Nagano the city of temples was what I thought when I was there. In almost every corner you'll find a buddhist temple or a place of worship, statue figures, religious signs and other symbolic memorials that decorate the city. Historically Nagano evolved as a temple town around Zenkoji, one of Japan's most popular temples and located at the end of Chuo Dori street just outside the main station. From far off in the street, the Zenkoji Temple Deva can already be spotted. The full area of the temple is huge and you can spend a whole afternoon visiting every little thing. After passing its main gate, the feeling is of a normal busy old town with many shops and goods and humble green sections. In 1998, the city hosted the Winter Olympic Games and a couple of its former facilities can still be viewed in town.
About 1 hour by train is the municipality of Yamanouchi in northern Nagano prefecture with a variety of tourist attractions, being the most famous the Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park. The park brings in many visitors just because of its unique wild monkeys, who bathe in the park's natural hot springs. Its acceptance of (or simply disregard for) human beings around them allows for everyone to have a good time and move freely in the premises as long as some golden rules are not broken - do not show food or feed them, do not approach them, do not talk to them, do not stare them directly in the eyes and keep a safe distance. Nevertheless, the monkeys are not the only ones enjoying the water, as the nearby onsens are also focused around the public bathing experience.
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