When to catch the colours in Nagano?
Average red maple, golden ginkgo and cherry blossom dates for Nagano, from the Japan Meteorological Agency's 1991–2020 normals — the fortnight to aim for, not a promise for any particular year.
- Red maples
- Leaves turnNov 12
- Peak viewingNov 12 – Nov 26
- Golden ginkgo
- Leaves turnNov 10
- Peak viewingNov 10 – Nov 24
- Cherry blossom
- First flowersApr 11
- Full bloomApr 16
Where to look next?
The prefectures we've mapped so far, nearest to Nagano first.
Frequently Asked Questions
The snow monkeys bathing at Jigokudani, Matsumoto's black crow castle, Zenkō-ji temple in Nagano city, and the Japanese Alps — Kamikōchi's river valley in green season, Hakuba's slopes in white.
The park is open year-round, but the postcard scene — macaques soaking with snow on their heads — is December to March. It's a 30–40 minute forest walk in from the bus stop, so wear proper shoes.
Absolutely — it's one of Japan's few original-keep castles, black-walled against the Alps, and the climb through its bare wooden floors beats any reconstruction. Pair it with the old merchant streets of Nakamachi below.