Fun off the Ski Slopes
While Nagano’s epic powder snow and world-class ski resorts attract piste-hounds from around the globe, savvy travelers know Nagano offers a wide variety of fun off the ski slopes. Here are hot tips for non-skiers (or skiers on their off-day) to enjoy during Nagano’s long, chilly winter.
Beyond Skiing: Nagano’s Top Winter Activities
- Strap on Snowshoes to Explore Nagano’s Forests and Mountains
- Become a Snow Monkey Paparazzi at Jigokudani Wild Snow Monkey Park
- Dine in a Snow Hut at Iiyama’s Igloo Restaurant
- Soak in Outdoor Onsen Baths as Snow Softly Falls on Your Head
- See Winter Illuminations to Warm Your Heart
- Go Fishing for Wakasagi Smelt
- All-You-Can-Eat Strawberry Picking
- Get Whisked Away by Ropeway to a High-Alpine Winter Wonderland
- Snow Play for the Entire Family
Strap on Snowshoes to Explore Nagano’s Forests and Mountains
Nagano’s majestic mountains are a haven for hiking and trekking – even after the trails are obliterated by snow. And actually, wearing snowshoes gives you the freedom to roam the winter wilderness as you like without being limited to a trail. Another benefit is being able to enjoy the pristine snow-covered vistas of both Nagano’s forests and peaks. Woodland trekking includes the noble cedars lining the path to Togakushi’s Okusha Shrine, the frozen waterfalls at Norikura and the Nabekura beech trees in Iiyama. Alpine adventures await at Shiga Kogen and the Senjojiki Cirque which is accessed by the Komagatake Ropeway.
Website: https://www.go-nagano.net/en/trip-idea/id19236
Become a Snow Monkey Paparazzi at Jigokudani Wild Snow Monkey Park
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The world-famous macaques of Jigokudani Wild Snow Monkey Park are the only monkeys in the world with their own hot spring bath in their natural environment. Their blissful expressions as they serenely soak in the onsen with snowflakes falling on their heads have appealed to photographers for decades. Winter is the best time to see the Snow Monkeys in their namesake element, so brave the cold and make the trek to the park (the thirty-minute walk can be daunting especially in inclement weather) but be sure your camera has extra memory as the delightful macaques are extremely cute and photogenic.
Official Website: https://en.jigokudani-yaenkoen.co.jp/
Tips on How to Get to the Snow Monkeys: https://www.go-nagano.net/en/trip-idea/id17978
Dine in a Snow Hut at Iiyama’s Igloo Restaurant
At Iiyama City’s Kamakura Village, visitors can enjoy the quintessential deep snow country experience of eating noroshi-nabe hot pot inside a kamakura snow hut. Featuring local vegetables and mushrooms in a miso-based soup, this hot pot is a typical Iiyama wintertime meal. At dusk, the huts take on a magical vibe with the glow of the lantern light. While it is possible to make a day trip to Kamakura Village, public transportation is limited. The Shinshu-Iiyama Tourism Bureau offers accommodation plans which include staying at a nearby minshuku inn.
(Late January to late February, 300-yen entrance fee, meals RSVP.)
Official Website: https://www.iiyama-ouendan.net/en/special/kamakura/
Soak in Outdoor Onsen Baths as Snow Softly Falls on Your Head
Japan is famous for hot springs, and Nagano has the country’s highest number of day-use onsen spas, conveniently located near its many ski resorts and sightseeing areas. Immersing your body in the piping-hot baths is a popular way to endure the winter cold or rejuvenate after an exhausting day of playing in the snow here in the mountains.
uresque in winter. While you soak, you can take in the serene, snow-covered scenery from outdoor baths. Meanwhile, the narrow streets of onsen resort towns take on a mystical ambience as steam from nearby baths wafts through the air.
Nagano’s Top Onsen Resorts: https://www.go-nagano.net/en/trip-idea/id19968
See Winter Illuminations to Warm Your Heart
Wintertime is when the air is the clearest, perfect for the twinkling lights of candles, lanterns and illuminations.
Some of Nagano’s most famous sightseeing spots are bathed in color during events such as the Nagano Tomyo Festival in and around Zenkoji Temple (2026/02/20–02/23) or the Matsumoto Castle Projection Mapping display (2025/12/13–2026/02/15). Historic streets and quaint hot spring towns are illuminated with candlelight during the Kiso Ice and Snow Lantern Festival (2026/01/24–02/14) and the Kakeyu Onsen Ice Candle Festival (2025/12/26–2026/01/31). For festive displays of light, visit Alps Azumino National Government Park’s impressive illumination (2025/11/01–2026/01/31), the Kashiyama Factory Illumination in Saku City (2025/11/13–2026/02/28) or the Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza for nightly light ups year-round.
Nagano’s top winter festivals: https://www.go-nagano.net/en/trip-idea/id16516
Go Fishing for Wakasagi Smelt
A favorite winter activity in Nagano is to go lake fishing for wakasagi smelt and then cook the fresh-caught fish in tempura batter. The two common ways are ice fishing, such as at Lake Matsubara in Komi Town and Lake Reisenji in Iizuna Town; and fishing in a domed boat, like at Lake Suwa, Lake Nojiri (Shinano Town) and Lake Kizaki (Omachi City). Outfitters provide all the necessary gear for rent and will also cook your catch. Just show up empty-handed, get your license and gear, then enjoy winter fishing followed by some of the freshest fish tempura ever.
All-You-Can-Eat Strawberry Picking
While strawberry picking may seem like a summertime outdoor activity, here in Japan you can pick these sweet, red berries in heated greenhouses during winter. You typically pay an entrance fee and then pick and eat to your heart’s content. Some popular locations are the Karuizawa Garden Farm, which also grows summer varieties; Agri Park in Chikuma City with its adjacent bakery; and Komoro Nunobiki Strawberry Farm next to the Aguri no Yu day-use onsen bath house
Get Whisked Away by Ropeway to a High-Alpine Winter Wonderland
Mountain ropeways and gondola rides are not only for skiers. They offer effortless access to the rarefied air and panoramic vistas often featuring “snow monsters” (frozen trees) at the upper reaches of Nagano’s majestic peaks. Four noteworthy examples are the Hakuba Iwatake’s Noah gondola lift to Hakuba Mountain Harbor with majestic views of the Hakuba mountains as well as the Yahoo! Swing; Ryuoo Ropeway to Sora Terrace overlooking a sea of clouds; Kita-Yatsugatake Ropeway for spectacular views of the Northern Alps, Yatsugatake Range and Kirigamine Plateau; and the Komagatake Ropeway to vast Senjojiki Cirque at an altitude of 2,612 meters.
Guide to Ropeways in Nagano: https://www.go-nagano.net/en/trip-idea/id19899
Snow Play for the Entire Family
From snowball fights and sledding to exciting snowmobile and fat bike rides, snowy adventures await you in Nagano. Major ski resorts have family-friendly areas with innertubing and sledding, such as Nozawa Onsen’s Kids Park, four parks in Hakuba (Nakiyama Snow Land, Sakka Kids Park, Hakuba 47 Kids Park, Goryu Kids Wonderland) and two with rental sleds in Shiga Kogen (Maruike Snowland and Okushiga Kids Park) For thrill-seekers, try a snowmobile tour such as the one provided by Hakuba Lion Adventure. Or cycle over the snow riding a fat bike, offered at Hakuba’s Tsugaike Snow WOW and the Yuki-Chari Snow Ride at Togari.
