The Hidden Histories of Nagano City: A Snow Country Stories Japan Travel Guide

Outland Japan

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Episode 21 of the Snow County Stories Japan podcast brings us to Nagano City, the capital of the large, landlocked and mountainous Nagano Prefecture. Host of the 1998 Winter Olympic Games, Nagano is blessed with heavy snow and home to fantastic ski resorts, many of Japan’s highest mountains and multiple national parks. As the largest city in the region, Nagano City is the primary transit point for visitors heading to those ski resorts, mountains and national parks with many if not most people passing through enroute to a nearby destination. In this episode of the we’ll head into to Nagano City to explore what’s on offer including its highlights, the best time of visit, recommended day trips, dining, accommodation, dining and nightlife, how to get there, and my services as a tour guide. As always there is more information and links to everything we discuss on the episode page of the Snow Country Stories Japan website.
Based in Nagano, it goes without saying that I guide in Nagano City starting with my 'On the Trail of Japan’s 7 Lucky Gods & Zenkoji Private Tour'. Available all year round I designed this walking tour to take you in search of Japan’s ‘Shichifukujin’ or '7 Lucky Gods’, on a route that leads through Nagano City, to sub-temples and other spots of interest and onto one of Japan's most important Buddhist temples, Zenko-ji. Along the way I introduce you to each of Japan’s 7 Lucky Gods and in doing so, touch on surprising aspects of Japanese culture. Once at the temple, we explore its history and significance including why Zenko-ji has more swastikas than any temple in Japan. While we walk, I also introduce you to favourite eateries and cafes while sampling Nagano’s food culture and should you wish to, making sure we have plenty of time for lunch, a little shopping and a guided sake tasting.

Nagano City is a stop on the Hokuriku Shinkansen line running from Tokyo to Kanazawa. All services departing Tokyo stop at Nagano – an 80 to 110 minute journey depending on which service you choose. There are plenty of services throughout the day. From Kanazawa – the northern terminus of the Hokuriku Shinkansen line - services take between 60 to 90 minutes and are just as frequent. Limited express services operating on the scenic Shinano line connect Nagano to the castle town of Matsumoto – approximately 50 minutes – and Nagoya – in around 3 hours. Express and overnight bus services also connect Nagano to major cities across Japan. A good option for travelers on a budget. However you choose to journey here, I hope this audio guide is of assistance in planning your visit.
Outland Japan is a bi-weekly podcast hosted by Peter Carnell - a freelance tour guide based in northern Nagano – that transports you to rural, regional and the wilds of Japan in pursuit of stories that lie outside the neon hum of Tokyo and golden trimmings of Kyoto. Stories of travel, life and culture beyond the big cities. Follow the show on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube. Please note, prior to October 2024, Outland Japan was named Snow Country Stories Japan.

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1. Prelude (00:00:00)

2. Episode Introduction (00:03:45)

3. Nagano's Olympic Heritage (00:06:57)

4. Zenko-ji & The Hidden Buddha (00:08:50)

5. Togakushi: Forest Shrines, Mystics & Mountain Ninja (00:14:00)

6. Matsushiro: Samurai & An Open Secret Beneath (00:17:39)

7. My Tours & Services as a Guide (00:22:17)

8. Best Times of Year to Visit Nagano City (00:23:56)

9. Ski Resorts, National Parks & Recommended Daytrips (00:25:06)

10. Dining & Nightlife (00:28:55)

11. Accommodation & Hot Springs (00:33:01)

12. How to Get to Nagano City (00:35:04)

13. Episode Close (00:36:48)