Discover the best travel guides, tips, and experiences for Nagano
Arc'teryx Academy Backcountry | Hakuba, a backcountry learning and mountain culture event with a 19-year history in Canada, will be held in Japan for the first time from January 29 to 31, 2027, in Hakuba Valley, Nagano. Registration opens on November 2, 2026.
HÔTEL de L'ALPAGE (ホテル ドゥ ラルパージュ), an auberge in the Tateshina Highland of Chino, Nagano, is offering a stay plan that combines a 100-minute morning sound bath led by 成澤けやき with a French dinner and breakfast. The plan is available for stays through May 31, 2027.
Dialogue Art 2026 (対話アート2026) runs from November 8 to 22, 2026, at three venues in Matsumoto, Nagano, presenting works from the A.I.R, SIGNALS, and IN HOSPITAL programs.
The Sumo Show HIRAKUZA in HAKUBA, an interactive 60-minute sumo show presented in English, will be held at Kyowa Wing Hakuba from January 16 to 22, 2027, with tickets at ¥8,800 (tax included) on sale from 10:00 AM on November 2, 2026.
Illustrator HARUNE's solo exhibition "MASHUP" runs from November 6 to December 1, 2026 at Garari Showcase (ガラリshowcase) next to Hokusai-kan (北斎館) in Obuse, Nagano, featuring 10 new analog works including homages to Hokusai's Dragon and Phoenix.
From December 1, 2026 to February 23, 2027, HOSHINOYA Karuizawa in Nagano Prefecture offers the "Healing Winter Retreat," a stay built around three free-flowing hot springs, a sub-zero morning stretch, kotatsu seating with winter-only dishes, a bar on the ice under the stars, and a letter to one's future self.
From January 4 to February 28, 2027, KAI Alps in Omachi Onsenkyo, Nagano, holds Yukiguni Gangi Akari again this winter, lighting its gangi corridor and courtyard with 50 kamakura snow lanterns, with snow lantern making and irori-grilled mochi for overnight guests.
From December 8, 2026 to March 31, 2027, BEB5 Karuizawa by Hoshino Resorts hosts "BEB Foot-Only Sauna" in the TAMARIBA courtyard, where guests can stay fully clothed, with a new arched roof, memory deco notebook making, and a spice löyly "Sa-Man".
The Chocolat & Haute Pâtisserie brand GABRIELE RIVA and its flagship GR caffè will open on October 30, 2026, in a historic building near Komoro Station in Nagano, with a workshop, Komoro Labo (小諸Labo), attached.
From November 20 to December 27, 2026, STAR COTTAGE ACHI "Hoshiai no Mori" in Achi Village, Nagano holds a free private event for overnight guests on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, with reclining chairs and a telescope for viewing the moon and planets.
Kyukamura Norikura Kogen in Matsumoto, Nagano, is renovating three guest rooms into a new "Comfort Bunk" type with bunk beds and barefoot-friendly ReFace Tile flooring, raising capacity from 2 to up to 4 guests. Reservations open November 1 and stays begin December 7, 2026.
The hot spring inn on Lake Suwa in Nagano fully opened its one-room solo-traveler accommodation "Yuyu" on October 1, with an interior designed for women traveling alone.
A limited-time Gundam pop-up runs from November 27 to December 20, 2026 at Nagano Tokyu Department Store, with Gunpla, goods, sweets, a planned approximately 2-meter Gundam statue, and planned displays of upcoming new products.
Painter Hironori Sato's solo exhibition "Somewhere to Belong" runs from November 2 to November 29, 2026 at SHARE LOUNGE Karuizawa T-SITE in Nagano. Admission is free, and the works on display, created around the theme of a place to belong, are available for purchase.
Tsugaike Mountain Resort in HAKUBA VALLEY, Nagano Prefecture, will open for the 2026-27 winter season on December 1, 2026, with 18 new snowmaking machines and a new six-person chairlift, the T3, scheduled to start running in late December.
From October 24, 2026, apple pie specialty shop APPLE PIE lab holds its Autumn Harvest Festival "Have a nice Apple" at four stores in Nagano and Yamanashi, featuring a new open pie made with fresh apples, a sweet potato mini apple pie, and an apple fortune draw.
Paper-cutting artist Hiroki Saito's solo exhibition "Itsuka Aruita Michi" runs from October 22 to November 3, 2026, at Garari Showcase next to Hokusai-kan in Obuse, Nagano, with homage works inspired by Katsushika Hokusai.
From December 1, 2026 to February 22, 2027, HOSHINOYA Karuizawa in Nagano Prefecture offers the "Karuizawa Warming Solo Retreat," a 2-night, 3-day program for one guest per group that combines two hot spring baths, acupuncture and moxibustion body care, a spa oil treatment, and warming meals.
On Saturday, October 17, 2026, Idojiri Historic Site Park in Fujimi, Nagano will host the Jomon Kingdom Harvest Festival. This year's new feature is the first "Jomon Power Talk" with the YouTuber 縄さん, alongside the "Kuku dance," a harvest ritual, and a barter exchange among visitors.
Picchio, based in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture, offers four autumn nature tours, including a private trek up Mt. Ko-Asama with views of golden larch forests, nature watching in the Wild Bird Forest, and flying squirrel watching at dusk.
From October 30 to November 20, 2026, Kera-ike Skating Rink in the Karuizawa Hoshino Area celebrates its 10th anniversary with free admission on October 30 and 31 and special rates through November 20 for Nagano residents, offering an early "first skate" among the autumn leaves.
Yachiho Kogen Ski Resort in Sakuho Town, Nagano, began selling 2026-27 early bird lift tickets and season passes on October 1, ahead of its November 30, 2026 opening, including the 8-ticket "Yachiho Special 8" set at ¥24,000.
Achi Village in Nagano will hold a two-day, one-night autumn foliage photo trekking event along the ancient Tosando road on October 31 and November 1, 2026. Two guided routes are offered, with an overnight stay at the Bangakuso mountain hut (萬岳荘) and a ¥14,000 fee that includes guide, bus and lodging.
Karuizawa Prince Hotel Ski Resort in Nagano starts its 2026-2027 season on October 31, 2026 (Saturday), the earliest opening in the prefecture. New this season are an expanded Snowman Park snow play area, a free beginner Debut Park for lift ticket holders, a wider D1 Prince Slope and new food trucks.
From January 16 to 22, 2027, "The Sumo Show HIRAKUZA in HAKUBA" brings live sumo bouts with English commentary to Hakuba Village, Nagano, with 6:00 PM shows and tickets at ¥8,800.
Karuizawa Prince Hotel Ski Resort fires up its snowmaking machines on Saturday, October 3, 2026, working toward what is once again expected to be the earliest ski resort opening in Nagano Prefecture on Saturday, October 31.
Yatsugatake Agricultural College in Nagano will hold its Autumn Fest from September 19 to 23, 2026, with a real Halloween pumpkin photo spot in its flower field, an early-autumn food area, and craft booths from a cumulative 18 vendors.
Kurumido, a new souvenir sweets brand opening on Zenkoji's Nakamise-dori in Nagano on October 8, 2026, previews some of its walnut-based confections.
Yatsugatake Agricultural College's YATZ GARDEN in Hara Village and Chino, Nagano Prefecture, will offer hot air balloon flights above its 10-hectare flower field for two mornings only, giving visitors sweeping early-morning views of the Yatsugatake mountains and blooming flowers from the sky.
NAGANO ANIERA FESTA 2026, Nagano Prefecture's largest outdoor anime song festival, has unveiled a new key visual illustrated by Mai Yoneyama and introduced two collaboration sake bottles with SAKUNOHANA Sake Brewery ahead of the event on September 19–20, 2026.
St. Cousair is opening its usually closed vineyard in Iizuna, Nagano, for a limited-capacity "Autumn Grape Harvest Experience" on October 12, 2026, combining grape picking with a winemaker-guided winery tour, wine tasting, and a Shinshu-ingredient lunch.
Takachiho, a souvenir maker based in Nagano City, is releasing "Shinshu Ringo Shimishimi," a baumkuchen rusk soaked through with white chocolate and Nagano-grown apple juice, in stages from September 14, 2026, mainly at expressway service areas and roadside stations in the Hokushin area of Nagano Prefecture.
On October 11, 2026, Hotel Kazenoyama's French restaurant BERGWIND will host a Makers Dinner limited to 24 guests, pairing a full-course French menu with wines from Clos de Tenryu and welcoming winemaker Tomohiro Iwata to share the stories behind each bottle.
Starting Thursday, October 1, 2026, Karuizawa Prince Hotel is marking the season with a Sweet Potato Fair, offering a specialty parfait, a stay plan built around a three-variety tasting set, and free roasted sweet potato giveaways on select autumn days.
Norikura Star & Moon Restaurant, a reservation-only outdoor dinner set inside a transparent dome in the Norikura Highlands of Matsumoto, Nagano, has opened bookings for its 2026 season, running from September 1 to October 31.
SANU has completed AMANAGI, the 17th property in its "Selection Series" of renovated share villas, reviving a 35-year-old home in Tomi, Nagano while honoring its previous owner's care and the surrounding highland landscape, bringing SANU's national network to 38 locations and 242 rooms.
THE HIRAMATSU KARUIZAWA MIYOTA is holding a Shinshu Wine Week from October 2 to October 9, 2026, offering a limited-time pairing dinner stay plan along with daily salon tastings introducing the wines of Nagano Prefecture.
Karuizawa Marriott Hotel will hold a one-night Makers Dinner called "The Art of Fermentation" on November 21, 2026, pairing six wines from Six Cloves Wines and Karuizawa Anne Winery with a six-course menu built around Nagano's fermented ingredients, alongside a talk session with both winemakers.
This fall, Prince Grand Resort Karuizawa is offering a lineup of stay experiences unique to the season, including a night ski-lift ride to view the harvest moon from the summit, a guided birdhouse-building workshop in the resort's forest, free moon- and star-gazing nights by the campfire, and a getaway plan bundling activity vouchers for cycling, golf, and nearby sightseeing spots.
HOTEL&RESORT Yamanouchi Hills in Nagano Prefecture has begun offering a new Family Plan for stays from August 20, 2026 to April 30, 2027, cutting children's rates to 50% of the adult rate and adding a renovated lounge with a rooftop pool, ball pool, and free-flow snack and drink corners for kids.
A joint season pass covering Hakuba Norikura Onsen Ski Resort and Hakuba Cortina Ski Resort is now on sale at super early-bird prices for the 2026-2027 season, alongside an expanded ungroomed powder area at Hakuba Norikura.
From September 1, Mampei Hotel in Karuizawa is selling a Halloween cookie tin modeled after its historic Alps Wing, holding 11 Halloween- and autumn-themed cookies, alongside the returning Walnut Bitter Caramel Sandwich in a Halloween-limited package.
NOTIME, a 24-hour unmanned secondhand clothing shop, is opening its first Nagano City location on September 19, letting shoppers enter and check out entirely through LINE and self-checkout.
Sonmin Shokudo in Karuizawa's Hoshino Area holds the "Karuizawa Sake Terrace" on September 18 and 19, 2026, letting visitors taste-compare autumn sake from 13 Saku breweries and meet the makers behind them.
Achi Village in Nagano Prefecture, celebrated as home to Japan's best starry sky, is partnering with the city of Iida to trial a new bus route connecting Nakatsugawa Station in Gifu Prefecture to Iida Station via Magome and Hirugami Onsen, running from September 1, 2026, through March 31, 2029.
Hakuba Iwatake Mountain Resort begins early-bird sales of its 2026-2027 winter season pass on September 1, offering free hot spring bathing, lift and rental discounts, and winter content for skiers and non-skiers alike.
From September 1, 2026, Hotel Harvest Kyu-Karuizawa's Japanese restaurant "Avant" will serve a limited-time eight-course "Matsutake Kaiseki" built around fragrant autumn matsutake mushrooms, available through October 31.
Hotel Metropolitan Nagano is marking its 30th anniversary with a limited-edition Christmas cake, "Floraison d'Hiver," decorated with 30 strawberries as a tribute to three decades of gratitude, with reservations opening October 1, 2026.
For four days this August, Komadenoike Campground in Saku-ho, Nagano Prefecture, is letting guests paddle out onto Komadenoike, the highland pond they usually only view from the shore, in a solo kayak.
Mr. CHEESECAKE YOUR CITY, the traveling cheesecake pop-up, is opening at four locations across Japan from late August 2026 — Kashiwa Takashimaya, Himeji Sanyo Department Store, Tenmaya Fukuyama Store, and Nagano Tokyu Department Store — featuring a pop-up-exclusive Strawberry flavor.
From September 2026, Hoshinoya Karuizawa serves a "Full Moon Parfait" made with Shine Muscat grapes and Anno sweet potato at a premium seat overlooking the property, offered on full moon nights as part of its "Karuizawa Autumn Moon Banquet" event.
YATZ GARDEN, the free 10-hectare flower field run by Yatsugatake Agricultural College in Chino, Nagano, has passed 100,000 visitors this season far ahead of schedule, including a single-day record of 10,000 visitors on August 13, 2026.
Kuzefuku Shoten is teaming up with craft beer maker Yoho Brewing for a free beer and snack pairing event, held at Diamor Osaka on August 22 and MIDORI Nagano on August 23, 2026.
HAKUBA Mountain Festival 2026, set for August 29–30 at Usagidaira Terrace on Hakuba Happo-one, has revealed its final wave of performers — DJ REN and four artists joining the THE LOCAL ICONICS powered by TuneCore Japan stage — along with the full two-day timetable across 17 stage sets, capped by a fireworks finale on opening night.
From September 5 to November 8, 2026, Kijimadaira Village in Nagano Prefecture debuts "Mountain-Loving Illumination in Kijimadaira," a new highland-style illumination event pairing a starry sky with roughly 400,000 lights, a music-and-fountain show, and a light-sculpture "zoo" over its 65-day run.
From August 22 to September 30, 2026, Hoshi no Mori Auto Campground in Nagano's Uruki Village is running "Mori Office," a summer program that opens the air-conditioning-free campground at 1,200 meters elevation to remote workers as well as campers, with a shared meeting room, forest trails, and a mission-based stay that comes with a local specialty gift.
From September 1 to October 31, 2026, Mercure Nagano Matsushiro Resort & Spa's buffet restaurant Locavore serves up a Shine Muscat sweets fair featuring Nagano-grown grapes and fruit desserts, while a September tasting event introduces four craft beers inspired by Matsushiro's local specialties.
TON, a whole-house rental renovated from a 1982 Japanese home in the rice paddies of Saku, Nagano Prefecture, opened on July 27, 2026. Created by local creative studio BUPPHA, the property sleeps up to 12 guests and features an 8-person sauna, a DJ booth, and a wood deck overlooking the fields.
From July 31, nagano forest village in Nagano City's Iizuna Highland is holding the summer-only "Forest Lakeside Bar 2026" on select dates through mid-August, serving Shinshu wine cocktails, craft beer, and seasonal drinks on a lakeside terrace roughly 1,000 meters above sea level.
National Alps Azumino Park's Horigane-Hotaka district in Nagano is hosting Gyogyo-ten, a fish exhibition displaying roughly 200 species of taxidermy, specimens, and replicas — from goblin sharks and hammerheads to deep-sea creatures like anglerfish, frilled sharks, and coelacanths — through Sunday, August 23, 2026.
Karuizawa Marriott Hotel is offering a seasonal French dinner course that blends Shinshu's autumn harvest with the region's fermentation culture, available from September 1 through November 30, 2026, at the hotel's Grill & Dining G restaurant.
LeGrand Karuizawa Hotel & Resort is celebrating its 8th anniversary with a new commemorative wedding plan featuring ten benefits, including a discounted ceremony fee and a complimentary overnight stay for the newlyweds, with bookings opening August 1, 2026.
Tateshina Tokyu Hotel in Chino City, Nagano, has completed the first phase of a renovation to its cottage building, introducing a "Pet Welcome Cottage" that begins welcoming guests together with their dogs on August 20, 2026.
Hakuba Iwatake Mountain Resort in Nagano is introducing a summer-only "Hakuba Morikaze Picnic" plan starting July 29, offering a picnic setup with Northern Alps views at an elevation of about 1,289 meters, including a make-your-own sandwich experience with local Hakuba ingredients.
From September 1 to November 30, 2026, Hoshinoya Karuizawa presents five seasonal ways to experience Nagano's autumn with all five senses — a fermented steamed lunch overlooking terraced rice paddies, an in-room dining breakfast framed by vivid foliage, an evening cafe and bar by firelight, a sketching walk through the changing leaves, and a calming morning stretch in the crisp autumn air.
At Karuizawa's Museum Park, the Picture Book Forest Museum's 2026 summer exhibition explores the cats, mice, and frogs of Peter Rabbit™'s world, while the Erzgebirge Toy Museum's spring/summer exhibition showcases an expanded lineup of German Nutcracker dolls, both open through this fall.
Seizan Golf Course in Karuizawa is opening its fairways free of charge on August 23, 2026, so children can play on the natural lawn and dogs can join a dedicated lawn walk, alongside golf-themed activities for the whole family.
The 19th Azumino Fireworks Festival takes place on August 14, 2026, in Azumino City, Nagano, with about 4,000 fireworks including music fireworks and an extra-large starmine finale. Viewing tickets and parking passes are on sale now.
With another hot summer forecast, Prince Grand Resort Karuizawa is offering a lineup of "cool escape" experiences — a summer snow play area, a misting station on the ski slopes, nighttime nature tours, and chilled seasonal menus — to help visitors beat the heat at the cool highland resort.
Roasted COFFEE LABORATORY's Jiyugaoka store introduces a new Crispy Crepe menu on July 18, and the brand also opens a limited-time kitchen car at Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza from July 24 to September 27, serving crepes alongside house-roasted coffee drinks.
Yatsugatake Agricultural College's 10-hectare flower field, YATZ GARDEN, is offering hot air balloon rides on July 20, 25, and 26, 2026, giving riders a bird's-eye view of blooming marigolds, Colors, and salvia alongside the Yatsugatake mountains. Advance reservations are open now.
From July 11, 2026, Karuizawa Prince Hotel Ski Resort is opening "Karupuri Snowland," an indoor snow play area inside the Snow House where visitors can experience real snow through the height of summer, built using the resort's artificial snowmaking technology.
Samu, the Japanese-style café run by Kochouan in Azumino, Nagano, has begun selling two new "Premium Kakigori" shaved ice flavors, Rich Matcha and Blissful Strawberry, for a limited time this summer.
Winery Restaurant St. Cousair in Iizuna, Nagano, is holding a one-night-only "Opera Dinner" on August 29, 2026, pairing live performances by opera singers including baritone Kei Kondo with a seasonal course menu overlooking the vineyard at sunset.
Bleston Court Yukawatan, the main dining restaurant at Hoshino Resorts' Karuizawa Hotel Bleston Court, is serving a summer-only course from July 3 to September 7, 2026, built around its "Water Gibier" concept. The menu features eel terrine with a seasonal rice salad, Shinano Yukimasu trout with fennel espuma, and charcoal-grilled kid goat, alongside a terrace apéro experience surrounded by greenery.
Yagokoro Sake Bar Jizake no Yakata, a shop where visitors can taste and choose Shinshu sake to take home, reopens July 11, 2026 in Hirugami Onsen, Achi Village — giving stargazing visitors more to enjoy before and after taking in Japan's best starry sky.
Eleven chefs with roots in Shinshu come together across culinary genres for Next Shinshu 2026, a one-night collaboration dinner at Hotel Sierra Resort Hakuba in Nagano on July 7, 2026. Reservations are already full.
Starting July 4, 2026, THE KIZAKI CAMP & LAKE RESORT on the shore of Lake Kizaki in Omachi, Nagano, is serving MT. DESERT ISLAND ICE CREAM's popular soft serve made with local pasteurized milk, along with three ice cream cup flavors, at THE KIZAKI cafe on Thursdays through Sundays.
Around 10 hectares of vivid flower fields open for the season on July 3 at Yatsugatake Agricultural College in Nagano Prefecture, where summer temperatures run roughly 8°C cooler than Tokyo. Admission to YATZ GARDEN is free through mid-October.
Winery Restaurant Saint Cousair in Iizuna Town, Nagano, is running a limited-time prix-fixe dinner service on select dates during the summer and autumn holidays — July 18-19, August 14-15, and September 19-22, 2026.
Karuizawa Asama Prince Hotel's new head chef presents a peach-inspired "adult tea party" buffet for two days only — July 19 and 20, 2026 — at ダイニング ブルーム, with panoramic views of Mt. Asama.
Kotori no Yu, a day-use hot spring in Matsushiro, Nagano City, is running a limited-time "Chilled Onsen" event from July 3 to July 26, 2026, offering three bath zones at different temperatures — including a naturally cool open-air bath using raw spring water — so guests can enjoy the mineral-rich waters comfortably even in the peak of summer.
From July 2026, the luxury resort Lomä Central Peaks in Shinano-machi, Nagano begins serving its "Immersed in Deep Green" afternoon tea. The summer course centers on seasonal apricots from Chikuma and white peaches, created by chef Kawaguchi of Pâtisserie Lomä, priced at 8,800 yen (tax included) per person.
A limited-time collaboration between Hoshi Tabeyo rice crackers and Star Village ACHI launches in Achi Village, Nagano from July 3 to September 30, 2026, featuring a pop-up shop, original merchandise, cafe menus, and hotel amenity tie-ins.
To mark the 90th anniversary of its Alps-kan building, Manpei Hotel in Karuizawa is releasing a special parfait at its Café Terrace from July 1, 2026, featuring chocolate lilies of the valley, fruit jelly inspired by stained glass, and raspberry mousse.
Three limited-time summer drinks — a Pineapple Mint Soda, Mango Tea Soda, and Lemon Cream Latte — are set to debut at Bakery & Restaurant Sawamura locations starting June 18, 2026, each crafted with house-made syrups and fresh fruit flavors.
Now in its 7th edition, the Asama International Photo Festival PHOTO MIYOTA runs from August 1 to September 27, 2026, at MMoP in Miyota Town, Nagano, with exhibitions expanding across multiple locations throughout the town.
For one day only on August 10, 2026, golfers can play the Karuizawa 72 Golf North Course under tournament-ready conditions just before the NEC Karuizawa 72 Golf Tournament begins.
Madarao Tokyu Resort in Shinano-machi, Nagano Prefecture is offering a limited-time plan that pairs a hotel breakfast buffet with one round of self-play golf, available through July 31, 2026.
Starting June 6, 2026, the gondola lift and ropeway at Tsugaike Mountain Resort in Nagano Prefecture HAKUBAVALLEY resume operations, granting access to Tsugaike Nature Park's high-altitude wetlands at around 1,900 meters, where mizubashio flowers, alpine plants, and panoramic views of the Northern Japan Alps await.
Hotel Indigo Karuizawa's all-day dining KAGARIBI has refreshed its showcase lineup with new pastry creations by Chef Koji Tachikake, each inspired by flowers found in the Karuizawa area.
Azumino Cha Kochouan's in-store Japanese cafe "Chamu" is rolling out a summer-limited lineup of parfaits and desserts, including a new Choco Mint Parfait alongside beloved returning seasonal favorites.
The sold-out Premium Matcha Pudding from Kochouan, a long-established tea shop in Azumino, Nagano, is making a comeback — this time with black sugar syrup, available by reservation only in limited quantities.
Achi Village in Nagano—known as Japan's premier stargazing destination—will host the "Japan's Best Stargazing Achi Village Tanabata Festival 2026" from July 1 to August 31, 2026, featuring bamboo lantern illuminations, a wish-granting campaign, special accommodation plans, and more centered around Hirugami Onsen.
The second entry in Mampei Hotel's cookie sandwich series, featuring a lemony butter cream filling and charming Karuizawa-inspired packaging, is now available at the hotel shop and online.
Mampei Hotel in Karuizawa is offering a special dinner course to celebrate the 90th anniversary of its historic Alps Wing. Featuring Shinshu local ingredients and time-honored recipes, the course is available starting July 1, 2026.
Achi Village in Nagano Prefecture — known for Japan's best starry sky — is set to begin selling a new pet deer jerky product, "ACHI GIBIER," starting June 1, 2026.
Karuizawa Marriott Hotel is hosting the 2nd Karuizawa Fermentation Festival from June 19 to 21, 2026, featuring around 20 Nagano fermented food producers, hands-on workshops, and special hotel-exclusive fermented dishes and mocktails.
A new private villa complex, Lakeside villa SUI HAKUBA, opens on May 28, 2026 on the shores of Lake Aoki in Omachi, Nagano — just 15 minutes by car from the popular Hakuba resort area.
Starting June 1, 2026, Karuizawa Marriott Hotel's Grill & Dining G restaurant will offer a seasonal sparkling wine tasting set featuring two varieties from Karuizawa An Winery, curated to capture the refreshing essence of a Shinshu highland summer.
Located a 2-minute walk from Nagano Station, Travel HUB Nagano City begins its green season on May 15, 2026, adding kimono rentals, a Shinshu ice cream select shop, café service, and outdoor activities to its lineup.
Karuizawa Prince Hotel West in Nagano Prefecture is selling a limited "Tabi no Hi" (Travel Day) plan for stays from May 14 to 17, 2026, offering gas vouchers worth ¥2,000 and a 20% hotel restaurant dinner discount to help travelers enjoy a quality trip on a tighter budget.
A new grocery and lifestyle shop has opened at the Belvia building directly connected to JR Chino Station, offering carefully selected foods, condiments, local Shinshu products, and the brand's own original items.
HIRAMATSU HOTELS is now offering round-trip private hire car transfers from within Tokyo's 23 wards to three destinations — Atami, Sengokuhara, and Karuizawa Miyota — for a fully seamless luxury travel experience.
From May 1, 2026, Michi-no-Eki Nakajo in Nagano City is hosting a limited-time Apricot Fair with drinks, soft serve, and specialty goods made with apricots from Chikuma City, Nagano's renowned apricot-growing region.
A two-day outdoor music festival at Hakuba Happo-one's Usagidaira Terrace brings live performances from Shonan no Kaze, DJ Dainoji, and others to 1,400m above sea level, with the Northern Alps as the backdrop.
Fujimi Panorama Resort in Fujimi Town, Nagano, opens its 2026 green season on April 25, running through November 15. The mountain resort at the foot of the Yatsugatake range offers gondola access to Mt. Nyukasa, trekking trails, a mountain bike park, paragliding, and a series of wildflower events throughout the season.
On May 9 and 10, 2026, Snow Peak Land Station HAKUBA hosts an outdoor wine and food event featuring Nagano Prefecture wines, live music, DJ performances, and live painting against the spring backdrop of the Northern Alps.
Hakuba Iwatake Mountain Resort kicks off its 2026 green season on April 23, bringing a lineup of events including a gondola-area cleanup initiative, a children's VR experience during Golden Week, spring-limited café menus, and the HAKUBA Yoohoo! Festival music event in late May.
After about 12 years in Kiyosumi-Shirakawa, the Allpress Espresso Tokyo Roastery is set to close in autumn 2026. The specialty coffee roaster will open a new base at MMoP, a cultural complex in Miyota, Nagano, with memorial products and special events planned ahead of the closure.
Mampei Hotel in Karuizawa is releasing a Mother's Day gift set, "MAMPEI TEA TIME GIFT," featuring an original herbal tea and boulede neige cookies in two flavors. Pre-orders are open now, with delivery starting May 7, 2026.
Karuizawa's Hoshino Area and Shinanorailway's scenic train "Rokumon" are joining forces for a year-round collaboration, "A Culinary Cruise Through the Four Seasons," with the first spring run on May 31, 2026 featuring French cuisine by Karuizawa Hotel Bleston Court.
Yakimochiya, a restored Meiji-era farmhouse inn in Nakajo, Nagano City, is hosting two special music events on April 18 and 19, 2026 — an intimate Irori Bankside Concert and an outdoor Spring Sunshine Concert featuring local cuisine.
Kizaki Lake Campsite in Omachi, Nagano, closed after tree fall damage, is set to reopen as THE KIZAKI CAMP&LAKE RESORT on April 29, 2026.
The members-only sauna SAUNAGA, set in a traditional pyramid-roofed wooden building near Nagano Station's east exit, held its grand opening on April 11, 2026, introducing new women-only daytime slots and a budget-friendly weekday membership for men.
Set against the backdrop of Mt. Asama at around 1,000 meters elevation, Karuizawa Asama Golf Course begins its 2026 season on April 4, offering a new resort-style plan for pairs that combines golf, hot springs, and afternoon tea.
Saryo Itoen Zenkoji Store, a Japanese tea cafe that opened within Zenkoji Temple grounds in March 2026, is now serving exclusive matcha sweets developed in collaboration with Azumino-based wagashi maker Kochouan.
Forest Adventure TATESHINA in Chino City, Nagano, is reopening on April 25, 2026 with a redesigned Trek Course that lets visitors of all ages explore 9 different sites freely within a set time period.
From May 1 to June 30, 2026, the main dining venue of Hoshinoya Karuizawa — Nihon Ryori Kasuke — serves a limited early summer edition of its "Yama no Kaiseki" dinner course, featuring seasonal yamame trout, abalone, and mountain vegetables that capture the lush new-green landscape of Karuizawa.
Garyu Park in Nagano, listed among Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots, holds its annual Sakura Festival from April 1 to 19, 2026, featuring around 600 blooming trees, nightly pond illuminations, and a commemorative card with local shop benefits.
BEB5 Karuizawa by Hoshino Resorts and wellness company suwaru are hosting a 1-night, 2-day retreat in the Karuizawa Hoshino Area, featuring yoga, meditation, forest bathing, and flying squirrel watching in the fresh greenery of May.
On April 25, 2026, a one-day-only special event called "Forest Photo Session to Encounter Birds' Gaze" debuts at the Karuizawa Hoshino Area. Using the latest AI-powered camera technology, even beginners can capture stunning shots of wild birds in the spring forest.
The Hana-Momo Festival in Achi Village's Tsukigawa Onsen "Hana-Momo no Sato" runs from April 15 to May 5, 2026, showcasing around 5,000 flower peach trees in three vibrant colors across a scenic mountain valley.
The beloved Nama Dorayaki series from Azumino Tea Kochouan, a Nagano-based confectionery brand, has received a refreshed packaging design across its three flagship flavors.
Confectionery maker Morozoff has partnered with Yawataya Isogoro, one of Japan's three great shichimi chili pepper makers, to launch "Shichimi Arcadia" — a new spin on the beloved Arcadia cookie — available first at Nagano Tokyu Department Store from March 26, 2026.
TSUCHIYA KABAN is releasing a new women's bag series called "Maraison" on March 26, 2026. The collection features two styles — a large-capacity tote and a 2-way mini tote — each available in three colors.
The Japanese tea cafe brand Saryo Itoen is opening a new location within the Zenkoji temple grounds in Nagano City, featuring exclusive matcha sweets and a selection of Japanese tea drinks.
A limited-edition collaboration tin combining Nagano's long-established spice shop Yawataya Isogoro with the beloved Suica Penguin character goes on sale at NewDays convenience stores across Nagano Prefecture on March 14, 2026.
Hakuba Iwatake Mountain Resort has announced plans to renew its No. 5 South Lift — connecting the summit area with the Hakuba Hitotoki no Mori observation area — for the first time in approximately 37 years, with operations set to begin in December 2027.
The bakery cafe "dacō" (Dako) opens inside Karuizawa Bookstore on Saturday, March 7. With around 50 types of freshly baked bread and 30 types of drinks, it offers bite-sized pastries perfect to enjoy alongside a good book in a nature-rich setting.
Koupen-chan collaboration print cookies and print manju go on sale from March 2, 2026, available exclusively at souvenir shops in Nagano Prefecture and across six Tohoku prefectures.
TINY GARDEN FESTIVAL 2026 returns to the lakeside campground in Tateshina, Nagano for three days from June 5 to 7. Singer-songwriter Orisaka Yuta has been confirmed as the first featured performer, with tickets going on sale March 7, 2026.
Italian & Wine Bar CONA is hosting "Ohanami Bar 2026" from March 1 to April 30, 2026, where guests can enjoy full-bloom cherry blossom décor indoors alongside 5 spring-limited dishes featuring strawberries and cherry blossoms.
Two popular food brands from Fukuoka are opening their first locations in the Chubu region, with dacō launching inside Karuizawa Shoten and I'm donut ? at the newly opened Karuizawa T-SITE.
Mampei Hotel in Karuizawa has released a new herbal tea called "Dawn," inspired by the winter sunrise over Asama Mountain, combining hibiscus, rosehip, and ginger in an elegantly designed tin.
Forestana Karuizawa, the wedding venue at Karuizawa Prince Hotel, will hold a March-only bridal fair on weekends and public holidays from March 1 to 29, 2026, themed around mimosa flowers with free tastings, decorative displays, and more.
The NOK Kids Backcountry Tour 2026 returns for its fourth year with ten free sessions across Niigata, Aomori, Toyama, Gunma, and Nagano prefectures. A newly added Freeride Academy for junior athletes features coaching from Finnish snowboarding legend Antti Autti.
Two new varieties of Goka Apple Wine are now available in Achi Village, Nagano Prefecture. CYGNUS and PEGASUS join the existing lineup of seasonal wines named after constellations.
Akagi Nyugyo is hosting a free tasting event for Gatsun, to Mikan and the new Gatsun, to White Peach ice candy at Hakuba Happo-one Ski Resort from February 21-23, 2026.
Starting March 1, 2026, Karuizawa Marriott Hotel will offer a curated wine tasting experience featuring Nagano Prefecture wines selected by their sommelier excellence. The spring edition features three wines from Kusunoki Winery.
Matsubaya Furniture Store opens an exhibition featuring live-edge table slabs made from trees sourced within a 50km radius of Nagano City. Each piece comes with a complete story of its origin, from the mountain where it grew to the craftspeople who processed it.
Wendy's・First Kitchen introduces two luxurious burger items featuring black truffle sauce, white truffle oil, and creamy mozzarella cheese at select locations starting February 26th.
![Experience Nature, Food & Crafts in One Day: Park Supporter Trial Event at National Alps Azumino Park [Omachi-Matsukawa Area]](https://assets.hldycdn.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=webp,quality=75,width=400/fdea51bf-7b79-47a5-a708-b912ed408ff5.jpeg)
On March 15, the National Alps Azumino Park's Omachi-Matsukawa area will host a Park Supporter Trial Event for those interested in volunteer activities. Participants can experience hands-on programs to understand supporter roles and activities, while enjoying nature experiences, food preparation, and crafts firsthand.
Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza will host the KARUIZAWA SNOW FESTA on February 21-22, featuring snow play areas and a strawberry marché, followed by a Spring the Bargain sale from March 13-31 with up to 70% off at over 170 stores.
Maruyama Coffee will release a seasonal limited-edition coffee blend called "Marshmallow Blend" on February 15, 2026. This White Day special features a gentle cherry-like acidity and cashew nut richness with a light, fluffy texture reminiscent of marshmallows.
Plus One Education is hosting a 2-day ski tour in Karuizawa from February 28 to March 1, 2026, offering professional instruction from SAJ-certified instructors for elementary and junior high school students.
IHG One Rewards members who book the Azumino Chihiro Art Museum ticket package at ANA Holiday Inn Resort Shinano Omachi Kuroyon can receive exclusive hotel original towels. The campaign runs from February 12 to December 14, 2026, limited to the first 20 groups.
The spectacular projection mapping event illuminating Matsumoto Castle has attracted over 100,000 visitors, featuring dynamic displays of cherry blossoms, Northern Alps flowers, traditional crafts, and historic artwork projected onto Japan's oldest five-story castle tower.
A new wasabi-flavored mochi treat debuts in Azumino, Nagano, created through a collaboration between Minamiazumi Agricultural High School, Kochouan, and Daio Wasabi Farm.
L'OCCITANE Café has launched a seasonal collection of strawberry-inspired desserts, including the elegant Strawberry & Lavender Parfait and Croissant Waffle, available for a limited time.
Hotel Indigo Karuizawa celebrates its 4th anniversary with an exclusive accommodation plan featuring four special benefits including original merchandise, herb tea, extended stay hours, and breakfast buffet.
Fufu Karuizawa Yoko no Kaze introduces a new Japanese cuisine menu featuring local Karuizawa ingredients and traditional techniques, starting February 1, 2026.
The Hokusai-kan Museum celebrates its 50th anniversary with a special exhibition on dragons and phoenixes, featuring contemporary traditional craft artists responding to Hokusai's masterpieces through March 29.
On April 18, 2026, Hotel La Vigne Hakuba will host a special wine event bringing together winemakers from the Koshin Alps region, offering guests a unique opportunity to taste Japanese wines paired with spring-inspired French cuisine.
Original Mind releases the GOIGOI2, an upgraded desktop manual punch press that enables sheet metal punching without pilot holes. The tool features improved stability and ergonomics for effortless metalworking.
Asanoya unveils a new brand concept focusing on natural ingredients and premium quality, alongside a refreshed logo and relaunched versions of their iconic Karuizawa Raisin bread and house-made sourdough campagne.
A limited-time champagne terrace featuring Veuve Clicquot Rich on Ice opens at Hakuba Après, offering ski-in/ski-out access and stunning mountain views in Hakuba, Nagano.
A new boutique hotel, mont, has opened in Nozawa Onsen Village, Nagano Prefecture. The 100-year-old former inn has been fully renovated into a modern accommodation featuring a wood-fired restaurant and 10 unique guest rooms.
The maple sweets specialty store The MAPLE MANIA will be opening limited-time Valentine's pop-up shops at Sogo, Tokyu, and Takashimaya department stores across Japan from January to February 2026.
A special 1-night, 2-day camp for young train enthusiasts featuring accommodation in a real Azusa limited express train car, private chartered train experiences on Ueda Electric Railway, and a visit to Usui Pass Railway Heritage Park.
The popular Harapeko Cheesecake by Azumino Kochouan received the Excellence Award in the Sweets Division at the prestigious Bento & Deli Grand Prix 2026, selected from over 15,000 entries.
Mampei Hotel in Karuizawa offers a limited-time Classic Afternoon Tea from January 16 to March 19, 2026, featuring traditional sweets and revived signature dishes in their Main Dining Room with stunning winter garden views.
Takagi Coffee introduces a limited-time seasonal menu featuring homemade nama chocolate in pancakes, smoothies, and hazelnut lattes, available from January 16th at 9 locations across Japan.
From March 4 to May 31, 2026, Hoshinoya Karuizawa will offer a special strawberry-focused breakfast featuring three varieties of seasonal strawberries, including rare white and dark red varieties grown in the highland climate of Karuizawa.
Maruyama Coffee will release three types of New Year gift sets featuring colorful festive packaging, perfect for New Year greetings. The collection includes seasonal limited-edition medium and dark roast coffees, as well as convenient drip bag options.
Nakajo Roadside Station in Nagano City, Nakajo will launch limited-time dinner service from December 26, 2025 to January 31, 2026, addressing the "dinner refugee" issue during ski season while showcasing local specialty dish "Obukko."
ANA Holiday Inn Resort Shinano-Omachi Kuroyon launches a special mountain retreat stay plan limited to 2 groups per day, featuring natural hot spring rooms, Shinshu minibar selection, fermented face masks, and selectable breakfast at LASOIL restaurant. Perfect for autumn foliage and winter snow activities.
The spectacular winter light show returns to Matsumoto Castle in Nagano Prefecture for the 2025-2026 season, featuring dynamic projection mapping on one of Japan's oldest surviving castles from December 13, 2025 to February 15, 2026.
Bon Okawa Karuizawa Chocolate Factory introduces their newest product "Cacao Charm," featuring tiny animal-shaped chocolates with 9 different flavors, celebrating the four seasons and forest animals of Karuizawa.
A Sumikko Gurashi event will tour six cities across Japan starting November 7, 2025. The event features exclusive merchandise, photo spots with plush toys, and Japanese sweets-themed character illustrations.
Azumino Tea Kochouan introduces "Kahou Daifuku," a luxurious autumn confection featuring Nagano's premium grapes, Shine Muscat and Nagano Purple, wrapped in soft mochi for a jewel-like appearance.
The second location "Hatoya Asakusa" of Kyoto-originated Japanese tea stand "Hatoya Ryoyousha" will make its first appearance at Nagano Tokyu Department Store for 7 days only from September 18 to 24, 2025.
A new exclusive after-hours private viewing plan becomes available at Karuizawa Ando Museum for guests staying at "fufu Karuizawa Yoko no Kaze" and "fufu Kyukaruizawa Seiyou no Mori"
Starting September 1, 2025, Hakuba Norikura Onsen Ski Resort will offer a joint season pass with neighboring Hakuba Cortina Ski Resort, plus expanded heli-skiing tours and facility improvements.
If you are sightseeing, you would want to include things in your itinerary that can only be seen or experienced during that specific time of year, right? This time, we introduce the conditions, events, and recommended spots in “Nagano Prefecture” in September for those who are interested. *Please note that the dates of the events […]
When you plan a trip, you often want to include experiences or sights that are unique to the season. This article is for those who are interested in what Nagano Prefecture has to offer in October, including events, recommended spots, and more. Please note that the dates for the events mentioned may change. Check the […]
When sightseeing, you want to include things in your itinerary that you can only see or experience during that specific time, right? This time, we will introduce the situation, events, and recommended spots in Nagano Prefecture in February for those who are looking for such experiences. *Please note that the dates of the events introduced […]
If you’re traveling, you’ll want to include things in your itinerary that you can only see or experience during that specific time. This time, we will introduce the situation, events, and recommended spots in Nagano Prefecture in March for those who are interested. *The events introduced may be subject to schedule changes. Please check the […]
When traveling, you want to include experiences and sights that are unique to that specific time of year, right? This time, we will introduce the November events, recommended spots, and the overall situation in Nagano Prefecture for those who are interested. *Please note that the dates of the events introduced may change. Please check the […]
If you’re going sightseeing, you naturally want to include things in your itinerary that you can only see or experience during that specific time. This time, we will introduce the situation, events, and recommended spots in Nagano Prefecture in December for those who are interested. Please note that the event schedules introduced may change. Please […]
If you’re planning to go sightseeing, you probably want to include things in your itinerary that you can only see or experience during that specific time of year. In this article, we’ll introduce the situation, events, and recommended spots for January in Nagano Prefecture for those looking for unique experiences. Please note that the dates […]
Summary This time, a day trip to Shinanomachi in Nagano Prefecture to enjoy local cuisine and nature! Shinanomachi can be reached by train from Tokyo in 2 hours and 20 minutes, so it can be enjoyed as a day trip ✨ The water, vegetables, and rice are delicious, and most importantly, the air is delicious! […]
Japanese castles attract a great deal of attention both in Japan and abroad for their history and their grandeur and beauty. This article introduces 11 of the many famous castles located throughout Japan. We recommend visiting them when you travel to Japan to enjoy learning about each castle’s historical role and background, and experience the […]
Summary This time we went to Shinanomachi, Nagano Prefecture: ‼️ Relax from the core with a luxurious time in a private sauna in the snowy wilderness! ❄️☺️ Then, after staying at a pension that will fill your heart and stomach, get up early on the second day and go wakasagi fishing ❕🐟. I enjoyed fishing […]