Rōmen: The Ramen of Ina!?
Japan's most famous noodle dish may be ramen, but this soul food from Ina City, Nagano Prefecture is called rōmen! Read on to find out more!
May 3, 2017
Area: Nagano｜Taiken Japan
ALL 253Ishikawa 14Shizuoka 34Gifu 57Nagano 44Toyama 5Niigata 22Yamanashi 26Aichi 56Fukui 1
Tsurumine Park: Okaya’s Azalea Heaven in Nagano
Around April and May, there are quite a few events or festivals held where you can visit parks and just enjoy the blooming of the azaleas.
April 20, 2017
A Family Trip to a Secret Onsen Town in Nagano
At the foothills of the mountain leading up to the snowy ski-slopes of Nagano and the well known Jigokudani Yaen-koen, famously toted for their leisurely snow monkeys, sits Shibu Onsen town. A special key gives you access to this street’s 9 various onsen.
January 17, 2017
Traversing the Deadly Daikiretto (大キレット)
I straddle the ridge, one foot dangling 200 feet above Nagano Prefecture, the other 300 feet above Gifu Prefecture.
December 13, 2016
Matsumoto-jo: Japan’s Oldest Castle
From humble fort to national treasure. Matsumoto Castle is beautiful any time of the year, but in April the cherry blossoms make for a wonderful setting while January brings an annual ice sculpture contest.
September 17, 2016
A Culinary Journey Through Nagano
Like all Japanese cuisine, Nagano foods are based upon using the most fresh and simple ingredients of the season. Typical dishes are made from what Nagano people find fresh and local at the markets making many of them very unique. Surrounded with Japan Alps, Nagano is known for the fresh produce from the mountains such as buckwheat, honey and wasabi (they even have a few bold meals like grasshoppers and bee larvae). During my last Nagano visit, I had a wonderful chance to try some of these specialties.
July 6, 2016
A Picturesque Weekend in Nagano
Can’t decide on a weekend destination? How about somewhere with a great view and a rich history and not-so-far from the big city?
June 15, 2016
Matsumoto City's Koboyama
At first glance one may not recognize the historical significance of this location. However, upon observing the rectangular formation of neatly placed stones at the peak of Kōbōyama, one may recognize its tumulus-like features. And, one would be right to. Kōbōyama is in fact a tumulus, or burial mound.
April 20, 2016
Shiga Kogen Snow Monkey Beer Live
If you want to have a great weekend of skiing or snowboard followed up by some quality beer drinking, I highly recommend you find yourself in the Nagano prefecture of Japan on the 19th and 20th of March. You will definitely want to experience the great time that can be had at the Snow Monkey Beer Live.
March 23, 2016
Exploring Kamikouchi
Kamikouchi (上高地）is literally known as the Upper Highlands and is located in the Hida mountain range in the western part of Nagano Prefecture.
March 22, 2016
Skiing at Shiga Kogen
Nagano is inarguably best known for its status as a world-class winter sports destination. And it is with that in mind that my friend and I took the 90-minute Shinkansen from Tokyo for a quick ski weekend.
February 28, 2016
Tracking Dinosaurs in Nagano
It is not unheard of to travel to Nagano to see the Snow Monkeys stewing in the local hot springs or onsen, or to head to Zenkouji temple, but the throng of dinosaur statues in the Dinosaur park leading up to the Chausuyama zoo may just have trumped the lot.
February 24, 2016
The Year of the Snow Monkey: Jigokudani Monkey Park
Located within the larger Joshin'etsu National Park, inside of Nagano Prefecture, Jigokudani Yaen-koen is seen by many as one of the must-see locations of Japan itself. 'Hell's Valley Wild Monkey Park' as it is translated, is so called because of the steep cliffs and hot water springs that erupt in the area.
February 10, 2016
A Trip to Mount Norikura
Mount Norikura, located at the border of Nagano and Gifu prefectures, is a snowy mountain area with the famous beautiful snow walls. Mount Norikura is the third tallest volcano of Japan and one of the tallest mountains of the Northern Alps ranges.
AttractionsNatureEventsGifuNagano
January 27, 2016
The Top 5 Places to Visit in Nagano in Winter
In the Chubu region, lies the mountainous prefecture of Nagano known to be the home of the 1998 Winter Olympics. During summer, spring or fall, it is the paradise for hikers, whether professional or beginners, and nature lovers because of the thrill its picturesque mountains and landscapes gives. But during winter, it transforms into a haven of winter sports enthusiasts who thirst for deep powder snow and adrenaline rush!
January 26, 2016
Pet Friendly Japan
Travelling with a pet can sometimes limit your options so it is important to plan.
AttractionsNatureNaganoKanagawa
January 20, 2016
Kaiseki at the Japanese Alps
It is amazing how much the nature has to offer when you have the time, the energy and the wiling to connect with it. My recommendation: “Never waste those precious moments. Never”. Of course, after all these activities, I feel like I deserve the best of the meals. And here is where you get Kaiseki for dinner.
Food & DrinkNatureAttractionsNagano
November 13, 2015
Hiking in Happo-One (Hakuba)
You'll discover that besides of winter activities, Hakuba has a lot to offer: hiking, paragliding, rafting... all will depend on how adventurous you feel!
November 6, 2015
