Nagano

Nagano is a great place to stop over prior to heading to Hakuba. We usually stay overnight to recover from travelling and just to relax a little prior to hitting the slopes.

Transport

Shinkansen Hokuriku

The Shinkansen Hokuriku takes you from Tokyo to Nagano. This takes about an hour and half.

We get our tickets in Tokyo and reserve seats so we are sitting together.

Timetable from Tokyo is HERE.

The stop for the bus is located at the opposite end to the Midori shopping centre. Exit the station and head down the escalator or lift. You will find a newsagents (?) type shop opposite the lift that sells the tickets for the bus. You should buy return tickets and it is cash only. You can also buy the tickets on the bus but again is cash only.

The bus stop is usually one of the end stops to the left of the shop. The trip takes about an 2 hours. We usually get off at the Hakuba Tourist office.

Local Transport

There is a tram like bus that runs from the station all the way up to the Buddhist temple. You can also catch local transport

Accommodation

Hotel Metropolitan

The hotel is located at the end of the train station and is very convenient for an overnight prior to heading to Hakuba.

Great foods shops next door in shopping centre.

Restaurants

We had pizza, burgers as well as Japanese food but kept few notes on where we went. Will have to go for a walk on our next visit and improve this section.

Starbucks

OK not your usual restaurant but great coffee and ham & cheese rolls toasted for breakfast. It has another room opposite the main shop that just have tables that you can sit and eat/drink in and stay warm

Pub down some stairs

This place was opposite the train station but sorry can’t provide more details as it was a little hazy as we left – but we did meet some Aussies that were down for the weekend from working in Hakuba.

Things to See and Do

Snow Monkeys

Nagano is a great stepping off place to visit the snow monkeys. We took local transport and paid as we arrived. Enquire at the train station.

Warning: It is a 2km walk through the forrest and is slippery in some locations. Well worth it and a very picturesque walk.

Buddhist temple

The Zenko-Ji temple is one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Japan built around the 7th century.

Get yourself purified and find our your fortune for the next year. On the way up to the temple you pass a number of shops that sell local cakes that are worth a try.

Soba Making

The Soba making is located at the intersection to the start of the Buddhist temple. At the traffic lights which play a really cool tune. Look for the big glass windows and the soba master plying his trade. After watching them be made you can head inside and try them hot or cold.

Individually wrapped fruit & vegetables

The Midori Nagano shopping mall is located at one end of the Train station. Well worth a walk through to see the various fruit and vegetables that are individually wrapped. Some restaurants on the top floor and take away on the ground floor including a Starbucks.