We have launched Nagano Experience to share more of what makes this region remarkable. Nagano City, just an hour north of Matsumoto, offers its own compelling mix of history, mountain culture, and seasonal beauty. We look forward to sharing it with you.
A City Shaped by Pilgrimage
Nagano City grew around Zenkoji, a temple that has drawn pilgrims for nearly 1,400 years. The approach to the temple, lined with shops selling oyaki and soba, feels much as it has for generations. Visitors come to walk the pitch-dark tunnel beneath the main hall, searching by touch for the key to paradise, a ritual that connects them to centuries of seekers.
Beyond Zenkoji, the city's neighborhoods reveal quieter corners. Traditional machiya townhouses stand alongside newer buildings, and small temples tucked into side streets offer moments of stillness between the bustle of the main thoroughfares.
Gateway to the Northern Alps
Nagano's position at the edge of the mountains shapes its identity. The peaks are visible from many points in the city, a constant reminder of the landscape that defines this prefecture. In winter, the city becomes a basecamp for skiers heading to nearby resorts. In warmer months, trails leading into the highlands begin just beyond the urban edge.
The local food reflects this mountain proximity. Soba made from buckwheat grown in high-altitude fields, grilled river fish, and preserved vegetables that sustained communities through long winters all appear on menus across the city.
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