Fancy Eating Hot Pot in a Snow Hut? Visit Nagano Today!
Located in the Chubu region, Nagano Prefecture is home to a bevy of famous ski resorts. Among them, Hakuba is arguably the most popular; skiers from all over the world flock here for its powder-fine snow and magnificent natural sceneries. However, plenty of other exciting snow activities await at this fun winter destination!
（1）Have a hot pot feast in a snow hut at Restaurant Kamakura Village!
Taking advantage of its heavy snowfall, the City of Iiyama has a fantastic restaurant made from snow!
Open for a limited time from late January to late February each year, Restaurant Kamakura Village is composed of 20 kamakura or snow domes created by hardening ice and then hollowing out the inside. Reservations are definitely required to dine at this unique restaurant!
Get inside a kamakura and keep warm with a serving of noroshi nabe. A specialty of the Nagano Prefecture, this hearty hot pot is made with Shinshu miso, Miyuki pork, and locally grown mushrooms and vegetables. Hang around till nightfall when lanterns light up the kamakura, a truly magical sight.
The grounds around the restaurant are also great for snow riding and sledding, making it the perfect location for a host of winter activities.
|
Restaurant Kamakura Village Location: 807-2 Kotobuki, Iiyama, Nagano Access: 15 minutes by taxi from Iiyama Station or JR Tokarinozawa Onsen Station, and 20 minutes from Iiyama Station. |
（2）Enjoy snow athletics and a mountainous cafe at SNOW WOW! Hakuba Tsugaike
The first authentic snow fun park in Japan, SNOW WOW! offers all sorts of exciting snow activities! Children and adults will enjoy a thrilling but safe sledding activity called a Snow Racer. Then there’s Paragliding Towing, which allows you to “swim” through the air while being pulled from a low area to the sky. Fat Bike involves riding on the snow in a bicycle with thick tires. The best thing about these snow activities is you don’t need to wear bulky ski gear or winter clothing.
The Hakuba area is home to Hakuba Ski Jumping Stadium, a facility that served as the competition venue for the Nagano Winter Olympics in 1998. Also here is Hakuba Mountain Harbor, a cafe with a viewing platform situated atop Iwatake Mountain Resort. Feast your eyes on gorgeous views of the Northern Alps while sipping on a cup of espresso.
|
SNOW WOW! Hakuba Tsugaike Location: 1280-1 Chikuniotsu, Otari-mura, Kitaazumi-gun, Nagano Access: From JR Nagano Station, take the Hakuba Line Limited Express Bus for about 1 hour and 40 minutes and get off at Kaike Kogen Station. Website: https://hakuba.com/experiences/snow-activities/snow-wow-tsugaike-to-do/ |
（3）Soak up magical vibes at the Nagano Tomyo Festival
Nagano City’s nearly 1,400-year-old Zenkoji Temple serves as the venue for the Nagano Tomyo Festival, an event held one week in February to celebrate the hugely successful 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics. The street leading to Zenkoji Temple is lined with lanterns adorned with kiri-e (paper cuts) designed by professional artists, hobbyists, and local children. Once lit, they create a dreamy atmosphere.
|
Nagano Tomyo Festival Location: Zenkoji area, Nagano Station West Exit, Zenkoji front approach area Access：About 15 minutes by bus from Zenkoji Exit Bus Stop No. 1 outside JR Nagano Station. Get off at Zenkoji Daimon Bus Stop. Please check the official website for the latest schedules and information. |
Things to know before you go:
1) If you use the JR East Pass to travel between Nagano and Niigata, you can enjoy unlimited rides on all JR East lines. The pass can be used from Tokyo Station to Iiyama Station or JR Togarinonozawa Station on the Hokuriku Shinkansen.
Useful links:
https://www.jreast.co.jp/e/eastpass_n/index.html
https://www.jreast.co.jp/e/shinshu/index.html?src=gnavi
2) Due to the cold weather and slippery ground conditions, it’s highly advisable to wear sneakers. Avoid shoes with heels when visiting snowy areas.
3) Since snow reflects sunlight, do wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from the blinding brightness of snow.
4) The price of snow activities such as sledding and snowshoeing varies depending on the facility and tour.
