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| Matsumoto Castle |
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Is one of Japan’s historic castles. Located in the city of Matsumoto, in Nagano Prefecture, it is within easy reach of Tokyo and Hakuba, making it popular with visitors to Hakuba. This castle is also called Crow Castle because of its black walls and spreading wings. |
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| Zenkoji Temple |
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Nagano City is also famous for a 7th century Buddhist temple, Zenkoji , built in 1897, the town built around the temple. Zenkoji is perhaps most famous for its involvement in the battles between Uesugi Kenshin and Takeda Shingen in the 16th century, when it served as one of Kenshin's bases of operations. |
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| The Monkey Onsen |
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Part of the Joshin-Etsu Kogen National Park, Jigokudani Yaen-koen is in a small valley accessed from Hakuba. It is famous for its large population of wild Snow Monkeys, that go to the valley during the winter, foraging elsewhere in the national park during the warmer months. |
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The Nozawa Fire Festival |
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The Dosojin Fire Festival in Nozawa Onsen is one of the most exciting winter festivals in Japan. It is held annually on Jan. 15 when locals gather to pray for a plentiful harvest, health and good fortune in the coming year. Each year an 18-meter wood shrine becomes the target of torch-bearing villagers. |
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