Nagano
in Japan

Surrounded by the Japanese Alps, nagano feels calmer and slower than many of the country’s bigger regions. Winter brings skiers to the mountains, while warmer months are all about hiking trails, forest walks and quiet onsen towns. Beyond the scenery, there is a strong sense of tradition here with wooden villages, Zen temples and small local restaurants serving soba noodles and seasonal produce. Whether you come for the snow or the landscapes, nagano has a wonderfully grounding quality to it.