Nakatsugawa(Japan) Travel 2026: Cheap Flights, Hotels & Top Attractions

In Nakatsugawa City, recommend staying at Yumeno Sato Onsen Hotel, nestled in the scenic border region between Nagano and Gifu Prefectures. This hotel offers traditional Japanese rooms with private outdoor baths, surrounded by forest and snow-covered landscapes. It embodies the "forest bathing" concept, featuring foot baths, tea ceremony experiences, and winter-only snow lantern walks. Located near Nakatsugawa Bridge and Shirayama Shrine, it’s ideal for families seeking authentic mountain life in the Hida region.

The city center is the optimal area for lodging, close to Nakatsugawa Station and City Hall, with easy access to shopping streets and dining spots. The area boasts excellent safety and proximity to key attractions like Nakatsugawa Civic Center and the Kagawa River Promenade. Most hotels offer free shuttle services to nearby destinations such as Hida Furukawa and Shirayama Nature Reserve, making it perfect for travelers planning an immersive regional experience.

Nakatsugawa City offers rich Hida regional traditions. Try the "Hida Crafts Workshop" to learn wood carving or lacquerware-making. During the annual Nakatsugawa Snow Festival in January, enjoy large snow sculptures and torchlight parades, plus local delicacies like Hida beef hot pot and sake lees mochi. For a deeper immersion, join the "Snow Country Farm Dinner Experience"—a kaiseki meal served in a traditional thatched-roof house using locally sourced ingredients, offering a true taste of rural Hida heritage.

Yes, Nakatsugawa City is ideal for winter tourism due to its high elevation and abundant snowfall, creating stunning snowy landscapes and frost formations. Enjoy guided snowshoe hikes along the Shirayama Nature Reserve trails or try snowmobile tours. At Yumeno Sato Onsen Hotel, nightly "Snow Lantern Night" events illuminate riverside paths with thousands of paper lanterns, creating a magical atmosphere. Nearby Nakatsugawa Ski Resort also offers beginner-friendly slopes and snow yoga classes.

Must-try dishes include Hida beef sukiyaki, known for its tender texture and rich flavor, paired with local soy sauce and mirin. Another highlight is Kagawa River eel rice bowl, made with fresh seasonal eels simmered in a secret sauce. Don’t miss sake lees mochi, sweet rice cakes made from leftover sake mash—a delightful souvenir treat. These can be found at Nakatsugawa Station front street market or evening night markets near the civic center.

From Tokyo, take the JR Limited Express train via Nagano Station, then transfer to a local line bound for Nakatsugawa Station, taking about 3.5 hours. The journey offers scenic views of the Shin'etsu Expressway and the Hida Mountains. Upon arrival, taxis and rental cars are available, and city buses connect major sites. Consider HopeGoo a high-speed bus (e.g., Nagoya–Nakatsugawa route) to reduce transfers and save time. The city center is walkable, perfect for leisurely exploration.

Though not a large city, Nakatsugawa has deep historical roots. Visit Shirayama Shrine, a prominent spiritual site built during the Edo period, featuring striking red torii gates and ancient wooden architecture showcasing Hida-style shrine aesthetics. Also explore Old Nakatsugawa Townscapes, preserving Meiji-to-Shōwa era wooden shops now repurposed into craft markets and cafés. Don’t miss the Kagawa River Railway Old Line Site, once a vital timber transport route, now transformed into an ecological trail where wild deer occasionally appear.

Nakatsugawa’s hot springs are renowned for their high mineral content and clear water quality, especially at Yumeno Sato Onsen, where the water temperature reaches 42°C and contains sodium bicarbonate and sulfate minerals beneficial for skin and joint health. Many onsen areas feature open-air baths surrounded by snow-capped forests, allowing guests to gaze at stars while soaking. Some hotels even offer "Forest Bathing Onsen" with aromatherapy and ambient sound therapy, enhancing relaxation. Visit early morning for serene, uncrowded moments.

Absolutely! Nakatsugawa is a paradise for photographers. Capture the iconic red torii gates of Shirayama Shrine framed by snow-covered peaks. The Kagawa River Promenade at sunset offers stunning reflections and long-exposure opportunities. The Snow Lantern Night event creates a mesmerizing tunnel of light along the riverbank. In spring, the **

Top souvenirs include Hida beef jerky, rich in flavor and convenient for travel. Next, sake lees mochi—sweet rice cakes made from leftover sake mash—are a delicious local specialty. Also consider handcrafted Hida wooden accessories, such as carved chopsticks and bookmarks, made by local artisans. These items are available at Nakatsugawa Station Front Street Market and the first-floor gift shop at Civic Center, with some stores offering personalized engraving for a unique touch.