Nagano
Nagano is a temple town built around Zenkō-ji and a base for the snow monkeys of Yamanouchi and the ski resorts of the northern Japan Alps.
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Nagano is the seat of Nagano Prefecture and its biggest city, in central Honshu, Japan. It lies in the Nagano Basin, hemmed in by mountains, and the prefectural government building sits about 371 m above sea level, making Nagano Japan's highest prefectural capital. The city grew up as a temple town, or monzenmachi, around Zenkō-ji, a 7th-century Buddhist temple whose main hall is a National Treasure. The temple is about two kilometers from central Nagano Station, and the streets in front of its gate still have inns and shops.
Visit for temples, mountain walks and winter snow. Winters are cold and snowy from December to March, the season for the snow monkeys of Yamanouchi and the ski resorts of the northern Japan Alps. Hakuba, about 45 km west of Nagano Station, is a well-known ski resort. Hanami at Joyama Park runs from mid to late April, and the Hokuriku Shinkansen links Nagano with Tokyo in about 79 minutes.
Nagano in five
- Take the shinkansen from TokyoThe Hokuriku shinkansen takes about 1 hour 20 to 1 hour 40 to Nagano. Book a reserved seat on winter weekends.Is the JR Pass worth it?
- Do the snow monkeys as a day tripNagano to Yudanaka is a 38-minute limited express, then a bus and a 25–35 minute forest walk. Start early in winter.Snow monkeys and Jigokudani
- Visit Zenko-ji early in the morningThe temple opens early and is calmer before day-trip groups arrive. The approach from Nagano Station takes about 30 minutes on foot.
- Base at Nozawa Onsen for skiingSki season is roughly December to March. The village has public onsen baths and is a bus ride from the shinkansen station at Iiyama.
- Add Karuizawa on the way from TokyoKaruizawa is about an hour from Tokyo on the same shinkansen line, and about 30 minutes short of Nagano, so it fits as a stop.
Things to do in Nagano
See all attractions in Nagano
Need to know
- Getting there
- Hokuriku shinkansen from Tokyo, about 1 h 20–1 h 40
- Getting around
- Nagaden trains and buses; rent a car for ski and rural areas
- Best base
- Nagano Station; Nozawa Onsen for skiing
- Time needed
- 1–2 days for Nagano city and the monkeys
- Snow monkeys
- Open year-round; check the park site for winter tickets
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuarySnow17 rainy days7 snowy daysHigh4°Low-5°Monkeys, skiJanuarySnow
Poor
- High
- 4°
- Low
- -5°
- Precipitation
- 103 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 7
- Days with storms
- 0
Monkeys, ski
- FebruarySnow15 rainy days5 snowy daysHigh5°Low-5°Ski, snowFebruarySnow
Poor
- High
- 5°
- Low
- -5°
- Precipitation
- 90 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 5
- Days with storms
- 0
Ski, snow
- MarchRain15 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh10°Low-1°Late skiMarchRain
Mixed
- High
- 10°
- Low
- -1°
- Precipitation
- 114 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 2
- Days with storms
- 0
Late ski
- AprilRain13 rainy daysHigh17°Low4°BlossomAprilRain
Best
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 117 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Blossom
- MayPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh22°Low9°Green, mildMayPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 146 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Green, mild
- JuneRain14 rainy daysHigh25°Low14°Rainy seasonJuneRain
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 159 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy season
- JulyRain20 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh29°Low19°HumidJulyRain
Mixed
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 252 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Humid
- AugustRain17 rainy daysHigh30°Low19°HotAugustRain
Mixed
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 168 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot
- SeptemberRain15 rainy daysHigh26°Low16°Typhoon riskSeptemberRain
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 188 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Typhoon risk
- OctoberRain15 rainy daysHigh19°Low8°Autumn colorOctoberRain
Good
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 174 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Autumn color
- NovemberRain12 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh13°Low3°Late colorNovemberRain
Good
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 98 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Late color
- DecemberRain16 rainy days6 snowy daysHigh7°Low-2°Ski opensDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 7°
- Low
- -2°
- Precipitation
- 126 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 6
- Days with storms
- 0
Ski opens
Average daily high and low in Nagano, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Nagano
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
9
- Feels like
- 8°
- Humidity
- 97%
- Wind
- 7 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 6%
Nagano
06:57 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today14°8°6%Tuesday: Partly cloudy. High 14°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 6%.
- Wed18°6°19%Wednesday: Rain. High 18°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 19%.
- Thu18°12°98%Thursday: Rain. High 18°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 98%.
- Fri20°8°27%Friday: Drizzle. High 20°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 27%.
- Sat10°0°27%Saturday: Drizzle. High 10°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 27%.
- Sun11°0°8%Sunday: Fog. High 11°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 8%.
Updated 05:27 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 157.5 JPY
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
Day trips from Nagano, the full guide- Jigokudani Monkey ParkAbout 1 hour by train, bus and walkSnow monkeys in the onsen valley near Yudanaka.Read the guide
- MatsumotoAbout 50 min by limited expressA National Treasure castle and the gate to Kamikochi.Read the guide
- KaruizawaAbout 30 min by shinkansenA resort town of forest walks and outlet shopping.
- KanazawaAbout 1 to 1.5 hours by shinkansenGardens, samurai streets and seafood at Omicho Market.Read the guide
Before you go to Nagano
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Rules for Nagano, checked
- Check whether you need a visa or qualify for visa-free entry on the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs website before you book.Source
- Declare medicines and other goods on your arrival form, and check the Japan Customs website for limits on what you can bring in.Source
- Tipping is not expected in Japan, including at restaurants, inns and taxis. Pay the bill as shown.
- Zenkō-ji and Togakushi are working places of worship. Keep your voice low and follow posted signs on photography.
All Nagano guides
Plan around Nagano
Price the shinkansen legs before you buy.
Read the guideBest time to visit JapanSnow, blossom, autumn color and rainy season.
Read the guideMoney in JapanCash, cards and IC cards for small towns.
Read the guideBest eSIM for JapanData plans compared for trains and mountain towns.
Read the guideNagano FAQ
Is Nagano worth visiting?
Yes, for the snow monkeys, Zenko-ji and skiing at Nozawa Onsen. Nagano city itself is small, so most visitors pair it with an onsen village, Matsumoto or Kanazawa.
How do you get to the snow monkeys from Tokyo?
Shinkansen to Nagano, then the Nagaden limited express to Yudanaka and a bus toward the park. Tokyo to the trailhead takes about 3 to 3.5 hours each way, so start early.
How many days do you need in Nagano?
One full day covers Zenko-ji and the snow monkeys. Add a night for Nozawa Onsen, or two more days if you plan to ski.
When is the ski season in Nagano?
Roughly December to March, with the best snow in January and February. Book rooms early for holiday weeks and weekends.
Can you visit Nagano and Kanazawa on one trip?
Yes. The Hokuriku shinkansen links Tokyo, Nagano and Kanazawa on one line, so you can travel Tokyo, Nagano and Kanazawa in a row without backtracking.