The only read you’ll need! Nagano Prefecture: a Guide to the Best of all Four Seasons

The only read you’ll need! Nagano Prefecture: a Guide to the Best of all Four Seasons
page 5

Last update :
Written by GOOD LUCK TRIP
Head Editor : Nagano Prefecture

Even more Nagano to love! The hot springs of Nagano Prefecture.

Nagano Prefecture, home to 205 hot spring resorts, is perfect for a relaxing onsen trip, soaking in famous springs and strolling through charming spa towns.

Explore Bessho Onsen, Nagano's oldest hot spring resort, in yukata (Ueda City).
Explore Bessho Onsen, Nagano's oldest hot spring resort, in yukata (Ueda City).

[Yamanouchi Town] Soak and unwind in the direct source-fed baths of Shibu Onsen.

Shibu Onsen is one of the nine hot springs in the Yudanaka-Shibu Onsen area, boasting a history of about 1,300 years. Known for its abundant spring water, all the ryokans (Japanese inns) in the hot spring town offer 100% direct flow from the source. Each of the nine public baths, known as "sotoyu," has a different source and therapeutic effect, making a tour of them highly recommended. After soaking in the hot springs, enjoy strolling through the atmospheric town and tasting local specialties like onsen manju (steamed buns) and other local cuisines. Also worth visiting is the nearby Jigokudani Monkey Park, about a 10-minute drive away, where you can observe monkeys bathing in the hot springs.

Free footbaths to try.
Free footbaths to try.

[Ueda City] The oldest hot spring in Nagano Prefecture, known for its beautifying waters, "Bessho Onsen."

Founded 1,500 years ago and mentioned in The Pillow Book as one of the three great hot springs, Bessho Onsen is the oldest hot spring in Nagano Prefecture, known for its beautifying waters. The hot spring town is dotted with a dozen or so inns, each with its own unique charm, allowing visitors to choose according to their preferences. Be sure to make use of the five public bathhouses and foot baths. Often referred to as the "Kamakura of Shinshu," the area is rich in shrines and temples, including national treasures and important cultural properties, making it a delightful escape for sightseeing as well.

Strolling through the misty streets of the hot spring town is also one of the pleasures.
Strolling through the misty streets of the hot spring town is also one of the pleasures.

[Suwa City] Indulge in the abundant hot spring baths at Kamisuwa Onsen.

Kamisuwa Onsen, located on the eastern shore of Lake Suwa, is one of Shinshu's premier hot spring resorts, lined with historic inns and modern hotels. Boasting an impressive yield of over 15,000 kiloliters per day from more than 500 sources, it's known for its abundant hot spring water. Come and immerse yourself in the hot springs at lakeside inns and hotels, in footbaths at the station and parks, and even in the "Senninburo" (bath for a thousand people) at Katakura, Japan's oldest health resort facility.

The abundance of hot spring water in this area is so prolific that it's said that just digging into the ground would bring forth a hot spring.
The abundance of hot spring water in this area is so prolific that it's said that just digging into the ground would bring forth a hot spring.

Details

Name in Japanese
上諏訪温泉
Postal Code
392-0021
Address
Kogandori Street, Suwa City, Nagano
Telephone
0266-52-7155 (Lake Suwa Hot Spring Ryokan Cooperative Association)
Access
Around JR Kamisuwa Station
Official Website
Official Website (Japanese)

[Komagane City] The Hayataro Onsen District, nestled in the great nature of the Central Alps

The hot spring area named after the spirit of the dog Hayataro, venerated at the nearby ancient Kozen-ji Temple. Comprising day spas and ten lodging facilities, this hot spring village offers amenities like saunas and open-air baths. The colorless clear waters are known for their soft touch and beautifying properties. The surrounding area is rich in diverse leisure activities, including a ropeway running through the Central Alps and brewery tours.

The spring quality is alkaline simple hot spring.
The spring quality is alkaline simple hot spring.

Details

Name in Japanese
早太郎温泉郷
Postal Code
399-4117
Address
759-447 Akaho, Komagane City, Nagano
Telephone
0265-81-7700 (Komagane Tourism Association)
Access
About 10 minutes by car from JR Komagane Station.
Official Website
Official Website (Japanese)

Check out the local eats of Nagano Prefecture!

Grab a seat for all the best of local Nagano delights, including the famed Shinshu Soba. From dishes unique to each region to those enjoyed all over the prefecture, here’s a showcase of beloved culinary delights of Nagano that hard-and-fast loved by the locals!

Oyaki, a local delight enjoyed across Nagano Prefecture
Oyaki, a local delight enjoyed across Nagano Prefecture

Representative Local Cuisine "Shinshu Soba"

Nagano is the second-largest producer of soba (buckwheat) in Japan after Hokkaido. With distinct differences in each area, its said that there are some 30 types of Shinshu Soba. Here are a few of the most famous flavors to taste.

[Nagano City] One of Japan's three famous soba varieties, “Togakushi Soba” is served with spicy radish as a condiment.

One of Japan's three great sobas, characterized by its "botchi-mori" style where bite-sized soba is arranged in a horseshoe shape. Togakushi radish is used as a condiment, and the soba flour includes "hikigurumi," where soba grains are ground with their husks intact.

'Botchi-mori' is unique to Togakushi Soba
'Botchi-mori' is unique to Togakushi Soba

[Komoro City] It's satisfying to eat a generous portion of 'Komoro Soba' a variety of Kirishita Soba.

Kirishita Soba, found at the foot of Mount Asama where the morning mist descends, is one of the major production areas alongside Togakushi and Myoko in Niigata Prefecture. Kurumi Soba, originating from Komoro City, features locally harvested walnuts in its broth.

Komoro Soba, known for its rich flavor and aroma
Komoro Soba, known for its rich flavor and aroma

[Komagane City] For Sauce Katsudon, the secret sauce unique to each restaurant is the key to its flavor.

A bowl where fresh-fried tonkatsu is dredged in a secret sauce and laid on a bed of shredded cabbage and rice. The combination of hot katsu and cold, crunchy cabbage creates an addictively delicious taste.

In Komagane City, this is what they mean by 'Katsudon'.
In Komagane City, this is what they mean by 'Katsudon'.

[Matsumoto City] The generously portioned Sanzoku-yaki

Sanzoku-yaki, fried chicken marinated in a soy-based sauce flavored with garlic, is a comfort food in the central part of the prefecture including Matsumoto City .

Compare the tastes of all the different restaurant sauces for their all-unique recipes.
Compare the tastes of all the different restaurant sauces for their all-unique recipes.

[Across the Prefecture] Oyaki, a local delight to try across the prefecture.

A mixed wheat and buckwheat flour dough is rolled out thinly and stuffed with ingredients like vegetables before heading to the oven. Expect to find this regional dish throughout Nagano Prefecture, commonly eaten as everyday food, and also used for special occasions and offerings during festivals like Obon.

The fillings for Oyaki can be anything you like.
The fillings for Oyaki can be anything you like.

[Chikuma City] "Apricot Sweets" from Japan's foremost apricot village

Apricots, a specialty of Chikuma City, are harvested from late June to mid-July. Apart from processed products like jam and puréed apricot juice, there are also various sweets like soft serve ice cream and apricot daifuku!

Tasting different flavors of apricot soft serve ice cream from various shops is highly recommended.
Tasting different flavors of apricot soft serve ice cream from various shops is highly recommended.

[Azumino City] "Azumino Winery" with the grand scenery of the Northern Alps gazing to the west

A winery with its vineyards within a vast premise. The property includes a constantly accessible wine cellar and fields, a free tasting counter, and a shop that offers wine and local products of Nagano Prefecture, allowing visitors to experience wine amidst abundant nature.

A European-style center house is surrounded by vineyards.
A European-style center house is surrounded by vineyards.

Details

Name in Japanese
安曇野ワイナリー
Postal Code
399-8103
Address
6687-5 Misatogura, Azumino City, Nagano
Telephone
0263-77-7700
Closed
Irregular holidays (Needs to be checke)
Business Hours
9:00am - 5:00pm
※Business hours may change, please confirm before visiting.
Admission
Free
Access
About 15 minutes by taxi from JR Oito Line’s Hitoichiba Station
Credit Cards
Accepted
Official Website
Official Website (Japanese)

[Otarimura] Experience the making of high-quality local buckwheat noodles! "The Experience of Making Buckwheat Noodles"

In this program, you can experience the making of buckwheat noodles in the Otari style, which uses buckwheat flour made in Otari. Successors of the Otari style of making buckwheat noodles will carefully teach you, so even if you are a beginner, you can feel at ease and savor freshly made fragrant buckwheat noodles.

You can come into contact with the food culture of Otari through the experience of making buckwheat noodles.
You can come into contact with the food culture of Otari through the experience of making buckwheat noodles.

Details

Name in Japanese
そば打ち体験
Postal Code
399-9511
Address
Nakatsuchi Sightseeing and Exchange Center, 6485 Nakadori, Nakatsuchi, Otarimura, Kitaazumigun, Nagano
Telephone
0261-85-1201
Closed
Saturdays, Sundays
Hours
10:30am - 2:30pm (reservation required)
Fee
Buckwheat noodle-making experience, 4,600yen (includes the experience fee, buckwheat, and bento box lunch charge).
Access
Take a taxi from Nakatsuchi Station on the JR Oito Line.
Credit Cards
Not accepted

Wrap-Up

Ready to hit the road? Hugged by majestic mountains like the Japanese Alps, Nagano Prefecture offers a full platter of seasonal delights where you can experience nature in all its glory. Beyond the spots introduced here, the prefecture boasts a variety of attractive destinations, experiences, and culinary delights, making it a place worth visiting time and again. Before hitting the road, make sure to check this article as a guide to get all the season’s best in Nagano.