Nagano is the name of both a prefecture and its capital city, which is located in Japan’s central Chūbu region. Nagano is one of Japan’s core cities, offering resorts, temples, museums and plenty of adventure. At Matsushiro Castle Ruins, visitors can explore a reconstructed 16th-century castle, while at the Hakuba Norikura Onsen Ski Resort, you will enjoy restaurants, outdoor activities, hot springs and sports. For children, the Kids’ Ninja Village offers games and a play park. For animal encounters, visit the Chausuyama Zoo, the Suzaka Zoo or the Jōyama Zoo.
The Nagano Prefectural Art Museum showcases many rotating exhibits of current regional artwork, while the Hokusai-kan Museum features works of art from the Edo period. For a quirky fun adventure, the Chausuyama Dinosaur Park is an amusement park with rides, games, food and life-sized dinosaurs. Outdoor adventures can be had aplenty here, including hiking at the cascading Fudo Falls, mountaineering at Mt. Mushikura or fishing and boating on Nakatsuna Lake.
