The only read you’ll need! Nagano Prefecture: a Guide to the Best of all Four Seasons
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Situated at an elevation of 1,200 meters, Kagami-ike Pond is named for its mirror-like reflection of the Togakushi mountain range and surrounding mountains. It's a premier scenic spot in Togakushi, popular during the fresh greenery of spring, but especially recommended in the autumn foliage season when the trees around the pond blaze with fiery reds. There's a walking path around the pond, allowing visitors to enjoy a leisurely stroll while admiring the stunning scenery of maples and larch trees coloring the lakeshore.

This unique bowl-shaped valley was formed 20,000 years ago by glacial erosion. A 45-minute walking trail is well-maintained so you can enjoy all the best of comfortable strolling. Situated above 2,500 meters in the alpine zone, it blooms with colorful alpine flowers covering the rocky surfaces in summer. The golden autumn scenery is breathtakingly beautiful, and the star-filled night sky is also a must-see.

Known as "Swan Lake" for the swans that used to descend in winter, this beautifully clear pond creates a picturesque scene. It's a prime spot for autumn foliage in Karuizawa, with larch and maple trees turning vibrant colors from mid-October to mid-November, casting their reflections onto the water's mirror-like surface. The surrounding area also hosts the Karuizawa Autumn Leaves Festival.

The pond is at an altitude of 1500ｍ in the mountain and its name originally came from Shinto ceremony in which deer is given as an offering.
Woods of Japanese Larch surrounding the pond change their colors season by season such as fresh green in spring, deep green in summer, golden yellow leaves in autumn, and pure white snow and ice in winter.
*No entry inside the embankment because this local area is for farming only.

A mountain resort with a spectacular view where visitors can enjoy the fresh greenery in spring, the fresh green of the plateau in summer, and the three-tiered autumn leaves of the Northern Alps in fall. At the top of the 1,289-meter-high Mt. Iwatake, accessed by gondola, is the popular HAKUBA MOUNTAIN HARBOR, a café and terrace with a spectacular view overlooking the Northern Alps.

A gorge carved by the erosion of the Tenryu River, this scenic spot offers the beauty of the gorge throughout the four seasons. The sequence of unique rocks, with red pines, maples, and cherry trees coloring the gorge, is like an ink wash painting. Enjoy the beauty of the gorge through river boating and walking across the Tenryukyo Bridge (Sora-sanpo Tenryukyo Gorge).

These terraced rice fields, a short 10-minute walk from JR Obasute Station, are listed as a Japanese heritage site and are counted among the top three scenic train views in Japan. Also known as a nighttime scenic spot, one can enjoy the "Tagoto no Tsuki (moon reflecting on each paddy)" on full moon nights around May when water is filled in the fields.