Nagano Central Square is just a short walk from Nagano Station and was the site of the medal ceremonies during the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics. Conveniently located between the station and Zenkoji Temple, it’s easy to find and reach, even for first-time visitors to the city. For some of our tours, your guide will meet you near the small Olympic cauldron within the square. Please refer to the instructions below for details on how to locate your guide and where exactly to meet.

 

Where is the Meeting Point?

Your guide will be waiting near the small Olympic cauldron in Nagano Central Square. This open, paved space is a well-known local landmark and easy to locate from the main approach to the square (see Map).

 

How to Get There?

Nagano Central Square is approximately a 15-minute walk from Nagano Station. You can follow local signs or use Google Maps for the most direct route. If you prefer not to walk, taxis are readily available outside the station’s Zenkoji Exit.

  • Walking from Nagano Station (Zenkoji Exit)

Exit the station via Zenkoji Exit and walk straight along the main road (Route 944).

 

After about two blocks, you’ll reach the Suehirocho intersection, where you’ll see a signboard for Japanese sweets on the corner. Turn right at this intersection and continue straight along Zenkoji Omotesando Road.

 

After about 10 minutes walking along Zenkoji Omotesando Road, you’ll pass in front of TOiGO. Keep heading straight until you see Nagano Central Square on your right. Just beyond it, near the Olympic cauldron, your guide will be waiting.

 

  • Walking from your hotel or another downtown location

Use Google Maps or follow local signs to reach Zenkoji Omotesando Road, then follow the walking directions provided above. Along the way, you’ll pass a shop that sells traditional Japanese items such as hanging scrolls and bowls, which are easily visible through the display window and can help you confirm you’re on the right path.

 

  • From any other locations outside of downtown Nagano

We recommend taking a taxi and telling the driver, “Sentoraru Sukuea” (Central Square).

 

What’s on Offer at Nagano Central Square?

Nagano Central Square features an open plaza with a stage, seasonal fountain, and play structures for children. It regularly hosts local events and is a free, family-friendly space where residents often come to relax or meet up.

 

What’s Nearby?

The area around Nagano Central Square offers plenty of dining and shopping options. On the street with the square and the one across from it, you’ll find shops selling traditional Japanese goods, a tea shop with over 100 years of history that also serves matcha ice cream, and a bakery right next door. There are also many nearby restaurants where you can enjoy local specialties like soba noodles and oyaki dumplings.