Nagano Destination Information
Roof of Japan
Nagano prefecture known as the “Roof of Japan” is a wonderful place to visit for lots of beautiful mountains, cultural history and its cuisine. Nagano, the prefectural capital and host of Olympic games held in 1998, is home of Zenkoji which over 4 million worshippers visit annually is worthy of visiting definitely. Matsumoto is a second-largest city, and “Matsumoto Castle” designated National Treasures is the oldest wooden castle in Japan and completed in 1595. Apart from those, many popular mountain and ski resorts such as Hakuba, Azumino, Karuizawa, Shigakogen, Madarao and so on is well known. Karuizawa loved very much by John Lennon is picturesque resort town and located beneath of Mt. Asama. With 1 hour access from Tokyo to Karuizawa by Shinkansen, hotels, restaurants, shops, golf courses and outlet shopping mall, especially summer vacation periods, many tourists visits.