Nagano Station

Nagano Station

Nagano Station

@Wikimedia

Nagano Prefecture is one of the geographically largest prefectures in Japan. It is located in the center of Honshu Island and is one of very few prefectures in the archipelago with no seacoast. Instead, Nagano is set amidst the Japanese Alps, a rich mountain range cutting through the island, blessing the land with gorgeous nature. The capital of Nagano Prefecture is the aptly named Nagano City, made famous from the 1998 Winter Olympics. The city is served by Nagano Station, owned and operated by Japan Railways. 

Nagano Station is a relatively large station with four different rail lines and seven different island platforms (14 different departure platforms in total). Platforms 11 through 14 are dedicated Shinkansen bullet train arrival and departure points. These bullet trains can be ridden to get to places like Toyama, Ishikawa, and Fukui towards Hokuriku, and then Karuizawa, Omiya, and Tokyko going towards Kanto. The other platforms service the other lines operating out of Nagano Station, including the Shinetsu Main Line, the Kita-Shinano Line, the Iiyama Line, and the Nagano Electric Railway Line. 

Nagano Station has a staffed JR office known as “Midori no Madoguchi.” Matters regarding tickets, passes, and reservations can be tended to here. There are a number of exits that lead out to major spots in the city, such as the venerable Zenkoji Temple. There is a central concourse at the station with a transparent ceiling. 

Nagano Station Shinkansen Gate

Nagano Station Shinkansen Gate

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As previously mentioned, Nagano Station has a dedicated exit with easy access to Zenkoji Temple. This temple’s history dates back all the way to 642, when a Buddhist image was enshrined at the site, and the said Buddha is what is known as a hibutsu, or “hidden Buddha,” as the figure itself is hidden from view by the public.

The city of Nagano itself was built around this temple, making it the city’s most significant holy site and attraction. The famous Nagano Lantern Festival is held and centered around Zenkoji Temple as well. 

Though it is on the other end of the city, the M Wave building that commemorates the 1998 olympics is easily traveled to straight from the station via bus. The journey out to M-Wave Mae Station takes anywhere from 20 to 40 minutes.

Zenkoji Temple, Nagano

Zenkoji Temple, Nagano

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Japanese Macaque Snow Monkey at Jigokudani Park

Japanese Macaque Snow Monkey at Jigokudani Park

@flickr/ Robert Montgomery

M Wave Building, Nagano

M Wave Building, Nagano

@Wikimedia

Our tours in Nagano

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  • Locations : Tokyo, Hakone Mt Fuji, Kyoto
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  • Locations : Tokyo, Hakone Mt Fuji, Kyoto, Nara, Hiroshima, Miyajima
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