Last reviewed: · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.
Overview of Nagano Prefecture (長野県)
Nagano Prefecture (長野県) is located in the Chubu region of Japan, with its prefectural capital at Nagano. Key sights and travel highlights across the prefecture include Original black-walled Matsumoto Castle, Zenko-ji Temple in Nagano, Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Nakasendo post towns (Narai-juku, Tsumago, Magome), Kamikochi, and Hakuba/Nozawa Onsen.
How to get to Nagano Prefecture
1h 22m from Tokyo Station to Nagano on the Hokuriku Shinkansen (65m to Karuizawa), or 2h 35m from Shinjuku to Matsumoto on the JR Limited Express Azusa. Use our Shinkansen Fare & Route Calculator and JR Pass Value Helper to compare rail tickets and regional passes.
Signature local food in Nagano
When visiting cities across Nagano, look out for these regional specialties at station restaurants, markets, and local izakaya:
- Shinshu soba (buckwheat noodles)
- Oyaki (stuffed roasted buckwheat buns)
- Sanzoku-yaki (crispy garlic fried chicken)
- Shinshu miso & apples
- chestnut sweets in Obuse
Best time to visit Nagano
April for Matsumoto & Takato Castle blossoms; July–August for Kamikochi & Karuizawa highland hiking; October for Kiso Valley foliage; Dec–Mar for Hakuba, Nozawa & snow monkeys.
All 23 cities & municipalities in Nagano Prefecture
Click any city below for its individual travel guide, demographics, rail access, food specialties, and nearby stops:
| City (Kanji) | Type / Status | Population | Area | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matsumoto 松本市 | Core city | 238,776 | 978.47 km² | City guide → · Flagship guide |
| Okaya 岡谷市 | City | 53,722 | 85.14 km² | City guide → |
| Suwa 諏訪市 | City | 52,671 | 109.06 km² | City guide → |
| Suzaka 須坂市 | City | 53,097 | 149.84 km² | City guide → |
| Komoro 小諸市 | City | 45,333 | 98.66 km² | City guide → |
| Komagane 駒ヶ根市 | City | 34,696 | 165.92 km² | City guide → |
| Ōmachi 大町市 | City | 31,276 | 564.99 km² | City guide → |
| Iiyama 飯山市 | City | 24,155 | 202.32 km² | City guide → |
| Iida 飯田市 | City | 107,129 | 658.76 km² | City guide → |
| Chino 茅野市 | City | 57,363 | 266.41 km² | City guide → |
| Shiojiri 塩尻市 | City | 67,781 | 290.13 km² | City guide → |
| Nagano 長野市 | Core city | 365,950 | 834.81 km² | City guide → |
| Chikuma 千曲市 | City | 63,305 | 119.84 km² | City guide → |
| Tōmi 東御市 | City | 31,211 | 112.30 km² | City guide → |
| Nakano 中野市 | City | 46,295 | 112.06 km² | City guide → |
| Saku 佐久市 | City | 100,077 | 423.99 km² | City guide → |
| Azumino 安曇野市 | City | 97,084 | 331.82 km² | City guide → · Flagship guide |
| Ueda 上田市 | City | 161,887 | 552.00 km² | City guide → |
| Ina 伊那市 | City | 71,937 | 667.81 km² | City guide → |
| Karuizawa 軽井沢町 | Highland resort town | 21,538 | 156.03 km² | City guide → |
| Hakuba 白馬村 | Alpine ski village | 9,540 | 189.36 km² | City guide → |
| Nozawa Onsen 野沢温泉村 | Onsen & ski village | 3,469 | 57.96 km² | City guide → |
| Yamanouchi (Shibu Onsen & Snow Monkeys) 山ノ内町 | Onsen & highland town | 11,355 | 265.90 km² | City guide → |