I might be a bit biased when I say this, but Nagano is the best prefecture in all of Japan! Located in the Japanese Alps, it is great for snow sports (in fact, it was the host of the 1998 Winter Olympics) and hiking. Nine of the twelve highest mountains in Japan are in Nagano! Besides the mountains, Nagano is famous for its many hot springs, national parks, and agriculture. It is also the home of Zenko-ji in Nagano City, one of the few remaining pilgramige sites in Japan, and Matsumoto Castle, a designated National Treasure.

Below is a list of all the cities, towns, and villages in Nagano Prefecture, listed in population size and a few facts about the area. This page is an eternal work in progress!

Nagano City

Nagano City is the capital of Nagano Prefecture and is best known for Zenko-ji Temple, one of Japan’s most important Buddhist temples. The city combines urban life with easy access to mountains, ski areas, and hot springs. It also hosted the 1998 Winter Olympics, and traces of the Olympic facilities can still be seen around the city.

• On the first Saturday of August, Nagano City hosts the Binzuru festival.
• Around Zenko-ji, you can collect seven lucky stamps!

Matsumoto city

Matsumoto is famous for Matsumoto Castle, one of Japan’s best-preserved original castles. The city has a relaxed atmosphere with art museums, cafés, and historic streets. It is also a gateway to the Japanese Alps and Kamikochi.

• On the first Saturday of August, Matsumoto hosts the Bon Bon festival.

Ueda city

Ueda is known for Ueda Castle and its connection to the Sanada clan. The city has a strong historical atmosphere while also being a modern regional center. Bessho Onsen, nearby, is one of Nagano’s oldest hot spring areas.

Iida city

Iida is located in southern Nagano and is known for its traditional puppet theater and local festivals. The city has a warmer climate than much of the prefecture and is surrounded by mountains and orchards. It is also famous for apples and other fruit.

Saku city

Saku is a sunny city in eastern Nagano with a reputation for clear skies and clean air. It has a balance of rural scenery and growing suburban development. The area is also known for agriculture and easy access to mountain resorts.

Azumino city

Azumino is famous for its beautiful countryside, clear spring water, and views of the Northern Alps. The city has many art museums, cycling routes, and wasabi farms. It is often seen as one of Nagano’s most scenic areas.

Ina city

Ina sits in the Ina Valley between the Central and Southern Alps. The city is known for mountain scenery, hiking, and local foods like sauce katsudon. It has a relaxed atmosphere and strong ties to nature.

Shiojiri city

Shiojiri is a major transportation hub and one of Nagano’s important wine-producing regions. The city is famous for Narai-juku, a beautifully preserved post town on the old Nakasendo route. It combines historic sites with vineyards and mountain landscapes.

Chikuma city

Chikuma is known for Togura-Kamiyamada Onsen and views along the Chikuma River. The city has many historical and literary connections, especially to Japanese poetry. It is also famous for apricots in spring.

Chino city

Chino is located near Lake Shirakaba and the Yatsugatake Mountains. It is popular for outdoor activities such as skiing, hiking, and camping. The city also has archaeological sites connected to the Jomon period.

Okaya city

Okaya developed historically through the silk industry and sits near Lake Suwa. The city is known for eel dishes and industrial history. Fireworks festivals around the lake are popular in summer.

Suzaka city

Suzaka is a smaller city near Nagano City known for kura storehouses and historic streets. It has a quieter atmosphere and is surrounded by orchards and mountains. The area is especially beautiful during apple and grape seasons.

Suwa city

Suwa is famous for Lake Suwa and Suwa Taisha, one of Japan’s oldest shrine complexes. The city has a strong onsen culture and hosts impressive fireworks festivals. It is also connected to sake brewing and precision manufacturing.

Nakano city

Nakano is known for fruit production, especially grapes and apples. The city also has easy access to ski resorts and hot spring areas in northern Nagano. Mushroom farming is another important local industry.

Komoro city

Komoro is a historic castle town with views of Mount Asama. The city inspired several Japanese writers and poets because of its scenery. It has a calm atmosphere with parks, vineyards, and historical sites.

Komagane city

Komagane lies in the Ina Valley and is known for the Komagatake Ropeway, which provides access to the spectacular Central Alps. The city is popular for hiking, autumn leaves, and mountain scenery. It is also famous for its local specialty, sauce katsudon.

Omachi city

Omachi serves as the gateway to the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route and the Northern Alps. The city is surrounded by beautiful lakes, forests, and mountains that attract outdoor enthusiasts year-round. It is also known for its clear spring water and hot springs.

Tomi city

Tomi is a quiet city in eastern Nagano known for its vineyards, orchards, and rural landscapes. The area enjoys relatively mild weather and has become increasingly popular for wine production. Visitors can also enjoy historical sites and scenic countryside.

Iiyama city

Iiyama is often called the “Little Kyoto of Snow Country” because of its temples, traditional streets, and heavy snowfall. The city is popular for skiing, cycling, and exploring nearby rural villages. It also serves as a gateway to the Shinetsu Trail.

Minowa-machi

Minowa is a peaceful town in the Ina Valley surrounded by mountains and farmland. It is known for its parks, flower gardens, and family-friendly atmosphere. Agriculture plays an important role in the local economy.

Shimosuwa-machi

Shimosuwa is located on the shores of Lake Suwa and is famous for its hot springs and historic post town. The town is home to part of the ancient Suwa Taisha shrine complex. Visitors can enjoy traditional streets, museums, and lakeside walks.

Tatsuno-machi

Tatsuno is best known as one of Japan’s most famous places to see glowing fireflies in early summer. The town also has beautiful rivers, forests, and walking trails. It offers a peaceful atmosphere with a strong connection to nature.

Karuizawa-machi

Karuizawa is one of Japan’s most famous mountain resorts and has long been a popular summer retreat. The town features elegant shopping streets, churches, museums, and beautiful forests. It is also known for cycling, hiking, and easy access by Shinkansen.

Sakaki-machi

Sakaki is a small industrial town located along the Chikuma River. It is known for precision manufacturing and beautiful riverside scenery. Nearby hills offer seasonal flowers and pleasant hiking opportunities.

Fujimi-machi

Fujimi sits at the foot of the Yatsugatake Mountains and offers excellent views of Mount Fuji on clear days. The town is popular for hiking, camping, skiing, and astronomy. Its cool climate also makes it a popular summer destination.

Yamanouchi-machi

Yamanouchi is internationally famous for Jigokudani Monkey Park, where wild snow monkeys bathe in hot springs. The town is also home to Shibu Onsen and several ski resorts. It offers visitors a mix of wildlife, traditional culture, and outdoor recreation.

Hata-machi

Hata was formerly an independent town and is now part of Matsumoto City. The area is known for its rural scenery, apple orchards, and views of the Northern Alps. It remains a peaceful residential and agricultural community.

Matsukawa-machi

Matsukawa is located in southern Nagano and is famous for fruit orchards, especially apples and pears. The town offers beautiful views of the Central Alps and Southern Alps. Visitors can enjoy fruit picking throughout much of the year.

Miyota-machi

Miyota lies near Mount Asama and has become a popular place for people seeking a quieter lifestyle. The town combines residential neighborhoods with forests and farmland. Its cool climate makes it attractive during the summer months.

Kiso-machi

Kiso is located in the historic Kiso Valley along the old Nakasendo highway. The town preserves traditional architecture and serves as a base for exploring post towns like Fukushima-juku. It is surrounded by forests and mountains with rich cultural history.

Minamiminowa-mura

Minamiminowa is a village in the Ina Valley known for its quiet countryside and mountain views. It is home to several educational and research institutions, giving it a youthful atmosphere. Agriculture remains an important part of village life.

Sakuho-machi

Sakuho is surrounded by forests, rivers, and mountains in eastern Nagano. The town is known for outdoor recreation, clear air, and beautiful seasonal scenery. Hiking and camping are especially popular in the surrounding highlands.

Takamori-machi

Takamori is located in southern Nagano and is famous for its fruit orchards and rural landscapes. Apples, pears, and persimmons are important local products. The town offers excellent views of the Southern Alps.

Iizuna-machi

Iizuna sits at the base of Mount Iizuna and is known for its apple orchards and outdoor recreation. The town is popular for skiing in winter and hiking during warmer months. Visitors can enjoy peaceful countryside and mountain scenery.

Obuse-machi

Obuse is a charming town famous for chestnuts and its connection to the artist Katsushika Hokusai. The town features beautiful traditional streets, museums, and local sweets. It is one of Nagano’s most popular cultural destinations.

Ikeda-machi

Ikeda is known for its lavender fields, vineyards, and panoramic views of the Northern Alps. The town has a relaxed rural atmosphere with many scenic viewpoints. Wine production has become increasingly important in recent years.

Shinano-machi

Shinano is located near Lake Nojiri and is famous for outdoor recreation throughout the year. Visitors enjoy boating, skiing, hiking, and cycling. The town also has connections to the novelist Lafcadio Hearn, who spent time at Lake Nojiri.

Iijima-machi

Iijima is a quiet town in the Ina Valley surrounded by the Central and Southern Alps. It is known for beautiful rural scenery, fresh local produce, and outdoor activities. The town is especially attractive during the cherry blossom and autumn foliage seasons.

Matsukawa-mura

Matsukawa is a peaceful village in Azumino known for its clear streams and spectacular views of the Northern Alps. The area is popular for cycling, hiking, and enjoying nature. Apple orchards and wasabi farms are also important parts of the local landscape.

Hakuba-mura

Hakuba is one of Japan’s premier mountain resorts and was a venue during the 1998 Winter Olympics. The village is famous for world-class skiing, snowboarding, hiking, and mountain biking. Stunning alpine scenery attracts visitors throughout the year.

Miyada-mura

Miyada is a small village at the base of the Central Alps and serves as a gateway to mountain hiking. The area is known for its peaceful countryside, forests, and access to the Komagatake Ropeway. Agriculture and tourism both play important roles in the local economy.

Yamagata-mura

Yamagata is a rural village west of Matsumoto surrounded by farmland and mountains. It is known for growing long yams, apples, and grapes. The village offers a quiet atmosphere while remaining close to Matsumoto City.

Tateshina-machi

Tateshina is located in the Yatsugatake Highlands and is famous for its cool climate, forests, and mountain resorts. Visitors enjoy hiking, skiing, golf, and hot springs throughout the year. Lake Shirakaba is one of the area’s most popular attractions.

Takayama-mura

Takayama is known for its beautiful mountain scenery, waterfalls, and traditional hot spring villages. The town is particularly famous for Matsukawa Valley and its colorful autumn leaves. Numerous secluded onsen make it a good destination for relaxation.

Hara-mura

Hara sits on a high plateau at the foot of the Yatsugatake Mountains. The village enjoys sunny weather, clear air, and excellent views of the surrounding peaks. It is popular for astronomy, hiking, and summer vacations.

Nagawa-machi

Nagawa is a mountain town known for its traditional thatched-roof villages and scenic highlands. The area offers skiing, camping, hiking, and historic sites throughout the year. It is also home to Nagawa’s long-standing traditions of forestry and agriculture.

Toyooka-mura

Toyooka is located in southern Nagano and is surrounded by orchards and rice fields. The village is well known for producing high-quality fruit, especially pears and apples. Visitors can enjoy peaceful countryside and views of the Southern Alps.

Takagi-mura

Takagi is a farming village famous for strawberries, apples, and other fruit grown in the Ina Valley. The village has a mild climate compared to much of Nagano Prefecture. Fruit picking is a popular activity during the growing season.

Achi-mura

Achi is famous for having some of the darkest night skies in Japan, making it one of the country’s best places for stargazing. The village also features hot springs, mountain scenery, and flower fields. Visitors come year-round to enjoy nature and spectacular views of the stars.

Chikuhoku-mura

Chikuhoku is a quiet mountain village located between Matsumoto and Nagano City. The area is known for forests, farmland, and traditional rural scenery. It offers peaceful hiking and cycling routes away from major tourist areas.

Anan-cho

Anan is a small town in southern Nagano surrounded by rivers and forested mountains. The area has a rich agricultural tradition and a relaxed rural atmosphere. Local festivals help preserve the region’s history and culture.

Agematsu-machi

Agematsu lies in the Kiso Valley along the old Nakasendo highway. The town is surrounded by forests of Kiso cypress and serves as a gateway to Mount Kiso-Komagatake. Historic buildings and mountain scenery make it a popular stop for travelers.

Komi-machi

Komi is located in eastern Nagano near the Yatsugatake Mountains. The town is known for its clear skies, cool climate, and beautiful natural scenery. Hiking, camping, and winter sports are popular outdoor activities.

Shinshushin-machi

Shinshushin is a small rural town surrounded by mountains and farmland. It is known for its peaceful atmosphere and traditional agricultural lifestyle. Visitors can enjoy local produce and the changing beauty of the four seasons.

Kijimadaira-mura

Kijimadaira is a village in northern Nagano known for its rice production and ski resorts. The area offers excellent skiing in winter and beautiful green landscapes in summer. Traditional farming remains an important part of village life.

Nakagawa-mura

Nakagawa is a quiet village located between the Central and Southern Alps. It is known for beautiful river valleys, orchards, and peaceful countryside. The village is popular with visitors looking to experience rural Japan.

Nagiso-machi

Nagiso is home to Tsumago-juku, one of Japan’s best-preserved post towns along the historic Nakasendo route. Visitors can walk historic streets lined with traditional wooden buildings. The surrounding mountains and forests add to the town’s historic charm.

Asahi-mura

Asahi is a quiet village west of Matsumoto surrounded by forests and farmland. It is known for its clean air, scenic countryside, and peaceful atmosphere. Agriculture and forestry remain important parts of the local community.

Aoki-mura

Aoki is a small mountain village known for its hot springs, traditional countryside, and beautiful hiking trails. The village has a long history and is home to historic temples and shrines. Visitors come to enjoy its relaxing rural atmosphere.

Kawakami-mura

Kawakami is Japan’s largest producer of lettuce and sits on a high plateau in eastern Nagano. Its cool climate makes it ideal for farming, and vast fields stretch across the landscape in summer. The village is also close to the headwaters of the Chikuma River.

Okuwa-mura

Okuwa is located in the Kiso Valley and is surrounded by forests, rivers, and mountains. The village has long been associated with Kiso cypress forestry and woodworking. It offers peaceful hiking trails and access to the scenic Kiso region.

Nozawaonsen-mura

Nozawa Onsen is one of Japan’s most famous hot spring villages and a popular international ski destination. Visitors can enjoy traditional public baths, charming streets, and excellent skiing in winter. The village is also known for its lively festivals and local cuisine.

Simojo-mura

Shimojo is a rural village in southern Nagano surrounded by orchards and rolling hills. Agriculture, especially fruit growing, is an important part of the local economy. The village offers beautiful views and a relaxed countryside atmosphere.

Otari-mura

Otari is a mountain village bordering Niigata Prefecture and is famous for skiing, hiking, and dramatic alpine scenery. The village includes parts of several popular ski resorts and the Tsugaike Highlands. It is also rich in forests and natural hot springs.

Kiso-mura

Kiso Village lies in the Kiso Valley and is surrounded by dense forests and rugged mountains. The village is known for its outdoor recreation, traditional culture, and beautiful natural landscapes. Forestry has shaped the area’s history for centuries.

Minamimaki-mura

Minamimaki is located at the foot of the Yatsugatake Mountains and is known for its cool climate and highland farms. The village is home to the Nobeyama Highlands, one of Japan’s highest farming areas. It is also famous for astronomy facilities and wide open landscapes.

Ogawa-mura

Ogawa is called one of Japan’s most beautiful villages because of its traditional rural scenery and mountain views. The village is especially famous for terraced rice fields, cherry blossoms, and colorful autumn leaves. Its peaceful atmosphere makes it a popular destination for photographers and nature lovers. It’s also the birth place of oyaki.

Omi-mura

Omi is a small mountain village with a long history dating back to the old travel routes of central Japan. The area is known for quiet forests, farmland, and traditional village life. Visitors can enjoy hiking and seasonal scenery throughout the year.

Sakae-mura

Sakae is the northernmost village in Nagano Prefecture and is known for its heavy snowfall and untouched natural beauty. The village sits along the Shinano River and offers excellent opportunities for fishing, hiking, and winter recreation. It remains one of the prefecture’s least populated communities.

Ikusaka-mura

Ikusaka is a small village overlooking the Sai River with forests, farmland, and quiet mountain scenery. The village has a strong agricultural tradition and is known for producing fruit and vegetables. It is an ideal place to experience rural Nagano.

Yasuoka-mura

Yasuoka is a peaceful village in southern Nagano surrounded by rivers and forested mountains. Agriculture and forestry are central to the local economy, and the area offers beautiful scenery throughout the four seasons. The village preserves many traditional rural customs.

Tenryu-mura

Tenryu lies along the Tenryu River in southern Nagano and is known for its dramatic river valleys and forests. The village offers opportunities for fishing, kayaking, and enjoying nature. It is one of Nagano’s most remote and tranquil communities.

Oshika-mura

Oshika is nestled between the Akaishi Mountains and is famous for its stunning mountain scenery and rich geological features. The village is part of the Japanese Geopark network and has several natural hot springs. It is also known for preserving traditional mountain culture.

Neba-mura

Neba is a small forest village near the border with Aichi Prefecture. The village is known for its timber industry, cool mountain climate, and outdoor recreation. Visitors can enjoy camping, hiking, and locally produced forest products.

Minamiaiki-mura

Minamiaiki is a quiet mountain village in eastern Nagano known for its forests, rivers, and hiking trails. The area is popular with campers and anglers seeking a peaceful natural environment. Forestry and agriculture remain important local industries.

Otaki-mura

Otaki sits on the slopes of Mount Ontake and is known for its magnificent forests, waterfalls, and volcanic landscapes. The village serves as a gateway for climbing Mount Ontake and exploring the surrounding wilderness. It also has a deep spiritual connection to the sacred mountain.

Kitaaiki-mura

Kitaaiki is a small mountain village in eastern Nagano surrounded by forests and rivers. The village is known for its peaceful natural scenery, hiking trails, and cool summer climate. Forestry and agriculture continue to support the local community.

Seinaiji-mura

Seinaiji is a quiet village in southern Nagano known for its beautiful forests and traditional rural landscapes. The area offers opportunities for hiking, camping, and enjoying nature throughout the year. Visitors can experience a slower pace of life surrounded by mountains.

Urugi-mura

Urugi is one of Nagano Prefecture’s smallest villages and is located near the border with Aichi Prefecture. It is known for its cool mountain climate, forests, and winter skiing. The village offers a peaceful escape with beautiful scenery in every season.

Hiraya-mura

Hiraya is a mountain village famous for Hiraya Onsen and its beautiful highland scenery. Visitors come to enjoy hot springs, camping, skiing, and outdoor recreation throughout the year. The village’s cool summers also make it a popular retreat from the heat.