Winter activities of skiing and trekking can be enjoyed throughout the year. A magnificent view of the Japanese Alps

Hakuba is a highland resort, stretching out from the foot of the Hakuba-Sanzan Mountains (Hakuba's three mountains) in northwestern Nagano, where you can enjoy skiing, trekking and all kinds of other sports and activities throughout the year.

The magnificent view of the Northern Japan Alps and other beautiful mountains is the most recommended feature of this area. The 6-kilometer-long Happo-One Shizen-Kenkyu-ro (nature study path) is a popular easy trekking course. A ropeway and lift run throughout the year, offering an attractive aerial walk looking down upon a sea of trees.

Azumino is situated in the mid and upstream areas of the Azusa-gawa River to the south of Hakuba. It is a pastoral area that stretches to the north of the Matsumoto Basin. The greenery of the pastures and the remaining snow in the Northern Japan Alps together form a pleasant, peaceful sight. Azumino is also characterized by its many rivers that flow with sparkling clear water from the melting snow. The Daio Wasabi (Japanese horseradish) Farm, the largest farm in Azumino, takes full advantage of this natural gift and produces high quality Japanese horseradishes, which grow only in clean, pure water. Another symbol of Azumino is the Rokuzan Museum, an ivied, church-like building.

A flower paradise with blooming alpine plants. Karuizawa is one of the most famous summer resorts in Japan.

Nagano is an inland prefecture situated in the central part of Honshu that spreads across the Central Highland, also known as the Roof of Japan. Because it is situated between the Kanto and Kansai regions, it developed while being influenced by the cultures of both eastern and western Japan.

In the central part of the prefecture are mountains connected to three volcanic mountains, Mt. Nasu-yama, Mt. Fuji and Mt. Norikura-dake, and the 3,000-meter-class Japan Alps Mountains to the west. Nagano has both a high and steep mountain region, as well as a more moderate stretch of highlands. In summer it becomes a flower paradise with blooming alpine plants of various kinds. The natural beauty there is both grand and fragile. In the winter, ski resorts open in various locations throughout the prefecture, attracting many skiers.

The line of tourists visiting Nagano does not seem to end throughout the year. They visit scenic spots like Jo'estu Kogen National Park, which has Mt. Asama-yama and Mt. Yokote-yama, Minami Alps National Park, and Chubu Sangaku National Park. They also visit Karuizawa, which is one of the most famous summer resorts in Japan, and Zenko-ji Temple in Nagano City, the city which hosted the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics, as well as the cities of Ueda and Matsumoto, which prospered as castle towns. Famous hot springs include the Nozawa-onsen and Shibu-onsen, known for the monkeys that are often seen bathing in the rock baths at Jigokudani Wild Monkey Park.