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Panoramic view of Nagano city with snow-dusted Japanese Alps glowing at sunset

Nagano Part 1

Nagano - Part 1

Nagano is the capital of the prefecture of the same name in the center of the main island of Japan. The city of around 370,000 residents is located in a valley and covers an area of more than 800 square kilometers.

Nagano achieved worldwide fame in 1998 by hosting the Winter Olympics and Paralympics. After Tokyo (1964) and Sapporo (1972), it was the third city in Japan to host the Olympic Games.

Interior of Nagano train station featuring a large panoramic landscape mural above travelers with luggage

The main station, whose building is strongly shaped by wood, is usually the first thing visitors see.

Black and white cityscape of a Japanese urban street featuring a television tower, buses, pedestrians, crosswalks, and a mountain backdrop
Covered pedestrian walkway with large wooden pillars and hanging paper lanterns in an urban Japanese plaza.
Street approach to Zenkoji temple in Nagano, Japan, with a wooden gate, paper lanterns, stone walls, and a pedestrian crossing
Covered Japanese shopping arcade with red vertical banners beneath an arched glass roof
narrow residential street in japan with utility poles overhead wires and a parked car under overcast sky
Closed rusty metal storefront with Japanese and English signage indicating a ladies' and men's fashion shop.
Volunteers planting flowers in a city plaza garden bed in Nagano, Japan during autumn
Three colorful beverage vending machines lined up against a white wall on a sunny urban street in Japan
modern triangular fountain spraying water in a park pond surrounded by evergreen trees
autumn trees with colorful foliage lining a paved road beside a white fence under overcast sky
child with backpack crossing street at intersection near school
Green public payphone in a beige outdoor booth near trees and a paved path
Autumn forest with evergreen pine and colorful deciduous trees under a cloudy sky
convex traffic mirror reflecting autumn trees and blue sky with power lines
Stone komainu guardian statue with carved ball amid autumn foliage at Japanese shrine
Traditional wooden torii gate at a Japanese Shinto shrine surrounded by autumn foliage with visitors on a stone path
Autumn forest canopy with golden, orange, and green leaves against a pale blue sky
Red apples hanging on branches of an apple tree with green leaves
Yellow goldenrod flower spikes blooming among green foliage in a natural field setting

Climbing the hills on the outskirts of the city, you have an impressive view over the city and the surrounding mountains.

Nagano, Japan: houses nestled in lush greenery at the foot of a mountain.
Panoramic view of Nagano city with snow-dusted Japanese Alps glowing at sunset
Layered mountain ranges at sunset over a valley town beneath dramatic clouds
Nagano
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Traditional Japanese straw sandals hung on a wooden fence at a shrine

Nagano - Part 2

Details of a calm city.
Panoramic view of Nagano city with snow-dusted Japanese Alps glowing at sunset

Nagano - Part 1

Traditional Japanese straw sandals hung on a wooden fence at a shrine

Nagano - Part 2

Large traditional Japanese wooden temple with multi-tiered roof, lanterns and visitors in a stone courtyard

Zenkō-ji

Nighttime Japanese street lined with glowing paper lanterns leading toward an illuminated temple gate

Nagano at Night

A Japanese noren curtain featuring minimalist circular patterns hanging over a wooden storefront entrance.

Nagano - Part 3

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