September: Things to do in and around Nagano City

Posted on 2026.08.28 in Events

As Autumn rolls into Japan there is a noticeable shift in the ambience of Nagano. The summer bon-odori and fireworks festivals have all but passed and people head outdoors and into the mountains to enjoy the cooler weather. In September there’s plenty to do and anyone is sure to find an event suited to them in the area. Here is a selection of events happening this month you can enjoy during your trip to Nagano.

For a list of things closer to Matsumoto city, please see the article on our sister site, Matsumoto Experience, at this link.

 

Autumn Flower Viewing in Nagano

Nagano is known for its abundance of flowers this time of year. There are countless places to see the flowers in September, but here we’ll outline two of our favorites. If you head up to the Togakushi Plateau Observation Garden, you’ll be greeted with a panoramic view of fields of buckwheat in full bloom. Nagano has long been as one of Japan’s top producers of buckwheat, called soba in Japanese, making the fields of buckwheat and a soba noodle lunch a great way to spend an afternoon.

Also in bloom and great for viewing this time of year are the dahlia blossoms. The Hinata Dahlia Garden is our favorite place to see them, boasting more than 800 plants and over 400 varieties of Dahlia! This activity is not just limited to September either; the garden opens on August 8th and remains open until October 31st or the first frost, whichever comes sooner. Peak blooming occurs from mid-September to mid-October.

 

Kaii Higashiyama Print Exhibition

Kaii Higashiyama had a love for the rich nature and idyllic scenes of Nagano. He once described the area as “the hometown that nurtured my works.” This exhibition will showcase 50 of his celebrated prints, with representative works featuring the beautiful scenes of Nagano in all four seasons. The prints are not just available for viewing though, as they are also available for purchase, meaning you can take home a piece of the Nagano Landscape to remember your trip by.  

 

Nagano Craft Beer and Food Festival

Say “kampai” with hundreds of other beer lovers and enjoy Japanese food. You don’t have to travel all over the city to sample many kinds of local brews. The Nagano’s Craft Beer and Food Festival is held in September and takes place at Nagano Central Square, the meeting point for some of our tours. It is free to come down and take in the atmosphere and there is plenty of food to go along with your beer.

 

Teramachi Marche

This is a monthly market featuring producers active in Iiyama, held at the Takahashi Doll Museum. Local farmers, bakers, and confectionaries will be displaying their finest works, including but not limited to freshly harvested produce, baked goods, and sweets. If you want a taste of local foods this is event is a must!

 

Nagano Yoga Festival 2026

Calling all yogis for a day of yoga, relaxation, and rejuvenation! This yoga festival is meant for people of any level, from complete beginners and first-timers to those who practice yoga at a more advanced level. The festival will include 4 yoga instructors, food and beverage booths, a relaxation booth (massages require advanced reservations), and shops where you can buy a wide variety of yoga wear and goods at a reasonable price.

*Note: The yoga sessions will be conducted in Japanese. Those who know their Asanas will be able to follow along fairly easily, but beginners who do not speak Japanese may have a more difficult time.

 

Iiyama Station Railway Festival

Japan is well known around the world for having an advanced, reliable, and vast rail network connecting every part of the country. The Iiyama Railway Festival puts Japanese trains on full display, with something for people of all ages. There will be exhibits featuring working cars and level crossings, shops where you can buy train parts and goods, and even a photo booth where kids can dress up like train conductors!

 

Sanada Residence Garden Light-Up

Built in 1864 by Sanada Yukinori, the ninth lord of the Matsushiro domain, as a residence for his mother-in-law, the Sanada Residence is now a National Historic Site known for its Edo-period garden. For two nights each September, the garden is lit up in a rotation of colors, with projection mapping displayed on the estate's storehouse. Live performances run throughout the evening, including harp and flute on the 19th and koto, gagaku, handbell, and bamboo flute on the 20th.

 

Round Out Your Trip with Nagano Experience

Pair two of Nagano's signature flavors on our Nihonshu Sake & Oyaki Buns Tasting Tour. The two-hour tour starts with a guided visit to a former sake brewery near Zenkoji Temple, in operation from 1637 until 2010, followed by a guided sake and miso tasting (non-alcoholic options available) and a freshly made oyaki bun to finish.