NAGANO JAPAN

Obuse

Obuse

Obuse is a small but historic town populated by quaint shops, gardens, temples, local delicacies and sake, and home to the Hokusai Museum. Japan’s most celebrated artist, Katsushika Hokusai, spent some of his final years working in Obuse and today, the museum profiles his life and work while his final great masterpiece can be viewed on the ceiling of a local temple. Also famous for its chestnuts, Obuse tempts you to visit with lots of tasty treats, craft shops and a couple of acclaimed ‘sake’ and ‘miso’ breweries.

15 THINGS TO DO IN OBUSE & WHERE TO STAY

Home to the Hokusai-kan Museum, craft stores and good food, Obuse is a small but historic town that offers an enjoyable morning or afternoon outing.

TAKAI KOZAN MUSEUM

The former home of Hokusai's wealthy patron includes the artist's Obuse studio wear he produced his last great works.

GANSHOIN TEMPLE

Unassuming on the outside, Ganshoin Temple boasts Hokusai's last great masterpiece on its ceiling.

EXPLORE OBUSE

A little town that boasts a big history and lots of tasty treats.

YAMABOKU WILD SNOW PARK

Dive deep into the real thing at this very local powder resort.

OBUSE HOKUSAI-KAN MUSEUM

Dedicated to the life and work of Japan's most famous artist, Obuse Hokusai-kan Museum holds both a national and international profile.

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15 Things To Do Around Obuse & Where To Stay

Only 25 to 30-minutes by train from Nagano Station, Obuse is a small...

How To Get To Obuse

Located between Nagano City and the Yamanouchi area – home of ...

TOURS

[START FROM NAGANO CITY] Private Snow Monkey Tour

Home to the world-famous Snow Monkeys of Jigokudani and host of the ...

ACTIVITIES

Onsen In & Around Nagano

As one of the most volcanic countries in the world, Japan is home to...

Enjoy the Fruit of Nagano

The elevation of Nagano and resulting temperature difference between...

Explore Obuse

Once an important Edo Period (1603-1868) trading town, Obuse is a sm...

Hokusai-kan Museum

Certainly Japan’s most famous artist, Katsushika Hokusai – more comm...

Visit Gansho-in Temple

The Ganshoin Temple in Obuse is one with a long history. The most fa...

Takai Kozan Memorial Museum

Takai Kozan was one of the wealthiest farmer-merchants of Obuse. Hig...

Cherry Blossom-Viewing in Matsukawa Valley

‘Hanami’ or ‘flower viewing’ is perhaps the ...

The Waterfalls Of Matsukawa Valley

Known for its natural beauty, the mountains and steep ravines of Mat...

Matsukawa Valley Hot Springs

Matsukawa Valley is blessed with many ‘onsen’ (natural h...

Autumn Leaves of Matsukawa Valley

Known as ‘koyo’ in Japanese, the autumn leaves of Nagano...

Yamaboku Wild Snow Park

While small, Yamaboku Wild Snow Park makes-up for its compact size w...

Tacochi Backcountry Course

Starting at an altitude of 1750 meters in the Yamaboku Wild Snow Par...

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Obuse Area

Obuse is a small but historic town just outside Nagano City, around ...

RESTAURANTS

HIGHWAY OASIS

Here you can find plenty of Japanese sweets and pickled vegetables, ...

SAKURAI KANSEIDO SENSEKITEI

Kanseidou’s restaurant “Senseki-tei” is built on t...

KURINOKI TERRACE

Enjoy a pot of tea and some Japanese cake in this shop with their Ja...

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Say Goodbye to 2020 and ‘Hello’21!’: There’s Plenty of Great Deals in Nagano this Winter!

Winter is off to a great start here in Nagano! The snow has been fal...

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

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

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#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...

#TRAVELTOMORROW: Fruit-picking in Nagano – an Ideal Outdoor Activity in Summer & Autumn

As we head into the middle of summer, there’s one thing on our mind ...

#TRAVELTOMORROW: Clean Green & Healthy – Discover Central Japan

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#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

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#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
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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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