Day Trip from Hakuba: Discover the best of Nagano Prefecture
Hakuba, nestled in Nagano Prefecture’s northern valleys, is famed for its powdery slopes and alpine views, a legacy from the 1998 Winter Olympics. Yet, beyond the ski runs, it’s an ideal base for day trips. Explore the region’s cultural heart, combining ancient temples, historic castles, and natural wonders. With good roads and trains connecting to nearby cities, a one-day escape offers a refreshing contrast to mountain adventures. Dip into local traditions and flavors like handmade soba noodles. See what to do on a day trip from Hakuba.
Hakuba Station
Nagano City Area
Start in Nagano City, about an hour’s drive from Hakuba, where you can explore Zenkoji Temple on a peaceful walking tour. This 1,400-year-old site, home to Japan’s first Buddhist statue, invites a stroll along stone paths past shops selling oyaki dumplings and incense. Experience a tea ceremony nearby, savoring matcha in a quiet tatami room. A simple ritual that connects you to centuries of hospitality.
Zenkoji Temple 
Omotsendo Street 
Patio Daimon 
Nakamise Street 
Sake Tasting 
Kura Wharehouse 
Tea Ceremony 
Oyaki Buns 
And more…
From there, head to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, roughly 40 minutes away, where wild macaques soak in natural hot springs amid forested hills. It’s a quirky sight, especially in winter when steam rises against snowy backdrops, offering photo ops and a glimpse into animal behavior tied to the area’s geothermal activity.
Matsumoto City Area
Alternatively, venture south toward Matsumoto, around 90 minutes by car or train, for a castle town walking tour. Wander Nakamachi Street’s preserved warehouses, now galleries and cafes, evoking Edo-era merchant life. You could also dive deeper with a samurai experience. Learn basic swordplay in an historic setting clad in traditional attire and link your trip to the local feudal history.
Matsumoto Castle 
Taikomon Gate 
Art Musuem 
Nakamachi Street 
Samurai Experience 
Nawate Steet 
Miso Brewery Tour 
Taiko Experience 
And more…
Cap it all off at Daio Wasabi Farm in Azumino, a short detour where clear streams nurture Japan’s largest wasabi fields. A walking tour including a wasabi-based lunch reveals the secrets of wasabi cultivation. Enjoy fresh wasabi treats like ice cream, highlighting the crop’s role in local cuisine and explore the farm’s scenic paths and water wheels.
These outings from Hakuba uncover Nagano’s layered stories, leaving you with a fuller sense of this mountain prefecture’s quiet depths. So, if you’re looking for something to do on a day trip from Hakuba, head to Matsumoto or Nagano city, and you’ll be sure to discover the best of Nagano Prefecture.
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