NAGANO PREFECTURE

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NAGANO PREFECTURES

Nagano Prefecture is a mountainous region, in the Chubu region of central Japan. The capital of Nagano Prefecture is Nagano City. Other major cities include Matsumoto and Azumino. Nagano Prefecture attractions include some of the best ski resorts in the world at Hakuba and Shiga Kogen. Other attractions include the "snow monkeys" which are at Jigokudani Monkey Park, Matsumoto Castle and Zenkoji Temple, a famous 7th century Buddhist temple.

NAGANO PREFECTURE CAPITAL

Nagano is the capital city of Nagano Prefecture, situated near the junction of the Chikuma River and the Sai River on the island of Honshu, in the Chubu region. Nagano was the host city to the 1998 Winter Olympics and thus is clearly related to winter tourism activities. The Olympics also brought with them new infrastructure including a Shinkansen link to Tokyo. Nagano attractions include Zenkoji Temple and the nearby Snow Monkeys.

NAGANO MAIN CITIES and TOWNS

Hakuba is one of the best ski resorts in Japan. Hakuba features 14 ski areas joining together to form six large ski resorts. Hakuba is ideal for skiing and snowboarding. Hakuba is in Nagano Prefecture.

Karuizawa is a well known mountain resort town in Nagano Prefecture in the foothills of the Japanese Alps. Karuizawa is famous for bird watching and hiking.

Matsumoto is in Nagano Prefecture at the eastern end of the Japan Alps. Matsumoto is surrounded by mountains and is acclaimed for its beautiful views, hiking and climbing in the mountains. Matsumoto attractions include Matsumoto Castle, which is one of the four best preserve Japanese Castle.

NAGANO CASTLES

Komoro Castle is a hill top style Japanese Castle in Komoro in Nagano Prefecture. Komoro Castle was first built in 1554, with the donjon added in 1590. The donjon later burnt down in the Edo Period and most other structures were demolished in 1871 as part of the Meiji Restoration. Today two original gates remain, both are designated Important Cultural Properties.

Matsumoto Castle is a flatland style Japanese Castle is in Matsumoto in Nagano Prefecture. Matsumoto Castle is one of only four Japanese Castles that is classified as a National Treasure. Matsumoto Castle, also known as Crow Castle because of its distinctive black exterior, relied heavily on its walls, moats and gatehouses for its defence. Matsumoto Castle started life in 1504 when a fort, referred to as Fukashi Castle, was built on its current site.

Takato Castle is a hill top style Japanese Castle in Ina Nagano Prefecture. Takato Castle was constructed around 1550, but was largely demolished in 1871 as part of the Meiji Restoration. Today some gate houses, earth works and moats remain.

Ueda Castle is a flatland style Japanese Castle is in Ueda in Nagano Prefecture. Ueda Castle was constructed by the well known samurai leader, Sanada Masayuki, in 1583. Shortly after the completion of Ueda Castle it was attacked by the forces of Tokugawa Ieyasu it was later known as The Battle of Kami River. The Sanada Clan ambushed the Tokugawa troops as they approached Ueda Castle leading to a successful defence of the castle. In 1600 the Sanada Clan successfully defended Ueda Castle from Tokugawa's forces. Today the original yugura (turret) in the West, North and South still remain.

NAGANO TEMPLES

Zenkoji Temple is a famous 7th century Buddhist temple in Nagano City, however the temple pre-dates the city by hundreds of years. Originally the township was focused around Zenkoji Temple.

NAGANO GARDENS and PARKS

Garyuu Park, in Suzaka Nagano Prefecture, is famous for its cherry blossom and is considered one of Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots.

Jigokudani Monkey Park is part of the Joshinetsu Kogen National Park, in Yamanouchi Nagano Prefecture, is famous for its Snow Monkeys. The Snow Monkeys are wild population of Japanese Macaques which learnt to take advantage of natural hot springs in winter to keep warm. In the Jigokudani Monkey Park the winters are long and hard for most of the animals with snow covering the ground for four months. There are many famous pictures of the Snow Monkeys sitting in the hot springs with a light cover of snow over their fur.

Kaikoen Park, in Komoro Nagano Prefecture, is famous for its cherry blossom and is considered one of Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots. Komoro Kaikoen Park also features the remains and ruins of Komoro Castle.

Takato Castle Park, in Ina in Nagano Prefecture, is most famous for its cherry blossom being considered one of Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots. Takato Castle Park also features the remains and ruins of Takato Castle.

NAGANO SKI RESORTS

Shiga Kogen is a famous ski resort in the heart of the Joshinetsu National Park, Nagano Prefecture. Shiga Kogen is a famous for its amazing panoramic views, and powder quality snow.

NAGANO TRAIN STATIONS

Nagano Station is the main train station in Nagano and where the Nagano Shinkansen terminates.