Nagano Prefecture sits in the heart of the Japanese Alps, a landlocked mountain region of central Honshu famed for hosting the 1998 Winter Olympics. Towering peaks, deep valleys, and pristine highland plateaus define the landscape, while centuries-old temples, historic post towns along the Nakasendo highway, and legendary onsen hot springs reveal a culture shaped by isolation and resilience. The prefecture stretches across five distinct mountain ranges, offering year-round outdoor pursuits from ski slopes at Hakuba and Shiga Kogen to summer alpine trekking through Kamikochi and the Northern Japan Alps.
At a glance
Bars & pubs
Where locals drink.
The Rabbit Hole
Known for: Popular après-ski bar 150m from the Sakka slopes in Upper Wadano; live music nights; international crowd
4777 Hokujo, Hakuba-mura, Kitaazumi-gun, Nagano 399-9301
Frank's Bar (Hotel La Neige)
Known for: Refined cocktail bar inside Hotel La Neige, Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired forest-facing lounge; craft cocktails and Japanese whisky after skiing
Wadano no Mori, Hakuba-mura, Kitaazumi-gun, Nagano 399-9301
Izakaya Gonza
Known for: Local izakaya with Nagano craft sake; popular with locals and visitors
1-22-3 Gonza-machi, Nagano City, Nagano 380-0837
Bar Nora
Known for: Curated Japanese sake from Nagano breweries; craft gin; intimate bar
3-8-12 Chuo, Matsumoto City, Nagano 390-0811
Bon Vivant Jazz Bar
Known for: Jazz and folk music nights in a historic kura building; local craft beer
1-2-8 Nakamachi, Matsumoto City, Nagano 390-0811
Craft Beer Tap Nagano
Known for: 12 rotating taps of Nagano and Japan-wide craft brews; beer food pairings
2-7-1 Minami-Chitose, Nagano City, Nagano 380-0823
Masumi Sake Bar (Miyasaka Brewing)
Known for: Award-winning Masumi sake directly from the source; guided and free-pour tastings
Motomachi 1-16, Suwa City, Nagano 392-8686
Nozawa Onsen Slopeside Bar
Known for: Local Nozawa craft beer and hot sake for après-ski; ski-boot-friendly casual venue
Near Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort base, Nozawaonsen-mura, Shimotakai-gun, Nagano 389-2502
Nightlife tips
Stay safe and have fun.
Most venues warm up after midnight — earlier arrivals get easier entry and shorter queues.
Carry ID, even if you look older — bouncers check at most venues.
Plan your ride home before you go out — last transport runs earlier than the clubs close.