Shinano Town is a beautiful mountain town in northern Nagano Prefecture, bordering Niigata Prefecture. Surrounded by mountains, forests, lakes, and highlands, the town is one of the region’s most appealing destinations for travelers seeking nature, outdoor activities, and a slower pace of life.
The town is best known for Lake Nojiri and Kurohime Highland, both of which offer a wide range of activities throughout the year. Shinano is also the birthplace of Kobayashi Issa, one of Japan’s most celebrated haiku poets of the Edo period. Historic sites, poetry monuments, museums, and his former residence allow visitors to explore the literary heritage of the region.
From kayaking and hiking in summer to skiing and snowshoeing in winter, Shinano Town offers something for every season. Its combination of pristine nature, traditional culture, local food, and mountain scenery makes it an excellent destination for experiencing a quieter side of Nagano.
Shinano Town lies in the northern part of Nagano Prefecture, close to the border with Niigata. The town is surrounded by several of the mountains collectively known as the Northern Shinshu Five Mountains, including Mount Kurohime, Mount Iizuna, and Mount Madarao.
Rivers such as the Torii River and Seki River flow through the area, while Lake Nojiri and numerous smaller ponds add to the region’s rich natural environment.
Shinano is also recognized as a Forest Therapy Base, reflecting the importance of its forests as places for relaxation and nature-based wellness. Walking through the woods, listening to birds, and enjoying the clean mountain air offer a peaceful contrast to the pace of city life.
Lake Nojiri is one of Shinano Town’s most famous attractions. It is one of the largest natural lakes in Nagano Prefecture and is surrounded by beautiful mountains, including Mount Kurohime and Mount Myoko.
The lake is particularly popular in summer, when visitors can enjoy kayaking, canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding, and sightseeing cruises. Seeing the surrounding mountains from the water offers a completely different perspective from exploring the area on land.
Lake Nojiri is also known for fishing. In winter, smelt fishing becomes a popular seasonal activity, and small fishing boats and covered fishing vessels appear across the lake. The winter fishing scene has become one of the distinctive sights of Shinano Town.
Biwa Island is a small, picturesque island floating in Lake Nojiri. The island, lake, and surrounding mountains create one of the area’s most memorable landscapes.
The lakeshore is home to lodges, cafés, outdoor facilities, and other places where visitors can relax and enjoy the scenery. Whether you want to spend a quiet afternoon by the water or take part in outdoor activities, Lake Nojiri offers plenty of ways to enjoy the natural environment.
Lake Nojiri is important not only for its scenery but also for its archaeological discoveries. Numerous remains from the Paleolithic period have been found around the lake, providing valuable evidence of prehistoric human activity in Japan.
The nearby Sugikubo Site is particularly notable for the discovery of distinctive knife-shaped stone tools known as the “Sugikubo-type knife-shaped tools.” These discoveries have contributed to our understanding of human life in the Japanese archipelago during prehistoric times.
The Lake Nojiri Naumann Elephant Museum introduces the results of archaeological excavations carried out around the lake since 1962. Exhibits focus on the natural environment of the area and the lives of prehistoric people and animals during the Ice Age.
Highlights include life-size reconstructions of a Naumann elephant and a giant deer, as well as fossils, stone tools, and other archaeological discoveries. The museum offers an engaging experience for both adults and children and provides a fascinating glimpse into the prehistoric landscape of northern Nagano.
Kurohime Highland stretches across the foothills of Mount Kurohime and is one of Shinano Town’s leading highland destinations. The area is ideal for hiking, trekking, sightseeing, and simply enjoying the cool mountain air.
In summer, seasonal flowers such as dahlias and cosmos add color to the highland landscape. In autumn, visitors can experience the spectacular phenomenon known as “three-layer autumn colors,” when snow appears on the mountain peaks, autumn foliage covers the middle elevations, and green grasslands remain at the lower elevations.
When winter arrives, Kurohime becomes a snow resort, with abundant natural snow providing excellent conditions for skiing, snowboarding, and family-friendly snow activities.
Kurohime Highland GREEN GARDEN is a popular flower destination on the slopes of Mount Kurohime. Around one million cosmos flowers bloom across the highland in season, accompanied by dahlias and other seasonal flowers.
Visitors can enjoy more than flower viewing, with activities such as candle-making and woodworking, as well as panoramic rides offering views across the surrounding landscape. It is an especially enjoyable stop for families and travelers looking for a relaxed outdoor experience.
The Kurohime area is also home to wetlands, ponds, and forest trails. Ojika Marsh is known for its seasonal wildflowers, including magnolias and yellow marsh flowers in spring. The marsh offers beautiful views toward Mount Kurohime and is a rewarding destination for nature walks.
Furuike Pond sits at an elevation of around 1,200 meters in the Togakushi Highland area. Surrounded by forest, the quiet pond offers beautiful views of Mount Kurohime and is particularly attractive in early summer, when colonies of water-loving flowers bloom around the pond.
Furuike is also said to have inspired the famous painting “Numa” (“Marsh”) by Kaii Higashiyama, adding an artistic dimension to its tranquil natural setting.
The Madarao Highland area extends across the eastern part of Shinano Town and is another major destination for outdoor recreation.
In winter, Tangram Ski Circus offers excellent skiing and snowboarding conditions, with abundant natural snow and powder snow. The resort also features tree-running courses and other snow activities for visitors looking for a more adventurous experience.
Hotels and indoor facilities are available nearby, making it easy to combine winter sports with dining, relaxation, and a comfortable resort stay.
Tangram Madarao Tokyu Resort is a large mountain resort centered around its hotels and ski area. Facilities include a golf course, tennis courts, a botanical garden, barbecue areas, and a variety of recreational activities.
Although winter is a major season for skiing and snowboarding, the resort also offers outdoor activities during the warmer months. Visitors can enjoy sports, nature experiences, hot springs, and dining, making it a destination suitable for year-round stays.
Nature is only part of Shinano Town’s appeal. The town is also deeply connected to Kobayashi Issa, one of the best-known haiku poets of the Edo period.
Issa was born in 1763 in the village of Kashiwabara, now part of Shinano Town. He spent his early years here, and numerous monuments, historic sites, and cultural facilities related to his life can still be found throughout the area.
Walking through Kashiwabara and discovering these sites offers visitors an opportunity to experience a different side of Shinano Town—one shaped by literature, history, and traditional Japanese poetry.
The Issa Memorial Museum in Kashiwabara introduces the life and works of Kobayashi Issa. Exhibits include materials related to his poetry, personal history, and literary activities.
The surrounding area is dotted with monuments inscribed with Issa’s haiku and other places associated with his life. Exploring the museum together with these nearby sites provides a deeper understanding of the poet and the culture of Edo-period Japan.
Kobayashi Issa’s Former Residence is a simple storehouse where the poet spent the final months of his life. Issa died at the age of 65 after spending approximately six months here.
The building has been designated a National Historic Site and has been carefully restored to preserve its historical appearance. Its modest surroundings offer a moving glimpse into the final chapter of Issa’s life.
Myozenji Temple is known as the temple where Kobayashi Issa is buried. Haiku monuments and memorials stand within the temple grounds, providing a quiet place to reflect on his life and poetry.
Komaruyama Park is another important Issa-related site. The park brings together the Issa Memorial Museum, Haikaiji Temple, poetry monuments, and other historic landmarks. Autumn is particularly beautiful here, when the trees turn brilliant shades of red and gold. The park also offers views toward Nagano City.
The annual Issa Festival, held on May 5, is another opportunity to experience the literary heritage of the area.
Kurohime Fairy Tale Museum and Fairy Tale Forest Gallery is a cultural facility where visitors can explore the world of children’s literature and fairy tales surrounded by the forests of Kurohime Highland.
The museum features permanent materials related to writers and storytellers such as Michael Ende and Miyoko Matsutani. The Fairy Tale Forest Gallery also introduces works by artists and creators connected with the region.
The combination of literature and forest scenery makes this a particularly distinctive cultural attraction in Shinano Town.
Chihiro Iwasaki’s Kurohime Mountain Lodge introduces the mountain retreat beloved by the renowned Japanese picture-book artist Chihiro Iwasaki.
The natural beauty of Kurohime was an important part of Iwasaki’s life and creative world. Visiting the lodge provides an opportunity to experience the peaceful landscape that inspired and comforted the artist, while gaining a closer connection to her distinctive artistic style.
One of Shinano Town’s most popular summer foods is locally grown sweet corn. From late July through early August, roadside farm stands appear along the local “Corn Road,” selling freshly harvested corn.
The large difference between daytime and nighttime temperatures in Shinano helps produce exceptionally sweet and juicy corn. Some roadside stands serve freshly grilled ears, making this a popular stop during summer drives through the highlands.
Shinano Town is also well known for its Kirishita soba, a style of buckwheat noodle associated with the cool, misty highland climate of the region.
Soba-dokoro Takasawa serves Kirishita soba made with locally grown buckwheat, as well as the rare “Shinshu Hisui Soba.” Seasonal mountain vegetables and smelt dishes are also popular choices.
At Soba-dokoro Ogawa, visitors can enjoy soba made from locally grown buckwheat that is stone-ground before being prepared. The restaurant is also known for limited-quantity 100% buckwheat soba using Oyama Bokuchi, a traditional plant-based binder made from a type of wild burdock.
For travelers interested in regional Japanese cuisine, Shinano Town offers an opportunity to discover authentic mountain food traditions that are closely connected to the local climate and agriculture.
The shores of Lake Nojiri are home to several small restaurants, cafés, and outdoor lodges where visitors can relax while enjoying the lake scenery.
RESORT HOUSE SPINNAKER is a lakeside lodge offering accommodation and access to outdoor activities such as watersports and bass fishing in summer and smelt fishing in winter. Its terrace overlooking the lake is also known for serving authentic Indian curry.
Boshiya is a small café near Lake Nojiri. The café is popular for homemade cakes, tarts, freshly baked bread, and seasonal sweets. Homemade jams made with Shinshu fruits and vegetables also make appealing souvenirs.
LAMP Nojiri Lake is a nature-focused accommodation and outdoor facility near Lake Nojiri. Visitors can enjoy canoeing, kayaking, SUP, rafting, and other activities on the lake.
The experiences continue beyond the water, with seasonal activities such as mushroom foraging, gathering edible mountain plants, and snowshoeing in winter. For travelers who want to actively experience the landscape rather than simply admire it, LAMP offers a wide range of opportunities.
Roadside Station Shinano is a convenient stop for travelers exploring the area. The facility sells local agricultural products, regional specialties, and dairy products from Kurohime Highland Farm.
The restaurant offers handmade Kirishita soba and the popular milk soft-serve ice cream. From the restaurant and observation area, visitors can enjoy views toward Mount Kurohime and Mount Myoko while taking a break from their journey.
It is also a useful place to gather local travel information and pick up souvenirs before continuing your trip.
Shinano Town can be explored through several distinct areas, each offering a different atmosphere and range of attractions. The main areas include Kurohime Highland, Kashiwabara and Fujisato, Lake Nojiri, and Madarao Highland.
This is the place to experience Shinano’s classic highland scenery. Seasonal flowers, forest walks, autumn foliage, and winter snow activities make it a destination worth visiting throughout the year.
This historic area is the birthplace of Kobayashi Issa. Visitors can explore the Issa Memorial Museum, his former residence, poetry monuments, and other historic sites. In summer, the area’s famous Corn Road is also a great place to sample freshly harvested local corn.
Centered around the lake, this area is ideal for outdoor activities and lakeside sightseeing. Summer brings kayaking, canoeing, SUP, and sightseeing cruises, while winter is the season for smelt fishing.
Madarao is a year-round mountain resort, particularly popular for skiing and snowboarding in winter. During the warmer months, visitors can enjoy hiking, sports, nature activities, and resort facilities around Tangram Madarao.
Shinano Town experiences a climate influenced by both the inland climate of central Nagano and the Sea of Japan side of northern Japan. Winters are particularly cold, with an average January temperature of around -2.9°C. Temperatures can occasionally fall below -15°C.
The town is designated as a Special Heavy Snowfall Area, and winter snowfall can be substantial. Snowfall in January and February can exceed 200 cm in some years, while maximum snow depth of more than 100 cm is not unusual.
Summer, by contrast, is relatively cool compared with Japan’s major cities. Daytime temperatures can exceed 30°C, but temperatures fall at night, and tropical nights are extremely uncommon. This makes Shinano a popular summer retreat for travelers looking to escape the heat.
In spring, snow begins to melt and wildflowers appear across the forests and highlands. Summer is the season for enjoying the cool mountains and Lake Nojiri, while tasting sweet local corn and freshly prepared Kirishita soba.
Autumn brings vivid colors to Mount Kurohime, Madarao Highland, and the surrounding forests. The reflections of the changing foliage on the surface of Lake Nojiri and Furuike Pond create particularly beautiful scenery.
Winter transforms Shinano into a snowy mountain destination. Skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and smelt fishing offer experiences that are unique to this snow country.
Shinano Town is a destination where lakes, mountains, forests, literature, local food, and outdoor adventure come together. Kayak across Lake Nojiri, walk through the forests of Kurohime, follow the footsteps of Kobayashi Issa, enjoy locally grown sweet corn, and taste authentic Shinano soba.
Whether you visit for outdoor adventure, cultural discovery, local cuisine, or simply a peaceful escape into nature, Shinano Town offers a chance to experience a quieter and more authentic side of Nagano.