Nagano

Tsumago-juku is a beautifully preserved Edo-period post town on the historic Nakasendo trail, a 400-year-old postal route between Tokyo and Kyoto. Visitors praise the authentic wooden architecture, the accessible 8km hiking trail to nearby Magome (taking 2.5–3 hours), and the peaceful forest scenery. The town itself is quieter and less touristy than Magome, making it an ideal base for experiencing traditional rural Japan.

Hakuba Happo One Ski Area, particularly the Nakiyama base, is renowned for its exceptional powder snow and diverse terrain, catering to all skill levels from beginners to advanced. As a former Olympic venue, it offers a professional skiing experience with breathtaking panoramic views of the Japanese Alps.

An acclaimed soba restaurant in the mountains of Yamanouchi, Nagano, inside the Kita-Shiga Holiday Inn. It's celebrated for its daily stone-milled soba and a unique course ending in soba-flour pizza.

In the Karuizawa Hotel Breston Court, this French restaurant offers a unique 'water-game' concept, transforming local river fish into refined dishes. The experience begins theatrically with amuse-bouches served in the hotel's forest.

Bessho Onsen Station offers a delightful step back in time with its preserved retro architecture and vintage railway displays. Visitors appreciate its nostalgic charm, making it a pleasant starting point for exploring the surrounding onsen town and temples.

Matsumoto is home to Japan's most beautiful original castle, alpine scenery, and serves as a gateway to the Japanese Alps.

Nagano offers Zenko-ji Temple (one of Japan's most important), winter sports, and access to the 'Snow Monkeys' hot springs.