What to do in Nagano

Activities, attractions and tours

Nagano which includes a cascade
Nagano which includes a cascade
Nagano
Nagano showing snow and a sunset
Nagano which includes signage

Nagano Attractions

Let Expedia help you to experience the best that Nagano has to offer! If you’re planning a trip to Nagano, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling to Nagano with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Places of interest in Nagano

Nagano is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay in Nagano, and make it a breeze to explore Nagano and the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Nagano to make sure that you enjoy your holiday to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit to Nagano, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights in Nagano.

Nagano attractions

Nagano has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions in Nagano to keep you entertained. Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Nagano.

Looking for things to do in Nagano can be time-consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine of Nagano or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Nagano attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season. Happy trails!

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Recommended things to do in Nagano

Number of things to do
73
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt: East Meets West in Nagano!: £10
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in Nagano

Popular places to visit

Zenko-ji Temple

Zenko-ji Temple

After visiting Zenko-ji Temple, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in Nagano. Visit the temples and shops in this walkable area.

Zenko-ji Temple
Nagano_TogakushiShrine_6221874-2547

Togakushi Shrine

Togakushi Shrine is just one of the places to see in Nagano, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? While in this walkable area, you can savour the top-notch restaurants.

Togakushi Shrine
Nagano Olympic Stadium

Nagano Olympic Stadium

Catch an event at Nagano Olympic Stadium during your trip to Nagano. Visit the temples in this walkable area or simply enjoy its restaurants.

Nagano Olympic Stadium
M-Wave Olympic Memorial Arena which includes interior views as well as an individual femail

M-Wave Olympic Memorial Arena

Catch an event at M-Wave Olympic Memorial Arena during your trip to Nagano. While in this culturally rich area, you can savour the top-notch restaurants.

M-Wave Olympic Memorial Arena
Nagano_AquaWingArena_553248621532775489-3072

Aqua Wing Arena

Catch an event at Aqua Wing Arena during your trip to Nagano. While in this culturally rich area, you can savour the top-notch restaurants.

Aqua Wing Arena
Nio-mon Gate at Narita-san Shinsho-ji Temple near Tokyo, Japan

Nio-mon Gate

Find out about the history of Nagano with a stop at Nio-mon Gate. Visit the temples in this walkable area or simply enjoy its restaurants.

Nio-mon Gate
BGC75H Togakushi Farm, Nagano, Japan

Togakushi Farm

You can take time to visit Togakushi Farm during your travels to Nagano. Visit the temples in this walkable area or simply enjoy its restaurants.

Togakushi Farm

Togakushi Ski Area

Hit the slopes in Nagano with a visit to Togakushi Ski Area. Visit the temples and shops in this walkable area.

Togakushi Ski Area

Nagano City Museum

You can study the exhibits at Nagano City Museum, a museum with a story of its own, during your holiday in Nagano. Visit the temples and shops in this walkable area.

Nagano City Museum

Explore areas of Nagano

Nagano City, Japan Cityscape Panorama from Asahi Mountain

Kurita

The restaurants and shopping are just a few features travellers like about Kurita. If you want to do some sightseeing nearby, Nio-mon Gate and Nagano Prefectural Shinano Art Museum are a few top places to visit.

Kurita
Traditional Japanese dining experience in Nagano. Incredible façade with sake labels. Enter through a small wooden door and immense yourself in a truly unique dining experience. Reserve well in advance, if possible. Lots of sake to try! #details

Minaminagano

While visiting Minaminagano, you might make a stop by sights like Kitano Cultural Center and Gondo Shopping Street.

Minaminagano
奥社へと続く杉並木。 #Nature

Togakushi

You'll enjoy the museums and monuments in Togakushi. You might want to make time for a stop at Chibikko Ninja Village or Togakushi Ski Area.

Togakushi
Matsumoto Castle Exterior, Nagano, Japan

Minamichitose

When in Minamichitose, you can plan a visit to Nio-mon Gate and Japanese Traditional Paper Museum, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Minamichitose
Traditional Japanese dining experience in Nagano. Incredible façade with sake labels. Enter through a small wooden door and immense yourself in a truly unique dining experience. Reserve well in advance, if possible. Lots of sake to try! #details

Minamichitosemachi Tsuruga

Though Minamichitosemachi Tsuruga may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Nio-mon Gate and Japanese Traditional Paper Museum.

Minamichitosemachi Tsuruga
松代城跡

Matsushiro

While visiting Matsushiro, you might make a stop by sights like Matsushiro Castle and Matsushiro Underground Imperial Headquarters.

Matsushiro

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Nagano

Japan Alps view from Hakuba village Aoni in winter

Hakuba

summer natural scenery seen from riverside road; mountain range and chikuma river in nagano prefecture, japan

Chikuma

Lake Reisenji.
Photo by Qurren (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0)

Iizuna

This is one of the special places in Nagano with blossom of both sakura and rape flower. However, due to the early coming of hot weather, most sakura has already fallen and it is the now best time of blossom of rape flower.

Obuse

Frequently asked questions

Is Nagano worth visiting?
One of the most popular things to do in Nagano is explore Togakushi Ski Area. Tick this top attraction off your agenda, then discover more of the area's camping and nature.
How do I spend a day in Nagano?
Start your day with a visit to Chibikko Ninja Village and Chausuyama Zoo. Then, explore other areas of Nagano for a quick bite and some shopping.
What is the top tourist attraction in Nagano?
The top tourist attraction in Nagano is Togakushi Ski Area, so be sure to add it to your sightseeing agenda.
Is three days enough to stay in Nagano?
You can easily visit top attractions like Matsushiro Castle, Nagano City Museum and Kitano Museum of Art with a three-day getaway in Nagano. On average, most travellers book two days here. There's plenty to experience nearby too, so stay a little longer and head to Matsumoto.
Is Nagano a walkable city?
With vibrant neighbourhoods and leading attractions within walking distance of the city centre, Nagano is a good destination to visit on foot. Have fun wandering between Nagano Olympic Museum and Mizuno Museum. Then take a stroll around Kurita, located 2 kms (1 mile) from the centre, and Minaminagano, which is roughly 0.97 kms (0.60 miles) away.
What are some activities to do in Nagano with kids?
If you're looking for activities and attractions for all of your group, check out these awesome ideas for what to do in Nagano with kids.

What to do in Nagano for adults?
St. Cousair Winery and Aqua Wing Arena are just two of the things to do in Nagano. With loads of activities available, there's something here for everyone.
Are there free things to do in Nagano?
One of the simplest ways to discover free things to do in Nagano is to chat to a local tour guide. You'll get insider views on hip neighbourhoods, parks and other major attractions you can visit without opening your wallet. Matsushiro Castle is one sight that doesn't have an admission fee.