Ryokan in Nagano

長野

A prefecture of mountains in the Japan Alps, which hosted the 1998 Winter Olympics. Nagano city, around the temple of Zenko-ji, is 80 to 100 minutes from Tokyo by Hokuriku Shinkansen, and Karuizawa is on the way. Its ryokan are in ski villages, castle-town Matsumoto and old hot-spring towns.

Choosing where to stay in Nagano

Nozawa Onsen 野沢温泉
A hot-spring and ski village in northern Nagano with thirteen free public bathhouses (soto-yu) kept by the villagers. The village is compact, with the ski slopes, ryokan and baths all within walking distance. From Tokyo it is 100 to 120 minutes by Hokuriku Shinkansen to Iiyama, then 25 minutes by bus.
Matsumoto 松本
A castle city in a basin under the Japan Alps; the keep of Matsumoto Castle is a National Treasure. The hot springs are on the city's eastern edge: Asama Onsen in the foothills and Utsukushigahara Onsen in a valley below the Utsukushigahara plateau.
Hakuba 白馬
A valley of ski resorts under the Northern Alps, which hosted the downhill, ski jumping and cross-country events at the 1998 Nagano Olympics. From Tokyo it is 100 minutes by Hokuriku Shinkansen to Nagano, then 60 to 90 minutes by express bus. There are hot-spring baths around the village.
Karuizawa 軽井沢
A highland resort at about 1,000 metres, 65 to 80 minutes from Tokyo by Hokuriku Shinkansen. Missionaries made it a summer retreat in the late 19th century, and it is still where Tokyo goes to escape the heat. The Hoshino hot spring is in the woods at Naka-Karuizawa.
Hoshinoya Karuizawa

Other places in Nagano

Map of Nagano Prefecture with a dot for each ryokan and rings at Nagano city, Shibu Onsen, Nozawa Onsen, Hakuba, Matsumoto, Bessho Onsen and Karuizawa — © OpenStreetMap

Nagano City 長野市
The prefectural capital around Zenko-ji, one of Japan's most visited temples.
Shibu Onsen 渋温泉
A hot-spring street of nine public baths near the snow monkeys of Jigokudani.
Bessho Onsen 別所温泉
An old hot spring near Ueda, surrounded by Kamakura-period temples.

Nagano through the year

Spring春
March to May
Cherry trees first bloom around 11 April in Nagano city in an average year, early to mid April at Matsumoto Castle, and from late April in Hakuba and Karuizawa.
Summer夏
June to August
At around 1,000 metres Karuizawa has been a summer escape from the heat since the 1880s, and Hakuba is a base for climbing in the Northern Alps.
Autumn秋
September to November
The colours start high in the Alps above Hakuba in mid-September and work down to the valleys through October.
Winter冬
December to February
Snow brings skiers to Hakuba and Nozawa Onsen, and the snow monkeys of Jigokudani, near Shibu Onsen, bathe in their hot spring.