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Nationwide (Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, Koshinetsu, Kansai, Tokai, Chugoku, Shikoku, Kyushu, Okinawa)
Resort Glamping.com
Nationwide (Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, Koshinetsu, Kansai, Tokai, Chugoku, Shikoku, Kyushu, Okinawa)
September 15, 2026
The best winter activities in Nagano include visiting Jigokudani Monkey Park to watch wild Japanese macaques bathing in hot springs amidst the snow, skiing at Shiga Kogen, Hakuba Village, or Nozawa Onsen, and finally, visiting Karuizawa to explore the outlet malls and enjoy the Christmas illuminations. You can take the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo Station directly to Nagano Station in about 1 hour and 20 minutes. The average winter temperature is between -5 and 5 degrees Celsius, and you can also relax by staying at luxury accommodations with private open-air baths.
table of contents
| Sights | Characteristics | Access from Nagano Station | Best season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jigokudani Monkey Park | Observing wild Japanese macaques bathing in hot springs. | Approximately 1 hour by Nagano Electric Railway and bus, followed by a 30-40 minute walk. | February - March |
| Shiga Kogen | Japan's largest ski area | Bus: approximately 1 hour | Mid-November to early December |
| Hakuba-mura | The site of the 1998 Nagano Olympics, boasts superb powder snow. | Approximately 1 to 1.5 hours by JR train and bus. | Late April to early November |
| Nozawa Onsen | A hot spring town where you can enjoy skiing and visiting various public baths. | Bus: approximately 1 hour | Mid-May to late March |
| Karuizawa | Outlet shopping and Christmas illuminations | Approximately 1 hour by Shinkansen from Tokyo Station. | February - March |
Jigokudani Monkey Park is located in Yamanouchi Town, Shimotakai District, Nagano Prefecture, and is known as the only place in the world where you can observe wild Japanese macaques bathing in hot springs up close.
| Shiga Kogen | Hakuba-mura | Nozawa Onsen | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Characteristics | Japan's largest group of ski resorts (18 resorts) | Nagano, the host city of the Olympics, is also very popular overseas. | Enjoy skiing and a hot spring resort at the same time. |
| Level | A wide range of levels from beginner to advanced. | A wide variety of courses are available for intermediate to advanced learners. | Beginner to Family-friendly |
| From Nagano Station | Bus: approximately 1 hour | JR train + bus: approximately 1-1.5 hours | Bus: approximately 1 hour |
| Season | Mid-November to early December | Late April to early November | Mid-May to late March |
| Accommodation | Hot spring inns and hotels | Resort villas and foreign-owned hotels | Hot spring inns and public bath culture |
Karuizawa Kogen Church
Karuizawa, known as a representative highland resort in Nagano Prefecture, is also a popular tourist destination in winter.
A private villa surrounded by the rich nature at the foot of the Yatsugatake Mountains. It features a private barrel-shaped sauna and open-air bath, and you can enjoy a bonfire in the spacious outdoor living area. Meals include Shinshu apple-fed Wagyu beef ribeye steak and salmon carpaccio.
Located in Achi Village, known for having one of Japan's best starry skies, this luxury glamping facility offers an all-inclusive drink service during your stay, as well as various games, an original spice bar, a starry sky jacuzzi, and a barrel-shaped sauna. For dinner, you can enjoy authentic BBQ featuring Shinshu premium beef sirloin and domestic beef sirloin.
Snowfall typically begins around late November, and many ski resorts open in mid-December. At higher elevations, such as Shiga Kogen, skiing is possible until early May.
From Nagano Station, take the Nagano Electric Railway to Yudanaka Station (approximately 45 minutes), then a bus for about 15 minutes. From there, it's another 30-40 minute walk. The entire trip takes about 1.5-2 hours.
Kamikochi is closed to the public from mid-November to mid-April every year due to road closures. The tourist season is from late April to early November.
This method involves using the Hokuriku Shinkansen. It takes approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes to travel from Tokyo Station to Nagano Station.
Shiga Kogen and Nozawa Onsen are conveniently located about an hour away from Nagano Station by direct bus. Hakuba Village takes a little longer as it requires using the JR train.
I highly recommend it. There are plenty of attractions for everyone, from adults to children, including outlet malls and illuminations in Karuizawa, ski resorts throughout Nagano, and hot spring inns.
Winter in Nagano offers a variety of attractions, including snow-viewing hot springs, skiing, wild monkey watching, and illuminations. Temperatures in mountainous areas can drop below -5°C, so be sure to pack warm clothing. Also, accommodations and shuttle buses get crowded during the ski season, so early booking is recommended. Finally, enjoy a special winter trip to Nagano at a luxury inn with a private open-air bath and sauna.
He is an editor at Resort Glamping.com, a glamping-focused media outlet visited by approximately 100 million people a month. He has written over 150 articles introducing glamping facilities and experience reports, and is involved in a wide range of glamping facility services, from planning and development to operation and customer acquisition consulting.
