From craft breweries and basement izakaya pubs to ramen joints and fine Japanese dining, downtown Nagano City has countless options around the station and tucked away along narrow streets and arcades.

Depending on your mood, and possibly the time of day, you can choose from restaurants featuring the specialties of Nagano Prefecture, international cuisine full of local ingredients, hearty Japanese favorites and more.

In addition to the restaurants introduced below, you can find more options on the Shokutabi Nagano website.

Specialties of Nagano

Soba Noodles

Nagano is arguably the most well-known prefecture for soba noodles in Japan. And Togakushi to the north of Nagano City is especially famous for soba. Noodles made with freshly ground buckwheat flour have a rich, nutty aroma complemented by each shops’ unique tsuyu dipping broth. Tempura of seasonal vegetables or shrimp make a great addition to soba noodle meal.

In downtown Nagano, you can stop by Soba Juwari Ten near the station or Soba Daizen on the way to Zenkoji Temple for a plate of juwari soba, 100% buckwheat noodles—the gold standard for soba that also happens to be gluten-free.

For an elegant kaiseki meal featuring juwari soba, consider making a reservation at Tsumugi, located in Patio Daimon about 20 minutes on foot from Nagano Station. Each course features locally grown Nagano produce, heirloom vegetables and soba flour ground in-house.

Oyaki Dumplings

Another one of Nagano Prefecture’s comfort foods is Oyaki, a steamed or grilled dumpling filled with seasoned vegetables. Popular fillings include nozawana pickles, shredded daikon radish, mushrooms and miso-flavored eggplant.

On the way to Zenkoji Temple in Patio Daimon is Ogawa no Sho, a shop with a traditional atmosphere where plump oyaki are grilled over coals for a delightfully chewy crust. Further up the road on Nakamisedori Street, Irohado serves oyaki that are fried then baked for a fluffier, bread-like texture. Both also have storefronts in Nagano Station if you’re looking for oyaki in a hurry.

While in Nagano, you can even find these delectable morsels in convenience stores with some unique fillings.

All Things Miso

Miso is an essential part of Japanese cuisine. Nagano Prefecture produces around 40% of Japan’s miso, and there are many miso breweries around Nagano City, such as the giant Marukome, Japan’s largest miso manufacturer. There are several smaller breweries around town as well, and at Suyakame Miso, you can visit its in-store restaurant for a lunch of grilled miso onigiri or miso-marinated pork one of three miso soups, and seasonal side dishes.

Another option further towards Zenkoji is Hakko Monzen, a restaurant specializing in fusion cuisine made with local produce fermented foods, including miso, from Nagano. They offer lunch sets, an ala carte dinner menu as well as course meals.

Miso is also a popular base for ramen, and many ramen shops in Nagano City have miso ramen options on the menu. See below for details.

Sauce Katsu and Tonkatsu

Each region of Japan has its own spin on Tonkatsu pork cutlets, and Nagano is no exception. Sauce Katsu, a fried pork cutlet covered with a tangy brown sauce, was southern Nagano’s answer to this popular dish, and its influence has extended across the prefecture. Notably, Meijitei in Nagano Station is a chain location of a sauce katsudon specialty shop originating in Komagane City, Nagano.

For a more traditional version of the dish, stop by Tonkatsu Karari, known for its thick and flavorful cutlets of Waton Mochibuta pork, and pair your meal with a glass of Nagano sake. Or, you can visit Tonkatsu Akiyama, which offers tonkatsu made with locally raised Hakuba Ginjo or Miyuki pork. The set comes with tonjiru soup, plenty of cabbage and rice cooked in a traditional hagama pot.

Local International and Fusion Restaurants

You don’t have to eat Japanese food for every single meal while you’re traveling around Japan. Sometimes something more familiar with roots in the area is just what hits the spot. Whether it’s a historic landmark restaurant in the heart of town, a fusion restaurant that brings Japanese and Western tastes together or a delicatessen serving locally sourced game, there are plenty of options downtown.

Fujiya Gohonjin's stately exterior

A selection of the restaurant's Italian dishes

Originally the principal inn of the post-town at Zenkoji, the Fujiya Gohonjin has a history going back hundreds of years to the Edo Period, and it continues to entertain a wide variety of guests to this day. At the restaurant, you can enjoy Italian cuisine utilizing local Nagano produce in an elegant and refined atmosphere blending Japanese and Western architecture.

Empty wine bottles line the window of Komatsuya

One of Komatsuya's pasta dishes

A more intimate Italian dining experience can be had at Komatsuya, a family-run restaurant on a side street of Zenkoji Temple. The restaurant building is a renovated 300-year-old shop. In addition to delicious pasta, the owner may also share with you his recommendations for places to visit around Zenkoji.

An array of Japanese, international and fusion dishes at Monzen Terrace Enya

The second floor of Monzen Terrace Enya

For a mix of traditional Japanese dishes with fusion flare, head to Monzen Terrace Enya located in Patio Daimon. You can enjoy dishes featuring fresh fish from the Sea of Japan and local vegetables grown in nearby Iiyama in a spacious modern interior or sit outside on the patio for a breath of fresh air with your meal.

Mulberry Delicatessen sits just two minutes on foot from Shiyakusho-mae Station, its wall of windows inviting you to take a peek at its modern interior and loaded deli counter. In addition to quiches, pastas and curries, you can choose from a wide variety of side dishes, charcuterie plates and even wild game sausage.  Stay for a full meal or just grab something to snack on while you have a drink.

Cafes

There are plenty of Starbucks around Nagano City, and if you’re feeling a little more adventurous, Tully’s as well. But if you’d rather relax in somewhere local, venture beyond the station for some great cafes.

Foret Coffee is a small café along Chuo-dori Street that specializes in espresso-based drinks. You can choose between a lighter or darker bean for your cup, and they even sell roasted beans to take home. Sit at one of the tables inside or take your coffee to go on the way to/from Zenkoji.

Hirano Coffee is a queit café operating out of a renovated 100-year-old house in a neighborhood near Zenkoji Temple. They roast their own beans and carry up to 15 varieties for sale at a time. You can choose from many of these beans when you order a cup of coffee, which pairs well with one of their in-house desserts like chocolate gateau, pound cake or far Breton.

North South East West sits just beside Nagano City Hall. Its floor-to-ceiling windows let in plenty of light, and there are ample tables and a counter facing outward for those looking to people-watch. They are known for their muffins, which pair well with a mug of freshly brewed coffee.

You can indulge your sweet tooth at Oto Café, choosing from one of its many pancake dishes or kakigori shaved ices. There are plenty of lunch options as well, from curry and pasta to loco moco and hamburg steak.

Craft Beer Breweries

Craft beer is having a renaissance in Japan and Nagano is no exception. There are three beer breweries in downtown Nagano where you can knock back local pilsners, ales and stouts.

The exterior of Yamanoma Brewery and Craft Beer Pub

Yamanoma's very own beers and other local beers are on tap

Just beyond the station’s Zenkoji exit is Yamanoma Brewery and Craft Beer Pub. The owner became fascinated with beer brewing during his 10-year stay in the United States, and his wife cooks a variety of dishes with local ingredients, some of which are vegan- and/or vegetarian-friendly.

Farther along Chuo-dori street on the way to the temple is Nagano Minamikaze Beer. Walking through the threshold, you’re greeted by bright blue walls and large windows revealing the brewery’s steel fermentation tanks. There are usually around 4 to 6 local beers on tap ranging from fruit ales to nitro stouts, as well as a range of light meal options with some Nagano specialties to boot.

Finally, down a side street near the start of Zenkoji’s stone steps is Mallika Brewing, a local beer brewery with a small tap room on the second floor. Beginning beer production in June of 2022, they’ve already produced over 50 different beers utilizing a host of unique ingredients. Each new batch comes with its own label, and their playful designs may inspire you to start your own Mallika beer bottle collection.

Ramen Shops

Misoya's miso ramen

Misoya is all counter seating&emdash;great for solo patrons

The shop's bright red sign is hard to miss

As mentioned above, miso ramen is a popular dish around Nagano. Its rich, hearty soup is perfect on a cold winter’s day. Across from Nagano Station is Misoya, a ramen shop known for its delicious miso ramen topped with crunchy bean sprouts and scallions. It is so popular, its hard to find a time of day when there isn’t already a line out the door!

A bowl of Tenten's Shio Katsuo Ramen

The shop's wooden interior is warm and inviting

Tenten sits along the Gondo Arcade in central Nagano City

In the Gondo Arcade, Tenten pride themselves in their ramen broths made without the use of preservatives. Their most popular ramen is the Shio Katsuo ramen, a salty, dried bonito broth; followed in second by their miso ramen with a kick of garlic. If you visit for dinner, they also offer an everchanging menu of fresh seafood and other dishes too.

Other Options

Of course, there are many other great restaurants and cafes around downtown Nagano City, so we couldn’t list them all here. You can find more options on the Shokutabi Nagano website or on Tabelog’s English website.