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Many international visitors to Japan will follow a route that takes them from Tokyo to Kyoto and Osaka, or in the opposition direction. Bookended with the international airports in Tokyo and Os...

Japan’s 'Shinkansen' network – often referred to as the ‘Bullet Train’ by international visitors – spans the country and connects the cities and regions of Japan with a highspeed rail network tha...

Japanese fireworks festivals are grand in scale and duration with some lasting for up to two hours! Held in late-November each year, the Nagano Ebisu-ko Fireworks Festival (長野えびす講花火大会) is huge...

Established in 642, Zenkoji Temple is the spiritual and physical heart from which Nagano City grew. The road leading to the temple, known as the Omotesando or 'Pilgrims Path' now connects the cit...

Snow Monkey PassFor visitors to Nagano, the Jigokudani Monkey Park is one of the region’s most popular attraction. At its most popular through winter, the monkeys in fact come to the park all y...

Held every year since 2004, the Zenko-ji Tomyo Lantern Festival takes place at Nagano City's near-1400 year old Zenko-ji Temple to commemorate the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics. Held between Febru...

Setsubun (節分) means the last day of winter, or the day before the beginning of spring. It is held on February 3rd every year. This day is also known as the Bean-Throwing Festival in English. In Japan...

Take in some of the highlights of Nagano on this engaging tour starting with a visit to Zenkoji – one of the oldest and most important Buddhist temples in Japan - followed by sake-tasting and l...

Walk in the footsteps of Japan’s most celebrated artist, Hokusai Katsushika, on this engaging one-day tour in the quaint, historic town of Obuse. Starting from Nagano Station, you will visit Hokusai’...