A travelog about Nagano's four seasons: Autumn | The ALPICO GROUP Official Website offers useful travel information on Nagano Prefecture

Matsumoto’s New National Treasure! The Former Kaichi School

Matsumoto is arguably most famous for its castle of the same name, which has been designated as a National Treasure of Japan over 80 years ago. For a long time, this was the only National Treasure in Matsumoto, but all of that changed in September of 2019 with the designation of another National Treasure: The Former Kaichi School.

Jan 17, 2020

Kaiseki – The Ultimate Japanese Dining Experience

Do you love Japanese food? Sushi, sashimi, wagyu beef, tempura – there are so many delicious dishes to choose from. If you are as crazy about Japanese food as we are, then you cannot miss out on having a real kaiseki meal!

Dec 17, 2019

Discover the World’s Largest Collection of Ukiyo-e – Pictures of the Floating World

Everyone is probably familiar with the image of a giant wave with two boats in the foreground and a small Mt. Fuji in the background. This famous artwork is called “The Great Wave off Kanagawa” and was made by Katsushika Hokusai, arguably Japan’s best-known artist from the Edo period (or in general). What he produced wasn’t really a painting though, but a print created from carved woodblocks. This traditionally Japanese art genre is called “ukiyo-e” and literally translates to “pictures (e) of the floating world (ukiyo)”.

Dec 05, 2019

Enjoying Soba and Soba-flavored Desserts at Togakushi’s Soba Festival

There are three types of noodles in Japan that most people are familiar with: ramen, udon and soba. Soba, made from buckwheat, is Nagano’s most famous local food. You can find it anywhere, but there are certain places within the prefecture that are particularly well-known for its soba. One of those places is Togakushi, near Nagano City.

Nov 27, 2019

A Day Filled with Ropeway Rides and Stunning Autumn Foliage in the Tsugaike Nature Park

Since recent years, Hakuba has been gaining a lot of attention internationally as a popular ski destination, with it being said that it has some of the best powder snow in Japan. But for those who find themselves here during a season other than winter, don’t worry. There are plenty of wonderful things to do in the Hakuba area during the rest of the year as well!

Nov 21, 2019

Hike through the most amazing autumn scenery in Mount Norikura

Fall has officially started as of the end of September, which means slightly cooler temperatures, lots of pumpkin and sweet potato flavored foods and those beautiful red, orange and yellow-colored autumn leaves. Due to the warm weather in September this year, the color change of the leaves started a little later than usual, but if you go to a high enough place where the temperatures have begun to drop, you’ll find that beautiful and colorful scenery of the fall season. We grabbed our hiking boots and cameras, and jumped on the bus to Mount Norikura, one of the best places in Nagano to see autumn leaves.

Oct 11, 2019

Five local foods of Matsumoto that you must try!

If there’s one thing we love doing when visiting a new place, it’s trying out the local food. It’s often said that the best way to experience a culture is through its food and we wholeheartedly agree. By seeing what the locals are eating and trying it for yourself, you can get a sense of how the history and location of a place has influenced these eating habits and dishes.

Oct 04, 2019

Cruising Lake Suwa and tasting local sakes during a daytrip to the Suwa area!

In the middle of Nagano Prefecture lies the quiet and peaceful Suwa area. The place is famous for its beautiful lake of the same name that’s also featured in the popular animated film “Your Name” (2016). During summertime, firework festivals light up the surface of Lake Suwa and during wintertime there is a chance that the lake completely freezes over. This phenomenon is called omiwatari.

Sep 27, 2019

Recommended Restaurants near the Norikura Kogen Tourist Center!

Those who are going from Matsumoto to Mt. Norikura (Tatamidaira) have to transfer buses at the transport hub N-29 Norikura Kogen Tourist Center. There are probably people who are looking for a place to eat as they arrived exactly at lunch time or they are waiting for the next bus to come. For tourists who are experiencing a bit of trouble because they are unsure whether the place they are looking at is an actually restaurant or just somebody’s house, or they don’t know what’s on the menu, we are going to introduce 3 of our recommended restaurants near the Norikura Kogen Tourist Center.

Aug 23, 2019