Official Travel Guide of Shinanomachi, Nagano

The official story is that Canadian missionary Dan Norman just got tired of the crowds at Karuizawa, and, in 1920, headed off on his motorcycle, to find a new place to avoid the summer heat of Japan’s big cities. But I much prefer Paul Swanson’s version. “Legend has it that Dr. Norman and some of his acquaintances wanted to escape the stifling Karuizawa society—afternoon teas and the like (not so much, it seems, the heat)—and went forth to find a place where people could relax all day,” he says. “Meaning, lying in the sun or floating on the lake without being looked at suspiciously. They found a mountainside overlooking Lake Nojiri which was being used to gather wood and make …

Skiers and boarders staying in Shinano-machi have it pretty good: a quiet, natural setting; delicious food; great views; friendly people. All around are some of Japan’s finest ski areas, with ski runs for every level of skier and boarder to choose from. And, in fact, you don’t even have to leave Shinano-machi to enjoy some outstanding snow and services, because there are two great resorts right here. They frame the area, in fact: Kurohime Kogen Snow Park, on the eastern slopes of the mountain of the same name, on the west side of the town; Tangram Madarao Tokyu Resort to the east, just across Lake Nojiri on the north-facing slopes of Mt. Madarao. Both provide a wide range of ski …

If you take a look at an aerial photograph of the area on the northeast side of Mt. Iizuna, with Mt. Kurohime just to the north, you’ll see something interesting in the forest. It’s not hard to do today, with all the online mapping service available with just a swipe of a finger or a click. Much of the forest area at the foot of the mountain appears as big blocks of trees, all made up of one color, with all the trees the same shape. Now go a little further northeast, and there’s a sudden break. It looks like a wall: on one side is big, dark green trees (actually forests of sugi—cryptomeria, sometimes called Japanese cedar). On the …

The northern part of the Nagano area still has plenty of snow, but the sun is gradually getting longer and spring is approaching day by day. From April to May, the trees and flowers that have endured the cold air during the winter have begun to bud, and the beautiful season for the collaboration of the remaining snow on the mountain and the fresh greenery is coming soon. Because of the area covered with deep snow, the arrival of spring brings extra joy. There are plenty of pleasures in the spring of Shinano town, such as picking wild vegetables, hiking in fresh greenery and cycling. Why don’t you go out to pick wild edible plants? Shinano town, surrounded by beautiful …

Which destination do you think of for skiing and snowboarding trips in Japan? There are many world-renowned snow resorts in Japan, such as Niseko in Hokkaido and Hakuba in Nagano Prefecture. Shinano town, located on the border between Niigata and Nagano prefectures, is blessed with heavy snowfall every year. Because the town is located just 50 km from the Sea of ​​Japan, where the cold northern wind contained lots of humidity from the ocean first hits the mountains above 2,000 m high. Therefore many ski resorts dotted in the variety of mountains in the area, attract skiers and snowboarders from all over the world. Here are the winter charms of Shinano town loved by powder snow freaks. Ski resorts in …