Family Fun to Discover!
While Nagano is famous for its breathtaking alpine scenery and historic sites, there are many reasons to visit the region aside from its natural wonders. We’ve gathered a list of high-quality, family-friendly facilities that can be enjoyed by international travelers with children of all ages. Here are top picks for families seeking safe and engaging "edutainment" during their Nagano journey.
Ninja Experiences: Kids Ninja Village & Togakushi Ninja Museum
The mystique of ninjas has captivated the world, and the Togakushi highlands area above central Nagano City is home to not one but two ninja-themed attractions. It is in this mountainous wilderness that the Togakure-ryu school of ninjutsu originated. Both the Kids Ninja Village and the Ninpo Center have obstacle courses to test ninja warrior skills, a shuriken throwing star range, a museum displaying secretive ninja tools, and a hugely popular ninja fun house where you try to find the hidden escape doors. The Kids Ninja Village is the larger of the two, with vaster and more varied obstacle courses, as well as ninja costume rental.
Togakushi Kids Ninja Village
Hours: 09:00 – 17:00 (Last entry 16:00) late-April to Mid-Nov. Closed Thursdays (except late-July – mid-August)
Admission: 700 yen (elementary and middle school 500 yen, age 4-5 200 yen)
Website: https://www.ninjamura.com
Togakushi Ninja Museum
Hours: 09:00 – 17:00 (Last entry 16:30) late-April to Mid-Nov. Closed Wednesdays.
Admission: 650 yen (age 4-6 350 yen) + 350 yen per attraction
Access:
Website: https://www.togakushi-ninja.com/
Access
Public Transport: Approx. 50-minute bus ride (Alpico) from Nagano Station. Alight at "Chusha” for Kids Ninja Village, “Okusha” for Ninja Museum.
By Car: 60 minutes from Nagano IC, Joshin-etsu Expwy.
Miharashi Farm
Promising an authentic rural farm experience, Miharashi Farm offers a wide variety of activities the entire family can enjoy. From fruit and vegetable picking (summertime blueberries are especially popular) and cooking lessons (learn how to make classic Nagano fares such as buckwheat soba noodles and oyaki dumplings) to woodcraft as well as weaving and dyeing, there is something for everyone. There are trekking trails and a mountain biking course for more active people, in addition to restaurants and the Miharashi no Yu onsen bath house. Reservations required for most activities.
Details
Hours: 09:00 – 17:00 (hours and closed dates vary per activity).
Admission: Price varies by activity. Blueberry picking 1100 yen (elementary school 600 yen, preschool or younger free)
Website (PDF): https://miharashi-farm.com/pdf/english.pdf
Access
Public Transport: 20-minute bus ride (Ina Bus Minowa Route) from Ina Station. Alight at "Miharashi Farm” bus stop.
By Car: 5 minutes from Ina IC, Chuo Expwy.
Forest Adventures: Nagano Forest Village & Forest Adventures
The world of the tree canopy awaits you at Forest Adventure in the Iizuna wilderness above central Nagano City. Clamp your safety harness to the guide line and go for a thrilling walk among the tree tops up to 13 meters above the ground. The highlight is the exhilarating zip line across Daizahosi Pond Further attractions await in the adjacent Nagano Forest Village, including laser tag, trampolines, BBQ and camping spots, and peddle boats on the pond, as well as a farmer’s market and gift shop.
Details
Hours: Starting times are from 09:00 to 14:45, with time required from 1.5 hours.
Admission: Price from 3000 yen.
Note: Minimum height 110 cm.
Website: https://foret-aventure.jp/en/park/fa-nagano/
Access
Public Transport: 35-minute bus ride (Alpico Route 70) from Nagano Station. Alight at “Nagano Forest Village” bus stop.
By Car: 40 minutes from Nakano IC on Joshin-etsu Expwy.
Alternatives
Kiso Toy Museum
Discover Kiso Toy Museum, an interactive wonderland perfect for families with children of all ages. This tactile museum celebrates the rich nature and culture of Kiso through beautiful wooden toys and immersive pretend play areas. Journey down the Children's Kiso Road, where eleven exciting play corners await, inspired by the region's historic inn towns. Kids can let their imaginations run wild exploring, while the whole family enjoys unique culinary activities like making traditional soba noodles or gohei mochi. Afterwards, relax at Café Four Seasons with delicious local specialties. It is a fantastic destination combining cultural education with endless playtime fun!
Details
Hours: 10:00 – 16:00 (Last entry 15:30)
Admission: Adults (Junior High and above): 800 yen
Children (1 year to Elementary): 600 yen
Under 1 year / Visitors with disabilities: Free
Closed: Tuesdays and Wednesdays
Note: Open if Wednesday is a holiday (closed the following day).
Reservations required for major holidays (GW, Obon).
Website: https://kiso-toymuseum.com/en/
Access
Public Transport: 15-minute bus ride (Kaida Kogen Line) from JR Kiso-Fukushima Station. Alight at "Omochu Bijutsukan" bus stop.
By Car: Approx. 15 minutes from Kiso Ohashi (via Route 19 and 361). Free parking available for 120 cars.
Lake Shirakaba: Tateshina Teddy Bear Museum & Ikenotaira Family Land
Nestled along the scenic shores of Lake Shirakaba, this duo offers a full day of excitement. Start at the Tateshina Teddy Bear Museum, one of the world’s largest, featuring over 11,000 bears across fifteen global themes. It is a heartwarming journey perfect for all ages. Afterward, head to Ikenotaira Family Land, a sprawling amusement park surrounded by nature. From gentle rides and mini-trains to animal encounters and beautiful gardens, the park is specifically designed for safe, preschooler-friendly fun. With nearby hot springs and hotels, it is a convenient, comprehensive resort destination for international families exploring the Nagano highlands.
Tateshina Teddy Bear Museum
Admission: Adults: 1,400 yen | Elementary: 800 yen | 3+ years: 500 yen (Under 3: Free)
Hours: 9:00 – 17:00 (Summer) | 9:30 – 16:30 (Winter)
Website: https://1027.jp/ (Japanese)
Ikenotaira Family Land
Admission (Entry only): Adults: 1,700 yen | Children: 1,400 yen
Free Pass (Weekends/Holidays): Adults: 4,500 yen | Children: 3,400 yen
Hours: Generally 9:30 – 17:00 (Hours vary by season/holidays; check website for details)
Website: https://www.shirakabaresort.jp/english/
Access
Public Transport: strong>From JR Chino Station, take the bus (approx. 45 min) to the lakefront. From JR Sakudaira Station, the bus takes approx. 69 minutes.
By Car: strong>40 minutes from Suwa IC or 55 minutes from Saku IC. Free parking is available at the resort.
Saku Ski Garden "PARADA"
Fascinated horned beetles and enjoy scary toboggan rides? Then Saku Parada is the place for you. Explore the world of beetles and other creepy crawlies at the Insect Experience Learning Center. And at the adjacent Kids Land, Super Slider and Athletics Park, little ones have a blast jumping on trampolines, careening down the toboggan course, and testing their athletic skills on the play equipment. BBQ facilities, a restaurant and an onsen bath house with a panorama view also await.
Details
Hours: Varies by activity. For the Beetle Park, 09:30-17:00 (longer in summer, shorter in winter).
Admission: 200 yen (age 4-16 100 yen, 3 or younger free)
Access:
Website: https://saku-parada.jp (Japanese)
Access
Public Transport: 11 minutes by taxi from Sakudaira Station.
By Car: Adjacent to Sakudaira PA on the Joshin-etsu Expwy.
HAKUBA TSUGAIKE WOW!
Go big, go Wow! Accessible via the Tsugaike Gondola, Wow! is an adventure park high up in the Japanese Alps. Attractions include Tobidas – 12-meter tall water slide jump; Kogidas – a high-wire bike ride; Amidas -- an aerial net park; and Pochadas – water play with massive floats.
Details
Hours: Start times 09:00 to 15:00.
Admission: Price varies by activity, ex. Amidas 60 minutes 1600 yen (1000 yen for age 3 through elementary school).
Access:
Website: https://www.tsugaike.gr.jp/green/wow#
Access
Public Transport: 70 minutes by express bus (Alpico Hakuba line) from Nagano Station, or 15 minutes by local bus from Hakuba Station. Alight at Tsugaike Kogen bus stop
By Car: 70 minutes from Azumino IC, Nagano Expwy. Then 5 minutes by Tsugaike Gondola to Shirakaba Station
