A Nagano Day Trip: Trains and Zenkoji Temple
Hello everyone, it’s July 13, 2025 and welcome back to the channel. Today, we’re going to take a train trip to the city of Nagano. Tricia and I have been planning this trip for a while. Mei Mei doesn’t get to ride public transportation often. This is a great opportunity for her to ride public transportation and go on an adventure. For this trip, we’re taking the rapid train to Nagano from Naka-Karuizawa. The trip will take about 1 hour and 20 minutes, a one way ticket is ¥1,580. As always, we can’t help but enjoy the scenery passing us by. Mei Mei is enjoying herself thoroughly, watching and observing every house and color passing by. Welcome to Nagano city everyone! We finally made it. As you can see, Nagano and its surrounding areas were the sight of the 1998 Winter Olympics. Karuizawa being one of the winter sports venues…not exactly sure which one 😅 A little difficult getting Mei Mei to smile for the camera. For this trip, we are going to the famed Zenkoji Temple of Nagano. From Nagano station, we took the bus in platform 1 to Zenkoji Daimon, about 13 minutes away. Apparently there was also a matsuri today, this was a wonderful surprise. The dragon dance stopped by every child on the way and gave some form of “blessing”. This is Zenkoji’s Niōmon Gate, these tall wooden statues stand guard at the entrance. Despite being here for 4 years, there are some temples in Japan that are still amazing! Before anything else, we need to have lunch first. This is 喜多平そば店 (Kitadaira Soba Shop). Tricia and I ate here the first time we visited. The shop is just after the gate to the left. I ordered their cold soba with tempura. The noodles were thick and not as chewy and the tempura were on the small side. The soba sauce wasn’t also as flavorful as the ones I’ve tried in Nagano. Will have to pass on that order next time. Mei Mei also gets her own soba lunch too. Tricia on the other hand, ordered the katsudon set with miso soup. In her words, nothing new, it was basic. Despite the somewhat letdown of a lunch. Next door… We had the most delicious apple pie tart ever and (Mei Mei’s request) ice cream! Mei Mei7s ice cream was a soft serve with caramel and frozen apples. Don’t worry, we always share ice cream. Always getting the first and last bite. Now this was a pleasant surprise. A Shinshu Apple Tart. The tart had a good balance of sweetness and wasn’t overpowering. And each component just enhanced each flavor. This is the mise dori leading to the temple. Many shops sell a variety of items and souvenirs. There are plenty of shops selling snacks too. Welcome to Zenkoji Temple’s main gate. A massive wooden structure. Visitors can come up to see the city from a different angle. There is a fee of course. While entrance to the grounds are free. Entrance to the different buildings and the museum are displayed at the entrance. Quite a massive complex, but the main shrine itself is always a marvelous sight to behold. Beside the temple is the shrine gift shop. There are charms for different occasions and also shrine stamp books too. Another interesting one was the collaboration items with Beams store. Interesting and had to stop myself from purchasing something just for the sake of it. However, we did end up buying something, a special charm. Yesterday, Tricia had her check up at the maternity clinic. We finally found out our baby’s gender. We’re having a boy! Wish granted for me! Here is a charm for a safe delivery during the pregnancy. We’re now back at Nagano station. Getting ready for our long ride back to Karuizawa. The train station was abuzz with activity. The festival earlier has arrived at the station. Summer in Japan is all about these festivals. I believe there’s one happening in Karuizawa soon. Mei Mei is getting ready for the long trip. She enjoyed this one, with the trains and sounds of the city. While we do miss the city, nothing beats going back to our quiet little town. I hope you enjoyed this trip just as much as we did.
Spend a relaxing summer day with us on a family day trip from Karuizawa to Nagano City! We take the local rapid train, enjoy the passing scenery, and explore the historical grounds of Zenkoji Temple, one of Japan’s most significant pilgrimage sites. Along the way, we stumble upon a lively matsuri (festival) complete with a dragon dance, enjoy a nostalgic lunch near the temple, and discover a hidden gem: a Shinshu apple tart that just might be the highlight of the trip.
If you love Japan’s quiet corners, spontaneous travel moments, and family-friendly adventures, this vlog is for you. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more Japan day trips and travel reflections.
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