This was the venue for the 1998 Olympic Ski Jump event. You can take a lift to the starting gate, and enjoy a splendid view of the Hakuba Valley.

Matsumoto castle was completed at the end of the 16th century, and as the oldest still-standing castle in Japan, a national treasure. Surrounded by cherry trees, a backdrop of the Japanese Alps, and stunning traditional architecture, Matsumoto Castle is a must see for Japanese and oversees tourists alike.

Zenkoji is Nagano City’s main attraction, and with 1400 years of history, a national treasure. Every year 6 million people visit this famous Buddhist temple. Rebuilt in 1707, this huge structure is a masterpiece of Buddhist-influenced architecture.

Obuse was once home to the world-renowned wood-block artist Katsushika Hokusai, and is famous for both his art and delicacies made from the local specialty, chestnuts. Neighboring Suzaka is full of traditional architecture. One can get a sense of old Japan by walking its streets lined with white-walled ‘kura’ storehouses.

Jigokudani is home to the world-famous “snow monkeys”. It is the only place in the world where you can see wild monkeys relax in hot springs, an especially wonderful sight on a snowy winter day.