BLOG

The Northern Alps International Art Festival is the largest international art festival in Nagano Prefecture, held once every three years in Omachi City. Artists from Japan and abroad gather in Omachi...

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...

Held on January 15th each year, the ‘Nozawa onsen Dosojin’ (野沢温泉道祖神火祭り) is one of Japan’s great fire festivals, attracting thousands of visitors to one of the country’s most popular ski resorts to wi...

This quietly beautiful festival takes place in the first week of February, bringing warmth into the cold winter night. The historic post town of Narai-juku is lined with ice candles and snow sculptur...

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 ...

The Kanbyashi Onsen Sendayaki is a small but fascinating fire festival taking place in February each year. The event sees members of the ‘Mitake-kyo Chusei-kosha’ – a Shinto sect that worships Mount ...

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...

Snow Monkey Beer Live combines two of life’s great pleasures, great beer and great music in a one-day festival that packs a big punch! The focus is small craft breweries with leading brewers from acr...