places to visit in nagano

*back dated entry*

i wasnt really planning to go to nagano since i wasnt sure what are there but since we getting the JR pass then i thought may as well explore different parts of japan... so we decided to travel upwards to go to nagano..... at first i thought nagano will be an exciting place but after some searches, i think it's more of a transit point for most people especially for those who are going to ski since it's the entry point to the alps... so below are some of the nearby attractions that i found...

1. zenkoji

zenkoji, photo taken from here....

zenkoji is one of the most important temple in japan... i considered staying in a ryokan next to the temple but it's not near to the train station so i forget about that idea..... you need to take a train from JR nagano station to the temple but the ride isnt cover under JR pass... probably is a good place to visit but for me, it will depend if i have time to spare...

2. karuizawa

karuizawa map, photo taken from here....

kyu karuizawa, photo taken from here...

Shiraito Waterfall, photo taken from here....

usui pass observation platform, photo taken from here....

since we will reach nagano around late morning & we dont have alot of time to spare so i decided to visit somewhere near the area = karuizawa.... as you can see from the picture, it seem to be a nice place, i want to visit the usui observation place, the scenery look so awesome!!!! & there is Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza on the other side of the station so can take a look before heading back to nagano for dinner....

3. matsumoto

matsumotojo, photo taken from here....

i have always heard about matsumoto castle & it is supposed to be one of the most beautiful castle in japan so of cause we have to take a look.... but do take note that the castle is closed from 29th Dec to 3rd Jan every year.... i only intend to check out the castle so it will be a morning trip to matsumoto for me.... for other people, they will probably travel to the alps

4. Yamanouchi

Jigokudani Monkey Park, photo taken from here....

i am pretty sure that a lot of people have seen photo or heard about this place whereby monkey will take a bath in the onsen & the place is a t yamanouchi- jigokudani monkey park.... i am not a fan of monkey but i think it will be interesting to see them in onsen... however, this place is like super ulu & hard to go... so i wont go there for this trip, but if you happen to be driving then i think it's an interesting place to visit

5. obuse

obuse town area, photo taken from here....

obuse is a small town but the surrounding is so pretty & the place is famous for its chestnut.... really love to try them, however this place is also pretty hard to access so i had to forgo this place =(

6. bessho onsen

bessho onsen area, photo taken from here....

bessho onsen area map, photo taken from here....

since i would like to try out onsen during winter & hubby never been to one before so i decided to try one near nagano... there are other onsens around but it's harder to access than bessho onsen so have to give them a miss.... so you need to take the local train from JR ueda station to reach bessho onsen station... the area is a pretty small town so everywhere can be access by walking....  there are small local public bath around or can try the bath complex at aisome no yu...

there are actually other attractions within nagano like the kids ninja village & olympic facilities, but they are all not accessible via JR so i will give them a miss due to the limited time we have there =)