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Kamakura are traditional igloo-like houses that are built in the snowy regions of Japan. From the last week of January through the end of February, the rural town of Iiyama hosts “The Kamakura Villag...

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...

Visitors heading to Nagano in the first-half of 2022 have the chance to join one of Japan’s great Buddhist festivals, with the city’s near-1400 year old Zenkoji Temple hosting the ‘Zenkoji Maedai...

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...

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...

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 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...

The Azuimno O-Fune Matsuri or ‘Ship Festival’ is a raucous and fun local event taking place over two day, from September 26th to 27th each year. Celebrating the founding-legends of Azumino itself, th...

Taking place on August 14th each year, the Azumino Fireworks Festival lays claim to being the third largest display in Nagano Prefecture. Set against the faint silhouette of the North Alps, around 12...