Composite image of places to visit for the day from Nagano city, Japan

10 Fabulous Day Trips from Nagano

Just 80 minutes from Tokyo by the fast Shinkansen, Nagano City is a great place to base yourself for a few days. It puts you in reach of some of Japan’s most beautiful nature, some very pretty smaller towns, amazing artworks, cool castles and even a troop of cheeky monkeys who like a dip in hot water. Here’s how to visit them all for the day from Nagano.

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8 Things To Know Before Visiting Nagano

No matter how long you spend planning your trip, there are always some things you don’t realise until you arrive. Here’s what I wish I’d known before I visited Nagano, plus a few other essential tips, that will hopefully make your stay go more smoothly.

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the black keep of Matsumoto castle with the red bridge in front

How to Spend One Day in Matsumoto

Matsumoto is the perfect destination for a day trip from Nagano City. Its compact size and varied mix of attractions make it a great one-day trip. Here’s how to schedule your time when you visit…

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Statue of a bull/minotaur in Gondo Nagano

How to Spend One Day in Nagano

Nagano city is home to a vast temple, that’s also one of the most important in Japan, a cool retro area, some interesting art – and more. Here’s how to fit the best sights into one day.

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