Nagano city’s biggest festival is Binzuru Festival（長野びんずる祭り）. It first started back in 1971 and in the first year already 10,000 people came out into the city and participated in the festival. That number has been increasing and there are now 200 groups participating.

Here they dance through the main street, Chuo-dori that leads to Zenko-ji Temple, and also through other parts within the city. It is a very simple dance to learn, and easy to step in to have a go at it yourself! These kinds of festivals are definitely not there to just look at, you have to join in!

During the festival, accommodation in Nagano books-out well in advance so it’s best to plan a head. For accommodation listings, see our ‘Nagano City’ hotel page.