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It is also conveniently located near such premier sightseeing spots as Mt. Fuji, Hida-Takayama, Shirakawa-go, Kanazawa, and the <a href="https://db.go-nagano.net/en/theme/id=18005">Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route</a>. </p> <h2 class="p-cms-h2"> A Treasure Trove of Nature and Hot Springs </h2> <figure class="p-cms-img"> <img src="https://go-nagano.a.kuroco-img.app/v=1568683238/files/user/image/en/about-nagano/1503.jpg" alt="" class="p-cms-img__image"> <figcaption class="p-cms-img__caption">Enjoying natural scenery and hot spring baths</figcaption> </figure> <p class="p-cms-p"> Thanks to its mountainous and difficult terrain, Nagano retains a wealth of natural beauty, and 80% of it is covered in forests. There are five national parks in Nagano, and there are hundreds of hiking and trekking trails through the region’s many mountains and forests. <a href="https://db.go-nagano.net/en/theme/id=17996">Kamikochi</a> is one of the most popular destinations for outdoor enthusiasts in Nagano. Numerous ropeways, such as the <a href="https://db.go-nagano.net/en/topics_detail6/id=12331">Komagatake Ropeway</a>, make reaching the highest parts of the prefecture a breeze. </p> <figure class="p-cms-img"> <img src="/files/user/Snow%20Monkey%207.JPG" alt="" class="p-cms-img__image"> <figcaption class="p-cms-img__caption">Humans aren't the only ones to enjoy taking a dip!</figcaption> </figure> <p class="p-cms-p"> And as you may know from seeing the hot-spring-bathing snow monkeys of <a href="https://db.go-nagano.net/en/theme/id=17978">Jigokudani Wild Snow Monkey Park</a>, Nagano is blessed with an abundance of geothermal hot springs, or onsen. There are many hot spring resorts around the prefecture such as Yudanaka Shibu Onsen, Hirugami Onsen and Bessho Onsen, where you can leisurely soak away your worries and fatigue. </p> <h2 class="p-cms-h2"> Historic Sites and Ancient Trails </h2> <figure class="p-cms-img"> <img src="https://go-nagano.a.kuroco-img.app/v=1678934877/files/user/%E5%A6%BB%E7%B1%A0%E5%AE%BF%EF%BC%88%E8%A1%97%E4%B8%A6%E3%81%BF%EF%BC%89-small.jpg" alt="" class="p-cms-img__image"> <figcaption class="p-cms-img__caption">The Edo Period townscape of Tsumago-juku along the Nakasendo</figcaption> </figure> <p class="p-cms-p"> Due to its central location, Nagano was an important hub for trade, travel, and pilgrimage, and many significant historical sites remain to this day. </p> <p class="p-cms-p"> <a href="https://db.go-nagano.net/en/topics_detail6/id=12286">Zenkoji Temple</a> was one of Nagano’s most important pilgrimage destinations, attracting devout Buddhists from around the country for over 1,200 years. <a href="https://db.go-nagano.net/en/topics_detail6/id=12295">Togakushi Shrine</a>, not far from Zenkoji, was a haunt of mountain ascetics seeking enlightenment. </p> <p class="p-cms-p"> <a href="https://db.go-nagano.net/en/theme/id=16492">The Nakasendo</a>, constructed during the Edo Period, connected the former capital of Kyoto with the new capital of Edo, and 69 post-towns were established alongside it to support travelers. Several of those towns, namely Tsumago-juku, Magome-juku, and Narai-juku, have largely retained their Edo period appearance. </p> <p class="p-cms-p"> At the very center of Nagano Prefecture is <a href="https://db.go-nagano.net/en/theme/id=18040">Matsumoto Castle</a>, one of Nagano’s most proud heritage sites, and one of the only original castle keeps remaining in Japan. Its bold black-and-white exterior and complex construction is a sight to see. </p> <h2 class="p-cms-h2"> Delicious and Healthy Local Food </h2> <p class="p-cms-p"> Thanks to the crisp, clean water and air, Nagano is famous for soba noodles, apples and sake, grapes and wine, as well as oyaki dumplings, gohei mochi snacks, bamboo leaf-wrapped sasa-zushi. These and other traditional foods are part of Nagano’s culinary heritage and one of the prefecture’s biggest attractions. </p> <figure class="p-cms-img"> <img src="https://go-nagano.a.kuroco-img.app/v=1678940187/files/user/soba_noodles.jpg" alt="" class="p-cms-img__image"> <figcaption class="p-cms-img__caption">Soba noodles, one of Nagano's most popular specialties</figcaption> </figure> <p class="p-cms-p"> Not only is the food good, but healthy too! The people of Nagano are some of the longest living people in the world, with an average life expectancy of over 82 years for men and over 88 years for women. </p> <h2 class="p-cms-h2"> Nagano Prefecture’s Climate </h2> <figure class="c-embed"> <iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mvVXhSXSZss" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe> </figure> <p class="p-cms-p"> Its climate is temperate, with average summer temperatures in the high 20s to low 30s (Celsius) and average winter temperatures falling just below freezing. </p> <p class="p-cms-p"> It has four distinct seasons with beautiful scenery in each. In April, you can see beautiful <a href="https://db.go-nagano.net/en/theme/id=16249">cherry blossoms</a>. From July to August, stroll through verdant forests and fields of highland flowers. From late September to mid-November, watch <a href="https://db.go-nagano.net/en/theme/id=16802">vivid red and yellow foliage</a> descend from the mountaintops. And from late December to March, enjoy the heavy snowfall that carpets the valleys. </p> <figure class="p-cms-img"> <img src="https://go-nagano.a.kuroco-img.app/v=1568683240/files/user/image/en/about-nagano/GONAGANO_temperatures_pc.png" alt="" class="p-hero__img js-fit u-dn-md--down"> <img src="https://go-nagano.a.kuroco-img.app/v=1568683243/files/user/image/en/about-nagano/GONAGANO_temperatures_SP.png" alt="" class="p-hero__img js-fit u-dn-md"> </figure> <h3 class="p-cms-h4"> Tips on What to Wear </h3> <div class="p-cms-grid"> <div class="p-cms-grid__col p-cms-grid__col--6-lg p-cms-grid__col--12-md"> <div class="p-cms-card"> <img src="https://go-nagano.a.kuroco-img.app/v=1567758049/files/user/image/en/about-nagano/fuku_spring.gif" alt="" class="p-cms-card__thumb"> <p class="p-cms-card__title"> Spring (April – June) / Fall (Sept. – Nov.) </p> <p class="p-cms-card__detail"> Rubber-soled footwear for walking is best. The temperature can be chilly in the morning and evening, but can reach over 20ﾟC (68ﾟF) in the afternoon. (Average temperatures are over 10ﾟC (50ﾟF).) It is best to wear a light jacket that can be easily put on and taken off. </p> </div> </div> <div class="p-cms-grid__col p-cms-grid__col--6-lg p-cms-grid__col--12-md"> <div class="p-cms-card"> <img src="https://go-nagano.a.kuroco-img.app/v=1567758049/files/user/image/en/about-nagano/fuku_spring.gif" alt="" class="p-cms-card__thumb"> <p class="p-cms-card__title"> Summer (July – August) </p> <p class="p-cms-card__detail"> It can become quite humid, and hot with temperatures over 30ﾟC (86ﾟF). It’s best to wear loose fitting clothes with breathable fabric. It’s advisable to wear a hat to protect from the strong sunlight. </p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="p-cms-grid"> <div class="p-cms-grid__col p-cms-grid__col--6-lg p-cms-grid__col--12-md"> <div class="p-cms-card"> <img src="https://go-nagano.a.kuroco-img.app/v=1567758049/files/user/image/en/about-nagano/fuku_spring.gif" alt="" class="p-cms-card__thumb"> <p class="p-cms-card__title"> Winter (Dec. – March) </p> <p class="p-cms-card__detail"> Some days, the temperature can be as low as -10ﾟC (14ﾟF). Dress warmly, wearing a thick jacket. Coats are advisable if going to the mountains. </p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </main>  <footer class="l-footer">  <nav class="l-footer-nav"> <ul class="l-footer-nav__list"> <li class="l-footer-nav__item"><a href="https://db.go-nagano.net/en/special/" class="l-footer-nav__link">Special</a></li>   <li class="l-footer-nav__item"><a href="https://db.go-nagano.net/en/about-nagano/" class="l-footer-nav__link">About Nagano</a></li>     <li class="l-footer-nav__item"><a href="https://db.go-nagano.net/en/business/" class="l-footer-nav__link">Travel Trade & Media</a></li> </ul> </nav> <div class="l-footer__logo"> <img src="https://go-nagano.a.kuroco-img.app/v=1568857758/files/user/image/logo_06.svg" class="l-footer__logo-img" alt="go NAGANO 長野県公式観光ウェブサイト"> </div> <div class="l-footer-info"> <p class="l-footer-info__title">Nagano Tourism Organization</p>  </div> <p class="l-footer__copyright"><small>Copyright(C) Nagano Prefecture & Nagano Tourism Organization 2007</small></p> </footer>   <nav class="l-sp-nav"> <ul class="l-sp-nav__list"> <li class="l-sp-nav__item"><a href="https://db.go-nagano.net/en/trip-idea/" class="l-sp-nav__link">Trip<br>Ideas</a></li> <li class="l-sp-nav__item"><a href="https://db.go-nagano.net/en/area-guide/" class="l-sp-nav__link">Area<br>Guide</a></li> <li class="l-sp-nav__item"><a href="https://db.go-nagano.net/en/travel-guide/" class="l-sp-nav__link">Useful<br>Information</a></li>   </ul> </nav>  <script src="https://go-nagano.a.kuroco-img.app/v=1566443247/files/js/front/user/jquery-3.4.1.min.js"></script> <script src="https://go-nagano.a.kuroco-img.app/v=1566443285/files/js/front/user/lib.js"></script> <script src="https://go-nagano.a.kuroco-img.app/v=1607928087/files/js/front/user/common.js"></script> </body> </html>