Nagano, Japan 🇯🇵
Nomad Score:
60%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Nagano is a city located in the Nagano Prefecture of Japan, known for its beautiful mountainous landscapes and rich cultural heritage. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 370,000 |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average speed of around 100 Mbps, with fiber-optic connections widely available. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 JPY ≈ 0.007 USD; Japan predominantly uses the Yen (JPY). |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable, Nagano's tap water is sourced from the Japanese Alps, known for its purity. |
| 🔌 Power | 100V, 50/60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets |
| 📶 SIM Card | Providers such as NTT Docomo, SoftBank, and au offer prepaid SIM cards, easily obtainable at airports and convenience stores. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | International cards are accepted; banks include Shinsei Bank, Citibank, and Japan Post Bank. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options such as Airbnb, guesthouses, and traditional ryokans are available. Expect to pay around ¥5,000-¥10,000 per night. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, payment by card is increasingly accepted at shops and restaurants, with popular apps like Suica and PayPay. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and local guesthouses are popular for short stays, with prices around ¥4,000-¥12,000 per night. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostels such as Zenkoji Temple Hostel and Nagano City Youth Hostel offer budget-friendly options starting at ¥3,000 per night. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Nagano Creative Center offers comfortable workspaces and networking opportunities. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Waku Waku House is known for its cozy atmosphere, good coffee, and fast Wi-Fi. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Meetup.com features local gatherings; a common expat gathering is the Nagano Innovators Meetup. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Facebook groups like "Nagano Expats & Locals" provide insights into community events and connections. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Denso Taxi is a reliable local service. Rides can also be arranged via the JapanTaxi app. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Naganobike offers reasonable rentals at around ¥1,500 per day. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | The closest beach is the sandy shores of Lake Suwa, approximately 30 minutes away by train. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | ANA (All Nippon Airways) provides regional flights. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airways (ANA) offer international flights to Nagano. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | The Nagano Expressway provides convenient access to surrounding cities and regions. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Nagano Station is the primary hub for Shinkansen (bullet trains) and local trains. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | The Nagano Light Rail Pass offers unlimited travel for tourists, priced around ¥1,000 per day. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Local trains (JR East) connect Nagano with nearby cities; expect travel times of about 30 minutes to Matsumoto. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Nagano City Hospital provides comprehensive health services. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga Studio Nagano offers classes for all levels, priced around ¥1,500 per session. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Gold's Gym Nagano provides a range of fitness equipment and fitness classes. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Coin-operated laundromats are available in various neighborhoods, with average costs around ¥300-¥500 per load. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | UberEats and Demae-can are popular food delivery services in Nagano. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Soba (buckwheat noodles) is a local specialty, particularly the cold variety served with dipping sauce. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Kushiyaki Katsu offers a variety of vegan-friendly dishes. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Kikka Tea House is renowned for its matcha and Japanese sweets. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Nagano's Matsumoto Castle area has local markets that offer fresh produce at reasonable prices. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Rakuten and Amazon Japan cater to online shopping needs. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Services like Seiyu offer convenient grocery delivery options. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Hachiman Plaza features several bars and izakayas popular among locals and expats. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Shinshu Nagano Beer is a well-known local brewery offering various labels. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Wines from Nagano are served at several locations, including Paris Nagano. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | The area around Zenkoji Temple has food stalls serving local snacks, such as yakitori. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Restaurants like La Città offer Italian cuisine in a chic atmosphere. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Zenkoji Temple is a historic Buddhist temple and one of Japan's most visited landmarks. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | The Nagano Prefectural Art Museum showcases local and international art. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Matsushiro Castle ruins provide a glimpse into Nagano's feudal past. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Kouko-ji Temple is a small, tranquil temple worth visiting. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | The Nagano Winter Sports Festival held in February attracts many visitors. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | The Chuo-dori Street is known for its shops and traditional architecture. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Nagano Civic Cultural Hall hosts various performances throughout the year. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | The Nagano Morning Market is famous for fresh produce and local crafts. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Jazz clubs and local bands showcase live music in the city, especially in the Yashiro area. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Various murals can be found scattered around popular districts in Nagano. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Naganomaki offers cooking classes focusing on local cuisine. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Gallery Kura showcases contemporary art by local artists. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The former Takashima-ke House is a well-preserved architectural gem. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Nagano is known for its traditional crafts, such as Miso and Soba production. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | The Jigokudani Monkey Park is nearby, famous for its hot spring-bathing snow monkeys. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Joshinetsu Kogen National Park is a vast area offering hiking and natural beauty. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The Matsumoto-Kamikochi route provides stunning views for both hikers and cyclists. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Kurobe Dam offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Shiga Kogen is a prime birdwatching area known for its diverse avian species. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Mount Asama has designated areas for campfires and bonfires, perfect for gatherings. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Yamato Transport and Sagawa Express offer reliable parcel delivery options. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | BIC CAMERA and Yamada Denki provide electronics repair services. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Nagano Sports Center hosts table tennis facilities open to the public. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Language schools like CULS offer Japanese language classes for expats. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Nagano City Library offers a quiet place for reading and studying. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | The Nagano International Association organizes community events and programs. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Village Vanguard is a quirky shop with gaming areas. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | While there are no casinos in Nagano, pachinko parlors can be found, offering a unique gaming experience. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. ¥300,000 per m² (e.g., 30 m² = ¥9,000,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. ¥240,000 per m² (e.g., 30 m² = ¥7,200,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. ¥280,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = ¥16,800,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. ¥220,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = ¥13,200,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. ¥250,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = ¥20,000,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. ¥200,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = ¥16,000,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 23.2% |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 20% |
| 🏦 Tax System | Residents are taxed on worldwide income, with specific deductions available. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 45% |
| 🧾 VAT | 10% |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, Japan has strict CFC rules regulating taxes on foreign entities. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Based on the assessed value of the property, approximately 1.4% annually. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | 6% for properties, 4% for housing. |