Nagano Prefecture | Vegetarian's Japan Guide

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The Best Guide to the Must-Visit Churches in Karuizawa

December 27, 2025 / Chūbu Region, Nagano Prefecture, The Must-Visit Churches in Japan

Discover the serene beauty and architectural wonder of the must-visit churches in Karuizawa, Japan’s premier highland retreat. From the iconic wooden craftsmanship of Karuizawa Kogen Church to the breathtaking stone-and-glass artistry of the Stone Church, these spiritual landmarks offer a peaceful escape into the heart of Nagano Prefecture. Whether you are a photography enthusiast, a

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Jigokudani Wild Monkey Park and the Hot Spring Monkeys

December 21, 2025 / Chūbu Region, Hidden Gems, Nagano Prefecture, Onsen/Hot Spring

The Snow Monkey Park, or Jigokudani Yaen Kōen (地獄谷野猿公苑), formally in Japanese, is the world’s only wild monkey onsen resort. The park, nestled in the snowy mountains of Nagano Prefecture, Japan, was established in 1964. It offers an unforgettable glimpse into the unique lives of the Japanese hot spring monkeys. This world-famous attraction is the

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The Ultimate Guide to Getting to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park

August 13, 2026 / Chūbu Region, Nagano Prefecture, Transportation in Japan

Ready to see the famous Japanese monkeys in hot springs? While the stunning scenery of the Jigokudani Wild Monkey Park is world-famous, its remote mountain location in Nagano Prefecture, Japan, can make the journey feel complicated. This guide will break down exactly how to get to the Snow Monkey Park from major hubs like Tokyo

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Rokumon: The Sightseeing Train Connecting Karuizawa & Nagano

January 2, 2026 / Chūbu Region, Nagano Prefecture, Transportation in Japan

You might already be aware that to the Japanese, trains are sometimes more than just vehicles that carry you from A to B. Unlike most countries in the world, Japan’s Sightseeing Trains don’t just run between the tourist attractions in the rural areas. They operate on normal train tracks between cities and prefectures, and compared

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Kobayashi Soba Matsumoto Vegan-Friendly Restaurant Nagano Japan

Kobayashi Soba: The Best Soba Noodle Restaurant in Matsumoto

October 18, 2025 / Chūbu Region, Nagano Prefecture, Vegan and Vegetarian-Friendly Spots

Soba noodles are one of the must-try dishes in Japan. But because most restaurants use sauce and broth made from bonito, vegans and vegetarians usually can’t enjoy the noodles when going into a random soba restaurant. So, if you are wondering where to eat in Matsumoto, ensure you stop by Kobayashi Soba (信州松本こばやし本店). It is

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The Best Guide to Kappa Bridge and the Nearby Facilities

October 18, 2025 / Autumn Foliage, Chūbu Region, Nagano Prefecture, National Places of Scenery Beauty, Trekking/Hiking in Japan

Kappa Bridge (河童橋) is the landmark of Kamikochi. The most important facilities in the area are located close to the bridge, including the Kamikochi Bus Terminal and visitor centers. This part of Kamikochi is almost like a transport hub that allows tourists to gain the necessary information to explore the area and rejuvenate. The suspension

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Ganso Shinshū Gyōza Tsukumo Yokochō Vegan-Friendly Restaurant in Nagano Japan

The Recommended Vegan-Friendly Restaurants in Nagano City

October 11, 2025 / Chūbu Region, Nagano Prefecture, Vegan and Vegetarian-Friendly Spots

While Nagano City is the capital of Nagano Prefecture, it surprisingly doesn’t have many vegan-friendly spots. So, if you plan to spend a few nights here, check out the restaurants we mention in this article. In addition, stay close to Nagano Station so you don’t need to travel far from your accommodation to the restaurant.

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The Best Guide to the Usui Pass Observation Platform

October 10, 2025 / Chūbu Region, Hidden Gems, Nagano Prefecture, Trekking/Hiking in Japan

Karuizawa‘s natural spots aren’t just about waterfalls and lakes. Driving up the Usui Pass, there is a park close to the summit at 1,200m. The Usui Pass Observation Platform (碓氷峠見晴台) in the park is one of our favorite places to visit in Karuizawa. The observation platform offers a spectacular panoramic view of the ragged mountain

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The Best Guide on What to Do and Where to Go in Togakushi

September 7, 2026 / Chūbu Region, Hidden Gems, Nagano Prefecture, Trekking/Hiking in Japan

If you are looking to enjoy the stunning nature of rural Nagano Prefecture, Togakushi (戸隠), which receives approximately 150 thousand visitors yearly, will be one of your top options. The village situated at the foot of Mt. Togakushi in Myōkō-Togakushi Renzan National Park (妙高戸隠連山国立公園) is a must-see in Nagano. The small Japanese village has a

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The Gentei Ken'no Soba at Okusha-mae Naosuke Togakushi Nagano Japan

Togakushi Soba & Togakushi Soba Festival: Dates & Tips

December 30, 2025 / Chūbu Region, Cultural Experiences & Activities, Nagano Prefecture

Planning a trip to Togakushi in Nagano? Don’t miss out on the Togakushi Soba, one of Japan’s three great buckwheat noodles. The locals take their soba noodles so seriously that there is even a soba festival held in autumn once a year! Read on for everything you need to know about the Togakushi Soba Festival

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