Nagano Prefecture (長野県) is in the Chubu Region (中部地方), and is relatively close to Tokyo: a bullet train trip from Tokyo to Nagano takes less than 90 minutes. The prefecture is known for many wonderful things, all related to the main reasons for Singaporeans wanting to travel to Japan: food, sightseeing, and hot springs. For this article, I will show you why I find Nagano amazing during winter, and I will showcase some of the region’s finest foods.
Kamakura Snow Dome Village
If you mention ‘igloo’, the first thing that comes to mind for many people would be something they would only see inhibited by Eskimos. More so if you were to ask those from tropical regions such as Singapore; it is a foreign concept that people from regions with tropical weather cannot intimately relate to. But what if they do not have to go all the way to the far North to see igloos? They can do so in Nagano, which is easily accessible from Tokyo.
Kamakura Snow Dome Village (かまくらの里) is a hidden wonderland in Iiyama, where visitors can witness snow huts / igloosー”Kamakura” means snow hut in Japaneseーconstructed exclusively for the winter season. There are around 15 to 20 snow domes in total, with various sizes to accommodate different group sizes. Not only can visitors see and enter the domes, but nearby, there is even a small snow slide where they can experience snow-sledding.
The one thing that is not to be missed here is food. More precisely, it is here where you can experience having a hotpot (なべ nabe) inside a snow dome! Noroshi-nabe (のろしなべ) is a local specialty of Nagano that includes plenty of local mountain vegetables and mushrooms, and Miyuki pork, a truly special meat of the city of Iiyama. To have something this hearty inside a dome made from snow is a heavenly experience that is hard to describe in words.
Kamakura Snow Dome Village (かまくらの里)
Address: Kotobuki, Iiyama, Nagano 389-2418
Access: 15-minute taxi ride from JR Iiyama Station (JR飯山駅)
Nabekura Kogen Heights
Nagano is famously known for their snow. It boasts impressive snowfall year by year, thereby making it one of the most popular destinations for winter activities for both local and foreign visitors. It is also home to the Japanese Alps, a series of mountain ranges that spans several prefectures and is split into Northern, Central, and Southern ranges.
Many visitors come to Nagano mostly to engage in winter activities, but it need not necessarily mean skiing, snowboarding, or other similarly vigorous activities. Others might want to experience something slower and more leisurely, and for them, a place like Nabekura Kogen Heights’s Mori no Ie (なべくら高原・森の家) is the perfect place to be.
Visitors can rent one of the many cottage houses here to spend a few days away from home in the pristine snowfields. Though the houses are open throughout the year, I feel that it would be best during the winter; having a whole cottage home to yourself during the cold winter is not something you get to experience very often.
Plus, visitors can take part in optional tours as well! The one I got to experience was hiking with snowshoes, which I initially imagined would be a strenuous exercise. Thankfully, it was not; it was a pleasantly active experience as I got to hike at my own pace with a pair of special footwear that enabled me to walk on thick snow without sinking.
Nabekura Kogen Heights Mori no Ie (なべくら高原・森の家)
Address: 1571-15 Teruoka, Iiyama, Nagano 389-2601
Access: 15-minute taxi ride from JR Togarinozawa-Onsen Station (JR戸狩野沢温泉駅)
HAKUBA MOUNTAIN HARBOR
Visitors who fancy the idea of being amidst the mountains of Nagano can do so, with a visit to the HAKUBA MOUNTAIN HARBOR. Here visitors can witness and immerse themselves in the grandiose Sanzan mountains of Shirouma, Shakushi and Hakuba Yari. Best of all, they can witness a panoramic view of the mountains at an elevation of 1,289m.
One thing I will reveal about myself: I am afraid of heights, and I actively avoid anything that involves me having to see steep drops right below me. Usually, when something involves high elevations, it must be something so impressive I could take my mind off my fear. This is one of them; I was so busy gawking at the majestic mountains that I forgot just how high I was up in the air.
The City Bakery, a café originating from New York City, has a branch right here overlooking the mountains, serving wonderful pastries and hot drinks that visitors enjoy while being sheltered from the snow. That is another thing heavenly about winter: being able to enjoy hot coffee and fluffy pastries while gazing at the pristine snow outside is something I always relish whenever I travel during the winter season.
HAKUBA MOUNTAIN HARBOR
Address: 12056 Hokujo, Hakuba, Kitaazumi-gun, Nagano 399-9301
Access: 10-minute bus ride from JR Hakuba Station (JR白馬駅)
Bonus: Shinshu apple beef!
Japan is home to some of the best quality beef in the world, and their names are tied to their origins. Think Kobe beef (Kobe, Hyogo), Matsusaka beef (Matsusaka, Mie), and Yonezawa beef (Yonezawa, Yamagata), for example. Nagano has its very own specialty as well, in the form of Shinshu apple beef. What makes Shinshu apple beef special is how the cows are raised: they are fed with Nagano apples (Nagano is also known for their amazing fruits, which include apples!), which makes their meats sweet and tender.
I have never had Shinshu apple beef, and I was simply mesmerised when I tried it for the first time. It was simply decadent; the melt-in-your-mouth tenderness and subtle sweetness of the beef was something I had never experienced before.
Best of all, this restaurant offers Muslim-friendly/no-pork options for Muslim visitors! Nagano is actively looking for ways to attract visitors worldwide, including Muslim visitors with dietary restrictions. This restaurant can accommodate Muslim visitors; they only need to make reservations with them so that they can prepare in advance.
Japanese Restaurant Shinano Yamasachi (Teppanyaki)
Address: Hotel Metropolitan Nagano, Minamiishidocho-1346, Nagano, 380-0824
Access: 1-minute walk from JR Nagano Station (JR長野駅)
Closing
Nagano is a place I will never forget. It has some of the most amazing views in winter, scrumptious food (fruits and meats!), and it is even convenient access. It is particularly magical during winter, and visitors can easily travel here from major cities by train. Better yet, if they have the JR EAST PASS (Nagano, Niigata area), all their train trips and seat reservations will be free.
JR EAST 패스 (나가노, 니가타 지역)
The JR EAST 패스 (나가노, 니가타 지역) is an affordable pass that offers unlimited train rides on JR East lines, including bullet trains, within the valid area for 5 consecutive days. It’s only ¥27,000, making it a considerable option for rail travellers. Pass holders can also reserve seats online for up to a month in advance for free on the JR-EAST Train Reservation.
Enjoy summer with JAPAN RAIL CLUB’s Omiyage Snack Box
Embark on a gastronomic journey to Nagano with JAPAN RAIL CLUB’s “Flavours of Nagano” Omiyage Snack Box! From Shinshu apples to the iconic shichimi spice, the snacks in this Nagano-special box will surely transport you to Nagano from the comfort of your home! Discover Nagano through your belly with our delicious Nagano-exclusive snack box!
Header image credit: JR East / Nazrul Buang
