Nagano

Nagano (長野県；-ken) is a prefecture in the Chubu region of Japan.

Ueda City (上田市)

Nice city in south-central Nagano. Has a wonderful friendly vibe and beautiful natural scenery.

• Levian Organic Bakery (ルヴァン)

  Tel: 0268-26-3866
  長野県上田市中央4-7-31
  Barkery: open 9am-6pm, Restaurant: open 11:30am-5pm Closed Wed. and every 3rd Thursday
  Delicious home baked European style breads baked by really cool laid back individuals who love speaking English and talking with Foreigners. The croissants, Pan au Chocolat, and Pan au Fromage are highly recommended.

• Chay Hane

  Tel:0268-23-9333
  Open every day until 10pm.
  Small Doner Kebab restaurant right near the station. Run by a very personable Iranian who has been living in Japan for about 20 years. The Pita sandwich with yogurt sauce is highly recommended. Walk straight out from the station and it will be on your left. It's located in the same building as the Ueda Plaza Hotel (if memory serves me correctly.)

• Okisaya (王記茶屋)

  Tel:0268-23-1382
  長野県上田市大字上田1483-4
  Lunch 11:50-1:30 Dinner 5:30-9:30 (closed for lunch on Mondays)
  Great little Chinese restaurant. Mabo-dofu is really good here, and the suigyoza are decent as well. The owner is a cheerful and talkative older woman, who apparently is also a Jazz singer and routinely has concerts and jam sessions in the restaurant. (You can see the guitar, bass, and piano sitting in the corner near the bathroom.)

Yamanouchi (山ノ内町)

• Jigokudani Monkey Onsen Park

  長野県下高井郡山ノ内町大字平穏6845番地
  This is a natural mountain onsen that the local Japanese Macaques come down to bathe in. It is open to visitors year round, but the best time to go, I have been told, is in January-February. Cost to get in is ￥500, and a 2.4 km (about 1.5 miles) walk to the main entrance along a narrow, slippery, snow covered path, so make sure you bring shoes with decent grip. The monkeys run about freely so make sure that you don't bring any food with you, or you might end up being chased by lots of wet monkeys. Live Monkey Cam

• Michinoeki Yamanouchi

  Located on route 292 just 2 exits before the Monkey onsen, this Michinoeki has a good selection of local products, both manufactured and handmade. It also has a good selection of local beers and wines, in addition to local sake. it also has a local produce shop just next door, where you can buy local vegetables, fruits, and nuts.

See also

• Nagano JET facebook page