With centuries-old Zenkoji Temple and its surrounds in Nagano City, the samurai residences in Matsushiro, and the chestnut village of Obuse, Northern Nagano has many popular historic and traditional townscapes. There’s also Jigokudani, the only place in the world you can see wild monkeys soaking in an onsen, as well as the Takayama Onsen district where you can bathe in a 100% natural hot spring while enjoying the brilliant colors of the fall leaves. World-class, not to mention Olympic-class, ski resorts such as Shiga Heights and Nozawa Onsen also feature après ski onsen baths. Northern Nagano’s many fruit orchards come alive in spring with beautiful apricot, peach and apple blossoms. Trekking and wildflower viewing in the many mountains and highlands is also popular.