Located along the Hokuriku Shinkansen line and just an hour and a half from Tokyo, Nagano City is your easily accessible gateway to the Japanese Alps and travel hub to the rest of the prefecture. And around town, you’ll find a wide variety of accommodations to suit your needs, whether you’d like to stay in a hot-spring equipped inn, a traditional temple lodge or a Western-style hotel minutes from the station.

Where will you stay on your next trip to Nagano?

Downtown Nagano City

Traditional Inns and Temple Lodges

Shimizuya Ryokan

Looking down the stairs in the center of Shimizuya Ryokan

The inn's traditional woodwork and unique architecture is a delight

The view of Mt. Asahi from Room 32

The third-floor hallway

A small room basking in the light of the morning sun

Beginning as a merchant’s shop in 1876 before becoming an accommodation 15 years later, Shimizuya Ryokan is the only original Japanese ryokan inn along Nagano City’s main street. Even today it retains its traditional interior, including wooden pillars and fusuma sliding doors painted at the beginning of the Meiji Period. As you take in the unique and charming elements of the inn's architecture, you may get lost somewhere between its steep staircases and meandering corridors.

Staying at such a historic location isn't for everyone. Due to the period in which it was originally built, none of the rooms have attached toilets or baths (shared toilets and public men and womens’ baths are available instead). The three-story inn has no elevator and the stairs are quite steep. And like many other Japanese ryokan inns, only futons are available for sleeping. But if you can accept a few inconveniences, you are rewarded with an authentic ryokan atmosphere that you won't find anywhere else.

Dinner isn’t included, but there are plenty of restaurants nearby along Chuo-dori street to choose from.

Access
A 19-minute walk from Nagano Station. Or, a 5-minute bus ride from Nagano Station to Hananokoji bus stop.
Website
https://chuoukan-shimizuya.com/

Matsuya Ryokan

Matsuya Ryokan stands behind the Enmei Jizo statue, which commemorates the former location of Zenkoji Temple

An example of Matsuya Ryokan's cuisine featuring local Nagano ingredients

One of Matsuya Ryokan's Japanese style rooms

A Japanese-style room with beds

One of Matsuya Ryokan's public baths

Matsuya Ryokan sits along Nakamise-dori Street beyond Zenkoji’s Niomon Gate, right where Zenkoji Temple itself stood over 300 years ago before it was burned down in a great fire. The Enmei Jizo statue was erected in commemoration after the temple was moved to its current location further north, and Matsuya Ryokan was eventually built just behind the statue. It is the closest inn to Zenkoji, perfect for those getting up early to see the morning service.

There are 11 rooms in total, mainly Japanese style tatami rooms with a few bed-equipped Western rooms. Smaller rooms don’t have an attached bath, but there are mens’ and womens’ public baths.

For dinner, enjoy the chef’s specially prepared kaiseki meal featuring local Nagano ingredients.

Access
A 26-minute walk from Nagano Station. Or, a 7-minute bus ride from Nagano Station to Zenkoji Daimon bus stop, then a 5-minute walk.
Website/Reservations
https://matsuyaryokan.jp/plan/english-for-booking/

Fuchinobo

Shojin ryori cuisine is a specialty of Fuchinobo. 

 

Fuchinobo's largest room features two spacious rooms with views overlooking the cobblestone street to Zenkoji

A hanging scroll from the Muromachi Period depicting the origin story of Zenkoji Temple

The exterior of Fuchinobo

Fuchinobo is one of Zenkoji’s 39 temple lodges where pilgrims have long stayed on during their visits in Nagano City. Right along Nakamisedori street, is a perfect place to soak in the atmosphere of the temple town, learn more about Zenkoji Temple and try traditional Buddhist shojin ryori cuisine.

The lodge has a range of small to medium-sized Japanese style rooms, the largest of which has separate sleeping and dining spaces with excellent views of the main street and the surrounding lodges. Each room is equipped with futons, but beds can be arranged with advance notice (limited quantity).

One of the Fuchinobo’s hallmarks is its Buddhist shojin ryori cuisine, made without the use of meat, fish, animal products, or even some flavorings such as garlic. Highlights include “Ishimochi no Hana,” steamed rice over a bed of grated yam, and “Mangetsu,” a dumpling of shiitake mushrooms stir-fried with walnuts in miso paste wrapped in dough made from Nagaimo yam grown in Matsushiro.

It is also in possession of a hanging scroll depicting the origin story of Zenkoji Temple, painted sometime between the 14th to 16th century during the Muromachi Period.

Access
A 23-minute walk from Nagano Station. Or, a 7-minute bus ride from Nagano Station to Zenkoji Daimon bus stop, then a 1-minute walk.
Website
https://fuchinobo.or.jp/

Accommodations with Hot Springs

Dormy Inn Nagano

The outdoor hot spring bath of Dormy Inn

One of Dormy Inn's rooms

A range of foods for breakfast including Nagano specialties such as oyaki and soba noodles

Right by the station and featuring natural hot spring baths, Dormy Inn is an uncompromising option for onsen lovers on the move. The indoor baths are filled with natural hot spring water from Nagano City, known for healing the wounds of soldiers during the Battle of Kawanakajima. Both the men’s and women’s sections also have outdoor baths, sauna rooms and cold baths.

Access
A 5-minute walk from Nagano Station.
Website
https://dormy-hotels.com/dormyinn/hotels/nagano/

Kokusai 21

The interior of one of Kokusai 21's twin rooms

A double room with couch and counter space

The lobby of Kokusai 21

The exterior of Kokusai 21

Across from the Nagano Prefectural office, Kokusai 21 served as the headquarters of the International Olympic Committee during the 1998 Winter Olympics. In addition to its numerous banquet halls, wedding chapel and five restaurants, this western-style hotel is equipped with an array of regular and suite rooms across its 16-story main hall and 8-story southern hall.

While the hotel has no hot springs on the premises, it is partnered with Uruoikan, a natural hot spring facility along the Susobana River. There is a free shuttle bus to the hot spring, and hotel guests can purchase a discount ticket for entrance plus a rental towel for just 900 yen.

The hotel also offers shuttle buses to/from Nagano Station as well as to Zenkoji Temple.

Access
17 minutes on foot from Nagano Station. Or, 8 minutes by free shuttle bus.
Website
https://www.kokusai21.jp/lang/en/

Western and Business Hotels

Hotel Metropolitan

Hotel Metropolitan is directly attached to Nagano Station for easy access

One of Hotel Metropolitan's twin rooms

Hotel Metropolitan's sushi restaurant, Sushi Kaizu

Bar Apollo on the hotel's top floor with expansive views of Nagano City

Directly attached to Nagano Station, the Hotel Metropolitan is one of the most convenient places to stay for those planning to utilize the shinkansen or local train lines regularly during their stay in Nagano.

There are 235 guestrooms at the Metropolitan, ranging from 18m2 single rooms to spacious, sophisticated suites. All rooms are western style with beds and have views of Nagano’s mountains, including the peaks of Sugadaira and Shiga Kogen.

The hotel is in a prime location for dining around the station, and on the premises, you can enjoy a casual meal at Café Restaurant Iris in the lobby or choose from traditional Japanese fare, sushi, teppan-yaki or Chinese.

Access
Directly attached to Nagano Station via the passageway on the second floor of the MIDORI building.
Website
https://nagano.hotel-metropolitan.com/

Saihokukan

The entrance to the Saihokukan Hotel

The lobby

The terrace at the Saihokukan Hotel's Seiji restaurant

The hotel's Japanese restaurant Kigen Saryo

One of Saihokukan's twin rooms

Opened in 1890, the Saihokukan has a long history of welcoming visitors from around the world, as well as hosting many prominent—and some legendary—Go and Shogi matches.

From business single rooms to elegant suites of dark hardwood floors, it has plenty of options for all travelers. There are several restaurants here as well, such as the Western Seiji, offering a range of pastas, steaks, stews and suitable wine pairings; the champagne bar Urushinoe with its striking lacquered bar counter; and the Japanese restaurant Kigen Saryo, overlooking a quiet landscape garden of rocks and pines.

Access
20 minutes on foot from Nagano Station. Or, take the Gururingo bus to Giinkaikanmae bus stop (15 min.), then 5 minutes on foot from there.

New Nagano Next

Hotel New Nagano Next is just two minutes on foot from the station

One of the hotel's clean, modern twin rooms

A range of amenities are available to make your stay more comfortable

Just a few minutes on foot from the station, New Nagano Next is a convenient location for sightseeing around the city, aided by the wall of information on local restaurants and things to do in the hotel lobby. The rooms are compact but clean and convenient with single, twin or double options, and a range of amenities, such as toiletries, coffee, tea and several types of pillows.

There are two restaurants in the hotel building, Tomi Sushi on the second floor and Wendy’s First Kitchen on the first. For breakfast, enjoy a mini-buffet bar along with burgers from Wendy’s.

Access
2 minutes on foot from Nagano Station
Website
https://www.newnagano.com/en/

Hotel Nagano Avenue

The exterior of Hotel Nagano Avenue

One of Hotel Nagano Avenue's twin rooms

Public baths are located on the 8th and 9th floors

Hotel Nagano Avenue's extensive breakfast buffet

Hotel Nagano Avenue sits about 7 minutes on foot from Nagano Station along Nagano Odori Street, featuring 183 rooms in single, double and family configurations. In addition to the Napoli no Kama pizza restaurant and the sauna and public bathing facilities on the 8th and 9th floors, there’s also a live house in the basement with occasional shows and events.

Access
7 minutes on foot from Nagano Station
Website
https://www.naganoavenue.com/en/

Guesthouses

Local Knot Backpackers

Local Knot Backpacker's concept: finding peace and mind through journaling and interacting with other guests

Hang out with other guests in the shared space

Relaxing and socializing at the Tomoshibi Bar (open on Saturdays)

The guesthouse's common area

If you’re looking for a place where you can interact with other travelers and locals, consider Local Knot Backpackers, a guesthouse just 5 minutes on foot from Nagano Station. Its concept: find peace of mind and body through journaling and interacting with other guests from all around.

Like most guesthouses, the amenities are simple. There are mixed dorm rooms, female-only dorm rooms and private rooms available. There is a common space with a kitchen where you can cook, hang out with other guests or do some writing.

On Saturdays from 18:00 to 22:00, the guesthouse opens its Tomoshibi Bar, where you can interact with locals and other guests over a chai tea or local Japanese sake.

Access
5 minutes on foot from Nagano Station
Website
https://localknot-bp.snack.chillnn.com/

Togakushi

About an hour away from downtown Nagano by bus, it is a popular destination for its ancient shrines, towering cedar trees, ninja history and winter sports. While it isn’t as convenient a place to stay as somewhere near Nagano Station, the fresh highland air, calm and quiet of Togakushi will refresh both your body and mind.

Oyado Suwa

The exterior of Oyado Suwa on a winter's day

The lodge's shrine, where guests can pray or meditate at their leisure. 

A comfortable, Japanese modern bedroom with twin beds in one of its renovated rooms

The outdoor passage leading to the lodge's detached hanare room

One of Togakushi’s 37 shukubo temple lodgings (more accurately Shinto shrine lodging), Oyado Suwa sits at the base of the Togakushi Hokosha Shrine. Once primarily lodging for pilgrims of the Togakushi faith, Oyado Suwa eventually became popular among literati and academics looking to get away from the secular world below. Now, it attracts travelers from around the world.

The lodge has two rooms in the main building as well as one detached two-story space. The lodge also has a bar counter, two private baths for rent, and a shrine on premises where guests can pray or meditate at their leisure.

The lodge’s cuisine is prepared by the proprietress's husband, a Shinto priest, in the yama kaiseki style. These traditional multi-course Japanese meals feature historical condiments, unique flavorings, handmade soba and homemade miso—fit for even an offering to Shinto deities. Indeed, the meals are first offered to the deities before being eaten by the shukubo's guests. Known as shinjin kyoshoku, this practice strengthens the bond between deity and participant, granting the latter protection and vitality.

Access
48 minutes by Togakushi line local bus from Nagano Station to the Togakushi Hokosha bus stop. The hotel is directly across from the bus stop.
Website
https://enmeiin-suwa.com/english.php

*Only children elementary school-aged or above may stay at the lodge.

Awai Togakushi

The interior of Awai Togakushi's thatched roof kominka house

The exterior of Awai Togakushi's thatched roof kominka house

Some of Awai's vibrant dishes 

 

In the central area of Togakushi, Awai Togakushi has renovated two buildings into elegant, minimalist accommodations for guests looking to get away. The first is the old town hall, which has two double rooms on the second floor and a dining area on the first. The second is a thatched roof kominka house with two tatami rooms, an engawa balcony, living room kitchen, bathroom and dining room. It can sleep up to 6 people. The large windows look into the woods of Togakushi and let in plenty of natural light.

The second house was abandoned before being purchased and renovated using local thatched roofing specialists.

The Awai restaurant serves French cuisine showcasing locally grown Togakushi vegetables, wild game meat and river fish through simple preparations. You can pair your meal with a glass of Nagano wine or a craft cocktail.

Access
54 minutes by Togakushi line local bus from Nagano Station to the Chusha Daimon bus stop, then a 1-minute walk.
Website
https://awai-togakushi.com/en/

*Only Children elementary school-aged or above may stay.

Matsushiro

About 30 minutes by bus away from downtown Nagano City, Matsushiro is a former castle town once ruled by the Sanada clan, where old samurai residences, the former military and literary academy and other testaments to its history remain to this day. In addition to the largest hotel, the Mercure, there are a few other hot spring accommodations and smaller guesthouses around as well.

Mercure Nagano Matsushiro Resort & Spa

One of Nagano City’s largest hotels, Mercure sits on the edge of Matsushiro near the Nagano IC entrance to the Joshin’etsu Expressway—a prime location for tour buses or travelers by car.

The Western-style rooms are spacious, all over 35 m2, and have views looking either towards the mountains of Matsushiro or the cityscape of Nagano. The restaurant is buffet style for both breakfast and dinner and has local favorites such as oyaki dumplings, Shinshu soba, and Matsushiro’s very own Nagaimo yam.

After a long day, you can soak in the hotel’s indoor and outdoor baths or cleanse your pores in the attached sauna. Afterwards, relax in the lounge before heading up to your room for a long restful night.

Access
25 minutes by Matsushiro line by bus from Nagano Station to Kandabashi bus stop, then 8 minutes on foot to the hotel.
Website
https://mercure-naganomatsushiro-resortandspa.jp/en/