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Nagano Prefecture

Region · Chubu Region, 🇯🇵 Japan
Population 2,024,073
Area 13,552 km²
Time zone Asia/Tokyo
Official website www.pref.nagano.lg.jp
Nagano Prefecture

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Featured Lists

くろふね / CC BY 3.0

Nagano's Essential Wonders

Nagano’s landscape is defined by the high-altitude Hida Mountains and volcanic peaks like Mt. Ontake and Mt. Kengamine. The region preserves spiritual history at the 7th-century Zenkoji Temple and the remote highland valley of Kamikochi. It is globally recognized for the Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, where macaques bathe in natural hot springs, and its 1998 Winter Olympics legacy, preserved at the Hakuba Ski Jumping Stadium and the Nagano Olympic Stadium.

7 places
Alpsdake / Public domain

Majestic Mountain Peaks

Nagano's alpine landscape features some of Japan’s highest summits, concentrated in the Hida and Kiso mountain ranges. This selection includes active volcanoes like Mount Ontake and Mount Norikura, alongside iconic granite peaks such as Mount Yarigatake and Mount Hotaka, Japan's third-highest mountain. These destinations within the Chūbu-Sangaku National Park offer rugged ridge lines, volcanic craters, and high-altitude flora across the Northern and Central Japanese Alps.

17 places
Alpsdake / CC BY-SA 4.0

Alpine Huts and Trails

This collection of high-altitude shelters spans the Northern and Central Japanese Alps in Nagano Prefecture. It features historic landmarks like Hakuba Sanso, Japan's oldest non-religious mountain hut established in 1906, and Enzanso, situated on the ridge of Mt. Tsubakuro. These huts provide essential logistics for multi-day treks, offering access to major peaks including Mt. Yarigatake, Mt. Norikura, and the sacred volcanic slopes of Mt. Ontake near the Ninoike crater lake.

19 places
Qurren / CC BY-SA 3.0

Japan's Natural Wonders

Nagano Prefecture's diverse topography features volcanic formations and glacial valleys. This collection includes the 1915 eruption-formed Taisho Pond in Kamikochi and the convergence of three distinct water sources at Sanbondaki on Mt. Norikura. Visitors can explore the historical Nakasendo trail's twin falls in Tsumago or the high-altitude boardwalks of the Iwana Forest Therapy Trail in Achi. These sites showcase the region's geological history through tiered cascades, turquoise river pools, and preserved ancient woodlands.

11 places
黒崎一男 / CC BY-SA 4.0

Japanese Culture and Heritage

This collection highlights the spiritual and architectural legacy of Nagano Prefecture, ranging from the 7th-century Zenkō-ji temple complex to the defensive ruins of Tsumago Castle. It features significant Rinzai Zen sites like Kozenji in Kiso, known for its expansive rock gardens, and Shinto landmarks such as the Togakushi Okusha shrine with its ancient cedar approach. The list also includes preserved Edo-period structures like the Iiyama Castle gate and historic stone carvings at Nakamura Hachimansha.

18 places

Nagano Prefecture — Map

Nagano Prefecture — Map

Climate & when to visit

Select a month

Typical weather in January

Poor
  • 3° (feels like -2°) · extremes -11°–9°
  • -5° at night
  • 7 rainy days
  • 2 sunny days
  • 3 hours of sunshine per day
  • Dry air
  • Light breeze
  • UV index 2 · low

Typical weather in February

Poor
  • 5° (feels like 0°) · extremes -11°–12°
  • -5° at night
  • 8 rainy days
  • 4 sunny days
  • 4 hours of sunshine per day
  • Dry air
  • Light breeze
  • UV index 2 · low

Typical weather in March

Poor
  • 10° (feels like 5°) · extremes -7°–17°
  • -1° at night
  • 10 rainy days
  • 6 sunny days
  • 5 hours of sunshine per day
  • Dry air
  • Light breeze
  • UV index 4 · moderate

Typical weather in April

Fair
  • 16° (feels like 13°) · extremes -2°–23°
  • 4° at night
  • 10 rainy days
  • 9 sunny days
  • 6 hours of sunshine per day
  • Dry air
  • Light breeze
  • UV index 5 · moderate

Typical weather in May

Great
  • 22° (feels like 20°) · extremes 4°–26°
  • 10° at night
  • 12 rainy days
  • 10 sunny days
  • 7 hours of sunshine per day
  • Dry air
  • Calm winds
  • UV index 6 · high

Typical weather in June

Good
  • 25° (feels like 26°) · extremes 10°–29°
  • 15° at night
  • 16 rainy days
  • 4 sunny days
  • 6 hours of sunshine per day
  • Humid air
  • Calm winds
  • UV index 6 · high

Typical weather in July

Fair
  • 28° (feels like 31°) · extremes 16°–32°
  • 20° at night
  • 20 rainy days
  • 4 sunny days
  • 5 hours of sunshine per day
  • Oppressive humidity
  • Calm winds
  • UV index 7 · high

Typical weather in August

Poor
  • 29° (feels like 32°) · extremes 17°–32°
  • 21° at night
  • 19 rainy days
  • 5 sunny days
  • 6 hours of sunshine per day
  • Oppressive humidity
  • Calm winds
  • UV index 7 · high

Typical weather in September

Good
  • 26° (feels like 27°) · extremes 11°–30°
  • 17° at night
  • 15 rainy days
  • 5 sunny days
  • 5 hours of sunshine per day
  • Muggy, humid air
  • Calm winds
  • UV index 6 · high

Typical weather in October

Great
  • 20° (feels like 19°) · extremes 4°–25°
  • 10° at night
  • 11 rainy days
  • 8 sunny days
  • 5 hours of sunshine per day
  • Dry air
  • Calm winds
  • UV index 4 · moderate

Typical weather in November

Fair
  • 13° (feels like 10°) · extremes -1°–19°
  • 4° at night
  • 8 rainy days
  • 6 sunny days
  • 4 hours of sunshine per day
  • Dry air
  • Calm winds
  • UV index 2 · low

Typical weather in December

Poor
  • 7° (feels like 2°) · extremes -7°–13°
  • -2° at night
  • 8 rainy days
  • 3 sunny days
  • 3 hours of sunshine per day
  • Dry air
  • Light breeze
  • UV index 1 · low

Climate data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2) · 1996–2025

Practical information

Currency
Japanese Yen JPY ¥ · Card payments · Commonly accepted
Emergency numbers
118
Electricity
Type A / Type B
100 V · 60 Hz
Languages
Japanese
Tap water
Safe to drink
Driving side
Left
Calling code
+81
Learn more

Tours & Activities

Riverside Hotel
Taxi · 8 min
Nagano Prefecture
2h
Walk · 6 min
Corner Café
45 min
Walk · 18 min
Riverside Hotel

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