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.
Top spas
Curated picks for treatments and day spas.
Shibu Onsen Nine Public Baths Circuit
Nozawa Onsen Ooyu Public Bath
Bettei Senjuan Private Onsen
Kakeyu Onsen Therapeutic Baths
Togakushi Forest Bathing (Shinrin-yoku)
Hakuba Mountain Wellness Centre
Nagano Hotel Kokusai 21 Onsen & Spa
Yorozuya Private Onsen Suites
Katakurakan Public Bathhouse (Kamisuwa Onsen)
Dormy Inn Matsumoto Natural Hot Spring
Wellness travel tips
Get the most from your wellness experience.
Book treatments in advance — popular slots fill up quickly during peak season.
Hydrate well before and after treatments, especially massages and saunas.
Communicate any allergies or skin sensitivities before treatments begin.