While Nagano is famous for its breathtaking alpine scenery and historic sites, this might not excite everyone in the family. For families with restless kids wanting a break from sightseeing, we have gathered a list of high-quality, family friendly facilities that are perfect for children of all ages. 

Ninja Experiences at the Kids' Ninja Village and Togakushi Ninja Museum

 The mystique of ninjas has captivated the world, and the Togakushi 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 range, a museum displaying secretive ninja tools, and a ninja fun house where you try to find the hidden escape doors. The Kids Ninja Village is the larger of the two, offering more extensive obstacle courses as well as ninja costume rentals. 

Togakushi Kids' Ninja Village

Hours: 9:00–17:00 (Last entry 16:00)
Operating Period: late April to mid-November
Closed:  Thursdays (except late July to mid-August)
Admission: General/650 yen, Children (4-6 y.o.)/350 yen + 350 yen per attraction
Website: https://www.ninjamura.com (Japanese)

Togakushi Ninja Museum

Hours: 9:00–17:00 (Last entry 16:30)

Operating Period: late April to mid-November 
Closed: Wednesdays.
Admission: General/700 yen, Children (6-15 y.o.)/500 yen, Children (4–5 y.o.) 200 yen
Website: https://www.togakushi-ninja.com/

Access

By Public Transport: Approx. 50 minutes by Togakushi line bus (Alpico) from Nagano Station. Get off at Togakushi Chusha stop for Kids’ Ninja Village or Togakushi Okusha stop for Ninja Museum.
By Car: 60 minutes from Nagano IC on the Joshin-etsu Expressway. 

Fruit-picking, Cooking Lessons and More at Miharashi Farm

Miharashi Farm offers a wide variety of activities the entire family can enjoy, including fruit and vegetable picking, buckwheat soba and oyaki dumpling cooking lessons and workshops like woodcrafts, weaving and dyeing. In addition, you can enjoy the outdoors on a walk along its trekking trails or via mountain biking through the woods above the farm. Afterwards, get lunch at the onsite restaurants or relax at 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. See the PDF below for details.
Website (PDF): https://miharashi-farm.com/pdf/english.pdf
Website: https://miharashi-farm.com/ (Japanese)

Access

By Public Transport:  20-minute bus ride (Ina Bus Minowa Route)  
By Car: 5 minutes from Ina IC on the Chuo Expressway.

Ziplines and Aerial Obstacle Courses at Nagano Forest Village and Forest Adventures

 The world of the tree canopy awaits you at Forest Adventure in the Iizuna wilderness above central Nagano City. Put on your harness, hook it to the safety line and go for a thrilling walk among the treetops up to 13 meters above the ground. The highlight is the exhilarating zip line across Daizahoshi Pond. Further attractions await in the adjacent Nagano Forest Village, including outdoor laser tag, trampolines, BBQ and camping spots, and paddle boats on the pond. For some shopping, you can also stop by the farmer’s market and gift shop. 

Details

Hours: Starting times are from 9:00 to 14:45 (time required: approx. 1.5 hours)
Admission: Prices from 3,000 yen.
Note: Minimum height 110 cm
Website: https://foret-aventure.jp/en/park/fa-nagano/

Access

By Public Transport: 35 minutes by Togakushi local line bus (Alpico Route 70) from Nagano Station. Get off at Nagano Forest Village bus stop.
By Car: 40 minutes from Nakano IC on the Joshin-etsu Expressway.

Alternatives

Forest Adventure Tateshina
Forest Adventure Matsukawa

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 play areas. Journey down the Children's Kiso Road, where eleven exciting play corners await, inspired by the region's historic post-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. 

Details

Hours: 10:00–16:00 (Last entry 15:30)
Admission: General/800 yen, Children (1-12 y.o.)/600 yen, Children (under 1 y.o.) & Visitors with disabilities/ Free
Closed: Tuesdays and Wednesdays
Note: Open if Wednesday is a holiday (closed the following day).
Reservations required for major holidays (Golden Week, Obon).
Website: https://kiso-toymuseum.com/ (Japanese)

Access

By Public Transport: 15 minutes by Kaida Kogen line bus from JR Kiso-Fukushima Station. Get off at Omocha Bijutsukan bus stop.
By Car: 15 minutes from Kiso Ohashi (via Route 19 and 361). Free parking available for 120 cars.

The Tateshina Teddy Bear Museum and Ikenotaira Family Land at Lake Shirakaba

Nestled along the scenic shores of Lake Shirakaba are a plethora of family-friendly facilities, in particular the Tateshina Teddy Bear Museum and Ikenotaira Family Land.

At the Tateshina Teddy Bear Museum, featuring one of the world’s largest collections with over 11,000 bears, you can explore its displays of countless stuffed animals across fifteen global themes.

Nearby is 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: General/1,400 yen, Children (6-12 y.o.)/800 yen, Children (3-5 y.o.)/500 yen, Children (under 3 y.o.) Free
Hours: Summer/9:00–17:00, Winter/9:30–16:30 
Website: https://1027.jp/ (Japanese)

Ikenotaira Family Land

Admission (Entry only): Adults: 1,900 yen | Children: 1,600 yen
Free Pass (Weekends/Holidays): Adults/4,500 yen,  Children/ 3,400 yen
Hours: Generally 9:30–17:00 (vary by season/holidays; check website for details)
Website: https://www.shirakabaresort.jp/english/

Access

By Public Transport: From JR Chino Station, take the bus (approx. 45 min) to the lakefront. Or, from JR Sakudaira Station, the bus takes approx. 69 minutes.
By Car: 40 minutes from Suwa IC or 55 minutes from Saku IC. Parking is free on weekdays (excl. Golden Week and summer). A 1,000 yen fee applies on weekends, holidays, Golden Week and the summer period.

Saku Ski Garden Parada

Tearing down on a toboggan

Saku Parada's Beetle Park

Located along the Joshin’etsu Expressway between Karuizawa and Saku City, Saku Ski Garden Parada offers a wide range of activities for families to enjoy without even having to get off the highway. Have restless kids after a long car ride? Let them loose on trampolines and jungle gyms, take them on a forest therapy walk, or join them for a thrilling toboggan ride.

There is also an Insect Experience Learning Center, BBQ facilities, a restaurant, and a day-use bath house with panoramic views of the Yatsugatake mountains and Mt. Tateshina.

Details

Hours: Varies by activity and season. Beetle Park/9:30–17:00, Toboggan rides/9:30-16:30 (9:00–17:00 in summer).
Beetle Park Admission: General/200 yen, Children(4–16 y.o.)/100 yen, Children(under 3 y.o.)/Free

Toboggan Ride (including lift): General/1,200 yen, Children (12 y.o. and under)/800 yen 

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.