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.
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Buy multi-day or weekly transit passes if you'll use public transport more than twice a day.
Keep small change handy for buses and shorter trips where contactless may not work.
Avoid rush hour (typically 7-9 AM and 5-7 PM) for a more comfortable journey.