NAGANO

Probably best-known to the world as the host of the 1998 Winter Olympic Games, Nagano remains one of the more popular tourist destinations in Japan today, and not only for its beautiful ski slopes. The city houses—and in fact, evolved around—the historical and imposing Zenko-ji Temple, first constructed approximately 1400 years ago; it is one of Japan’s national treasures, and the largest wooden building in eastern Japan. It is believed that the first Buddhist statue brought to Japan has its home in this temple, and the statue is only open to viewing by the public once every seven years; the next showing will be in 2010. Many relics of the past are preserved in other parts of the prefecture, such as old samurai quarters and gardens that were sculpted in the feudal period in Matsushiro, a former castle-town. In Matsumoto, the foreboding black Matsumoto castle still stands, five-stories tall and showcasing within its depths many of Japan’s ancient weapons. Then there are the many mountains of Nagano, where a multitude of old spa towns will satisfy the urge for tradition for any visitor. It is not all old, however. Shiga Kogen in the northeast of Nagano is Japan’s largest ski resort (and not far from it are the delightful hot springs of Jigokudani, famous for the wild monkeys that can often be seen cavorting in its steamy warmth during winter). There is also Karuizawa, one of Japan’s first western-style hotels and among the most accessible in Nagano; Karuizawa’s tennis courts were, interestingly enough, one of the places where the current Emperor dated his Empress. Above all, many signs of the Games remain in Nagano years on, such as in the village of Iizuna in the north where an Olympic ski resort and campsite still bustles with business; some of the arenas constructed for the Games, arguably epitomized by the M-wave speed-skating arena boasting the world’s largest wooden suspension roof, have become tourist hotspots and local landmarks.