Guide to Outdoor Activities in Nagano Prefecture｜Popular activities throughout the four seasons

Activities in Nagano Prefecture
Adventure and refreshment in touch with nature

Nagano Prefecture is one of Japan's richest natural areas and a paradise for outdoor activities for tourists.

The diverse natural environment, including high mountains, clear streams, hot springs, and vast forests, allows visitors to enjoy a variety of activities accordingly.

In addition to mountain climbing, skiing, and snowboarding, visitors can enjoy river and athletic activities in the summer, foliage viewing in the fall, and touring hot spring resorts in the winter.

This article introduces recommended activities in Nagano Prefecture for each of the four seasons and suggests activities that can be enjoyed no matter what season you visit.

There are many activities that can be enjoyed by families traveling together, friends, or couples, so please take a look.

Recommended Activities in Nagano Prefecture

Activities that can be enjoyed in Nagano Prefecture vary depending on the season and location.

Below is a list of recommended activities for all four seasons.

1. mountain climbing and hiking

Nagano Prefecture is a famous mountaineering destination, with the Japanese Alps towering high above the region.

There are well-maintained trails for various levels of experience, from hiking courses for beginners to full-scale mountaineering for advanced climbers.

In particular, the mountains of the Northern Alps, Central Alps, and Southern Alps offer mountaineering along with spectacular scenery.

Recommended Spots

• Mt. Hotaka (a typical mountain in the Northern Alps)
• Kamikochi (plenty of trekking courses for beginners)
• Mt. Hakuba (with seasonal scenery)

2. skiing/snowboarding

Winter is a very popular season for skiing and snowboarding in Nagano Prefecture.

Nagano Prefecture is dotted with numerous ski resorts, attracting ski enthusiasts from all over Japan.

Nagano's ski resorts, characterized by powder snow, offer courses for beginners and advanced skiers alike, and the snow quality is excellent.

Recommended Spots

• Hakuba Village (also popular with international skiers)
• Shiga Kogen (vast ski area)
• Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort (hot springs and skiing)

3. river play and rafting

The clear streams of Nagano Prefecture are ideal for river sports and rafting in the summer.

In particular, the Shinano and Hakuba Rivers offer a wide variety of rafting tours.

Rafting down rapids in the great outdoors is a thrilling experience that can be enjoyed by families and groups.

Mountain stream fishing and canoeing are also popular activities.

Recommended Spots

• Shinano River (rafting and canoeing)
• Hakuba River (kayaking and rafting)
• Chikuma River (fishing and water sports)

4. tour of hot springs

Nagano Prefecture has an abundance of hot spring resorts where visitors can relax and enjoy nature.

In particular, hot spring resorts located in mountainous areas allow visitors to enjoy beautiful scenery and spend time relaxing.

Some hot spring resorts offer spectacular views from their open-air baths.

Recommended Hot Spring Destinations

• Kusatsu Onsen (hot spring resort on the plateau)
• Hakuba Onsen, Shinshu (the best post-ski onsen)
• Lake Suwa Onsen (relax in a lakeside hot spring)

5. cycling and cycling tours

Nagano Prefecture offers an abundance of cycling courses that allow cyclists to ride through beautiful natural surroundings.

Karuizawa and Tateshina, in particular, have well-developed cycling courses.

By touring the mountains, lakes, and countryside by bicycle, visitors can feel closer to the nature of Nagano Prefecture.

Recommended Spots

• Karuizawa (relaxing cycling on well-maintained bicycle paths)
• Ueda City (Cycling around the historical townscape)
• Around Suwa Lake (Cycling course around the lake)

6. athletic and adventure play

Nagano Prefecture has a wealth of facilities where visitors can enjoy authentic athletic activities in a natural setting.

In particular, Karuizawa and Shiga Kogen have athletic parks where visitors can enjoy tree-top adventures across trees, zip lines, Tarzan ropes, and more.

You can enjoy the outdoors with your family and friends while satisfying your sense of adventure.

Recommended Spots

• Karuizawa Athletic Park (full range of athletic activities in the trees)
• Shiga Kogen Athletic (thrilling in nature)
• Iida Athletic Park (adventure play in the forest)

Activities in Nagano Prefecture
Points for Enjoyment

Here are some points to keep in mind when enjoying activities in Nagano Prefecture.

Prepare clothing according to the season.

Because of its high elevation, Nagano Prefecture can feel cool even in summer.

Also, be sure to take good winter protection measures, as the snow can be deep in winter.

Advance Planning and Reservations

Popular activities can be crowded, especially during peak season, so it is best to make reservations in advance.

In particular, we recommend that you research skiing, hot spring resort lodging, and rafting tours in advance.

Enjoy safety first

Some activities may be dangerous.

Be sure to take safety precautions, such as getting guidance from an instructor and conducting safety checks in advance.

summary

Nagano Prefecture is a region where visitors can experience a variety of activities while enjoying nature in each of the four seasons.

A wide variety of activities await you, including mountain climbing, skiing, rafting, hot springs, and athletic activities, making it worth a visit in any season.

It is an ideal place for families, friends, and couples to travel together and refresh their bodies and minds while getting in touch with nature.

We invite you to experience the wonderful activities Nagano Prefecture has to offer.