Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park
Wild Japanese macaques soak in steaming hot-spring pools while snow falls around them, reached by a forest walk from Kanbayashi Onsen. The signature image of Nagano, best seen in the snowy months.
Japan
Nagano
Nagano is the high-mountain heart of Honshu: a temple city built around one of Japan's great Buddhist halls, a prefecture of Alps and onsen towns, and the home of the snow monkeys that soak in steaming pools while snow falls around them.
This guide covers the essentials, from Zenko-ji and the Jigokudani monkey park to Matsumoto's black castle, the alpine valley of Kamikochi, the powder of Hakuba and Shiga Kogen, the hot-spring streets of Nozawa and Shibu, the shrines of Togakushi, Hokusai's town of Obuse and the Tateyama Kurobe route across the roof of Japan. It also covers the sake, soba, oyaki dumplings and wine that make eating here part of the trip, plus ten hotels in Nagano city, Matsumoto, Hakuba, Yudanaka and Nozawa Onsen and six planning guides.
Don't miss
Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park
Wild Japanese macaques soak in steaming hot-spring pools while snow falls around them, reached by a forest walk from Kanbayashi Onsen. The signature image of Nagano, best seen in the snowy months.
Zenko-ji Temple
One of Japan's most revered Buddhist temples, built around a hidden Buddha image said to be the country's oldest, with a pitch-black underground corridor, dawn services and a lively approach street. The cultural heart of Nagano city.
Matsumoto Castle
One of Japan's few surviving original castle keeps, a black-and-white National Treasure with steep stairs, a moon-viewing room and the Alps behind it. Nicknamed Crow Castle, and Nagano's best-loved historical landmark.
Kamikochi Alpine Valley
A car-free mountain valley in the Northern Alps, with a glass-clear river, Kappa Bridge, Taisho Pond and flat boardwalk walks beneath the Hotaka peaks. One of the finest day trips from Matsumoto in the warm months.
Things to do in Nagano
Hand-picked: every experience here has strong traveler reviews and a verified booking link.
Zenko-ji Temple
One of Japan's most revered Buddhist temples, built around a hidden Buddha image said to be the country's oldest, with a pitch-black underground corridor, dawn services and a lively approach street. The cultural heart of Nagano city.
Matsumoto Castle
One of Japan's few surviving original castle keeps, a black-and-white National Treasure with steep stairs, a moon-viewing room and the Alps behind it. Nicknamed Crow Castle, and Nagano's best-loved historical landmark.
Kamikochi Alpine Valley
A car-free mountain valley in the Northern Alps, with a glass-clear river, Kappa Bridge, Taisho Pond and flat boardwalk walks beneath the Hotaka peaks. One of the finest day trips from Matsumoto in the warm months.
Hakuba Valley and Happo-ike Pond
Japan's best-known alpine resort valley: world-class powder and Olympic ski history in winter, and in summer cable cars, wildflowers and the hike to Happo-ike Pond. A two-season mountain base an hour from Nagano.
Togakushi Shrines and Ninja Village
Five mountain shrines threaded along forest paths, an avenue of towering cedars, a ninja museum and some of Japan's most famous soba. A short bus ride from Nagano city into sacred woodland.
Obuse and the Hokusai Museum
A small chestnut town where the great ukiyo-e master Katsushika Hokusai spent his last years painting, with a museum of his work, a temple ceiling he painted, sake breweries and lanes made for strolling.
Matsushiro Samurai Town
The former castle town of the Sanada clan, with preserved samurai residences, a feudal school and a villa garden. Quiet streets and real history, a short bus ride from Nagano city.
Narai-juku Nakasendo Post Town
A one-kilometre street of preserved wooden inns and shops on the old Nakasendo highway, once known as Narai of a thousand houses. The best-kept post town in the Kiso Valley, an easy day trip from Matsumoto.
Nozawa Onsen Village
A steep mountain village with thirteen free public bathhouses, steaming streets, wooden ryokan and a ski area above. One of the most authentic hot-spring and snow villages in Japan.
Shibu Onsen and Yudanaka Hot-Spring Towns
Nine historic bathhouses, a wooden lantern-lit street and a ryokan scene that has barely changed in decades, a short ride from the snow monkeys. The classic place to soak after a day with the macaques.
Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route
A one-way crossing of the Northern Alps by trolley bus, cable car, ropeway and tram, past Kurobe Dam and the snow-wall corridor. A bucket-list day trip, open only in the warm months.
Where to stay
Hotels we would book ourselves, from splurges to good-value bases.
Hotel Metropolitan Nagano
Nagano Station Area
A station-side city hotel in Nagano, the practical first choice for rail travellers heading to the snow monkeys, Matsumoto or Hakuba, with Zenko-ji a bus ride or a walk up Chuo-dori.
Check rates →Nagano Tokyu REI Hotel
Central Nagano
A dependable mid-range city hotel in central Nagano, well placed for the station, the Chuo-dori approach to Zenko-ji and evenings in the izakaya streets.
Check rates →Hotel Kokusai 21 Nagano
Central Nagano
A long-established Nagano city hotel with a broad range of rooms, popular with groups and families who want space and a central address.
Check rates →Hotel Buena Vista
Central Matsumoto
A full-service tower hotel in central Matsumoto, a short trip from the castle and the old streets, and the most comfortable base for Kamikochi and the Alps.
Check rates →Tabino Hotel Matsumoto
Matsumoto Centre
A straightforward, good-value business hotel in Matsumoto for travellers who want a clean room and an easy start to castle, old town and Alps days.
Check rates →Hotel Sierra Resort Hakuba
Hakuba Valley
A resort-style stay in Hakuba valley, set up for ski weeks in winter and hiking weekends in summer, with the lifts, shops and onsen soaks close at hand.
Check rates →Hakuba Highland Hotel
Hakuba Valley
A mid-range mountain hotel in the Hakuba valley, a straightforward choice for skiers, hikers and families who want a warm room and a short ride to the lifts.
Check rates →Courtyard by Marriott Hakuba
Hakuba Valley
An international-chain hotel in the Hakuba valley, a familiar, comfortable choice for travellers who want predictable standards and a modern room after a day in the snow.
Check rates →Shibu Hotel
Yamanouchi, Shibu and Yudanaka
A hot-spring stay in the Yamanouchi valley near Shibu Onsen and Yudanaka, the practical base for the snow monkeys and an evening in the lantern-lit lanes.
Check rates →Ryokan Sakaya
Nozawa Onsen Village
A traditional ryokan in Nozawa Onsen, with tatami rooms, hot-spring baths and a place in the village's steaming lanes. A true Japanese inn stay for a night in the snow.
Check rates →Nagano guides
First-Timer's Guide to Nagano: Where to Base Yourself and What to Book
How to plan a first trip to Nagano: where to stay, how the city and the mountain towns fit together, which sights to prioritise and how to get around by train and bus.
Nagano in Three Days: Temples, Snow Monkeys and Matsumoto
A three-day Nagano itinerary that pairs Zenko-ji and the snow monkeys with a day in Matsumoto, with notes for winter and summer versions and where to sleep.
Visiting the Jigokudani Snow Monkeys: When to Go, How to Get There and What to Expect
Everything about seeing Nagano's snow monkeys: the best months, three ways to reach the park, the forest walk, photography tips, etiquette and where to stay nearby.
When to Visit Nagano: Seasons, Snow, Autumn Colour and Closures
A season-by-season guide to Nagano: what is open, what is at its best, where the crowds fall and which sights close for winter, from Kamikochi to the snow monkeys.
Eating and Drinking in Nagano: Soba, Oyaki, Sake and Shinshu Wine
A guide to Nagano's food and drink: soba, oyaki dumplings, wasabi, apples, river fish and horse sashimi, plus sake breweries, Shiojiri wine and where to start.
Matsumoto and the Northern Alps: Castle, Kamikochi and Day Trips
How to use Matsumoto as an Alps base: the castle and old town, Kamikochi logistics, Narai-juku, the Shiojiri wineries, Suwa and the Tateyama Kurobe crossing.
