Sendai

Hokuriku Shinkansen Line
Other Shinkansen Line

Banetsu Exp

Niigata

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Joetsu Shinkansen Line

Local Train
Hokuriku Shinkansen Line

Echigo Kawaguchi

Koriyama JCT

Kita Shinano Railway

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Echigo Yuzawa

Myokokogen

Iwaki JCT

Hokuriku
honsenLine

Kan-etsu
Expressway

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TsurugashimaJCT
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ShinkansenLine

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Shinanotetsudo Railway

Matsumoto IC

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Joshin-etsu
Expressway

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Tsuruga

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Hokuriku ShinkansenLine extend to Tsuruga,
Fukui Pref.in March 2024

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Tokaido Shinkansen Line

Kobe Airport

Kan-etsu
Expressway

Hokuriku Shinkansen Line Up to 1hr. 25min.

Hachiouji
Tokaido Shinkansen Line10

Hachiouji

Joshin-etsu
Expressway

Ken-oExpressway

40

Tsurugashima

Chuo honsen Line
Joshin-etsu
Expressway

Kobe

Chuohonsen Line

156

Hokuriku Shinkansen Line Up to 1hr. 25min.

MaibaraJCTKobe
AirportJoshin-etsu

Joetsu ExpresswayJCTURL:https://en.nagano-cvb.or.jp/

NAGANO CITY
OFFICIALTRAVEL GUIDE

2023.12©Zenkojicenter

366,000

The approximately

ShinanoTown

The Information Center is situated opposite the Shinkansen ticket gates inside
the station and has brochures and tourist information for both Nagano Cityand neighboring municipalities. Feel free to ask the staff any questions you
might have. A currency exchange machine is available at the Center.

Togakushi Ski Area

9:00-18:00
10:00-15:00(30 Dec.-3 Jan.) Open everydayTo:Iiyama Station

Kagami-Ike Pond

Kids’ Ninja Village

Iizuna Town

Kita
ShinanoRailway

2625

24

23

22 21

To:Kanazawa Station

Daiza Hoshi-Ike Pond

Nagano forest village

Chikumag
Joaw
shaR
inets
iveuErxpres
sw
ay

Shinkansen
ticket gate

Local train gate

Obuse Town

Naganodentetsu Station(underground)
MIDORI

Smoking Place

5
Susob

Naganodentetsu Railway

anagaw

Ticket office,
JR EASTTRAVEL SERVICECENTER

Shinkansen

Kanazawa

Elevator

MIDORI

3

4

2

Bus stops

6

Police box

1Taxistand7a RiverNagano Prefectural
Art Museum /Higashiyama Kaii Gallery

9190

and Highway Bus Stop

1001530
Old Battlefield of Kawanakajima

HOTEL
METROPOLITAN
NAGANO

190

100Nagaden

One-Day Pass

Site of Matsushirojo
Castle Ruins

1,500

Ashinoshiri Dosojin

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espre
Ex
Lin
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en
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et
an
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ayshilw
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Saigawa River750

Togakushi Kogen
Iizuna Kogen
KinasaKinasa Okususobana Shizen-en

No.70 Approx. 1hr.
No.70 (Togakushi Kogen). Approx. 30min.
No.74 Approx. 1hr.
No.75 Approx. 2hrs. (seasonal operation)

Take the express bus for Hakuba from East Exit bus stop no. 26 . Approx. 1hr.
Take the express bus for Hakuba from East Exit bus stop no. 26 . Approx. 1hr. 40min.
Take the express bus for Omachi / Ogisawa from Nagano Station East Exit bus stop no. 25(seasonal operation). Approx. 1hr. 30mins.

Bus farePay your fare (cash) when you de-board thebus. Place it in the slot at the side of the door
together with the ticket issued when you
boarded the bus.

Joyama Zoo

Main Hall
Nagano PrefecturalArt MuseumThe street from Nagano Station to Zenkoji Temple—the main roadof the area’s central districts—is popularly known as “Chuo Dori.”
Walk toward the Niomon Gate, which is visible in the distance atthe top of the hill. You’ll make tons of discoveries along the way!

Scripture house

Joyama Elementary School

Omotesando Street has bustled withpilgrims for hundreds of years. Why not
explore the street and try the local
delicacies as you go?

Enmei Jizo Guardian Deities

Maruhachi vegetarian cuisine(reservations required)miso-flavored

Oyaki is a typical local
dish of the Shinshu
region. It is a steamed orbaked dumpling made ofwheat flour and filled withseasonal and wild vegetables.
Each shop has its own special variety.

Aoki Shoten

The stone-paved street spreading out
from Niomon Gate is a bustling
shopping area called Nakamise. Local
specialties such as oyaki and soba
are sold here. Soba and miso-flavoredsoft serve ice cream is also popular. It
is said that around 7,777 stones wereused to pave the 450m approachleading from the entrance of temple’s
ground to Sanmon Gate.

WatahanSupercenter

Shichimi Togarashi is acondiment which bringsout the flavor of soba
noodles and lets you savour a combination ofseven spices. It incudes spicy chili peppers,
aromatic Japanese peppers, and sesame. The
way to try it is to sprinkle it in the soba dipping
sauce.

center.

Nagano-odori
AvenueMonzen-machi refers to a town which developed in front of the gate to a temple orshrine. Nagano City is a typical Japanese Monzen-machi and is filled with lodgings,
restaurants and souvenir shops which welcome pilgrims from all over Japan.

【Admission】Adults: Weekdays, ¥800; Saturdays, Sundays,and holidays: ¥850 Junior high school students: ¥530
Elementary school students: ¥210 Three years to pre-school
age: ¥110 Infants two and under: Free Hours: Open sevendays a week, 10:00-23:00 Also open for morning baths:
Weekdays:¥560; Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays: ¥610

StreetTOMATO Shokuhinkanbathe
The uniquely flavoured
Saka Manju (flavouredwith Japanese sake),
which have been madesince the Edo Period, aredelicately sweet and tangy dumplings filled with asweet bean paste.

StreetA wide variety of flowers herald the end of the long winter and the start ofspring. Nagano Station and Omotesando Street are decked out withNisenro-dori
Str c-one/eet 3F 100yen shop
Tokyu Cher-Cher「Seria」

SEIYU

HEIANDO Books&CDs Shop (2F, 3F)

Plump rice balls arebrushed with just the rightamount of the Suyakame
brand Shinshu miso. The
aroma of freshly grilled miso is mouth watering.

500
1,000

Statue of a princess saved by Amida
The bronze statue of Princess Nyoze was erected by thewater fountain in the Zenkoji Temple plaza of Nagano
Station. The statue of the princess, who is the daughterof Gakkai a local lord in India, and who is associated withBuddha, stands with her back against the station andoffers incense and flowers to the temple in the north.

MIDORI Department StoreNagano Tomyo Festival is an event that commemorates the Nagano
Olympics, and during this festival, Zenkoji Temple is illuminated with fivedifferent coloured lights.There are various events to enjoy such as theYume Akari-e Exhibition.

Police box

ineuL

a truly personal way, by baring it allin the bath.

ints-eJRSh

Police boxeu inrik Lku en
Hokans
JR hinS(3rd fl.)

Precious experiences unique toZenkoji Temple!

©Zenkoji

Walk throughthe stairway pilgrimage

Zenkoji Temple was established when
Yoshimitsu Honda of Shinshu enshrined
the statue of Amitabha Tathagata. Thestatue was recovered from a moat in
Nanba where it had been buried by theanti-Buddhism faction at a time whenBuddhism was being introduced toJapan. It is worshipped by the generalpublic to this day.

Shojin ryori stems from the time when Buddhist priests abstained from eating fish and meat during training inorder to devote themselves to Buddhism. It is prepared using vegetables, seaweed, soy products such as tofu,
deep fried tofu, soybean curd and natto (fermented soybeans), dried wheat gluten, dried foods and sesameand contains neither fish nor meat. While it is simple fare, it makes full use of the flavors of miso, oils and stock,and is a cuisine which values manners.

©Zenkoji

The day at Zenkoji Temple begins with morning
service. The sutras, which are first read by thechief priest of Daikanjin, followed by the monks
and then the high priestess and monks ofDaihongan, reverberate solemnly around thetemple. Morning service starts between 05:30
and 07:00 depending on the time of sunrise.

©Zenkoji

The architecture of the main hall of thetemple follows the classical Buddhist
style from the mid Edo Period. It is a
designated National Treasure. The
principal image, Ikko Sanzon Amida
Nyorai (Amida Triad), is enshrined
inside the holy altar in the innermost
temple. It is so sacred that it must be
hidden from view at all times.

Every morning pilgrims can be seen kneelingin a row. It is believed that you will receive merit
if the head priest or priestess touches yourhead with the rosary beads when he or she
enters and leaves the main hall of Zenkoji
Temple for morning service.

©Zenkoji

Zenkoji Daikanjin Temple©Zenkoji

Visitors can pay their respects in the tatami
matted inner temple from the time the doors ofthe main hall are opened until sundown. It is also
possible to walk thorough the stairway
pilgrimage.

At Daikanjin Temple, you can personally experience thecultural practices of zen meditation, sutra transcription, andmore with the guidance of one of Zenkoji’s Head Priests.
We have prepared a 6-character plan for a sutra transcription
experience that will be easy even for beginners.
To apply, please contact the Zenkoji Foreign Language Guide
Volunteer Group “SGG Club Bonsho no Kai.”
http://www.daikanjin.de/bonshonokai@yahoo.co.jp 026-243-4236©Zenkoji

A special event held once every
seven years

Zenkoji Maedachi Honzon (a National
Important Cultural Property) is a copy ofthe unseen statue of the principal image,Ikko Sanzon Amida Nyorai (triad of Amida
Buddha images sharing one halo) and wasmade in the Kamakura Period. At thisevent, held once in seven years by the
traditional year-counting method, a longthread is tied to Maedachi Honzon’s righthand and connected to the Eko-bashirabeam that stands in front of the main hall.
This thread is gold coloured at thebeginning, then becomes five-coloured,and then white at the end, where it isconnected to the beam. It is said that if you
fold your hands in prayer to the beam, youwill form a connection with Buddha.

©Zenkoji

Sanmon Gate
Look for the characters that
resemble images of pigeons

Main HallSanmon Gate

The 20m tall Sanmon, with its doublelayered roof with eaves below the gables, is an
Important Cultural Property. The sign that reads"Zenkoji" is well-known for Japanese charactersthat resemble the outlines of pigeons.

To NaganoPrefecturalArt Museum©Zenkoji【Special admission】Adults, ¥500
Dates: Spring equinox-November 30 (approximate schedule)

Niomon Gate
ZenkojiDaikanjin

Before entering Sanmon Gate, stop by the basin to cleanse your hands
and mouth to purify yourself.

ArtArtthatthatToss some money into the offertory box and turn to face the principal
image. Put your hands together, bow, and say a prayer.
©Higashiyama Kaii Gallery

Cherry Blossoms in Joyama Park

ZenkojiDaihongan

Joyama Park on the east side of Zenkoji Temple is the best place to see
cherry blossoms in Nagano City and apprpximately 320 Yoshino cherrytrees bloom here in full glory. During the blossom season, Japanese tea
stalls are set out and the park bustles with visitors. The blossoms can also
be viewed at night.

Niomon Gate
Gokuraku is an abbreviation of the term “Gokuraku Jodo”, a peaceful place without suffering
where Amida Buddha, who has vowed to save allpeople, resides. It is also an abbreviation of theterm “Gokuraku Ojo”, which means if one folds
one's hands and offers a prayer from the heart, one can die
peacefully and go to paradise. In Japan, we say “Gokuraku,gokuraku” when we feel good soaking in a bath.
©Zenkoji©ZenkojiBonsho no Kai TEL.026-243-4236 / 080-8847-0531 E-mail:bonshonokai@yahoo.co.jp

One of Japan’s top three places to eat Soba
“Togakushi Soba”-Kagami-ike Pond
Togakushi Shrine, Okusha

Avenue of Cedar Trees● Togakushi Minzokukan● Togakure-ryu Nimpo Shiryokan● Ninja Karakuri Yashiki

Available Soba-making lessons
Closed for winterTakezaiku●Togakushi Ski Area

Koshimizu Slopes

Kagami-ike Pond

NAGANOKANKO(TAXI)●Togakushi Ski Area

Chusha Slopes

As an offering to the gods, put some coins into the offertory box.
Bow to show your respect to the gods and clap your hands to invite the gods
and become one with them (two bows and two claps).

Kids’ NinjaVillageTogakushi Ski Area

Togakushi Shrine, Hinomikosha

Area

Togakushi is known as the home of the Togakure Ninja,
who existed during the Warring States period.

●Soba restaurant●Ski Area

Kids’ Ninja Village●Tourist facilities

500650450230Kotengu-no Mori (Adventure Center)

Connect

structures
which10min.

Togakushi Chusha Shrine on footKagami-ike Pond

TEL.026-239-3272 【Admission】Free Open: Late Apr.〜early Nov.
※Weather permitting

30min.
on foot

Togakushi Okusha Shrine

Mt. Jizuki Trekking Course

50min.
on foot
60min.
on foot

1hr. 20min.
by busForest Adventure Nagano
The botanical garden thatspans 71 hectares is nature's
paradise and home to atreasure trove of wild birds
and various conifers andhardwoods. Follow the nature
trails to fully enjoy therapeuticstrolls in the forest and bird
watching.

Mt. Iizuna and Daizahoshi-ike Pond

TEL.080-7843-8680 【Participation Cost】¥3,800 Fixed Days Off
Every Thursday.(Excluding holidays. July ~ September open every day)
Daiza Hoshi Pond / Forest AdventureMori no Eki Daizahoushi

CampingAlongside a market that sells local
produce, and a café/restaurantthat serves food made with local
ingredients, there are also indoor
activities so that even on rainy
days, you can have fun with all thefamily.

Stretching out on the Western side of
Daizahoushi Pond, is a campsite rich ingreenery and wrapped up in the serenity of
the forest and lake. A camping deck
complete with electricity has newly

Shinanoji Nature Trail links
Daiza
Hoshi
Pond
with
Togakushi. Skunk cabbage andyellow marsh marigold are inbloom and are a delight to see.

[Price] Unreserved spot: ¥1500[Enquiries] TEL.026-239-3272

In addition to skiing, the abundant snow thataccumulates in the fields spreading out from thecity of Nagano is ideal for enjoying snowshoeing.

designatedMt.Jizuki Trekking Course
The 5.7km route starts from Mt.Jizuki park area
north of Nagano city. You can enjoy the historicaland natural feel. The kerria communities,mountain views and ancient sites (old burial
mounds and castle ruins) are splendid. The routecan be covered in 2.5h at a walk.

This forest, located near theTo g a k u s h i S k i G r o u n d , i sinhabited by wild animals andbirds and also contains theKagami-ike Pond (mirror pond)
and Zuijinmon (shrine gate).

Kijo(“Ogress”)
Momiji
Festival《Mid-October》

510
11:00-21:00

This festival celebrates a woman who
became an ogress, called “Kijo Momiji.” It is held at the ruins of a mansion built by
Kijo Momiji in Kinasa as a testament to her former life in the capital. Held just before
the peak of the autumn leaf-viewing season (which is the meaning of the woman’sname) at the magnificent natural spot called Okususobana, this event showcases
the special character of the area, featuring Buddhist services, drumming
associated with Kijo Momiji, a local-specialty mushroom soup, and more.

WE:GO Country Club

Oaza-koumi,

During the Warring States Period, from the middle of the 15th century to
the end of the 16th century, politics and culture developed in the castle
town of Matsushirojo Castle.Visitors can explore historical sites associated with the samurai Sanada family and Zozan Sakuma, a politician
who advocated the opening of Japanese ports to foreign traders.
Site of Matsushirojo Castle Ruins
and Cherry Blossoms
Matsushirojothat(Nov.-Mar.9:00-16:30)
Last admission:30min,before closing time

The Sanada Treasure Museum which exhibits the Sanada family
treasures and the former Sanada Residence with its beautiful garden
and Bunbu School, where the sons of the clan members studied
literature, military arts. It conveys the culture of the castle town topresent day society.

Individual ticket 400- 600
Combined ticket for 2-5 facilities 600- 1,700
Open: 9:00-17:00 (Nov.-Mar.9:00-16:30)
Last admission: 30 min. before closing time
* Sanada Treasure Museum is closed every Tue.
* All facilities are closed Dec.29-Jan.3

Joshin-etsu Expressway

Former Yokotake Family
Residence

Zozan Memorial Museum

Chikumagawa River
Royal Hotel NAGANO

They

Matsushiro-so(Local Government-Operated)

CastleMatsushirojo Castle

TemplePark
Tourist facilities

Shinshu Matsushiro Tourist Association
026-278-3366

29-Jan.3rd

SchoolClosed: Dec.29-Jan.3

heldPeriod.

Historic site dedicated tothose who perished inof the Battle of Kawanakajima[ Nagano Olympic Museum ]The Nagano Winter Olympic cauldron that held theOlympic flame is the spot for taking commemorative
photographs. The venue has been developed as aplace where the citizens of Nagano come to relax.
The Nagano Olympic Stadium is also used as amultipurpose stadium.

¥1,560*No regular closed days

Transfer on to the Bullet Train, local train, or bus from Nagano
Station and continue your pleasant journey through Nagano
Prefecture.

Shigakogen Heights
Lake Nojiriko

Old Battlefield ofKawanakajima

Tsugaikekogen Heights
notsu

ntedeano

ga
Na

tion

Staag

Jigokudani YaenkoenNin）Park (Snow Monkey)
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Snow Monkey Park Bus StopayPnkein)x.
prom100/toMonowS

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Fro e thekatto O(Approx. 3

15min by trolleybus
from Ogisawa

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hin--dioramas.

Matsumotojo Castlekansen)

Ashinoshiri Dosojin is a traditional
local event handed down fromancient times. Every year on
January 7th, local residents bringalong straw ornaments to create aneffigy of the giant guardian of thecommunity, which bears humanfacial features. The guardian of thecommunity stands by the roadsideoverlooking the Alps from where heprotects the locals from illness anddisasters and keeps passers-bysafe. The guardian was shown atthe Opening Ceremony of theNagano Winter Olympics in 1998
and attracted the attention ofpeople from around the world.