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We went to a great aquatic center (Sun Marine) - 25 minutes on a direct bus from the train station - and to an amusement center (Round One) which also had a 25 minute shuttle from the train station and we greatly enjoyed both. We could have gone to the cinema, enjoyed more cultural sites and gone shopping more if we had stayed longer.

We stayed in Nagano just two night, but you could definitely stay more. If you’re into skiing there are tons of ski resorts nearby to check out. Many Onsen towns also which are very relaxing, went to an Onsen high up next to Yudanaka Onsen called yomase Onsen which had an amazing view over the the mountains and the town. Went to see snow monkey resort as a day trip from Nagano (you can get a pass which includes entree and transportation fees) which was lovely, the monkeys are really cool to watch and get real close, it they don’t harm the people. Also went to zenkoji temple which had a illumination event going on in the evening, which was just breathtaking!

Nice town with a beautiful temple as main attraction. The bus takes you from here to the famous Monkey Park (visit it as early as possible). Also it is easy to travel to Kanazawa, Tomaya and Tokyo as they are all on the same Shinkansen line.

It was apple season - huge, juicy apples were hanging from trees along the road. Each one weighed up to 500g and they were so delicious. The autumn colours in the surrounding hills were spectacular.

I used to live there, so I've seen a lot of the attractions, but Zenkiji temple and other temples beyond there are beautiful. Particularly in spring. Other things like Ominejo (butterfly temple on top of the mountain) have not been mentioned in any review I've read - neither has the red temple (Unjoden) - if you're lucky, someone will give you a free tour inside to explain how the relic came to be there (although it is a burial place... so be respectful). Apples and soba are famous in Nagano, so eat lots of that and buy some to take home. If you're really clever, there is an abandoned back road that leads up around the far side of the mountain and this takes you up to Ominejo - but it would be tricky to find if you didn't know where you are going - you have to walk through an orchard, up several flights of metal stairs (outside) before you get to the road...... But if you do find it, go in spring or autumn for the flowers / colours. There is a really nice hot spring behind the municipal offices, just ask at the visitor's centre in the station - they will show you on a map. Nagno is only 1.5 hours from Ueno / Tokyo station and is around 7000 each way (buying return tickets are not cheaper, don't worry).

Nagano is beautiful and the mountains are a lovley backdrop. We missed out on seeing the snow monkeys but will come back and stay in Nagano. We visited the temple which was a lovely experience and we travelled by train to Obuse which we also loved.