Toyamago Frost Month Festival Yudate kagura performed in the 11th month of the lunar calendar (Frost Month). It is thought to be a ritual that invites the gods from across the country around the winter solstice, when daytime is shortest and life force weakens, to welcome them with hot water and pray for the revival of the sun and life. ◆Schedule and details for the Frost Month Festival Toyamago Tourism Association Tel: 0260-34-1071 *Please also check the official website.

2026 Ice and Snow Lantern Festival This enchanting event fills winter nights along Kiso Road with the warm glow of ice candles and bamboo lanterns handcrafted by local residents. Held at post towns and other venues across the Kiso area, it usually runs from late January through mid-February each year. A photo contest will also be held. We look forward to many entries! For details, please see the Kiso Tourism Federation website.

December 7th Azumino greeted a below-freezing morning The sendangusa, known locally in Nagano as "baka", was frosted by the river mist that formed in the early morning The frost will melt as the sun rises In the distance, the landscape of the Northern Alps

December 6th Azumino Cold Moon The full moon sinks behind the Northern Alps A December morning turned bitterly cold.

December 6th Good morning This morning in Azumino the sky is a crisply clear blue The summit of Mount Nagamine is minus 5 degrees… It’s a very cold morning, but the full moon, the alpenglow on the Northern Alps, and the sea of clouds together make an amazing sight!!

Enjoy gourmet treats with the value Zenkoji Temple Omotesando Food Walk Ticket ✨ This time we also introduce shops where you can buy souvenirs with the ticket! 1. “Tenugui Towel” Takei Craft Shop The tenugui towels available with the ticket come in a wide variety of colors and patterns! They make perfect souvenirs or small gifts. Phone: 026-232-4111 Hours: 9:00–18:30 Closed: None 2. “Vegetable Fresh Bread” Cafe Restaurant Iris Matsuriya A dairy- and egg-free “happiest bread in the world.” Available in four varieties: tomato, spinach, pumpkin, and purple. Phone: 026-291-7061 Hours: 8:00–20:00 Closed: Open daily 3. “Chef’s Choice Tempura” Imamura Soba Honten Seasonal ingredients are served hot and freshly fried! Founded in 1890 (Meiji 23). Try their 90% buckwheat “Kuichi Soba,” made using traditional family methods. Phone: 026-232-3518 Hours: 11:00–15:00 (Weekends and holidays 11:00–16:00) Closed: Tuesday Note: This item is not available for takeout. <Zenkoji Food Walk Ticket> This value ticket lets you choose and purchase items from 19 shops offering Nagano specialties and sweets! ✨How to use✨ 1. Purchase a ticket (¥700 per ticket, tax included) 2. At participating shops listed in the brochure, exchange the stickers on the ticket (five ¥100 stickers and four ¥50 stickers) for products 3. Redeem used tickets for a prize (receive an original bag!) It’s cheaper than buying items individually and perfect for sampling a variety of shops while you stroll and eat ✨ #Food Walk #Souvenirs #Gourmet #Nagano City #Nagano Prefecture #Nagano Sightseeing #Nagano Trip #nagano #naganocity

December 4th It snowed in Azumino as well A landscape dressed in snow At Hotaka Shrine, the “Azumino Shintake Lanterns” begins tomorrow at 4:00 PM About 10,000 bamboo lanterns in the shrine grounds will cast a gentle glow There will be a time and space that soothes the heart A night market called “Yomichi” runs at the same time, with food trucks and craft stalls Please come and visit♪

A beautiful village surrounded by autumn colors. Looks so stunning. Location: Lake momiji, Nagano prefecture

The endless mountain foliage of Nagano prefecture’s Lake Momiji unfurls in a sweeping colors of red, gold, and ember-orange, the autumn canopy spilling down the slopes until it kisses the mirrored surface of the lake.

Daio Wasabi Farm’s wasabi fields, a pride of Azumino One of Japan’s largest wasabi farms using spring water from the Northern Alps Open every day year-round with free admission♪

December 1st Azumino enjoyed gentle sunshine today The view of the Northern Alps from Ohisama Road is lovely!!

Lake Momiji in Nagano prefecture is one of the best autumn spots in Japan. It looks specifically beautiful during sunset.

This is Akasawa Natural Recreation Forest in Agematsu Town, Nagano Prefecture. The trolley train running through the autumn leaves created a nostalgic scene that was simply lovely. (୨୧❛ᴗ❛)📷✨🍁🚂

Autumn is one of the most beautiful season in Japan. This year we visited lake momiji in Nagano prefecture to enjoy the beauty of autumn and We were really stunned to see this beautiful lake.

[Stargazing Photography Workshop Held on November 24] Aiming to introduce the beauty of Minamimaki Village’s night sky to local residents, we held a village-residents-only stargazing photography workshop on Monday, November 24 at the Nobeyama Radio Observatory, National Astronomical Observatory of Japan NOBEYAMA. Thanks to photographer Teruyasu Kitayama’s instruction on shooting techniques and the generous loan of a high-performance camera from OM Digital Solutions Corporation, even an amateur like me was able to take beautiful night-sky photos. The air is clear and it’s a perfect season for astrophotography, but Minamimaki Village’s cold is in a league of its own—please come warmly dressed.

November 24th The western sky over Azumino is turning red The Northern Alps suddenly lit up with sunset colors The weather is expected to worsen from tomorrow

November 23rd On the middle day of the three-day holiday in Azumino It looks like we'll be blessed with wonderful weather!! You can clearly see the Northern Alps

Use the Zenkoji Omotesando Walk-and-Taste Ticket to enjoy sweets at a great value ✨ 1. “Koi-yaki and Matcha Set” Fujita Kuemon Shoten Enjoy koi-shaped pastries called koi-yaki along with a bowl of matcha, rather than the usual tai (sea bream) shape. Koi-yaki made with seasonal ingredients are also popular. Phone: 026-219-2293 Hours: 6:30 until sold out Winter hours (Dec–Feb): 7:00 until sold out Closed: Irregular holidays 2. “100% Apple Juice” Shinshu Monzen Bakery Kura The shop is a renovated storehouse over 120 years old next to Zenkoji Daikanjin Temple, offering a calm, welcoming space. We also recommend their high-quality breads made with domestic wheat. Phone: 050-8883-6606 Hours: 10:00–16:00 Closed: Tuesday and Wednesday 3. “Nagano Apple Pie” PATISSERIE Ringo no Ki Nagano Ekimae Located right in front of the Nagano Station intersection, the shop is extremely easy to reach. They offer a wide selection of Nagano-flavored confections and fresh Western-style pastries. Phone: 026-227-1222 Hours: 9:00–19:00 Closed: None (closed only on January 1) 4. “Two Soba Manju” Okashitsukasa Kiyoe A wagashi shop tucked into a lane on the west side of Zenkoji in the monzen town area. In addition to the signature sweet Ishigoromo, which showcases craftsmen’s skills, they also sell oyaki and dango. Phone: 026-232-7396 Hours: 8:00–18:00 Closed: Thursday (open on public holidays) Zenkoji Walk-and-Taste Ticket This value ticket lets you choose and purchase items from 19 shops offering Nagano specialties and sweets! ✨How to use✨ 1. Buy a ticket (¥700 per ticket, tax included) Tickets are available at the Nagano City Tourist Information Center and at some participating shops (12 stores). 2. At shops listed in the pamphlet, exchange the stickers attached to the ticket (five ¥100 stickers and four ¥50 stickers) for products. 3. Turn in used tickets to exchange for a prize (receive an original bag!). The ticket costs less than buying items separately and lets you sample many shops’ flavors in small portions, making it perfect for a food-walking tour ✨ For more details, see the highlights on @nagano_cvb! #walk-and-taste #sweets #gourmet #Nagano City #Nagano Prefecture #Nagano Tourism #Nagano Travel #nagano #naganocity

This is the autumn foliage of Kaida Highlands in Kiso town. On clear days you can see MtOntake beautifully, and lively Kiso Horses as well!

This is the autumn foliage around Lake Ontake in Otaki village. Looking out over the scene, the landscape is entirely awash in autumn colors and truly beautiful!

This is the autumn foliage at Nezame-no-toko in Agematsu Town. The vibrant colors add to the usual beauty of Nezame, creating an even more stunning scene!

The road in Hiyoshi, Kisomachi, Kiso Koma Highland… The crimson autumn leaves and the carpet of fallen leaves are truly beautiful! Photo taken on: November 14, 2025

This is Iwaide Kannon in Okuwa village. The autumn leaves surrounding Iwaide Kannon have turned bright red and look very beautiful!

The parking area around Kijishi no Sato Yamaichi in Azuma, Nagiso town is ablaze with stunning crimson autumn leaves! Photo taken on November 14, 2025.

I climbed Yatsugatake's main peak, MtAkadake (2,899 m), via Kenkai Ridge while also inspecting the trail. It was my first time on Kenkai Ridge at this season. From around Daitengu, the path turned snowy and shaded sections were icy and very slippery. I put on chain spikes for the descent. The weather was perfect, but strong west winds made the summit cold. It already felt like winter up there, and the mountain hut is closed at this time of year. Hikers should take care. Climbing Kenkai Ridge in the deep winter is extremely dangerous; there have been recent fatal accidents. If you plan to climb, do so in the snow-free season.

November 17th A breathtaking view from the summit of Mount Nagamine this morning A morgenrot draping the Northern Alps A sea of clouds covering the Azumino Plain For this view, visit Azumino at dawn The tourism association organizes the "Stay in Azumino: Mount Nagamine Spectacular View Tour" For details, visit the official website

Snow-capped mountains in the Hakuba area of the Northern Alps From Azumino, view Mt Jiigatake, Mt Kashimayarigatake, Goryu-dake, and the Hakuba Sanzan…

The Northern Alps' 3,000-meter peaks visible from Azumino Below flows the Hotaka River, fed by the Northern Alps This is the view from Azumino Ohashi Bridge!!

November 16th This weekend brings clear, calm skies to Azumino after a long while From Ohisama Road you can see the beautiful MtJonen

The rural landscape of MtAriakeyama and Azumino From the village it looks like the shape of Mount Fuji. It is called Mount Shinano Fuji I expect its summit will soon be capped with snow and look more like Mount Fuji.