{"id":78942,"date":"2021-03-13T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-03-13T01:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?p=78942"},"modified":"2021-03-12T19:59:42","modified_gmt":"2021-03-12T10:59:42","slug":"things-to-do-in-nagano-before-and-after-skiing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/things-to-do-in-nagano-before-and-after-skiing\/","title":{"rendered":"Things To Do in Nagano Before and After Skiing"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Nagano<\/strong> (\u9577\u91ce) in central Japan<\/strong> is surrounded by stunning mountain ranges where the mighty Chikuma River joins the Sai. It is Japan\u2019s highest prefectural capital<\/strong> and an important hub for trade and tourism. The city is just 1 hour 40 minutes from Tokyo on the Horuriku Shinkansen<\/a> <\/strong>(\u5317\u9678\u65b0\u5e79\u7dda) bullet train, which opened in 1997 ahead of the 1998 Winter Olympic Games. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The region is known for its hot springs<\/strong> (\u6e29\u6cc9, onsen), where photographs of \u201csnow monkeys\u201d bathing at Jigokudani onsen<\/a>, around a 2-hour journey from central Nagano, are among the most endearing images of Japan. It\u2019s also just an hour away from the historical samurai city of Kanazawa<\/a><\/strong> on the coast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many visitors come to the prefecture to enjoy its world-class ski slopes<\/a><\/strong>, but there is much more to experience in this part of Japan. Nagano is connected to its heritage and home to several prominent Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines.<\/strong> It’s also an area with a rich culinary scene<\/strong> and a large number of independent sake breweries<\/strong>. You can easily combine a ski trip with a visit to the city, so let’s take a look at what to see and do in Nagano. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Discover Art and the Key to Paradise in Joyama Park<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the heart of the city<\/strong>, just a 15-minute ride on Alpico bus 11 from JR Nagano Station, lies Joyama Park<\/strong> (\u57ce\u5c71\u516c\u5712)\u2014the perfect place to begin your adventure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

See an Artist\u2019s Portrait of Nagano\u2019s Natural Beauty at Higashiyama Kaii Gallery<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Start with a stroll around Higashiyama Kaii Gallery<\/strong><\/a> (\u6771\u5c71\u9b41\u5937\u9928), which features over 900 works by the Japanese artist <\/strong>Kaii Higashiyama (1908-1999). Beginning his career after studying Fine Art at Tokyo University, he fell in love with the scenery<\/strong> and dramatic seasonal changes of Nagano Prefecture<\/strong>, where he spent long summer days gazing out at the landscape and capturing its beauty. As his works are particularly inspired by Nagano\u2019s many lakes, mountains and flowers<\/strong>, the gallery in Joyama Park was built in 1990 to commemorate this talented artist. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"outside
Higashiyama Kaii Gallery in Joyama Park. | Photo by Higashiyama Kaii Gallery<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The nearest stop on Alpico bus 11 is Zenkoji-kita<\/strong>, and from there it\u2019s about a 5-minute walk to Higashiyama Kaii Gallery. The gallery is closed on Wednesdays, and admission is \u00a5500 (\u00a5300 for university students and free for high school students and younger children).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Feel Your Way through the Darkness in Zenkoji Temple<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Located opposite the Higashiyama Kaii Gallery, Zenkoji <\/strong>(\u5584\u5149\u5bfa) <\/strong>Temple is one of the most important Buddhist sites in Japan<\/strong> and has been designated as a national treasure<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"zenkoji
Zenkoji Temple | Photo by Zenkoji<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

In the 6th century<\/strong>, a statue of Buddha arrived in Japan from India. However, it was not well received at the time, as Buddhism was strongly rejected and a cause for conflict. According to legend, the statue was discarded in a river in Osaka, picked up by a passing samurai and brought back to his home in current-day Nagano. The statue was enshrined in 654 BC and is thought to be one of the first images of Buddha in Japan<\/strong>. It was decided that the statue would be hidden, and a replica was made to show important visitors of Zenkoji temple. Today, the replica can only be viewed by the public once every 7 years, during the Gokaicho<\/strong> (\u5fa1\u958b\u5e33) festival<\/strong><\/a>. The next festival is scheduled to take place between April 3 and May 29, 2022, but there is still a lot to visit at Zenkoji at other times. <\/p>\n\n\n\n