The Best Places to Go Snowshoeing in Nagano

Explore Nagano's incredible winter scenery on snowshoe hikes around the prefecture

Update:2021/02/09

Winter, for many, is a cold and dreary time of year, meant for hiding under one’s kotatsu and waiting patiently for spring. But if you’re able to crawl out from under the warmth of a heated blanket and head outdoors, you may find that it’s not so bad after all.

Put on a pair of snowshoes and venture out to vast, snow-covered fields and forests of frost-nipped trees. See magical scenery that only winter can provide, from walls of ice pillars and burly snow monsters to glittering clouds of diamond dust.

Here are some of Nagano’s most popular snowshoeing destinations.

Snowshoeing Destinations in Nagano

Togakushi
Kamikochi
Iiyama
Norikura Kogen
Shiga Kogen
Senjojiki Cirque

Snowshoeing in Togakushi

The red Zuijinmon Gate contrasts beautifully with freshly fallen snow

The forested highland of Togakushi sits above Nagano City at an altitude of 1,200 meters high. It is most famously known for the Togakushi Okusha Shrine, whose trail is flanked by rows of breathtaking 400-year-old cedar trees.

While the shrine is closed during winter, visitors can still walk along the trail and freely through the forest, discovering smaller shrines, statues and monuments along the way. You may also run into some of Togakushi’s year-round residents, such as woodpeckers, rabbits or foxes.

Several shops offer snowshoe rentals, and some outdoor activity centers run their own one-day tours here.

Snowshoeing in Kamikochi

Have front row seats to the Japanese Alps all to yourself

This national park at the base of the Japanese Alps is known for its incredible mountain scenery and pristine nature. During winter, the entire basin is covered in a blanket of snow and trees are wrapped in a delicate layer of frost.

The trek to Kamikochi in winter is no simple feat: you have to walk nearly two kilometers through the Kama Tunnel to reach the edge of the basin. But if you do make the trek, you can enjoy snowshoeing along the clear Azusa River and have Kamikochi’s picturesque views all to yourself.

The Hotaka mountains and Dakesawa Cirque look especially majestic in white

While it is possible to go to Kamikochi on your own, there are no facilities open here during winter and access is quite difficult. Guesthouse Raicho, located in nearby Norikura Kogen, offers group and private snowshoe tours here.

Snowshoeing in Iiyama

The Chikuma River runs through Iiyama on its course from the alps to the Sea of Japan

Iiyama, located in Northern Nagano, is part of Japan’s snow country. Heavy snows fall throughout winter, blanketing the vast rice fields and accumulating in teetering, mushroom-like clouds on the rooves of buildings.

There are many snowshoeing trails throughout Iiyama, from walks along the Chikuma River—the longest river in Japan—to strolls through forests of beech trees in Nabekura Kogen. Those visiting nearby Madarao Kogen Resort for skiing can also rent snowshoes and hike along several routes through the slopes.

Running down powdery hills is one of the greatest joys of snowshoeing

For snowshoe rentals and tours around Iiyama, see the Shin’etsu Shizenkyo Activity Center, located on the first floor of Iiyama Station.

Snowshoeing in Norikura Kogen

Zengoro Falls looks especially beautiful when illuminated at night

Norikura Kogen is a highland plateau that extends along the base of Mt. Norikura, one of Japan’s 3,000-meter-high mountains. Many hiking trails cut through the forests here, visiting some of the area’s impressive waterfalls, such as Zengoro and Sanbon Falls, and numerous ponds. Seeing these sizeable waterfalls completely frozen is a highlight of any tour to the area. Some tours even visit these waterfalls at night and illuminate them for a fantastic photo op.

Snowshoeing in Shiga Kogen

Shiga Kogen's highest reaches are inhabited by "snow monsters" during winter

Shiga Kogen is Japan’s largest ski area and a UNESCO biosphere reserve. You can strap on a pair of snowshoes and trek around its fabulous winter scenery, visiting frozen ponds, mountaintops with panoramic views and forests full of snow monsters.

Walk along pristine fields of snow with fabulous mountain views

The Shiga Kogen Guide Association runs a variety of snowshoeing tours throughout winter that are suitable for a range of fitness and ability levels. Depending on the month, they also offer some special tours, such as those around the top of Shiga’s tallest ski resort, Yokoteyama.

Snowshoeing atop Senjojiki Cirque

The vast snow-covered plateau of Senjojiki Cirque in spring

Take the Komagatake Ropeway to Japan’s highest gondola station at 2,600 meters above sea level. Here you’ll be greeted by fantastic alpine views—the grand, rocky amphitheater of Senjojiki Cirque on one side and the long chain of mountains that is the Southern Japanese Alps on the other.

A snowshoe hiker standing below the Senjojiki Hotel

At these heights snow falls early and lasts late into spring. You can rent snowshoes at the Senjojiki Hotel at the top of the gondola and walk on the cirque’s vast, snowy landscape. Springtime is a great time to come snowshoeing here. The weather is warm and down in the valley you can see cherry blossoms!

Conclusion

Snowshoeing is a fun and easy way to get out into the winter wonderland that is Nagano’s outdoors. You can walk at your own pace, taking in the brisk mountain air and winter’s stillness, and enjoy the magical scenery of snow and ice. After your next snowshoe trip, the cold and dreary winter may even become your new favorite season!