Nagano Experience

29/10/2026

November is one of the last chances to enjoy Nagano’s autumn scenery before winter takes hold. One week the red and yellow leaves of the forest are bathing in the last of the autumn sunshine. A few days later, the mountains have a dusting of snow and it's time for winter jackets and gloves! From colourful temple grounds and mountain forests to steaming bowls of Soba and one of Japan's most unusual fireworks festivals, November is a good time to explore at a slower pace before winter brings a fresh wave of international visitors.
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Nagano in November: Things To Do Before Winter Takes Over Posted on 2026.10.29 in EventsNovember is one of the last chances to enjoy Nagano’s autumn scenery before winter takes hold. One week the red and yellow leaves of the forest are bathing in the last of the autumn sunshine. A few days later, ...

23/10/2026

🙏 If you visit a Japanese shrine or temple such as Zenkoji in Nagano, you will likely see rows of small colorful pouches for sale. These are traditional charms known as omamori, which are connected to various wishes, protection, and good fortune. There are charms for studying, relationships, driving, safe travel, health, and many other things. Both locals and tourists enjoy them, but there are a few things about omamori that visitors might not be aware of.
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Omamori: The Protective Charms of Japan Posted on 2026.10.23 in NewsIf you visit a Japanese shrine or temple such as Zenkoji in Nagano, you will likely see rows of small colorful pouches for sale. These are traditional charms known as omamori, which are connected to various wishes, protection, and g...

26/09/2026

🍁 October is a great time to visit Nagano. Apples. Grapes. Chestnuts. Mushrooms. Freshly harvested rice and soba. There are also quite a few things happening around Nagano City during the month. Some are big festivals, while others are just good reasons to get out of the city for a day. If food is one of the reasons you like travelling, October is a particularly good month to be here.
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October in Nagano: Food, Festivals and the Autumn Harvest Posted on 2026.09.26 in EventsOctober is a great time to visit Nagano. The weather has cooled down, the mountains are starting to change colour, and the summer crowds have gone. But probably the best thing about October is what starts appeari...

08/09/2026

🀄 Goshuin—beautiful handwritten temple and shrine seals—are collected in a Goshuincho, a special book whose pages are made with Japanese Washi paper. Each page is filled in by hand with Japanese calligraphy, a bright red (vermillion) seal, and frequently the date of your visit, unlike a typical stamp book. Each page serves as a reminder of the location where you received it because each one is slightly unique.
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Starting a Goshuincho Collection: A Souvenir That Grows With Every Visit to Japan Posted on 2026.09.08 in Activities and SpotsSnacks, magnets, or perhaps a lucky charm from a temple are the typical souvenirs that most tourists bring back from Japan. However, many tourists pass by another memento wit...

28/08/2026

✴️ As Autumn rolls into Japan there is a noticeable shift in the ambience of Nagano. The summer bon-odori and fireworks festivals have all but passed and people head outdoors and into the mountains to enjoy the cooler weather. In September there’s plenty to do and anyone is sure to find an event suited to them in the area. Here is a selection of events happening this month you can enjoy during your trip to Nagano.
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September: Things to do in and around Nagano City Posted on 2026.08.28 in EventsAs Autumn rolls into Japan there is a noticeable shift in the ambience of Nagano. The summer bon-odori and fireworks festivals have all but passed and people head outdoors and into the mountains to enjoy the cooler weath...

24/08/2026

⭐ Nagano developed around Zenkoji Temple, a major Buddhist temple with a history of about 1,400 years. The streets around Zenkoji still preserve historic buildings, shops, and traditional foods such as oyaki, a local specialty of northern Nagano. South of the city lies Matsushiro Castle and its surrounding castle town, closely associated with the Sanada clan. Farther northeast, Obuse offers a glimpse into Edo-period culture through its connection to the world renowned ukiyo-e artist Katsushika Hokusai.
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Nagano Highlights: Five Stops in and Around Nagano City Posted on 2026.08.24 in Activities and SpotsNagano developed around Zenkoji Temple, a major Buddhist temple with a history of about 1,400 years. The streets around Zenkoji still preserve historic buildings, shops, and traditional foods such as....

27/07/2026

🎉 Coming to Nagano this August but not sure what to do once you’re here? From concerts and festivals to walking tours and fruit picking, there’s always plenty to do in the area. Here are 11 things to try on your trip to Nagano in August.
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August: Things to Do in and around Nagano Posted on 2026.07.27 in EventsComing to Nagano this August but not sure what to do once you’re here? From concerts and festivals to walking tours and fruit picking, there’s always plenty to do in the area. Here are 11 things to try on your trip to Nagano...

10/07/2026

🍵 You may think that in our modern world, the average person doesn’t actually stop and have lengthy tea ceremonies on a daily basis, and you would be absolutely correct. Modern tea consumption is a much more casual affair, somewhat removed from the tea ceremonies from days of old. It is often made more quickly and perhaps with less pomp and circumstance. Still, drinking tea is an opportunity to slow down and calm the mind for a moment. Here we’ll introduce to you some of the best places to enjoy casual Matcha in Nagano City.
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More Than Just Ceremonial: Experience Japan’s Everyday Tea Culture Posted on 2026.07.10 in Activities and SpotsYou may think that in our modern world, the average person doesn’t actually stop and have lengthy tea ceremonies on a daily basis, and you would be absolutely correct. Modern tea consum...

06/07/2026

🍜 Walk into any Japanese restaurant and you'll likely spot a small tin on the table, its label decorated with a red chili pepper. This is shichimi togarashi, Japan's iconic seven-spice blend that adds a warming kick to everything from noodle soups to grilled meats. While versions of this seasoning exist across Japan, Nagano Prefecture holds a special place in shichimi history, producing one of the country's three most celebrated blends.
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Shichimi Togarashi: Nagano's Seven-Spice Legacy Posted on 2026.07.06 in Activities and SpotsWalk into any Japanese restaurant and you'll likely spot a small tin on the table, its label decorated with a red chili pepper. This is shichimi togarashi, Japan's iconic seven-spice blend that adds a warming...

03/07/2026

🎉 The Festival That Starts Summer in Nagano!

Every summer, as the rainy season begins to give way to warmer days, downtown Nagano hosts one of its first major celebrations of the season: the Zenkoji Omotesando Summer Festival.

Held along the historic avenue connecting Nagano Station with Zenkoji Temple, the festival transforms the city's main street into a lively pedestrian zone filled with food stalls, live performances, children's activities, local community groups, and the occasional mikoshi (portable shrine) procession. It captures everything people love about a Japanese summer festival in a relaxed, family-friendly setting.

Date: Sunday, July 5, 2026
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: Pedestrian zone between Daimon Minami Intersection and Karukayama Intersection, along Zenkoji Omotesando.
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