Hotel Metropolitan Nagano is the kind of address that makes a Nagano itinerary work. It sits right at the city's main railway hub, so you step from the Hokuriku Shinkansen or the limited express to Matsumoto and be in the lobby within minutes, which matters when the trip is built around early trains, luggage and day tours that meet at the station. For a first visit, being at the station is the single most useful thing a hotel here can offer, because nearly every excursion in this guide, from the snow monkey tours to the Hakuba and Togakushi buses, leaves from the same area. The hotel is a modern, full-service city property in the style of Japan's large station hotels, with comfortable Western-style rooms, a range of restaurants and the reliable standards of service that travellers expect. Rooms are generally compact by international standards but well organised, and higher floors can offer views toward the surrounding mountains.
Location and getting around
The station area is the hub for the Nagano Electric Railway, which runs to Obuse and Yudanaka for the snow monkeys, and for the bus stops serving Togakushi, Hakuba, Shiga Kogen and Matsushiro. Zenko-ji is about two kilometres up the gentle slope of Chuo-dori, a walk of roughly half an hour through shopping streets, or a short bus or taxi ride. Dinner options around the station include soba restaurants, izakayas and the famous oyaki shops, and the area is safe and easy for solo travellers after dark.
Who it suits
This is a good choice for travellers who prize convenience, including first-timers, travellers with heavy luggage, and anyone using Nagano as a base for several day trips. It is also a practical option in winter, when moving between station and hotel in snow is easier with a short walk. If you want a ryokan atmosphere, hot-spring baths or a mountain setting, consider the hot-spring towns in this guide as an alternative for a night or two, and use Nagano city for the rest of the stay.
Booking notes
Rates move with the season, and demand rises around the snow monkey winter peak, cherry blossom time and autumn colour, as well as holidays and major events at Zenko-ji. Breakfast options can include both Japanese and Western choices, and it is worth booking it on the first morning if you have an early tour. Check the hotel for facilities, luggage forwarding and late check-in arrangements before you arrive.
Early reservations also give a better choice of room type and bed configuration. Because Nagano is a compact city, you can easily leave luggage at the hotel and travel light to the mountains or the onsen towns for an overnight stay, returning to the same hotel afterwards.
Why stay here
- ✓Next to Nagano Station
- ✓Rail access to Matsumoto and Tokyo
- ✓Easy start for snow monkey tours
- ✓Bus stops for Togakushi and Hakuba nearby
- ✓Western-style rooms
- ✓On-site dining options
- ✓Soba and oyaki shops nearby
- ✓Luggage-friendly for day trips
Good questions
Is Hotel Metropolitan Nagano close to the train station?+
Yes, it is at the main station area, which makes it handy for the Shinkansen, the Matsumoto trains and the day-tour meeting points.
How far is it from Zenko-ji?+
About two kilometres, a half-hour walk up Chuo-dori or a short bus or taxi ride.
Is it a good base for the snow monkeys?+
Yes, the Nagano Electric Railway for Yudanaka and the monkey park leaves from the same station area.