Nagano City
Matthew Baxter
Nagano (長野) is a nice stop-off point, before going off to Habuka or the Monkey Park in Yudanaka. Accommodation is quite cheap here, but there is not too much to do.
Budget travel tips
Pick up at some tourist maps at the Tourist Information Center in Nagano station. They have free maps for the Nagano side trips of Yudanaka and Obuse.
Places of interest
Zenkoji Hondo Temple (FREE)
A stunning temple famous all over Japan. There are lots of little temples, gardens and food stalls for you to enjoy. Great for New Years’s Eve.
Open: 5:00-16:30
Price: Free
Chuo Dori Street
The road leading up to Zenkoji Hondo Temple from Nagano station is a nice walk, with lots of traditional shop buildings and Ryokans (traditional Japanese hotels).
Gondo Dori Shopping Street
A cool shopping street full of nice cafes, restaurants and nice shops. Mostly rather reasonably priced as well!
How to get there
With the Japan Rail Pass
From Tokyo station, take the Shinkansen (JR bullet train) to Nagano station (87 mins).
From Kyoto or Osaka, you need to go to Tokyo station first.
From Matsumoto, take the Limited Express Wideview train (JR train) to Nagano station (48 minutes)
Without the Japan Rail Pass
From Tokyo, Kyoto or Osaka, get a bus with Willer Express (click link at the top for English) or use the Japan Bus Pass.
Map
Hostels and Cheap Hotels
Chuoukan Shimizuya Ryokan
Reasonably priced guesthouse, right between Zenkoji Hondo Temple and the station. Check prices at Booking.com.
1166 Backpackers
Prices usually just 2600 yen, plus near Zenkoji Hondo Temple. Check prices at Booking.com.
Moritomizu Backpackers
Right next to the station, but the rates are really cheap. Check prices at Booking.com.
More at Booking.com
Links
Go! Nagano – Official Tourism Guide
