February 17 celebrates the 28th anniversary of the United States women’s hockey team winning its first Olympic gold medal at the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics. The team defeated longtime rival Canada ... Travel guide for Nagano, a city in Japan which hosted the 1998 Winter Olympics and is home to the important Zenkoji Temple There’s a familiar script that seems to play out almost every four years at the Winter Olympics.

Understanding the Context

The host nation rides a wave of national pride, packed home venues, and federation funding into a medal ... Discover the top things to do in Nagano, a mountainous region in Chubu, known for the rural beauty of Kamikochi, resort-like Karuizawa, or the magic of Matsumoto Castle. A former Winter Oympics host, Nagano is popular for skiing and snowboarding – as well as snow monkeys! Nagano (長野市, Nagano-shi; Japanese pronunciation: [naꜜɡano, naɡanoꜜɕi])[2] is the capital and largest city of Nagano Prefecture, located in the Nagano Basin (Zenkoji Daira) in the central Chūbu region of Japan.

Key Insights

Nagano is categorized as a core city of Japan. Enjoy Nagano's wild natural scenery at its many national parks, historical sites and hot springs. Here are our recommendations for 15 of Nagano’s best sightseeing spots. In this guide, you will find all you need to plan a perfect trip and make the most of your time. It includes top experiences, recommended places to stay, a sample itinerary, and helpful tips.

Final Thoughts

You probably know Nagano's popular spots: Jigokudani Monkey Park, Nakasendo, and more. One of the main attractions in Nagano is Zenkō-ji, a colorful 7th-century Buddhist temple with proud architecture and a humbling presence. The compound contains lovely gardens, a treasure house, sacred statues and a massive incense burner.