minute drive to the Tsukaharaen Nishigen orchard, or other near by orchards.

With such an abundance of delicious apples, there are naturally a lot of specialty products which make wonderful souvenirs, such as apple jam or juice, or maybe even an apple pie.

Oyakimura Bunson Daimonten (inside of Patio Daimon Kuraniwa)

info 10am - 5pm (Irori 10am - 4pm) Closed: Wed

RINGO no Ki★

The Japanese for apple tree, “Ringo-no-ki,” has become both the name of the sweet shop and the name of the sweet. Here, as you might have guessed, various kinds of sweets made with apples are available.

Patisserie RINGOnoKI (MIDORI NAGANO branch) info 9am - 8pm Nagano-shi

MIDORI Nagano 2F, 1-22-6 Minamichitose,

Nagano Eki Maeten

info 9am - 8pm Kanichi Bldg 1F, Minamichitose 1-22-14, Nagano-shi

15

Hokuriku Shinkansen Other Shinkansen JR Train

Niigata 長野市 NAGANO 大阪 OSAKA

名古屋 NAGOYA

東京 TOKYO

Naoetsu

Toyama

Komatsu Airport

Oyabetonami JCT

Hakuba

NAGANO

Takasaki JCT

Nagano IC Karuizawa Koshoku Josh inet JCT su E xpr essw Matsumoto ay

Toyama Airport

Shiojiri Chu

TokaiHokuriku Expressway

Tsuruga

Kan-etsu Expressway

Iiyama

Shinshu Matsumoto Airport

Fukui

Joetsu Shinkansen

Joetsu JCT

Itoigawa

riku Hoku sen Kanazawa Shinkan

Nagaoka

y wa ss re p Ex Nagaoka iku JCT ur

k

Ho

Expressway

Okaya JCT

oE

xpr

Ibaraki Airport

Kita-Kanto Expressway

Takasaki

Narita International Airport

Fujioka JCT Tsurugashima JCT

ess

wa

y

Kofu

Nerima IC Hachioji JCT

Tokyo IC

TOKYO

Hachioji IC Maihara JCT

Maibara Suita JCT

Kyoto hin

is Me

pr

Ichinomiya JCT

Mt. Fuji

Komaki JCT y wa

s es

Ex

Chuo Expressway

NAGOYA

es

xpr

ei E

Tom

y swa

Fuji

ido oka

T

sen

Tokyo International Airport (Haneda) Shin-Yokohama

kan

Shin

Shizuoka

OSAKA

Kansai International Airport

Shizuoka Chubu Centrair Airport International Airport (Nagoya)

Train Tokyo Osaka Kanagawa Niigata

Approximately 1 hour 40 minutes (minimum 1 hour 20 minutes)

Hokuriku Shinkansen

About 1 hour

Shin Osaka

Nagoya

Tokaido Shinkansen

Hokuriku Shinkansen

About 3 hour

Central Course Limited Express Shinano

Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes (minimum 1 hour 5 minutes)

About 1 hour 10 minutes

Takasaki

Joetsu Shinkansen

NAGANO

About 1 hour

Hokuriku Shinkansen

Nagano Convention & Visitors Bureau

Nagano-shi Monzen Plaza 4F, 1485-1 Shinden-cho, Nagano City, Nagano, 380-0835 Japan TEL

16

+81 26 223 6050

FAX

+81 26 223 5520

URL

http://en.nagano-cvb.or.jp