FAQ Nagano

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Lake Nojiri at Sunset
Photo by Shuichi Fujita (1994)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Nagano City

The English Contents

Apartments

Q: Tell me about the apartment situations in Nagano City.

A: Please have your friend to translate the Japanese answer.

Banks, Stockbrokers and Credit Cards

Q: Tell me about banks in Nagano.

A: Most of the Tokyo-based major banks have branch offices in Nagano City, except Mitsubishi and Sumitomo whose nearest branches are in Niigata City. Hachijuni Bank (82nd Bank) headquartered in Nagano is the largest bank in Nagano, and has branches in most of the major cities and town in Nagano Prefecture. Telephone and utilities payments are normally requested to be done to Hachijuni Bank, Nagano Bank or Nagano Shinkin, a credit union bank.

Q: Where can I get cash out of my Visa, American Express or Masters credit card?

A: The JTB (Japan Travel Bureau) office, just two blocks north from JR Nagano Station, has ATMs (automatic transaction machines) with English instructions, where your credit cards issued in foreign countries can be used to get Japanese yen. (Information provided by Cathy Baker)

Bookstores and Libraries

Q: Where are the bookstores in Nagano?

A: Please have your friend to translate the Japanese answer.

Q: Which libraries can we use in Nagano?

A: Very limited English language service, such as The Japan Times and Encyclopedia Americana, is available at the Nagano Municipal Library (232-3558), downtown Nagano, or Nagano Prefectural Library (228-4500), Wakasato Park. This is in contrast to the public libraries in Tokyo and its suburbs, which now offer many books in English, Chinese, Korean, French and other foreign languages, mainly for non-Japanese residents.

Bus Service

Q: Why do Nagaden buses look newer than Kawanakajima buses?

A: Well asked! Since I take Kawanakajima bus every day, the grass looks greener on my neighbor's yard! To us who are used to Tokyo's Metropolitan bus service or Yokohama's Municipal bus service which is run always in the red, Nagano's not having Municipal bus service and having Kawanakajima and Nagaden services competing each other is an ideal capitalistic scene.

Kawanakajima has for a long time been in its main bus business, which is maybe losing money, I guess. Nagaden has been in suburban raolroad service to Suzaka, Nakano, Yudanaka and Yashiro (which is making money) and has recently been expanding bus business, I believe. Does anyone know a true story?

Q: How are highway bus services in Nagano?

A: Highway bus services are available to Tokyo, Osaka, Niigata, Iida, Matsumoto and other cities. To Tokyo, two bus services are available via Shin-Etsu Expressway:

1) Nagano to Ikebukuro, Tokyo      Ikebukuro, Tokyo, to Nagano
       7:30 - 11:10                     7:35 - 11:15
       9:30 - 13:10                    10:35 - 14:15
      15:30 - 19:10                    16:20 - 20:00
      18:30 - 22:10                    17:50 - 21:30

   Nagano to Shinjuku & Tokyo Stn. Tokyo & Shinjuku Stn. to Nagano
      22:47 -  5:29  6:10              23:30  23:59 - 6:11
Jointly operated by Nagaden Bus (026-295-8050) and Seibu Bus (03-3989-2525). Bus stops are in Nagano at Gondo (across from Itoyoka-do) and JR Nagano Station (across from Tokyu Chercher, see the departure time above); and in Tokyo at JR Ikebukuro Station East Exit (in front of Kinka-do on Green Ave.). 4,000 yen one way and 7,200 yen both ways.

2) Nagano to Shinjuku, Tokyo    Shinjuku, Tokyo, to Nagano
       8:00 - 11:40                     8:00 - 11:40
      16:30 - 20:10                    17:20 - 21:00
Jointly operated by Kawanakajima Bus (026-224-7400) and Keio-Teiko Bus (03-5376-2222). Bus stops are in Nagano at Kawanakajima Bus Information Center (across from the Metropoltan Hotel; and in Tokyo at JR Shinjuku Station West Exit (Highway Bus Terminal, in front of Yodobashi Camera). This service changed its route from Chuo Highway to Shin-etsu Highway in February, 1997. 4,000 yen one way and 7,200 yen both ways.

A: Please reserve your seat and confirm the schedules and bus stops by calling the phone numbers cited above, because they may have changed.

Cars

Q: Tell me about the automobile culture in Nagano.

A: Please have your friend to translate the Japanese answer.

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Computers & the Internet

Q: Where can I find PC shops?

A: Please have your friend to translate the Japanese answer. The Japanese version of OS/2 Warp 4 can be bought at Laox Hinata Computer-Kan (237-2221) at Gondo. I use OS/2 Warp and its WIN-OS/2 (Windows 3.1 compatible window) at work (Olympic Games support) and at home, for desktop work (Lotus Smartsuite/Office), Internet processing (Netscape Navigator for OS/2, UltiMail/2 and FTP/PM), image capturing by Epson scanner and image manipulation by Macromedia's Picture Publisher.

Q: Where can I get the Internet connection services in Nagano?

A: There are three local Internet service providers in Nagano City: AVIS-Net, JA Nagano (Japan Agriculture Cooperatives), JANIS Network and Cnet Communications Nagano. In addition, as you can see in the monthly Internet Magazine, Tokyo- or Osaka-based Internet service providers, such as ASAHI-Net, NEC's BIGBLOBE, Fujitsu's InfoWeb, Microsoft's MSN, MediaBank's DREAM*NET (Softbank), JustSystem's JustNet and NIFTY-Serve, have local ports here. I use IBM's NetPassport via Japan Telecom's InterAccess 0088 service (10 yen from the first minute) or NetPassport's port in Niigata City.

Q: Where can I find the Internet virtual malls?

A: Please have your friend to translate the Japanese answer.

  • Festivals! Festivals!

    Q: Tell me about the Binzuru Festival.

    A: The Binzuru Festival is held on the first Saturday of August, on August 2 this year. It is in commemoration of St. Binzuru, one of the sixteen deciples of Buddha, but now lack the original religious flavor. Many groups dance on Chuo-dori on that evening. If you have not decided which group to join, why not join us?. On the following Sunday, there will be a fireworks display on the Susobana River, near the Prefectural Hall.

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    Folklore

    Q: Tell me about Shinshu's folklore?

    A: Please have your friend to translate the Japanese answer.

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    Foods

    Q: How about the foods in Shinshu?

    A: Please have your friend to translate the Japanese answer.

    Q: And the restaurants in Shinshu?

    Hot Spa

    Q: Tell me about hot spas?

    A: Please have your friend to translate the Japanese answer.

    Hotels and Motels

    Q: Which hotels are good in Nagano?

    A: The Kokusai 21 (026-234-1111) with its new main building and the Saihoku-kan (235-3333), which have recently been rebuilt, have traditionally been considered the best hotels. Those are where the Nagano-ites love to throw their daughters' wedding parties. The Kokusai even has its own chapel! ("Kokusai" means International; and "Saihoku," north of the Sai River, and "Kan," a Hall.) The new Mitsui Garden Hotel (225-1131) right on Chuo-dori, Nagano's main street, the Nagano Royal Hotel (228-2222) near JR Nagano Station, and the Hotel Metropolitan (291-7000), right next to JR Nagano Station, are also good hotels.

    There are business hotels, such as the Washington Hotel (228-5111) and the Daini-Ikemon Hotel (225-1110). There are also motels, such as the Route Inn Nagano (221-2121) in Nagano and the Olympia Hotel (293-6000) in Shinonoi, all located on National Highway 18.

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    Language

    Q: How different is the Shinshu dialect?

    A: Please have your friend to translate the Japanese answer.

    Mountains and Rivers

    Q: I have heard about the Five Mountains of Northern Shinshu...

    A: Please have your friend to translate the Japanese answer.

    Q: Tell me about the Chikuma River.

    A: Please have your friend to translate the Japanese answer.

    Q: Where can I view cherry blossoms in spring time?

    A: Please have your friend to translate the Japanese answer.

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    Railroad Service

    Q: How convenient is the railroad service in Nagano?

    A: Please have your friend to translate the Japanese answer.

    Reference Materials

    A: Can you recommend any good reference books about Nagano City?

    Q: Some reference books are available:

    Religion

    Q: To which Buddhist sect does Zenko-ji Temple belong?

    A: Zenko-ji (note that "ji" means "temple") does not belong to any sect. It is also noted for welcoming the women from the early times. In fact, many non-Buddhists also visit there as a signt-seeing spot, especially its "Okaidan-meguri," a dark room in the basement floor where, with luck, you can touch the "Key to Happiness."

    Q: Tell me about Zenkoji Temple's "Gokaicho".

    A: Please have your friend to translate the Japanese answer.

    Q: How about religions other than Buddhism in Nagano?

    A: Other religions also thrive in Nagano. For example, there is in front of the Education Faculty of Shinshu University, near Zenko-ji, Nagano Seikyushu Kyokai, a beautiful red-brick Anglican-Episcopal church, loved by all Nagano-ites, which will celebrate in 1998 its 100th anniversary after establishment by John Waller, a Canadian priest.

    Shinshu, Its History and the Shinshu-ites' Characteristics

    Q: As a foreigner, am I welcome to Shinshu, Nagano Prefecture?

    A: Please call ANPIE at 026-235-7186. The Association of Nagano Prefecture for International Exchange (ANPIE) can assist in many ways, by providing information about Nagano Prefecture. Please also make sure that, before you come, you access Shinshu Home Page (http://www.threeweb.ad.jp/logos/shinshu/) on the Internet.

    Q: Tell me about Shinshu's history and Shinshu-ites' characteristics?

    Q: Do you have anyhting to say about Shinshu-ites' man-woman relationship?

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    Shopping

    Q: Where do you go for shopping?

    TV, Radio and Newspapers

    Q: Which TV and radio stations can you receive in Nagano?

    A: Please have your friend to translate the Japanese answer.

    Q: Which newspapers do Shinshu-ites read?

    Weekend Activities

    Q: Do you have anything in particular on how to spend a weekend?

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    Wines

    A: Tell me about the wines in Shinshu.

    A: Please have your friend to translate the Japanese answer.

    Q: How about the sake wines in Shinshu?

    A: Please have your friend to translate the Japanese answer.

    Q: How about the local beers in Shinshu?

    A: Please have your friend to translate the Japanese answer.

    Q: How about the local rice wines in Shinshu?

    A: Try Wakamidori which is a fine sake (rice wine) brewed in Nagano City. Masumi and Kinasa Onigoroshi are other rice wines made in Nagano Prefecture. Niigata Prefecture, our northern neighbor is famous for producing such rice wines as Setchubai (Joetsu City).

    Q: Will you recommend a good liquor shop?

    A: Wines are more expensive here than in Tokyo or Europe. You'll find the best wine prices at the basement of Tokyu Dept. Store (226-8181), near JR Nagano Station. (I'm sure I'll get an objection to this statement.) Maruhon Yoshuten (221-7155) on Chuo-dori between Central Square and Shinden-cho crossing has a wider selection of wines. Takano (232-2306 or 232-2424?) is reportedly owned by a sommelier. (Information provided by Cathy Baker and Rémi Combaret)

    If you have a car, go visit Sake-no-super Takagi (221-7155), located on the road to Suzaka, off the Minamimata crossing of National Highway 18, which is the largest liquor store here, housed in a big warehouse. It also has a small shop in Gondo (237-6969). A best liquor store to some, like myself, is a place where I can get expert advice as well as reasonable prices. I liked Kobayashi Kiichi Shoten (247-2212) in Obuse City, if you have a chance to make a side trip to that lovely town, known for chestnuts. Tadashi Kobayashi, the junior owner there, is a wine expert, just back from his honeymoon trip to France. Don't miss to get Obuse Winery's Black Pegard (Red), which is the only Shinshu-brewed wine that I've found I like.

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    This page is at URL http://www.threeweb.ad.jp/logos/shinshu/faqne.html. Created by Yoshi Mikami of Asia Info Network on Fen. 21, 1997. Last update on Sept. 1, 1997.