Explore Nagano! The Best Itineraries for Half-Day, 1-Day, and 2-Day Trips

Three Model Itineraries to Enjoy Nagano

While Zenkoji Temple may be the most prominent sightseeing spot in Nagano Prefecture, there are other popular spots that should not be missed.

This article introduces three model itineraries (half-day, day trip, and one-night stay) for a relaxing sightseeing tour of Nagano. Using a car to visit various spots might be a good idea.

Recommended Itineraries in Nagano

1. Half-Day Trip Itinerary
2. Day Trip Itinerary
3. Two-Day Trip Itinerary
4. Recommended Ryokan Inns in Nagano
5. Nagano Souvenirs

Half-Day Trip

Nagano City can be easily reached from Tokyo by Shinkansen or regular trains, by highway bus, or car.

This half-day itinerary starts in the afternoon with Zenkoji Temple, a landmark of the city, and Nakamise-dori shopping street.

Afternoon: Zenkoji Temple and Nakamise-Dori Shopping Street

Photo by Pixta

From Tokyo, it is a three-and-a-half-hour drive to Zenkoji Temple. A highway bus from the Shinjuku Bus Terminal, with a stop at Nagano Station, takes three hours and 45 minutes.

Riding the Hokuriku Shinkansen and a local bus from Nagano Station will take about two hours.

Zenkoji, founded about 1,400 years ago, is dedicated to Ikko Sanzon Amida Nyorai (Amida Triad Sharing One Halo), which is said to be the oldest Buddha statue in Japan.

After your visit, be sure to drop by Nakamise-dori shopping street on the approach to the temple.

Eateries serving Nagano cuisine and souvenir shops are lined up along the street, where visitors can enjoy oyaki, a chewy treat, amazake, and apple pie, made with Nagano-grown fruit. A stroll should take about an hour.

Zenkoji Temple
Address: Nagano, Nagano City, Nagano-Motoyoshicho 491-i
Official Website: https://www.zenkoji.jp/en/

Night: Relax at the Hot Springs

Photo by Pixta

There are many onsen (hot spring) inns near Zenkoji that soothe the weary body. At the hot spring facility Uruoi-kan, visitors who are not staying guests can also enjoy bathing.

From Zenkoji, it is an 11-minute drive to the inn. There is also a free shuttle bus from Nagano Station. The grand view of the Susobana Valley and the sun setting beyond Mount Asahi are sure to fascinate visitors.

Day Trip Itinerary

This itinerary in the morning and will stop by Zenkoji Temple and Togakushi Shrine. It might be better to drive a car since using a local bus will take time.

Morning: Zenkoji Temple

Photo by Pixta

In the Edo Period (1603-1868), many people hoped to visit Zenkoji Temple once in their lifetime. This trend continues today. The main temple hall, built in 1707, is a national treasure and the fourth-largest wooden structure of its kind.

At the temple hall, be sure to try the practice called okaidan meguri. It is a tour of the okaidan (crypt passage), located under the sacred statue enshrined at the temple. Participants will walk the pitch-black passage to find gokuraku no jomae (the lock of paradise). It is said that those who touch this lock will be blessed with good luck.

From Tokyo, it takes three hours and 45 minutes by car or highway bus and two hours aboard the Shinkansen to reach Zenkoji.

Afternoon: Togakushi Shrine

Photo by Pixta

Togakushi Shrine, with over 2,000 years of history, is a spot known for spiritual powers. It is about 30 minutes by car and an hour by local bus from Zenkoji.

The approach to Togakushi Shrine's Okusha. Photo by Pixta

Togakushi Shrine enshrines deities related to Ama-no-Iwato, a religious myth, and consists of five shrines: Okusha, Chusha, Hokosha, Kuzuryusha, and Hinomikosha.

The goshuin (red ink stamp) at the five shrines are all different, so it might be fun to make a complete collection and obtain a special bookmark. Visiting the five shrines on foot will take half a day, so riding a rental car or bus would be better.

Two-Day Itinerary

Our recommended two-day itinerary includes Matsumoto Castle, a national treasure, and Zenkoji while enjoying the natural surroundings and local cuisine.

Day One - Morning: Matsumoto Castle

Photo by Pixta

Matsumoto Castle—a fascinating, must-visit spot—is one of five castles in Japan registered as a national treasure.

The castle is a three-hour and 10-minute drive from Tokyo via the Matsumoto Interchange. The train and bus ride from Shinjuku Station will take about three hours. With an early morning start, visitors can begin sightseeing before noon.

The tenshu (keep), which is five stories with six levels, is the oldest of the 12 existing castles with a similar structure. It is painted beautifully in black and white. Visitors can enjoy a great view of Matsumoto City from the keep.

After the castle, stroll the streets of Matsumoto. Look for souvenirs at Nakamachi-dori and Nawate-dori shopping streets. Alternatively, you can visit the area where the old buildings remain and imagine the lives of samurai and merchants.

Matsumoto Castle
Address: Nagano, Matsumoto, Marunouchi 4-1
Open from 8:30 to 17:00
Official Website: https://www.matsumoto-castle.jp/eng

Day One - Afternoon: Daio Wasabi Farm

Photo by Pixta

In the afternoon, visit Daio Wasabi Farm, located at a 25-minute driving distance from Matsumoto Castle.

This farm, drawing spring water from the Northern Alps, is one of the largest of its kind in Japan. Visitors can also enjoy the view of the water mill along Tadegawa River.

The restaurant at the farm serves soba, croquette, and ice cream made with wasabi. The gift shop handles souvenirs such as pickled wasabi.

Day One - Night: Chikumagawa Park

Photo by Pixta

The last stop of the day is Chikumagawa Park, which is 40 minutes away from Daio Wasabi Farm. While the facility is small, the park appeared in a movie and is a great spot to enjoy the nighttime scenery.

Located along National Route 403, visitors can enjoy the view of Chikumagawa, Nagano Basin, and Obasute, which was chosen among one of the 100 terraced rice fields in Japan. Since few streetlights are in the park, the stars will shine on a clear night.

Day Two - Morning: Zenkoji Temple

Photo by Pixta

The second day starts at Zenkoji, a prominent sightseeing spot in Nagano. After the visit, stop by Nakamise-dori shopping street for snacks and souvenirs.

The street stretches for a few hundred meters from the Niomon to the Sanmon of Zenkoji. About 60 souvenir shops, folkcraft shops, and eateries line the road. This bustling area resembles an old castle town.

Nagano Prefectural Art Museum is located within walking distance from Zenkoji. It displays works of local artists and the famous Japanese painter Kaii Higashiyama.

The museum has various zones that visitors can enter without admission, so it is worth a visit. Shiroyama Park, an ideal spot to take a walk, is also nearby.

Recommended Inns in Nagano

There are a few shukubo (temple lodges) along with traditional inns near Zenkoji. The following are two inns that we recommend for their Japanese ambiance.

Jizokan Matsuya Ryokan

Picture courtesy of Booking.com

Matsuya, with 150 years of history, is located on the Zenkoji grounds. It is the perfect lodging for those who want to participate in o-asaji, a ritual conducted at sunrise in the main hall of Zenkoji.

The inn is furnished with a large bathing room separated by gender and serves kaiseki cuisine (*2).

*2: A traditional Japanese course dinner served at parties.

Chuokan Shimizuya Ryokan

Picture courtesy of Booking.com

Shimizuya, located along the approach to Zenkoji, is a long-established inn with a traditional aura. The 160-year-old wooden structure is like a maze, and artisanship can be observed everywhere. All 18 guestrooms are designed in the Japanese style.

There is a large bathing room which can be reserved for private use.

The restaurant serves breakfast and dinner in the kaiseki style.

Nagano Souvenirs

Nagano offers many attractive items. Visitors should not miss checking out Yawataya Isogoro, a shichimi togarashi (red pepper and spice mix) maker with 280 years of history, and pickled nozawana, a famous local cuisine.

Raicho no Sato, a long-selling baked confection with cream sandwiched between crispy wafers, and Misuzu-ame, a jelly candy made in a traditional style, are perfect gifts for colleagues at the workplace.

Nagano is known for its grape production, so we recommend visiting Goichi Wine, founded in 1911, to look for a bottle that fits your taste.

Enjoy Nagano to the Fullest!

We introduced three recommended itineraries in Nagano. Visitors can enjoy rich natural surroundings, onsen, and historic spots such as Zenkoji Temple, Togakushi Shrine, and Matsumoto Castle.

Those who wish to visit sightseeing spots efficiently should consider renting a car. Use this article as a guide, and have fun on your travels!

Main image by Pixta
Written by Kakutama Editorial Team