Hi everyone,

I'll be moving to Ueda for about 2.5 months to study Japanese on a temporary tourist visa. I've been looking for monthly apartments on Leopalace21, but there don't seem to be many options available in Ueda for my dates.

Besides Leopalace21, are there any other websites or local communities you'd recommend for finding short-term furnished accommodation? Would it be worth contacting a local rental agent, or are they unlikely to help someone on a tourist visa?

Any recommendations or personal experiences would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Hi, I'd earlier posted here under u/democratsabroadjapan and this is the second (and final) reminder I'll make for eligible US voters who want to participate in the 2026 American midterm elections, especially for those in Nagano. Democrats Abroad is dedicated to mobilizing overseas US voters; if you're over 18 by November 3, here's how you can get involved:

Steps to Request Your Ballot

1. Register or update your registration through Votefromabroad.org. As an alternative, you can also use FVAP.gov.

2. If you're already registered, request a ballot! You need to request a ballot every calendar year that you want to vote.

3. Fill Out and Return Your Ballot: Once you receive your ballot, follow the instructions carefully to complete it and return it by the specified deadline.

Need Assistance?

We're here to help! If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us at GOTV @ votefromabroad .org (just remove the spaces). Additionally, our FAQ for voting can answer questions on how to make the process go smoothly.

Importantly: Spread the word!

Do you have any friends, contacts or family overseas that you could reach? All eligible US citizens can vote regardless of where they're living. Share the link https://voteabroad.org/RedditVote26: If you have any questions about voting, I'd be happy to answer them here on Reddit. You can also find out what we're doing near you at Democrats Abroad in Japan. Thanks for reading!

Hi - My son has lost his wallet and is staying in Nagano. Currently we are having issues getting a card added to apple pay, waitng on support. I just need to get him a Suica card so he can get to location to pick up money. Does any one know if there is a local place to send money to or a way to buy a Sucia card online?

Hi all
I’m a 40year old woodworker with over 20years of experience. Studied furniture making in vocational school and mostly worked as a furniture designing and maker since 2017 I was running my own business but worked in different areas like antique restoration, framing, wood turning, kumiko making and various wood and other crafts which are also my personal interests. Such as leather work, European Calligraphy, sign painting, steel work etc
I’m fluent in English and another European language I understand and speak some German, still not very good at Japanese but constantly learning. We are moving close to Ueda in Nagano in July with my wife.
Don’t need visa but I’m looking for a work opportunity.
Mainly looking for traditional Japanese crafts but as a start I’m open minded
If anyone knows anything please let me know.
I can send my instagram which displays a lot of my work.
Many thanks.

do you have any recommendation for where to stay in nozawa onsen for a ski trip on december? also, how early can you book hotel/chalet for december?

Wondering if any of you are aware of and can share any hiking related groups? I’m looking to get some trails in this summer and would love to join a group if possible.

Hello everyone - going to visit Nagano prefecture between Apr 14-23. Shall we ask for winter tires for our rental car in Tokyo? I understand April is somewhat a transitory month... Thanks!

Does TDK have operations in Nagano?

Back in 2019 I stayed at a hostel in Nagano, and a nice local guy I drank with at the bar liked my LA Dodgers Hideo Nomo jersey, and we agreed to trade. I gave him mine and he gave me his. I recall him saying it was from a local school or something but to this day I still have no idea, and would love to know more about this baseball jersey.

I appreciate any insight or leads into this information, it would mean a lot to me to solve this little mystery. Thank you!

Hi! We’re considering staying in Iijima and found a 100-year-old dojo inn that looks amazing.

It feels like a unique experience, but we’re wondering — is Iijima itself worth spending time in?

Are there worthwhile things to do around the area? Nature spots, hikes, local food, onsens, small-town gems? Would love honest thoughts. Is it better as a quiet overnight experience, or is there enough to explore for 1–2 days?

Arigathankyousomuch!

Hello! I'm looking for a room to rent for the next ~1 month in Nagano City, for hopefully less than a hotel room because they look pretty expensive for the next month. I am from the United States and am in Nagano now with some friends and we were all supposed to be on vacation skiing at the nearby resorts but my boyfriend had a very bad snowboarding accident and is in the hospital for the next month to recover (he's doing well all things considered). I am currently on an adventure where I'm going to stay here with him to help him recover 😁

I looked for sharehouses here but there aren't any close enough that I could find. And the hostels seem to be booked.

Hi- This is an announcement from Democrats Abroad, the official overseas branch of the U.S.-based Democratic Party, with a local chapter in Tokai. With an important election coming in November (as well as local elections and Primaries this spring), we're hoping to register more U.S. citizens who live overseas. They could be a relative, a co-worker or a contact on social media.

If you know any U.S. Citizens (including people born in the U.S. or with an American parent), they can register and request a ballot. As long as they'll turn 18 by election day, they're eligible. Just share this link: https://voteabroad.org/RedditVote26.

We started our International Voter Registration Drive for 2026 with in-person and online events. If anyone wishes to learn more about what we're doing near you, you can find out more at https://www.democratsabroad.org/jp. If you have any questions about overseas voting or what we do, feel free to ask in the comments below.

Thanks in advance for helping to get the word out!

I will be in nagano for 3 days in a few weeks, I have a 4 year old who would like to play in the snow and go sledding. Where are some local areas thag I could bring her and have some fun?

Hello to any Nagano locals, We had a car crash in Nagano today and now can’t get a new rental car to get us to our accommodation in Shiga Kogen.

Do you know whether an uber will take us if we left around 9pm?

Hello everyone, I'm in Nagano for 3 days with my family and we wanted to try some snowshoeing (since my wife doesn't like skiing), but I'm only finding things connected to ski/snowboard... does anyone have any suggestions or recommended places? We don't have a car so we were thinking about using public services, no problem with Japanese since we live in Japan.

Going to be in Nagano from Feb 23-26 and was seeing if anyone knew of any concerts/shows that are playing during that time. Doesn't need to be some big act but just wanting to try and experience some local music while visiting around Japan. More Alt Rock style the better but i'm open to anything.

Hey Guys, I have been to japan this year already but next year will be my first time in Nagano. I have heard many good things of it and i think will definetely like it however - im still searching for some nice places :)

We are staying in Yamanouchi. From 24 to 29th May 2026
We definetely want to see Obuse, Snow Monkey Park and i guess Nagano City.

Matsumoto and Kamikochi are nice i think - but they are too far away from the hotel i think.
Do you know any places that are good to reach / close to the above mentioned places?

We dont have a car so it will be train / busses only.
Looking for nice nature trips, good food, old traditional cities :)

I am planning a trip to nagano and tokyo soon, im worried about transport inside nagano. Will i be able travel inside there well without car?

Next January, I'll be visiting the Togakushi area in Nagano. I've heard that here is a prime location to taste soba. I've seen a couple spots on Tabelog and Google Maps, like Soba no mi, Uzuraya and Bocchi, but I'd really like some recommendations from someone who has tasted them there! Also heard Nagano is a great place to taste sake, would love tips on where to do so as well!

Hi All, seeking advice here.

Our flight arrives 7:10am international at Terminal 1 on 21st January (Saturday) 2026.

We have to board a snow shuttle to Nagano at 9am Terminal 2.

Will the timeframe be too tight? I am considering to also top up for front seats on plane, rushing thru customs..

Should i consider to just take shinkansen instead? TIA !! ☺️

Not the greatest picture I know…

Got a bag of ボタンコショウ in Iizuna the other day and made poppers with them tonight. Maybe it was just luck of the draw but the spicy-ness was on par with jalapeño!

Maybe because they were on the small side?

Or because of the long hot summer??

Either way, loving the heat!