Nagano Prefecture is one of Japan’s leading tourist destinations. With its historic townscape, beautiful nature, and many night spots where you can enjoy the night, you’ll be sure to make unforgettable memories.
In this article, we will introduce “recommended night spots in Nagano Prefecture.” We also introduce recommended gourmet information, so please refer to it and enjoy Nagano Prefecture to your heart’s content.
■What kind of place is Nagano Prefecture? Introducing the climate and characteristics
Nagano Prefecture is a prefecture located in the center of Japan, and it is not only a tourist spot but also a popular place, ranking first in the ranking of places to live for 14 consecutive years.
Nagano Prefecture, which is approximately 80 minutes from Tokyo by Hokuriku Shinkansen, is home to Shinshu Matsumoto Airport in the center, and is also easily accessible from major Japanese airports such as Sapporo and Fukuoka in about 90 minutes.
Nagano Prefecture is the fourth largest prefecture in Japan, and is surrounded by the Northern Alps, which have an altitude of 3,000 meters. Thanks to these mountains, the area is less affected by typhoons and heavy rain during the rainy season, and is also famous for its low rainfall.
The climate varies greatly depending on the region, with the northern part of the prefecture experiencing heavy snowfall that is designated as a heavy snowfall area, while the southern part has many relatively warm days.
Also, Nagano Prefecture was called “Shinshu” until the Meiji period. Even today, there are many sightseeing spots that bear the name Shinshu, and you can feel the deep history of Japan.
Nagano Prefecture, with its clean air, pleasant climate, and deep history, is crowded with tourists all year round.
■Introducing 5 recommended night spots in Nagano Prefecture!
Nagano Prefecture has many attractive night spots where you can enjoy special experiences that you would not normally have. There are many ways to spend your time here, such as enjoying the magnificent nature and leisurely shopping.
Here we will introduce five particularly recommended night spots in Nagano Prefecture. Please use this as a reference and enjoy Nagano Prefecture to your heart’s content.
The view at night is spectacular! “Jitsukeyama Park” Nagano City
The first place we will introduce is Jizukiyama Park. This park is located in Nagano City, the central city, and has many athletic play equipment and observation decks.
The view from the park is amazing, and at night, an incredibly beautiful night view spreads out in front of you. Jitsukiyama Park is one of Nagano Prefecture’s leading night spots, where you can enjoy it in different ways during the day and at night.
It is also equipped with restrooms and vending machines, making it a safe tourist spot for those with small children.
The entrance gate will be closed in the evening, but don’t worry, you can still enjoy the beautiful night view even from just in front of the gate.
“Star Village Achi” where you can see the best starry sky in Japan Achi Village
Achi Village in Shimoina District is also known as “Star Village Achi” and is the spot where the stars shine the most in Japan.
The “Paradise in the Sky Night Tour” held in Achi Village is a very popular tour where you ride a gondola in the dark and climb up to an altitude of 1,400 meters, where a fantastic starry sky awaits you at the top.
Achi Village, which is rich in nature, is also famous for its hot springs, and the village is home to Hirugami Onsen, one of the largest in Nagano Prefecture. Hirugami Onsen, known for its alkaline hot springs and known as “hot springs for beautiful skin,” is a popular tourist spot with many lodging facilities nearby.
Spending time in Achi Village will soothe your daily fatigue, and the view of Japan’s best starry sky from the mountaintop will remain shining in your heart forever.
Both summer and winter! Enjoy Japan’s four seasons at Ryuo Mountain Resort, Shimotakai District
Ryuo Mountain Resort is a night spot that you can enjoy all year round, with night views in the summer and winter sports in the winter.
SORA terrace, located within the resort, is a terrace with one of the most spectacular views in Nagano Prefecture, and you can ride one of the world’s largest ropeways up to an altitude of 1,770 meters.
From SORA terrace, you can enjoy a magnificent view even during the day, but especially at dusk, you have the chance to see the “sea of clouds” where the flow of clouds looks like ocean waves. It’s not always possible to encounter one, so if you get a beautiful view of the sea of clouds, you’ll be very lucky.
There is also a glamping facility nearby, where you can experience the extraordinary experience of spending a night in the middle of nature.
Enjoy hot springs and gourmet food at a popular tourist destination! “Harunire Terrace” Kitasaku District
Harunire Terrace is a spot lined with a variety of shops selling accessories and restaurants. Many shops are open until 10pm, so you can relax and enjoy your time here.
Karuizawa, where Harunire Terrace is located, is known as a summer resort and is crowded with many tourists every year, especially in midsummer. After enjoying shopping and delicious food at Harunire Terrace, take a stroll through the streets of Karuizawa.
A model for a blockbuster animated movie? “Tateishi Park” Suwa City
The movie “Your Name.” is famous. This is a blockbuster anime movie that aired in 2016 and is still very popular. Lastly, we will introduce Tateishi Park, which is said to have been the model for this movie.
There are slides and play equipment in the park, making it a tourist spot where even children can have fun. Tateishi Park overlooks Lake Suwa, but at night it transforms into a night spot where you can see a beautiful night view that has been selected as one of Japan’s top three night views and one of the top 100 night views.
By watching “Your Name”, you will be able to enjoy the scenery from Tateishi Park even more.
■Introducing recommended gourmet food in Nagano Prefecture!
Nagano Prefecture is popular not only for its tourist spots but also for its many delicious gourmet foods. We have a wide selection of dishes that allow you to enjoy the rich nature and dishes that allow you to learn about food culture.
Here we will introduce recommended gourmet foods in Nagano Prefecture. All of them are representative of Nagano Prefecture, so be sure to try them when you visit. Along with the sightseeing spots, it will become an unforgettable memory.
Speaking of Nagano Prefecture, “Shinshu Soba”
“Shinshu Soba” is a representative gourmet dish from Nagano Prefecture, made from buckwheat flour grown in clean water and a cool climate.
Nagano Prefecture has a large temperature difference between day and night, and buckwheat flour, which contains a lot of starch, grows well. This buckwheat flour is the secret to the deliciousness of Shinshu soba.
Among them, “Togakushi soba” is so delicious that it is considered one of the three major soba noodles in Japan, and its unique way of serving it is known as “Bocchimori” and is loved by many. If you want to enjoy Nagano Prefecture, Shinshu soba is a must-try dish.
Oyaki, a Nagano specialty created by nature
Oyaki, which is made by wrapping ingredients in dough made from flour such as wheat, rice, or millet and baking it, is one of the soul foods of Nagano Prefecture.
In addition to vegetables such as eggplant and daikon radish, it is also popular as a sweet with cream cheese and red bean paste, and you can enjoy a variety of textures such as grilling or steaming.
Oyaki is a recommended gourmet dish that captures the charm of Nagano Prefecture, which is rich in nature.
“Horse meat dishes” where you can enjoy the food culture of Nagano Prefecture
Nagano Prefecture is very famous for its horse meat dishes. The culture of eating horse meat, which is said to have started in the Meiji period, has now become a representative dish of Nagano Prefecture.
A typical example is “Basashi”. Dip the horse meat in soy sauce and season with ginger and garlic. The fresh horse sashimi is exquisite and you’ll enjoy it to the last slice.
Horse meat dishes are healthy and highly nutritious, giving you a taste of Nagano Prefecture’s food culture.
■Have a special experience at recommended night spots in Nagano Prefecture
Nagano Prefecture has a mild and pleasant climate, making it a popular tourist destination for many people. There are also attractive spots where you can enjoy the beautiful night view and hot springs well into the night, so whether you’re alone or with your family, you can enjoy it to the fullest.
Please come and experience the wonders of Japanese culture in Nagano Prefecture, a very popular tourist destination.
【Q&A】
Q: What are some recommended souvenirs from Nagano Prefecture?
A: Nagano Prefecture is very famous for its “Shichimi Tang Mustard.” Shichimi mustard is a famous Japanese spice that can be used in a variety of dishes, making it a great souvenir.
Q:Which can you enjoy more in Nagano Prefecture, summer or winter?
A・You can enjoy it in different ways depending on the season. Nagano Prefecture is a tourist spot where you can experience Japan’s four seasons, such as spending cool summer nights admiring fireworks and starry skies, and enjoying hot springs and winter sports in winter.
