Day 1 – Jobless in Japan: Nagano

Nagano is a city not far from Tokyo. It is about 2 hours train ride. Refer to my previous post for the experience coming here.

 

 

From Wikipedia:

Nagano is located in former Shinano Province and developed from the Nara period as a temple town at the gate of the famous Zenkō-ji, a 7th-century Buddhist temple which was relocated to this location in 642 AD, and as a post station on the Hokkoku Kaidō highway connecting Edo with the Sea of Japan coast. During the Sengoku period, the area was hotly contested between the forces of the Uesugi clan based in Echigo Province and the Takeda clan based in Kai Province. The several Battles of Kawanakajima between Uesugi Kenshin and Takeda Shingen were fought near here. During the Edo period, much of the area came under the control of the Sanada clan based at Matsushiro Domain. The area suffered from flooding in 1742, and from a destructive earthquake in 1847. Following the Meiji restoration and the creation of the municipalities system on April 1, 1889, the modern town of Nagano was established. Nagano was elevated to city status on April 1, 1897. It was the first city founded in Nagano Prefecture and the 43rd city in Japan.

Snippets from today!

 

The original intent of coming here was to see and experienced some snow. On the way here, can see quite a number of snowboarders that took the train with me. I do wonder where do they go though! Unfortunately the weather on Day 1 was sunny!

As I only have less than half a day here, my plan today is really to go around the attractions in the city area

Zenkoji Temple

It’s quite easy getting there. I am staying in a hotel attached to Nagano Station. I have two options, either I walk about 2km or take a set of buses. As this is the first day, I walked about 2km to Zenkoji. Amazing that on the first day my SD card died and I am left with just my iPhone X and my Go Pro. And for my Go Pro, my Karma Grip refused to work!!! Hahha. Here are some of my photos from Zenkoji.

Food worth mentioning!

Soba is a type of noodle make out of buckwheat noodle. Apparently Nagano is a 2nd largest grower of buckwheat, which needed highlands.

 

Oyaki is a type of rice cake. Generally made with buckwheat flour. The filling is made out of vegetables.

 

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