• Iiyama’s Grove of Majestic Beech Trees

  
  This summer, escape the hot and humid concrete jungle to the fresh air and the gentle sound of the leaves rustling in the breeze at this grove of maje...

  August 12, 2026

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• A Quiet Post Town: Unnojuku on the Hokkoku Kaido Trail

  
  A quiet post town: Unnojuku on the Hokkoku Kaido trail. (Tomi City, near Tanaka Station on Shinano Railway.)“Udatsu” for protecting houses from fire, ...

  July 6, 2026

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• 10 of Nagano’s Majestic Flowering Fields and Alpine Gardens

  
  Check out this article posted earlier this year for some great places to enjoy nature! https://www.go-nagano.net/en/trip-idea/flowering-fields...

  December 19, 2025

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• Old Shinonoi Line Hike in Azumino, Central Nagano

  
  Old Shinonoi Line Hike, abandoned red brick tunnels contrasting with the bright greens of spring. https://www.google.com/maps/place/Former+JR+Shinonoi...

  May 23, 2025

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• Fall Colors on Drive

  
  I enjoyed the fall colors on a drive today through the Yunomaru and Sugadaira highlands....

  November 7, 2024

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• Omachi City’s Northern Alps Art Festival 2024

  
  Omachi City’s once-every-three-years Northern Alps Art Festival will take place in 2024, from 13-Sept to 04-Nov. The list of this year’s a...

  June 4, 2024

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• Christmas Shopping in Karuizawa

  
  Lots of funky shops in the Old Karuizawa “Ginza”, Harunire Terrace and the Commons....

  December 19, 2023

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• Obasute Rice Terraces in Morning Sun

  
  Obasute rice terraces in the morning sun, with the Chikuma River and the Zenkoji Plain in the distance. 5 minute walk from Obasute Station on the JR S...

  November 15, 2023

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• Escape Summer Heat to Ike no Taira Marsh in Yunomaru Highlands above Tomi City

  
  90 minute loop walking trail at an elevation of 2000 meters, with views of the surrounding peaks, the wetlands, the Chikuma River valley below, and to...

  August 29, 2023

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• Minus 10 Degrees Hiking!

  
  Kuro Falls on the north side of Mt. Kamuriki. From our onsen town Togura Kamiyamada, it’s a quick 10 minutes by car + 10 minutes on foot, and you go f...

  July 31, 2023

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