JP · Nagano Prefecture · 36.65°N 138.19°E

nagano

Zenko-ji's temple streets, buckwheat noodles and cedar paths up at Togakushi.

Best time
April–May for blossom and fresh green, and October–November for autumn colour. Winter is cold and snowy, the best time for the snow monkeys but hard going on the Togakushi trails.
How long
2 days
Getting there
Fly from KL to Tokyo (about 7 hours). The Hokuriku Shinkansen reaches Nagano in about 1.5 hours. Japan is an hour ahead of KL.
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JP · Nagano Prefecturenagano36.65°N 138.19°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Zenko-ji's temple streets, buckwheat noodles and cedar paths up at Togakushi.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingNaganoJP, Nagano Prefecture
KLnagano
≈ 5,273 km from KL, as the crow flies
Zenkō-ji in Nagano, Nagano prefecture, Japan.

Photo: 663highland · CC BY 2.5

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

A small city that grew up around Zenko-ji, one of Japan's oldest and busiest temples. Add a half-day up at Togakushi for cedar-lined shrine paths and soba. It's also the gateway to the snow monkeys and Hakuba.

Makan

  1. Togakushi sobaBuckwheat noodles served in small bundles on a bamboo tray, one of Japan's best-known soba styles.Map ↗
  2. OyakiGrilled or steamed dumplings filled with vegetables, pickled greens or sweet bean paste.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. Zenko-jiA huge wooden main hall at the end of a long stone-paved approach. Underneath, you feel your way along a pitch-dark passage to touch a lock said to bring salvation.Map ↗
  2. NakamiseThe old temple approach, lined with shops selling oyaki, sweets and crafts.Map ↗
  3. Togakushi shrinesFive shrines in the forest above the city, with an avenue of tall old cedars leading to the upper one. About an hour by bus.Map ↗
  4. Jigokudani Monkey ParkWild snow monkeys bathing in a hot spring, about an hour away by train and bus, plus a forest walk.Map ↗

Good to know

  • The Togakushi bus takes about an hour each way, so give it its own half-day.
  • With the snow monkeys and Togakushi both easy day trips, Nagano works well as a base for two or three nights.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.