Nagano Prefecture sits in the heart of the Japanese Alps, a landlocked mountain region of central Honshu famed for hosting the 1998 Winter Olympics. Towering peaks, deep valleys, and pristine highland plateaus define the landscape, while centuries-old temples, historic post towns along the Nakasendo highway, and legendary onsen hot springs reveal a culture shaped by isolation and resilience. The prefecture stretches across five distinct mountain ranges, offering year-round outdoor pursuits from ski slopes at Hakuba and Shiga Kogen to summer alpine trekking through Kamikochi and the Northern Japan Alps.
Family activities
Engaging experiences for travellers of every age.
Snow Monkey Park (Jigokudani)
Duration: 2–3 hours
Price: ¥800 adult, ¥400 child ($5/$3 USD)
Matsumoto Castle Samurai Experience
Duration: 2 hours
Price: ¥700 adult, ¥300 child ($5/$2 USD)
Kamikochi Valley Easy Walk
Duration: 3–4 hours
Price: Bus fare ¥2,500 round trip ($17 USD)
Togakushi Soba Making Class
Duration: 1.5 hours
Price: ¥2,500 per person ($17 USD)
Daio Wasabi Farm Cycle Tour
Duration: 2 hours
Price: Free entry; bike rental ¥500–¥1,000 ($3–$7 USD)
Hakuba Children's Ski School
Duration: Full day or half day
Price: ¥7,000–¥12,000 per day ($47–$80 USD)
Obuse Chestnut Museum and Tasting
Duration: 2 hours
Price: Free–¥400 ($0–$3 USD)
Shiga Kogen Summer Highland Walk
Duration: Half day
Price: Bus/gondola ¥2,500 ($17 USD)
Family-friendly hotels
Accommodation designed with families in mind.
Hakuba Alpine Hotel
Matsumoto Hotel Kagetsu
Shibu Onsen Matsuya Ryokan
Dormy Inn Nagano
Dining with kids
Eating out as a family.
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Family travel tips
Practical advice for stress-free family trips.
Build downtime into every day — over-scheduled kids melt down faster than tired adults.
Carry snacks, water, and a small first-aid kit at all times.
Many attractions offer discounted family tickets — ask at the ticket window.