Nagano Olympic Legacy Sites

In February 1998, Nagano hosted the Winter Olympic Games, bringing the world to the mountains of Honshu for the first time since the Sapporo Games of 1972. Many of the venues still stand across the city and the surrounding valleys, and they form an easy, mostly free trail for sports fans. In the city, the Minami Nagano Sports Park holds the Olympic Stadium, the site of the opening and closing ceremonies, along with the M-Wave speed skating oval, a distinctive arena with a wave-shaped roof, and the Big Hat, the ice hockey arena named for its hat-like roof. Nearby is a small memorial museum on the Games. Further afield, the legacy extends into the mountains.

Hakuba hosted the alpine speed events, ski jumping and Nordic combined, and the ski jump hill, with its soaring ramps, can be visited and photographed, with a chairlift and viewing platform in some seasons. Other events took place at Nozawa Onsen for biathlon and cross-country skiing, at Shiga Kogen for the slalom events, and at Karuizawa for curling, so tracing the Games is a good reason to travel between the prefecture's ski areas. Some of these venues now serve as training facilities, community sports centres and concert halls, and a few have been refurbished since the Games.

For most visitors, the memorable stops are the M-Wave and the Olympic Stadium. The wave-shaped roof of M-Wave is a landmark of the city, and the stadium recalls the opening ceremony. Inside the sports park, you will often find local athletes training, and the broad lawns are pleasant for a picnic. The Olympic museum gives a short history of the Games, with uniforms, medals and photographs that trace the event and the volunteer culture that supported it.

Getting around is simple by bus or taxi from the station, and the park is about 6 kilometres from the city centre, so allow a half day for the sports park and longer for Hakuba. Opening hours and access to indoor facilities vary, because many venues are used for events and training, so check before you go. Visit in warm weather for the pleasant parkland, or in winter to combine a trip with skiing at the venues that hosted the competitions.

The trail is free to explore from the outside, and entry fees apply only to certain museums and facilities. It pairs well with Zenko-ji and a food evening in the city for visitors who like to mix sport with culture.

A few extras help you plan the trail. Some venues are open for public skating, swimming or sports events, which means you can sometimes step inside the arenas, though schedules vary. A good way to see the sights is to start in the sports park and continue to Zenko-ji by bus. If you plan to visit Hakuba, look for the jump hill viewpoints and the signs that explain the events.

Carry a camera, since the architecture of the arenas photographs well, particularly in winter light. Check for temporary closures when events are in progress, and ask the tourist information desk for a map that marks the venues and bus routes.