NAGANO JAPAN

Kanazawa & Fukui

Kanazawa & Fukui

Kanazawa is one of Japan’s most historic and rewarding destinations. A city of great wealth and artistic achievement during the Edo Period, Kanazawa retains many historic attractions and districts along with some of Japan’s best gardens, museums, galleries, dining and shopping. A visit to Kanazawa puts visitors within reach of quiet yet beautiful region of Fukui. Home to two of Central Japan’s most rewarding destinations – Daihonzan Eihei-ji Temple and Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum – Fukui also tantalizes visitors with some of Japan’s best seafood and access to the rugged north coast.

25 THINGS TO DO AROUND KANAZAWA & WHERE TO STAY

Kanazawa is one of Japan's most historic and enjoyable cities and a convenient hub from where to explore the surrounding region.

STAY IN KANAZAWA

Visitors to Kanazawa and nearby Fukui are spoiled for choice when it comes to accommodation - find yours right now.

KENROKUEN GARNEN

Opened to the public in 1871, Kanazawa's Kenrokuen Garden is considered one of the finest in the entire country.

10 THINGS TO DO IN FUKUI & WHERE TO STAY

Often over-looked by international visitors, Fukui is home to a couple of Central Japan's most engaging destinations.

DAIHONZAN EIHEI-JI TEMPLE

One of Japan's most impressive and important temple complexes, Eihei-ji is a captivating destination that should not be missed.

FUKUI PREFECTURAL DINOSAUR MUSEUM

Whether you're a dino-lover or just looking for something different to do, this is one of Japan's best museums and engaging for visitors of all ages.

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25 Things To Do Around Kanazawa & Where To Stay

As the terminus of the Hokuriku Shinkansen Line from Tokyo and Thund...

10 Things To Do In Fukui & Where To Stay

Fukui is one of those prefectures in the Japan which flies under the...

ACCESS

How to Get to Kanazawa

Located on the north coast, Kanazawa is the capital city of Ishikawa...

How to Get to Fukui

Tucked-away in the northwest corner of Central Japan, Fukui remains ...

ACTIVITIES

Kenrokuen Garden

Translating as the ‘Garden of the Six Sublimities’, Kenrokuen Garden...

Kanazawa Castle Park

Adjoining Kenrokuen Garden, Kanazawa Castle Park is an expansive are...

Nagamachi Samurai District

Wandering the streets of the Nagamachi Samurai District visitors can...

Higashi Chaya District

The historic precinct of Higashi Chaya is a well-preserved geisha di...

Omicho Fish Market

Located within 15-minutes walk of Kanazawa Station, Omichi Fish Mark...

Myoryuji (Ninja Temple)

Often referred to as ‘Ninjadera’ or the ‘Ninja Temple’, Myoryuji is ...

21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art

Conveniently located next to Kenrokuen Garden and Kanazawa Castle, t...

DT Suzuki Museum

The DT Suzuki Museum commemorates the life and work of Suzuki Daiset...

Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Art

Kanazawa is proud of its rich history and heritage – a culture that ...

National Crafts Museum

Having relocated from Tokyo to Kanazawa in October 2020, the Nationa...

Kurando Terashima’s House

The former residence of Kurando Terashima – a middle-class samurai b...

Hakusan National Park

Hakusan is an expansive national park lying to the south of Kanazawa...

HOTELS

Kanazawa: Kanazawa Station Area

Located on the north coast, Kanazawa is one of Japan’s most hi...

Kanazawa: Kenrokuen Garden & Kanazawa Castle Area

The area around and to the west of Kanazawa’s famous Kenrokuen Garde...

Kanazawa: Higashi Chaya District & Asano River Area

Known for its traditional teahouses and historic streetscape, the Hi...

Kaga Onsen Area

The hot spring area of Kaga Onsen is made-up of four towns: Yamashir...

Noto Peninsula Area

The Noto Peninsula is a large area of land stretching around 100km i...

Fukui Station Area

Fukui City is the capital of Fukui Prefecture. A convenient stop on ...

Daihonzan Eihei-ji Temple Area

Located around 30-minutes by bus from Fukui Station, Daihonzan Eihei...

BLOG

#TRAVELTOMORROW: Japan Set to Lower Travel Advisories for Certain Countries

It’s important to start this blog by saying that at this time, trave...

#SNOWMONKEYRESORTSLOCAL: Nagano in Autumn – ‘Koyo’ Season Will Soon Be Here!

Over the past week, the temperature has certainly begun to drop here...

#SNOWMONKEYRESORTSLOCAL: ‘Go To Travel’ Extended to Tokyo as of October 1st 2020

As highlighted in our recent blog article – ‘#SNOWMONKEYRESORTS LOCA...

#SNOWMONKEYRESORTSLOCAL: What is Japan’s ‘Go To Travel’ Campaign?

For our friends living in Japan, you have no doubt heard of the nati...

Using the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Visit Nagano & Central Japan – 50% Discounts Available from August 20th!

With the summer holidays in full swing, it’s a great time to visit C...

#TRAVELTOMORROW: Visit Kanazawa – One of Central Japan’s Most Enjoyable Cities

Sitting in north-west corner of Central Japan, Kanazawa is a popular...

#TRAVELTOMORROW: Clean Green & Healthy – Discover Central Japan

When researching and planning a visit to Japan, understanding the re...

#TRAVELTOMORROW: Clean Green & Healthy – Accessing Medical Assistance in Japan during COVID-19

In anticipation of the borders opening in future and travel resuming...

#TRAVELTOMORROW: Clean Green & Healthy – Choosing your Accommodation in Japan

When considering your future travel to Japan, one of the biggest dec...

#TRAVELTOMORROW: Clean Green & Healthy – When Can I Travel to Japan & is it Safe?

At the time of writing, entry to Japan is still banned for many fore...

#TRAVELTOMORROW: Clean Green & Healthy Japan

As announced in our recent blog, our website has been updated to inc...

Snow Monkey Resorts Update: Introducing our Dedicated COVID-19 Information Pages

In response to the ongoing impact of coronavirus on global tourism, ...

SNOW MONKEY RESORTS
AREA MAP

Established in 1964, the Jigokudani Monkey Park is home to the only troop of monkeys in the world known to naturally bathe in hot springs. Open all-year-round, the park is one of Nagano's most popular destinations
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- ENZA CAFE
- HOTARUTEI
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- Kanbayashi Onsen Sendayaki (Fire Festival)
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Only 45 minutes from Nagano City and within easy reach of the Jigokudani Monkey Park and Shiga Kogen, Yudanaka and Shibu Onsen are blessed by numerous natural hot spring sources which feed their many guesthouses and public bathhouses
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Shiga Kogen is the largest and highest ski resort in Japan, boasting Nagano's longest season and most reliable snow; and located within the expansive Joshinetsu Kogen National Park, Shiga offers just as much to do from spring to autumn as it does in winter
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Home to the Obuse Hokusai Museum and Gansho-in Temple along with lots of good restaurants, craft shops and a couple of ‘sake’ breweries, the small but historic town of Obuse is an easy day-trip from Nagano City
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- 15 Things To Do Around Obuse & Where To Stay
- How To Get To Obuse
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- [START FROM NAGANO CITY] Private Snow Monkey Tour
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- Nagano Dentetsu Line (Nagano–Yudanaka/Monkey Park)
- Nagano Dentetsu Line Timetable
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- Obuse Area
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Home to one of Japan's oldest and most important temples, Nagano City is your launching point from where to explore the region using train and bus services, including the Hokuriku Shinkansen, from Nagano Station
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One of Nagano's most popular ski resorts, Nozawa Onsen is boasts great powder, terrain and a lively village - which guarantees as much off the mountain as on it – while retaining much of its character as a traditional hot spring town
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- Snow Monkey Resorts Fleet of Charter Vehicles
- From Nozawa Onsen: How To Get To The Snow Monkey Park
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- Nozawa Onsen 'Dosojin' (Fire Festival)
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Home to the most popular and international ski resorts in Nagano, Hakuba Valley attracts skiers and snowboarders from all over the world while offering the best accommodation and dining of any ski area in the region
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The fabled 'Snow Walls' of the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route are at their best from April to May before the melting snow opens-up some of Japan’s best alpine hiking from July to November. Accessible from both Nagano and Toyama, this is one of Japan’s best travel experiences
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- [Spring Only] 1-Day Tour From Nagano & Hakuba: Snow Walls Of Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route
- (Summer & Autumn) 1-Day Tateyama-Kurobe Tour: Walking on the 'Roof of Japan'
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- Owara Kaze-no-Bon Festival
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Matsumoto Castle is a registered National Treasure and without question, the cultural heart of this engaging city; a beacon that calls you to explore the city and onto the beauty of the North Alps including Norikura and the alpine valley of Kamikochi
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Karuizawa is one of Japan's most popular resort towns, offering a little taste of Tokyo in the mountains including some of Nagano’s best accommodation, fine dining and shopping, and all within easy reach of Joshinetsu Kogen National Park
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- [START FROM KARUIZAWA] Private Snow Monkey Tour
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- Ueda Sanda Festival
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Located in the picturesque surrounds of Kiso Valley, the Nakasendo Trail follows the Edo Period (1603-1868) route once linking Kyoto and Tokyo. To this day, travelers can walk sections of the route including through the beautiful postal towns of Narai, Magome and Tsumago - a rare glimpse of traditional Japan in the 21st century
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- 2-Day Private Tour: Matsumoto Castle, Nakasendo and Countryside Azumino
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- Kiso-Fukushima & Narai Area
- Magome, Tsumago & Nakatsugawa Area
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- Narai-juku Ice Candle Festival
- Kaida Kogen Kamakura Snow Festival
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Known as the 'Sannomachi', Takayama's old town is famous for its preservation of Edo period streetscapes while also attracting foodies for its renowned ‘Hida beef’ and ‘Takayama ramen’ - all within easy reach of the World Heritage villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama
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- 2-Day Snow Monkey Tour: Nagano To Takayama via Matsumoto
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- Takayama Morning Markets
- Takayama Festival
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Only 20 minutes from Iiyama Station, Madarao Mountain Resort is known for its deep powder bowls, tree zones and fantastic backcountry along with mountain-biking and water activities from spring to autumn
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TOURS
- [START FROM NOZAWA/MADARAO] Private Snow Monkey Tour
- (Winter Only) 1-Day Tour From Nozawa & Iiyama: Snow Monkeys, Zenko-ji Temple & Sake
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- Enjoy the Fruit of Nagano
- Fruit-picking Nearby JR Iiyama Station
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- Madarao & Iiyama Area
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- Iiyama Nanohana Flower Festival
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Myoko Kogen consists of five main ski resorts jointly known for one thing – amazing powder, lots of it. Boasting some of Asia’s deepest powder and fantastic backcountry, the resorts of Myoko are waiting to be discovered
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Kanazawa is one of Japan’s most historic and rewarding destinations. A city of wealth and artistic achievement during the Edo Period, Kanazawa retains many historic attractions and districts along with some of Japan’s best gardens, museums, galleries, dining and shopping
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As the largest city in Central Japan, Nagoya is known for its modern industries, lively entertainment, great restaurants and plenty of shopping while putting visitors in reach of some fantastic regional destinations
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- Autumn Leaves of Korankei
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Lying around 2.5 hours to the west of Tokyo, Mount Fuji is a grand and awe-inspiring sight and without question, Japan’s most recognizable destination. Quite simply, it’s a must-see for anyone visiting this wonderful country
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Accessible via Echigo-Yuzawa Station, the area around Yuzawa includes the resorts of Gala Yuzawa, Naeba and Kagura; while in summer, Yuzawa plays host to Japan's largest music festival and provides acccess to the country's largest arts festival
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- Yuzawa Area
- Naeba Area
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- Fuji Rock Festival
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Tokyo is the economic, political and cultural centre of 21st century Japan. Impossible to define and inconceivable in size, the only way to really understand Tokyo is to dive in and experience it for yourself
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As of the seats of imperial power for more than one thousand years, Kyoto and Nara are the most historic cities in Japan while nearby Osaka is big, bold, brash and tremendous fun
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The most northern Japan’s four main islands, Hokkaido is a destination unto itself – a place where you’ll find wildlife and open spaces including pristine landscapes and vast national parks, and of course some of the world’s best powder skiing and snowboarding
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Famous for its beautiful landscapes including rugged coastline, historic 'onsen' villages, festivals, food and a couple of good ski resorts, Tohoku can be explored starting with the World Heritage shrine complex of Nikko
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From the global significance of Hiroshima to Himeji and its celebrated castle, Chugoku is a region known for its blend of cities and histories and as the launching point from where to discover the Seto Inland Sea along with Shikoku and its 88 temple pilgrimage
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