Category Archives: Nagano City

Nagano in a Nutshell: N,S,E,W,Central

photos and text by Whitney Conti Nagano is the kind of inaka which attracts famed artists, first class alpinists, and a rich culture based around local food and unique landscape. However, the prefecture’s English tourism information is limited and often … Continue reading

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Hiyori Café, Nagano City

text and photos by Whitney Conti Hiyori Café is a literary lovers’ garage turned hip café space. Above Hiyori café’s basement location is the headquarters of Nagano magazine publishers, Country Press. Country Press’ most recognizable publication is Kura magazine, which … Continue reading

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Tsubu Tsubu, Nagano City Peace Food

“Peace Food since 1983″ “TsubTsubu Café proudly presents creative dished made with different grains that feature the grain’s best characteristics.” (Tsubu Tsubu sweets menu) If earth tones, vegetables and soft toned conversations sound lovely to you then Tsubu Tsubu is … Continue reading

Posted in Bakeries and Cafes, Nagano, Nagano City, Nightlife, Organic, Places | 2 Comments

9kjikan Café, Nagano City

Straight coffee in a simple setting 9kjikan (rest time) makes simplicity stylish. Their walls are clean, white, and bare with the exception of a pinned up pocket size calendar and post card sized Abbey Road placard. Tables are simple with … Continue reading

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Negibouzu Okonomiyaki, Nagano City

Negibouzu’s twig canopied entrance way and rock studded walls hint that it is not a normal okonomiyaki restaurant. Its more standard menu, prices, and tastes, however, indicate otherwise. But if you are looking for teppanyaki grills and okonomiyaki in Nagano … Continue reading

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Eat Ramen Like a Local on Route 19

Yukio Miyazawa throws vegetables and spices by the handful into a giant frying pan, briskly mixes them with noodles and smoothly tosses it all into the air.  Without looking down, he adjusts the stove heat, and the flames settle down … Continue reading

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Bakery Street Café

Bakery Street is Nagano cities’ only café to spoon ice cream from coke floats, sink into red velvet couches, and perch on 1950s chairs over espresso or sweet potato pastries. The coffees are freshly brewed, but not exceptional. The atmosphere … Continue reading

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The art of sushi right outside of Nagano station

Everyone has their favorite sushi restaurant in the prefecture which makes it difficult to lay claim to the best sushi in the ken. For me however it is Nagano city’s Tsukiji sushi. The sushi bar was recommended to me over … Continue reading

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Groovy: The smokey bar that attracts Nagano’s best jazz musicians

Groovy Jazz Bar Groovy doesn’t often play background music. More often, jazz is sung, tapped, plucked, and performed in the small attic bar. Outside of the main bar and a center table which is usually covered in instruments or lead … Continue reading

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Slow Cafe: Nagano’s inner city escape

Slow Café is as close as you can get to dining in a tree house in the middle of Nagano city. Wood paneled floors and wicker chairs are tempered by fair trade crafts, coffees, spices, and Tibetan prayer flags surrounding … Continue reading

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Bakeries and Cafes

Matsumoto Sweets. Since 1913. Matsumoto. Hours: 9:00-18:00. Everyday. Tel. 0263-32-5300. Above and beyond the standard array of delicious baked goods, sweets uniquely offers hot pressed reuben sandwiches, bread bowl soups, and a 1930s wood polished indoor seating and outdoor patio … Continue reading

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Going organic in Nagano

Nagano prefecture may be considered the “inaka” which literally translates as rural but it’s mountains and quiet attract the hip and trendy of the young organic, local movement bustling in Tokyo and thriving in our ken. A lot of the … Continue reading

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Eating Outside in Nagano City: The Asian Night Market

Asian Night Market –Zenkoji Dori by Patricia, Ben, Soleil, Katie, Krissy, Carin and Whitney Perched above bustling downtown Nagano, the Asian Night Market spills out onto the Zenkoji Dori sky line. With a varied choice of décor laden seating, you … Continue reading

Posted in 1 Out. Oct. Nov. 2009, Bars and Live Music, Nagano City, SE Asian Cuisine | Tagged , | Leave a comment

The Venues and Drinks of Nagano City Nightlife

INDIA live in the sky Music Hall and Bar. INDIA live in the sky probably brings in the most and most ecclectic acts to Nagano city. Their stage is equiped for bands as well as DJs, and their schedule is … Continue reading

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